?Emily Lewis? to James F. Perry, May 7, 1832

Summary: An unknown writer (possibly Emily Lewis) wrote to Perry telling him about affairs in Texas. Her family first arrived at the Austin colony and then moved to Chocolate Creek on the west end of Galveston in generally good health. She described the land at Chocolate Creek, which had good timber, navigation, fishing, and livestock, though it was also awash with mosquitos and flies. Also said the country would soon fill up with people but would do so even sooner if Mexico would allow more emigrants from North America. Wrapped up the letter by telling Perry about General Santa Anna and how his revolution could mean a favorable change for Texas.

Oak Grove Chocolate Buyou

Austins Colony Texas

May 7th 1832

My dear friend

This is the third or fourth attempt I have made to answer you kind letter of the 1st of October last, want of oppertunity to to[sic] send it at the time prevented me from closing it and being absent from home ( at this place) preparing to move my famaly is a nother[sic] reason, but I hope in future to be more punctual, we red[sic] you letter in december. it gave us all much pleasure to hear from you it was particularly pleasing to us to hear your prospects are brightening and I hope you will soon be able to arrange you business. so that you will have it in your power to take some repose which at your time of life will soon be be[sic] necessary. I will now give you a sketch of our travel--so far we arrived at San Felipe de Austin on the 14th August after beter than two months journey all in good health. The famaly remained there until about a month ago untill I got some cabbins put up here for them to stay in untill--we--can get better. we got here about three week ago today. the famaly has enjoyed generally good health Joel had a verry severe attack of the fever last Fall but we ascribe it to his imprudence in going in to the watter and eating too much trash. They are now all in good health and as the situation we have selected to live in is thought to be healthy I hope we will retain our health. the situation we have elected is about 8 miles from the West end of Galveston Bay. Chocolate creek puts in emediately opiset to the west pass--at the East end of Galveston there is a prety good harbor--which--can be entered by vessels drawing festwater[sic] which some day maybe of advantage to us Emily has had a fine son son[sic] he is now about six months old. we call him Henry Austin

The place we have settled on, is on a small creek called pleasant Buyou, which emties into Chocolate creek. Chocolate emties into Galveston Bay opposit to the west end of Galveston Island, we are settled at the head of tide about 8 miles from Galveston Bay 14 or 15 from Galveston Island about 70 miles S.E. of San Felipe & 25 or 30 miles East of Brezoria. It is a verry pleasant Situation we have verry good water tolarable good land and timber enough for farming purposes althoug not verry plenty nor very convenient. Navigation for boats is 3 to 3 1/2 feet water within half a mile and shift navagation to the door. Oisters and fish can be procured in aboundance[sic] with but little trouble. (but as we have not yet got a boat we have not been able to get many.) but what it is most valuable for is stock the pasture is good all the year and any number of stock may be raised without any other expence. than herdsman. I think the situation we have selected will be tolerable pleasant although we will have our annoyances mosquitoes & flys. are plenty Emily is tolerable well pleased with our situation. I am not prepared to say how I like the change at present would not advise any of my friends who are well comfortable fixed to brake[sic] up to come to Texas my own oppinion is where a person has spent the active part of his life in fixing comfortable they should not brake[sic] up without some verry strong inducement and if I ever again get tolarably fixed I think I will remain there. I have got about 150 head cattle and expect to buy more next fall--I dont know whether a herdsmens life will suit me or not. I have nothing very flatering to write. I was not decieved in the country this is certainly a delightfull part of the world fine land and generally prety well watered. and if full reliance could be placed in the stability of the government and permission for emigants[sic] to settle hear[sic] it would soon be one of the most pleasing parts of the world but there apears to be a strong prejudice entertained by those holding the reighns of govt against the peo--[sic] of the U S of the N generally which places us in rather a an[sic] unpleasant situation all emigration from the U. S. of the N. is entirely stoped except to Austins. Colony & even to parts of that now. but we still hope to be able to remove their prejudices and get permission N--as to settle here if this should be the case country[sic] will soon fill up but not with standing the prohibition emigrants still come in & will continue to come to in spite of all laws the country must rise nothing will stop it but if the laws permited emigrants from the N. it would fill up much sooner. If Genl. Santa Anna who has now revolutionised. it is thought by many it succeeds. It is generally thought it will be a very favourable change for Texas if so may he be sucksesfull[sic].

[Address:]

To Jno Perry

Potosi Misouri

May 6th 1832

Source Copy Consulted: ?Emily Lewis? to James F. Perry, May 7, 1832, James Franklin Perry and Stephen Samuel Perry Papers, Records of Ante-bellum Southern Plantations, Series G, Part 1, Reel 13, Frames 58-61