Collier Family Letter 
16 Feb 1868
| Galveston 16th Feby 1868 Dear Charles, We are here yet and likly to remain here some days yet. The Schooner Arcola remained here till Friday morning last and finding that there were not sufficient passangers to pay for the trip & having no freight, they left in ballast, for Pensacola FA. The regular Schooner that was due here some days since has not been heard from, but the one that left on the last of Jany is looked for daily and the Agents say she shall remain here but two days after her arrival. The Schooner Thos Morris arrived here from Tampico with a cargo of fruit on Thursday last and will start back some day of the last of this week. If the regular Schooner should not get in before the Morris leaves for Tampico, we shall take passage for the place and thence to Tuxpan. John Abacromby from Walker Co. is here waiting, on his way to Tuxpan, with several others from different parts of the country. I meet here on his way to Tuxpan, Samuel Landrum from Falls Co. Texas, whom I have known ever since I was nine years old. He has been west, and remained in that country for eight months, visiting both the Mitchels Settlement and about all of the American settlements. He is highly pleased with that country and I suppose is going back to make arrangements to move to that country. Abacromby expects to buy land from J.R. Mitchel I think upon the recommandation of Mr. Landrum who speaks in very high terms of the soil and pleasantness of the Mitchels settlement. None of us have as yet, got any work to do. Mr. Cline expects to go to work tommorrow, and perhaps me and James will help in loading the Morris with lumber. A great many machanics are here from all parts but find no work. I saw a painter here who said he had traveled over six thousand miles hunting work and had not found one days work to do. He was a gentleman of very nice appearance and has been in Cal. & the Gold Country for the last 19 years, but has not been as fortunate as some others. If he had money he would go to Tuxpan with us and there settle himself. He has been there and says it is one of the Richest and prettiest countries he has ever seen, but being without money he has hired on a vessel for Key West Fla. Mr. S. Pipkin that was merchandising at Wiess Bluff when we came to Texas, is here doing a large grocery business with a gentleman by the name of Woodyard. Pipkin thinks the best thing the southern people can do for themselves is to go to Tuxpan. He thinks of going there and wishes me to examine and price some of the Islands about and between Tuxpan and Tampico, and learn what articles of merchandise will be most suitable to take out. We see some very discouraging accounts from that country, but I and here and want to see for myself. I want you to write to Elizabeth often, request them to do the same, that I may hear from home through you. I will write you again before leaving and direct you how to send letters that I may get them. I will also write you by every vessell leaving Tuxpan for this place while staying there. Write me on receipt of this before I leave here. Hoping this may find all well J. G. Collier ****************************** (Original in possession of Mrs. Clyde William Yancey, Beaumont, Tx) (Copy from CWY to BYD) |
