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Chappell Hill Feb. 4th 1800

Dear Sister Jane. I have no good excuse to offer to you for my
long negligence in writing to you none than for the last year
I have been very much pressed with business indeed I have had
not time for writing to any of my friends or relatives. I can only
promise that in future to make amends for my past negligence
I will be more communicative and I am sure you will hear from
me more frequently than you have in times past. It is so long scince
you have seen me that I know you are anxious to know something
about what I have been doing. well dear sister I will tell you.
To commence with I suppose I look very much as I did when you
saw me last more than six years ago. Only that six years has made
me look a little older and the care of six years buffeting with
the world may have changed my countance from the wild
boy which I used to be to the thoughtful expression of a man

When I returned to Texas it was my intention to go back
again to California but mother and sisters Mary and Emeline being
here they induced me to remain in this country. I liked the
climate and etc. here very much and concluded to settle here.
I am merchandising in this village. Sister Mary lives 12 miles
from here on a plantation and Emeline whom you knew had
married again lives here and mother lives with her. I am
bourding with her. I am building a house near here and
shall live in it as soon as it is finished. I was married on
the 20th of December last to one of best and most amiable
girls I ever saw and I only wish you could see how happy we
are together. we are boarding with sister Emeline but shall