I yesterday saw Mr Lewis and found that by a strange mistake, Hicks bonds had not been taken to you, but to the heirs of Fielding Lewis. When I was urged by Mr Lewis in August to allow Robt Lewis to settle with the heirs of F.L. and to assign the debt from Hicks to you, I refused, not thinking ourselves at liberty to force the exchange upon you. But as I was clear that it would be to your advantage to accede to the proposal, I promised to write to you on the subject & to state my opinion.

     Mr Lewis so far misunderstood me as to conclude that I had rejected the proposition unconditionally and consequently nothing was done by which Hicks' debt could be transferred to you. He thinks it probable however that Robt Lewis has still in his possession the bonds of Hicks, and writes to him this morning to know if he will assign them to you or to yr order. His answer will probalby be recd in a post or two & shall be immediately communicated to you. I presume that Mr Caldwell will wait until this communication is made. But I confess I cannot perceive upon what principle a suit can be instituted agt you, for the original debt, unless it appeares that, when in your power, you had refused to assign bonds to Mr C. I am my Dear Sir yr affect. friend