Eliza Lewis to James F. Perry, January 13, 1831

Summary: Lewis wrote to Perry telling him about family news and conditions in Texas. She described the country as "delightful" and would be fully populated by now if emigration restrictions were not so strict, especially for those from North America. In terms of her own property, her family had good land at Galveston for shipping and livestock. Her family had numerous attacks of sickness but most were recovering. Overall, she felt affairs in Texas with her family and business were proceeding well even though she would not advise anyone who was already settled to migrate to Texas.

San Felipe de Austin. Jany. 13th

1831

[1832]

My dear friend

Your kind favour of 1st of October was received in my absence some time ago it gave us much pleasure to hear from you. I am rejoiced to hear that the times are[sic] prospects with you are brighting and hope you will soon be able to wind up ourtail your business which will enable you and arrange it so that you can take some repose from the toils and burden of the world. you have suffetient to suport you the balance of your life and where is the use of striving and Labouring to amass welth for you know not whom. Nothing would give me more pleasure than to hear of your hapiness doing in your business all within your own control you been around at that time of life which would enable you to live more at your ease than you have you[sic] never do.

I was sorry to hear of the fatal duel between Pettes & Biddle, but all who meddle in politics must expect trouble.

I have verry little to write to you that is verry flattering--this is certainly a delightful country fine lands and generally prety well wattered and if full reliance could be placed in the stability of the government, and free permission for emigrants to settle hear[sic] would it would[sic] soon be one of the finest countrys in the world but there appears to be a strong prejedice entertained by those that hold the reighns of government against the people from the U S of the North generally, which places us in rather an unpleasant situation. all emigration from the U.S. of the N. is entirely stoped except to Austin colony, and even to parts of that now--but we still hope to be able to remove these prejedices and get permission for N.A. to settle here if that should be the case the country will soon fill up but notwithstanding the prohibition emigrants still come in and will continue to come, in spite of all laws. And the country must rise nothing will stop it but if the laws permitted emigrants from the north it would fill up much faster.

I have selected a situation for a residence on a small creek which called Pleasant Bayou, which emties into Chocolate Creek near the west end of Galveston Island about 8 Miles from Galveston Bay and 15 or 16 from Galveston the Island it is a very pleasant situation we have very good water tolarble good land and timber enough for all the purposes of a farm although not very plenty. Navigation for boats of 3 or 3 1/2 feet water within half a mile and shift navigation to the door oisters and fish can be procured in abboundance[sic] with but little trouble, 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 we will have 5 or 6 leagues there it is about 80 miles S. & E. of this place. I was down there with the boys, building cabbins & fixing to move the famaly when your letter arrived Mosquitoes are plenty there which will [be] one of our annoiences[sic] which will not be very pleasant. I have been at home about 2 weeks waiting to have my land titals[sic] made out which will be done now in a day or two. than[sic] I will return and expect to move the famaly in 6 or 8 weeks. the famaly has enjoyed tolarble health. Joel had a very severe attack of the fever in October but has now got quite well Austin and two or three of the Blacks has had light attacks but are now all well. Hunter has been sick ever since July he had several attack of the fever and has now the fever and ague but I hope as the weather is now geting[sic] pleasant he will get well of it. Emily has had a fine son. he is two months old we call him Henry Austin She has not been verry well for some time she took a verry bad cold and it has settled in her brest which has gave her much pain it appears some better today and we are now in hopes that it will get well without healing, which we was afraid of Lavenia has been quite healthy

After we get settled we will be prepared to say how we like the change. At present I would not advise any of our friends who are comfortably fixed to brake up to come to Texas My own oppenion is when a person has spent the most active part of his life fixing himself comfortably should not brake up without some verry strong Inducement and if I ever once more get comfortable fixed to live again it will require a great enducement to move me again

Your letter was a great treat to us. we have recd recd[sic] two from Rachel Dunklin and the one read from you is all we have recd. I have wrote several to you & to Isreal McGready Emily and Lavenia have both wrote several times. tell Eliza and Rachel they must write often and give us all the news. you write to us often let me know how Capt C & his Ma come on if the Capt has engaged into mercendize. I would feel verry much releaved by having my name withdrawn from the exrs[sic] bond as I have verry little oppenion[sic] of his Merchantile abilities and as he has no other means to go on than that of Sams Estate of course that must be appropriated [illegible word] like chaff although I am a long way off and it might be dificult for to get anything out of me yet. I would rather be clear of it if there is any danger We heard a few days ago from John Jones famely & J.P. Brownes. Jones had the ague and several of his children have been sick, he has had a prety hard time. he has worked verry hard the last summer and has had a prety hard time of it but I hope next summer will put him in a situation that he will not have to work quit[sic] so hard. Brownes famaly was all well Sophie Hawkins has had the ague Browne was here not long since I was not at home but Emily says he lookd verry healthy

We recd from J G Stevenson a few days since 241 pieces of casting which you must have sent but have not recd. any letter from you on the subject. tell Stephen Dunklin the flour he promised to send me would now come in place if he dont send it so that it can get here by the 15 of April there will be heavy duties on it and perhaps altogether prohibited Eliza says she sends a kiss to you one to her ant. cousin rachel Emily and Eliza Dunklin She is as great a romp as ever

We have don[sic] a tolerable good business in the store we have paid of all our old scores in Phila[sic] and recd a few weeks since upwards of 3000$ worth from them which now makes our assortment tolerable good better than any in the place but Kunters.

Mrs Eliza Lewis Present

Mrs Eliza Lewis St Phillip De Austin

Source Copy Consulted: Eliza Lewis to James F. Perry, January 13, 1831, James Franklin Perry and Stephen Samuel Perry Papers, Records of Ante-bellum Southern Plantations, Series G, Part 1, Reel 13, Frames 4-8