Quintana 17. Dec. 1835

Genl. S. F. Austin

Dr. Sir

Your horse is sent up by Simon. I am unable to say any thing about the Schooner W. Robbins as to her sailing I would be very glad to see you for a day or two before you leave. It is now thought the W Robbins should go to Matagorda Perhaps we will be able to arrange otherwise. I fear if a stand is not taken against self dubed patriots all our labors in Texas are gone to the devil and me with it. Where is the money to come from to pay 10 or 15 Million of Dollars with our present population We must decline in credit and means will be with held from us and we must fail altogether all for being a little fearful of oposing Red hot unthinking politicians whose business will be to spend money but upon the people will devolve the burthen of paying it and when the devil will we be able to pay 3 or 400$ for every soul in Texas all for high sounding terms—Finding several pieces written and published in favr. of Independence by the Same men over different signatures and finding none of our Citizens oposing—I wrote and sent to that Slave Gray a piece in order to let it be known that we were not unanimous in that way of thinking and to get our citizens to reflect. He seemed to approve it and said he would publish it but the next day John Wharton reached there and he has suppressed the publication and substituted a bag of stuff illy comporting with our present condition. I am truly surprised that public opinion should be thus forstalled and our politicians yielding the very right of thought to a wild unthinking faction. Can or will you do it God forbid you have the power of saving Texas if you will exert it but what is to be come of us Come down.

Your friend

Thomas F. McKinney [Rubric]

[Note on back:] Since writing news has reached us that Cos has fled with 100 men from Bexar Milam killed a vessel is off filled from one end to the other with passengers we know what [not] what she is but think it the Santiago McK

[Addressed:] Col Stephen F. Auston Peach Point