21
THE AUSTIN PAPERS
else, not even a sentence of death could have done, it depressed my spirits. Since then all has britened-Grayson and Jack ha,;e arrived and I have heard from you all in Texas in a manner that shows that my well in- tended exertions to serve that country are appreciated. This fully compen• sates me for my sufferings. I have been called a cold hearted calculator by some, How little they know me. What they called cold hearted calcu- lation, proceeded in fact from the warmth of my affections for those people. I feared they would injure themselves. Had I cared nothing about them, no such fear would have influenced me. The truth is I am not sufficiently. cold hearted, for at times I suffer myself to oe excited very much, my letter of 2d October 1833 to the Ayuntamto of Bexar is one proof of it. I can now look back and see many others of a similar kind. I opposed a territory for Texas last year in this place under my instructions, to do so, in true North American stile, that is with passion violence and irritation, and by so doing have involved myself in a tangled net, I might have done it mildly and avoided making so many enemies and such powerful ones. I rely on you and Williams to attend to my private affairs. The last two years have cost me large sums of money and thrown me back very much in my own affairs. You can make such arrangements of my business as you think best. I am greatly in favor of keeping up the Chocolate bayou stock farm, and intend to spend some of my time there. The place is of no value except for stock, but is good for that purpose. I hope you or my friends will never forget Mr. Jack and his family, and Mr. Grayson they are truly worthy men. I shall ever remember them with gratitude. I cannot write to all, but wish you to remember me to all, and you can show this letter to such of my friends you think proper. Remember me to all the children, tell them to mind their books and study hard and loose no time in idleness. I send Eliza a small pair of scissors, as an emblem of industry and the domestic virtues, which she will possess to a great degree if she will attend as she ought to do, the precepts and example of her parents, as I have no doubt she will do. Joe must be a good planter, Austin a good merchant and Guy a good Lawyer. Let them bear this in mind. also Steph F: must be a Lawyer. Remember me to Mr. Pilgrim. I am greatly pleased with him as a teacher. Remember me very affectionaly lo Cousin Henry Austin and all his family. I hope to see him next spring, and that we shall all see better times in future. Most truly and affectionately your brother S. F. AUSTIN [Rubric] Since writing the above I nave recd additional information which strength- ens my opinion that my affair will terminate favourably-so that you must not be uneasy or unhappy on my account-
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