New York Augt. 24—1836

Dear Sir

Your public duties will no doubt occupy nearly all your thoughts at this critical conjunction of your public affairs yet the solicitude of one about a Brother in the midst of danger must be my apology for asking your attention a few moments. I wish to enquire if you know any [thing] of Mr. James McNair? He may not have come to your notice, being a plain unassuming man, but sterling in those qualities which make a good citizen—industry integrity and honesty of purpose. His place is on the Colorado, near Eagle Lake, a little below Wm. Alley's ferry and I believe near the place where he help'd to plant the first corn within your colony in the spring of 1822. But to assist you in making a little enquiry to find out his present condition I will briefly state that he was here last winter was a year on my invitation and return'd with Messrs. Mather and Morris, in the Schooner Jane Corroline (having some goods which I sent with him) since which time I have heard from him but twice His last letter was dated 3d of March last, at Matagorda and stated that he was that day draughted into the Militia, and was to join the army next morning. Now the Battle of San Jacinto has been fought since that and I am left to conjecture whether he has survived or not.

And now, my dear Sir, as, from what I have heard of you, there is no person in Texas who I would be more likely to interest in the cause of humanity than yourself, I confidently trust that, the motives which dictate this, finding a ready response in your bosom, you will take a little trouble to find out whether my Brother be alive and well, or otherwise

James being an old settler must be pretty well known along the Colorado but it is likely he is best known amongst the settlers If you would be kind enough to reply to this I should be very much obliged to you

Wm. McNair, 750 Greenwich Street

[Addressed:] General Stephen F Austin of Texas Care of Mr. James W Breedlove Collector New Orleans