Coles Settlement Texas, January 17th 1836 Mr. C.P. Cabaniss [?] agreeable to promise I have taken my pen in hand to drop you a few lines. I am [?] pleased with my [?] highly delighted with the country the best I have ever seen. I have but a league of land well [improved] for which I have to give 8 thousand dollars in 5 payments, the 1st payment [must] [?] and then on also 300 head of cattle and I do think I shall make many in this country for every thing sells high and if a man will work and make [corn?] he can get 100 [p?] bushell [sic]. I shall put in 100 [?] in corn which if I have a good season will make me 2500 bushells [sic] of corn and it will be worth to me that many dollars. Land has risen very much since I got in or since the taking of San Antonio. We will have a convention [meet] the 1st of March which will form a constitution and will then form themselves into a legislative body a pass laws for the country. I think they will declare Independence and then we will have a good [holesome [sic set of laws on the place I have. But there is a store house and I will get goods most fall and Charles if you have made no arrangements then I would like very well for you to come out and [join?] me in a store. You attend the store and me to the farm and house as I shall keep publick [sic] now. Charles not flattering you shall I think is the best country in the world at this time for that business, and will be better. My plan is to do a [cash] business. [America] says she wants you to come. You will write when you get this and let me know what you think about it as I will go into business and will have a partner. You will direct your letter to Coles Settlement up way Fort [??]. You will have to pay the postage to Fort [Insup] you will give [my] Best love to [Abner] Tate and Lady, to Thomas [Cabaniss] and Lady and to all the old friends and say to them I would not be back at [Hazle?] the big man I was there before I [failed] say to any of my creditors that if I live I will some day pay them and if they had not been so hard with me and let me have some money to have made a start on, I could have paid sooner. But I have to make a start in this country off of nothing and I will keep enough of that to live on. Anyone that sends their dabt to this country to try to make me pay money, never get it for I shall own no property here. Your friend Samuel Lusk [address:] Cedar Spring Tex 18th January [?] Boundary From[Lusk Samuel?] Mr. Charles P. Cabaniss [Hazleg?], Aba