Comment on life in Texas. Writing to Frances in hopes that Sister Ann is with her. No smoke house on property and all eatables are kept in a cabin that is about 8 square feet. No corn crib or stable. Get corn and flour from New Orleans and kill a hog as needed. The stock is fed by the pasture from the Navidad to the Lavaca River. Only 12 cows, last year raised 10 heifer calves and 1 steer calf. 5 mares and fillies, 2 buggy horses and 4 mules and 5 yoke of oxen. Never run more than three plows at a time so that there is always a team able to work. Break land with 2 or 4 yoke of oxen. Work the crop with mules and horses and a single yoke of oxen. No crop last year, only 4 bales of cotton on 50 acres and no corn. Blair goes 8 to 10 days in the cow driving season sleeping outside without taking his boots off, he has made about $1000 a year. Complains of hardships and wishes to get rid of his contract which is effective 3 more years. Hair and beard almost white and looks 10 years older than Ben, but his health is better here than in Alabama. Frank one of the best cow hands on the range. Immigration here has increased in the last few years, but last year’s drought slowed this immigration. Most of the newcomers are planters. Two Prestons of Missouri (Landon and Shaw), kin to the Virginia Prestons, have settled on the Navidad about 5 miles from Ben. Had another daughter last month, so they now have 4 sons and 3 daughter and all are in good health. The newest girl is named Martha Catherine. Try to teach the 5 oldest but they do not like books. Very mild winter. Can get oysters from 20 miles away. Last ham of bacon was from Alabama. Until this year killed deer and turkey but this year they have been scarce. Probable that Texas will declare itself independent and it is doubtful that she will enter into the Southern Confederacy. Hope no black republic will ever rule. Grieves that he has to eat corn from a Republican state this year.