[Letter from de Zavala Jr to Adina June 19th 1895] Page: 1 of 3 (Transcription)

Merida [Yucatan] June 19, 1895

Miss Adina de Zavala
San Antonio
Very dear niece:

You cannot imagine the pleasure which I experienced upon
receiving your very much wanted letter of the sixth of last month
which, to be sure, reached my hands quite delayed. Its contents
apprize me of the death of our dear Florencia. This has filled me
with bitterness and we can only console ourselves, if consoltaion is
giveable, upon considering that, having been such a good daughter,
such a good sister, so virtuous, her soul will be in Heaven, enjoying
good fortune and praying to God for the loved ones whom she left
in this vale of tears and misery. Let us pray, then, for her eternal
happiness.

I also see that for some time you were ill without succeeding
in moving about much, that news has caused me distress, but, however,
I have been consoled by what you tell me, that you are now well. I
pray to God, our Lord, that you, as well as your mother and brothers
enjoy unbetterable health. With respect to me, dear daughter, my
very advanced age and the consequent aches and pains, have me quite
worn out. Failing eyesight, a memory that is not reliable and almost
deaf, I see approach the end which ill not be long in coming--death.

I have taken cognizance of what Mr. Mitchell said to you with
respect to what happened after the battle of San Jacinto in the camp
and what he says with respect to my person is true. I was, in effect,
the interpreter for General Houston in the first conferences which he
had with General Santa Anna after his capture. These [conferences]