February 14, 1859

Another cold day in Navasota, Texas.  Gets as cold here as it did in Sparta,
Georgia, but at least it don't stay as long.  The land's better here too.
Low rollin hills and good black dirt.  Got us a good river, but all the land
around it is taken.  Don't make no difference, looks like we have plenty of
rain most years, so the crops should make just fine.

Have not herd much from the folks back home.  They thought I was crazy
coming to Texas.  There weren't nothing for me there though.  A hunderd
acres of poor red dirt barely fed Mom, Paw, and the six kids.  If I'm ever
gonna get married, I'll have to make my own way in this new land.

Heared there was some indians raiding near here.  Commanche most likely.
Folks said not to worry that the Rangers would take care of them.  From what
I've heared they are right.  The rangers I've seen is pretty tough men. 

Rumors is starting about the south succeeding from the union again.  Seems
like avery time we turn around them yankees are trying to tell us what to
do.  Most of the folks in Texas are southern.  I guess if the south leaves
the union, Texas will go with it.  Can't be sure, however.  General Sam
Houston is a unionist all the way.  He says we should work out our troubles
without succession.  Doesn't make him the most popular fellow with some.
Guess we'll just have to wait and see.  All I want to do is get some good
land and settle down.  When I get set, I'll send for Elizabeth and we'll get
hitched.  I need to hurry, when a man gets to be 25 he's nearly middle aged!