Austin 6th DEC 1857

My Dear One,

I am yet living and well except a very sore eye. I don't know that I shall see how to write you a letter, but I am due you one to day and shall send an envelope and sheet of paper whether I can write or not.

Yours of the 15th NOV came to hand yesterday morning and I regret to hear that you had such bad luck with the sugar cane. I am astonished to hear that Marshburn should attach any blame to me because the mill does not perform well, for I had no hand in its construction except to give the length of the rollers, which could not effect its grinding.

You have let him have all the syrup that I promised him, and I expect him to mend the mill, but have not heard whether he did, or whether Bros. Joseph & Thomas mended it.

I received a letter yesterday from Brother Benjamin, informing me of the death of Irwin Bird and D.J. Davis. He was elected Representative of Early County and was taken sick the same night that the Legislature organized and died on the 12th day of NOV. Bro. Ben had him put in a metalic case and carried him home to his family who had not even heard that he was sick till he reached home.

Bro. Ben writes me that it was the most sad, melancholy and affecting scene he ever witnessed in his life.

Bro. Bird, Davis, Reynolds (a man that was overseeing on J.J.Taylors place) and three negroes belonging to Col. Perry all died on the same day. There is a great deal of sickness and many deaths in old Early.

I can get a letter from Ben much quicker than from home. His was mailed at Milledgeville on the 24th NOV and reached here on the 4th DEC.

I know you begin to want to know what we are doing here and when we will be through & so on. I can only say we are doing next thing to nothing while there is a great deal to do and if we continue at this rate, there is no telling when we shall adjourn.

I am frequently provoked at he conduct of members, who act like they wish to keep us here all next year, but we that would want to proceed, are unable to help ourselves.

You need not be astonished if I should leave here before the Legislature adjourned, if I can feel myself justified in so doing.

None of my people or neighbors have written me a word except you and some of the Woodville people.

I should be glad to get several letters every week, for any leisure moments here are very lonesome ones. Write to me every week when able to do so, and when you can not, have Wm., Charles or Bro. Joseph to write and keep me from despair.

I will write to some of them this week if my eye gets better. Tell Brother Joseph that Crosby has issued the Patent to Keith and for Wm. Hooks not to send a transfer from Keith to him, as the patent is already issued. Patents have been issued for Ben, Joseph, Sister, Torrence, Spurlock, others, but the Clerk has not reported the certificates of Wm. R. Ratcliff and Wm. Phillips, and they can not get patents till I get a report from Parsons, for which I have written.

Hoping this may find you all well and that God may take you safe through your troubles and suffering, and permit us to meet in health and happiness.

I remain your affectionate Husband
James G. Collier

{note in margin}

Your letter of the 1st NOV has not reached here yet.

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(In possession of Barbara Yancey Dore, Nederland, Tx)