[Transcript of letter from Emily M. Austin Bryan to Stephen F. Austin, December 20, 1823] Page: 1 of 4

                                
355
O
Hazel Run December 20$? 1823
My Dear Stepehn /
I embrace this favourable opportunity by EsqT Andrews of
writing you a few lines, and informing you how happy I was made a
few evenings since in seeing Woods, and of reading your let-
ter altho it was a very old date, it assured me that my Brothers
were well when it was wrote— I hope before this comes to hand
that you will have receivd the Packet that I sent by Mr Thomas
Ends, in that I gave you a full statement of my buisness and sit-
uation I find by your letters that you have never received any
from Mother or my self Since Mr Bryan's Death what has gone with
all the letters God only know&% for we have writen upwards of
fifty, sent some by the way of New Orleans, and various other
ways-- 0! My Dear Brother I have seen much trouble with-in eigh-
teen Months past, but thanks to a good and just God I have alway/
been able to provide sufficently for My Family; who have injoy'd
most excellent health for the last twelve Months-- I regret very
much that Brown can not come on untill Spring, the travling will
be so very dangerous, on account of high water's--for I think it
advisable for him to come through the Little Rock, and see after
the Property that was left their so^e in Doctor Cunningham hands
and some in Ashleys, they have never writen a line eather to Mo-
ther or myself— I do not expect that my Children will ever be
benefitted by any of the Arkansas property, for it is all in the
hands of Ashley and William C. Carr, but if I can but once git