Velasco July 27 1834

Mr. J. F. Perry

D Sir a gentleman had special charge as to the delivery of a package brot on board the Empress finding I lived at this place and the Schr would not wait he was compelled to leave them with one of my workmen on the oposite side of the river. I immediately left for the settlements above and thus missed receiving the package which contained the letter directed to you by Col A as I infer from the hand writing—I have been exceedingly ill at Mr Bell's for several days and was only able yesterday morning to be moved after traveling all night by water arrived at home this morning and hasten to forward the letter if it contains any knews as to the Col do let us hear a brief sketch of it

William Jack writes me from San Felipe that Genl Almonte is in that place he finds him intelligent, pleasant, frank and candid he assures him that if Col Austin is not already released that he will unequivocaly be in a very short time says we are a badly slandered people and were reported as being in a state of open rebellion and that he was sent in order to ascertain and report the facts and has and will take such measures as to set all on a fair footing

I am truly yours much exhausted with fatigue and must lie down Only having just arrived at home

T. F. McKinney [Rubric]