1.'HE AUSTIN PAPERS 199 of character required by law- The person you speak of called William Knight came to this colony some time ago, and the treat- ment he met with affords a pretty fair specimen of public sentiment here-he came here in very great apparent distress-stated that he hn.d been shipwrecked and lost his all etc,-he was taken by the hand a subscription was made up for his relief-he was clothed and fed and attended to in sickness- Our cabbin doors were thrown open, and the hand of liberal and generous hospitality was extended to him, as it is to all strangers and travellers- Accident discovered the gross imposture he had practiced, and nothing but a precipitate flight saved him from severe punishment. The fears you have of being robbed etc are all groundless- I will only make the remark that when you come here, you will be asionished to see all our houses with no other fastening than a wooden pin or door latch, even stores are left in this State-there is no such thing in the colony as a stable to lock up horses nor pens to guard them in, they roam in the prairies-the " Mustangs" or wild horses, are the only robbers that are feared- I thank you for the caution you give me as to the men of bad character who have started to this country, :My intentions are to admit none but good men, but I have been frequently deceived, and no doubt shall be so very often in future-tho shall try to guard against it- This colony is very flourishin[g], and now is the best tin1e for emigration- I have certain assurances of an increase of 3 or 400 families next fall, ancl the sooner you and your friends get on the better chance you will have of making a good selection of land- Stock is high and you would do well to bring out a large stock of Cows in particular-or heiffer calves and yearlins The disturbances in :Mexico do not affect us here-we have nothing to do with them-all that is necessary here is to keep harmony amongst ourselves-and to work hard- STEPHEN F. AUSTIN [Rubric] To Mr Thomas White [Addressed:] l\1r Thomas vVhite San Martinville Attakapas Louisiana
J. B. AusTIN IN AccoUNT WI'l'H M. B. Nucxor..s
James B. Austin, 1829.
To M B Nuckols Dr. March. To one pot Rack____________________________________________ 2. 50 " one small pot------------------------------------------- 1.12½ " one pair pot Boocks----~------------------------------- 75 " one piggin_________________________:_____________________ 60 " one Griddle-------------------------------------------- 1.50 $6.37½
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