William Hunter to James F. Perry, January 2, 1830

Summary: Stevenson informed Perry about his recent trip from New Orleans and his business transactions. He thought the trip was a little harrowing, with a lot of people sea sick. Also described how a Mr. Mathews brought thirty slaves on the ship and enquired how he got permission for that. The rest of his business dealt with trade goods and freight rates, including whiskey and castor oil. Ended by telling Perry that emigrants were coming to Texas faster than he had ever seen before.

Mouth of Brassos

January 2nd 1830

Dear Sir.

As Capt Browne is now at this place on his way to New Orleans I take the earliest opportunity of letting you know we arrived safely over the Bar this evening about Sunset. We lef[t] the light house at New Orleans on the 27. Decr. by the way of the lakes & arrived at the Bellees on Monday morning the voyage to myself as well as many other of the passengers was quite a disagreeable one I was sea sick from the time we started until our arrival & until this time The house is apparently tottering about as though I was out in a heavy sea I am more reduced than I ever was by any sickness though I calculate I will be more healthy then had I not been sick. Austin stood the trip verry[sic] well He was frequently sick but it lasted but a short time with him he made many wishes to be at home & for a good drink of water out of Peter Smith Well. We had twelve Cabbin passengers all of whom were very respectable Persons among the NC.[sic] was Mr. Miles a young man who went out with you last spring he is merchandizing at Brasoria I am verry[sic] much pleased with him indeed. There was 30 Negroes on board the principle part of them owned by a Mr. Mathews from Alabama who is going to settle in this Colony I will enquire of him of what way he brought them in I write you by the Maria Ser. when I will be able to let you know something about what is going on at St. Felip &c. &c. I have heard nothing further from there than Col. Asten started for Calittoa about 12 Weeks since I am told the Ne-[illegible word] landed our good safe at Brasoria I am verry[sic] sorry we did not have the taken to Bills it being 10 Miles nearer & 25. diff. pr. hhd[sic] in hauling I think I will be able to get what I have with me taken up as the Capt. will probably get some frt. there for N.O. I inteng[sic] going out to St. Felipe as early as possible & engage Wagons to haule the goods. I will I am in hopes be able to get the helled for good. When I was in New Orleans I was told by Mr Miles Whiskey would not pay carriage to this place I find the article bears a better price than he anticipated I have therefore ordered our friend John G Stevenson to forward me by Capt Brown at the first opportunity 4 Bbls Whiskey 1/4 Quarter Cask Tenff[sic] Wine & 2 doz Bottles Castor Oil sweet which I neglected buying when in N.O. I have ord. them purchased at 4 Months on a/c with him for artacles got by me was 40$ added to the above will leave us behind with him over 100$ If Col. Austin made any arrangement, or left any word for me respecting the small establishment that he named might be made up the Brassos & I hope it can be made profitable there is a man to come out on the Maria who I think will agree very well to send there with a small ass-[illegible word] he has been in the Mexican trade & speaks besides the spanis[sic] language well enough to trade. However I am determined to keep my business cloase & make no Establishment unless I am very confident about success. I have with me a sufficiency of money to pay the frt of our goods from Phild. for the frt. from New. O. I intend making them weight[sic] untill I make it out of my goods. Breedlove Mexican consel is out of office. I wish you to write to me frequently direct letters by the way of Sabine or to Care, Jno. G. Stevenson there is serval[sic] Vessles & this trade this season Emigrants are Comeing in faster than they ever have.

Yours truely

Wm. W. Hunter

Pay Compliments to the folks Tell Is[illegible word] nadisto to write me and direct care of Stevenson and with paid Post-age or to [illegible word] write

[Addressed:] [Endorsed:]

Selmo Mo forwarded by T [illegible word] bshs

March and S. Bt 25 J G Stevenson

Mr. James F. Perry Potosi Mo.

Source Copy Consulted: William Hunter to James F. Perry, January 2, 1830, James Franklin Perry and Stephen Samuel Perry Papers, Records of Ante-bellum Southern Plantations, Series G, Part 1, Reel 12, Frames 670-672