[New Orleans], June 8, 1832

Dear Cousin,

I can not go hence without writing to you, if but a line, at once of adieu and welcome. I shall soon be on my way to Kentucky, while you I hope are not far from your cherished home. I rejoice to hear, as by last accounts, that your health and prosperity are so flattering and pray God that you may be blessed in all things.

Our book is not out yet that I know of The late political disturbances in Mexico caused such a panic in New York, that everything was at a stand. I hope it will be no disadvantage in the end, as they say it will not. In the mean time all Europe is in commo- tion with wars and rumors of wars cholera etc. Despotism is seeking its last vengeance in Spain and Poland, it is to be hoped. In consequence immigrants are thronging to this country. Where can they find such an asylum as Texas offers? How prophetic were your views! With you, I am heartily sick of the old world and all its doings—the great tyrannies and the little ones. Pray be firm against slavery. I witness such cruelties as fill me with abhorrence of myself and my species. How I long for our peaceful and simple and quiet life, where we will admit no debasing passions. I will not aim at too much and I can not be disappointed. My personal wants are few. My plan for a school is drawn up, but at the present it shall remain in my escritoire.

I can not forbear to give you an extract from a letter of Orville Holley about my work. He says, " I intirely agree with you in your appreciation of Stephen Fuller Austin's character. He is to be ranked among the founders of Commonwealths, intrepid, interprizing, benevolent and just—a man of sense and soul. I am not only pleased, but proud to be friendly and respectfully remembered by such a man; and it will be among the many grateful considerations connected with whatever I may be able to do in the matter of this book, that it may serve in some degree to promote his just and sacred interests." He says he has half a mind to emigrate himself, supposing he could fix in some prairie, where he could gather his own eggs, and after learning the bee business take his own honey etc., etc.

I mean to return here in October when I will arrange the details for further operations. I can not now regulate everything, nor tell the moment of my going to the Colony. But I assure you, my [dear] cousin, that it will be at the first moment I am able, for there is nothing I so ardently long for— In the mean time the happiness of being once more with my dear children will absorb me. If they were in Texas and I with them, I should not have a wish. My health is very good. May all happiness attend you—remember me kindly to your sister and family.

Your cousin

M A H

Hubbard has his passport—He and John are well—

[Addressed:]Col: S F Austin San Felipe de Austin Texas. Brazoria