decline: but promised to call if I should return that way. You must say lo Mrs. Jameson he told me that Wm was somewhere in Texas perhaps near Brazoria and that I had better take her letter on. I have learnt from Gentlemen passengers riding in Alexandria that John B. Scott was extensively involved by the mismanagement of Wm I believe I stated in my letter that I had left at Natches nine Gentlemen on their way to Texas who promised to wait a week for me at Alexandria if I would join their party: as I came up we took them in near the mouth of Red River: they had been unable to procure a direct passage; there are now on this Boat more than 20 Gentlemen Some of the first grades, for Texas so that I shall have the opportunity to ml;l.king my part as select as I may choose. We met a report this morning at Alexandria of a most distressing character ·from Texas "that the Garrison at San Antonio had been taken by the Mexicans, the soldiers throats cut and their bodies burnt, I hope this is not true, but from the source from which it came I have much reason to fear it: but true or false it will have but little effect upon my movements. I shall keep a sufficient space between Santa Anna & myself: I apprehend no danger on this side of the Colorado: I do not expect to go much beyond that. The Boat is under head way & another one in sight before, and shakes so badly I can scarcely wright. We expect to reach Natchitoches sometime between this and the morning when I shall take my leave for the present: Of the Steam Boats I have seen & learnt much since I have been on the River both of men and things: I have seen & admired the celebrated coast on the Mississippi & think its beauti have not been told. I am now admiring from the cabints Windows the celebrated Red River lands. Things about is great but from their locality musl always be[?] un---------- price from 50 to SHOO per acre: they produce from one & a half to 2 bales cotton to the acre Natchitoches Sunday night March 27th 1836 We arrived at this ancient city this morning a little after midnight and Sunday as it is have been quite busy in buying a horse & C &C preparatory to leaving in lhe morning You may suppose that it shocked me to find this the business day of the week the drays running, the stoors crowded & the people is busy as they can be. I was extreamcly fortunate this morning in gelling
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