Since my return from Phila. I received your letter of the 25 August. In consequence of funds having come to the hands of the executors for distribution, the balance due from you is reduced to the sum of only $527.71 with interest from the 22d of last month. It affords me, I assure you, great pleasure to give you this information since I can hardly suppose that it can greatly embarrass you to raise so small a sum. As to our waiting the event of the suits mentioned in your letter, to enable you to obtain funds to discharge the balance due from you, it is entirely out of the question. We are willing to grant you a reasonable indulgence, provided the debt be placed in such a state, that it may be certainly counted upon at the time fixed for its discharge. If therefore you will give us a deed of trust on your land to pay the above balance with the interest in three equal instalments¹ of 6, 12, and 18 months I will² consent to such an arrangement provided it is concluded without delay &; my coexecutor consents, which I think he will. If this³ offer is not accepted, it will become our duty to enforce the decree of the Court in Alexandria without further delay. But I flatter myself that this unpleasant step may be avoided, as the costs of such a suit,⁴ which would not be inconsiderable, would be thereby saved⁵ to you. I am Dear Sir very affectionately yrs