1213
THE AUSTIN PAPERS.
J. EnwIN TO AosTIN 1
S F AUSTIN Eqr. Shelbyville Sept. 30 th 1825 Srn Altho I have not the pleasure of your personal acquaint- ance, I take the liberty of writing you, the object is more to reply to your letter of Feby 18 th to my father, than to make any explana- tions of our former business with Mr. Groce for whom you express so lively an interest-how he has created that feeling I am unable to say. I am too conversant with your character, too well enformecl of your capacity and descrimination, for a inoment to believe that you can be deceived in the man. Three days of acquaintance to a man of intelligence, will show, Groce to be a vain foolish Gasconacling Bragadocia a man of considerable energy or rather industry, acute and subtle in small matters, ready to see and take an advantage, ambitious, and vain, the latter two qualities so predominate as to expose him readily to an observer, he is entirely void of the high and honorable feelings of a gentleman, destitute of principles, and without the least pretensions to credit for veracity or integrity of character, all this can not have escaped your attent,ion, and if so how can you give attention to Statements made. by him affecting the character and standing of men of Reputation ,vhy hesitate about the opinions you seem at a loss to form about transactions between such men and a Renegade like Groce-What evidence have you to create a doubt-vVhatever Groce may tell you to the contrary, I now tell you I can substantiate by Groce's own hand writing that up to the last transaction of business that ever took place between us in any shape whatever, that there was no difficulty or complaint and that I have his rects in full up to the latest transaction signed and sealed by him acknowledging that all was satisfactorily settled from the beginning of the world to that date, it was then and on that very day-in order to bring the entire business of A Erwin Groce and Co to a close that we agreed to divide amongst us indi- vidually the remaining out debts _which were all in the hands of Col. McKenni of Augusta Geo. and amounted to $30,000-it was at the earnest intreaty of Groce, himself-that McKenni divided this amt into three equal sums say $10,000-and took Groce's indi- vidual notes for $10,000,·my note for $10,000 and my father's note also for $10,000-I refused to giv~my note at first until Groce begged me to do so; urged the object of a final settlement-his rect in full- and finally agreed to assist me who was then void of means to pay my note, he gave his note payt at such time as would allow two crops of cotton to intervene and promised McKenni on his Honor,
& Compare .Andrew Envln to Austin, August 29, 1821S.
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