Collier Family Letter
8 Nov 1857
| Austin Texas 8th Nov. 1857 Dear Elizabeth It being too cold and unpleasant to be out I must be doing something, and as it is Sunday I can do nothing but write, and fell no disposition to write to anyone but you to day, notwithstanding I wrote to you on Wednesday last. I was struck with hard feelings yesterday morning, the messenger of the house brought in a bundle of letters, one of them addressed to me in an unknown hand writing, and bearing no Post Mark; written on the lower margin of the envelope HASTE___HASTE__HASTE___. I thought that some great calamity had certainly befallen me some where, but where, I could not imagine, as the letter had no post mark. But when I opened it, lo and behold it was from James Willey on business. Notwithstanding I felt thankful that it brought no bad news, I could but feel vexed for the moment at his {?}imgnareted conduct, but I suppose he had no thought what effect it would produce on my feelings. It would be a great pleasure to me to be at home with you and the children till tomorrow morning, but the distance between us is to great, and I expect it will be some time before we shall have the pleasure of seeing each other; but I hope you will console yourself by promising a happy meeting when I shall be allowed to return home, if that shall ever be my lot. Business is progressing in the legislature now. We adjourned yesterday at dinner, till Monday morning that we might nominate candidates for United States Senator. We failed to make a nomination before night--there being no candidates. After supper we returned to the Capital and the Representation Hall was a briliant scene--36 large lamps and about one hundred candles all in nice trim and the furniture glittering, gave a dazling but lively appearance. We finally succeeded in nominating Henderson & Hemphill and the election will come off tomorrow morning. It was near 2 oclock this morning before we could make the nominations. If Charles & Dick get back here soon I shall send this by them, if not I shall send it by mail. Some person from Arkansas brought in some very fine Apples here this week and sold them at one dollar per dozen. I could not forbear getting a half dozen. {the following added in pencil & very difficult to read} 9th Nov 3oclock PM I have not received any letter from any of you yet. James G. Collier ****************************** (In possession of Barbara Yancey Dore, Nederland, Tx) |
