Tyler Co. Tx - Collier Letter, 16 feb 1868

Submitted by Barbara Yancey Dore  rootslady@msn.com

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                          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
                                        I remain your affectionate Father
                                                                         
                                                            J. G. Collier
                                                                         
                       ******************************
                                      
   (Original in possession of Mrs. Clyde William Yancey, Beaumont, Tx)
   (Copy from CWY to BYD)