Your letter of the 5th instant is now before me. The credit which you speak of in your offer, (if I am to consider it as an offer) will be very inconvenient to me, & will not answer my purpose. When I first offered those lands to Col. McDowell I requested him to say, what he would give for them in cash—but he did not do it. I have now to make the same request of you—that you will say, explicitly, upon what terms you will purchase them, putting it in my power either to accept or to reject, on or before a specified day. If we cannot agree I shall get them divided, which I am well informed is the more eligible way of selling them. The tract near Franklinton (at or near which place it is supposed the permanent seat of Government will be fixed) will probably become immensely valuable at a future day; and this tract I am told could shortly be sold to great advantage, by dividing it. I have little doubt that you are disposed to purchase those lands, and I certainly mean to sell them. I must therefore request you to let me know your ultimate determination shortly. If you should incline to make me an offer, I would thank you to say when & where it will be convenient to you to close this transaction, in case of my approbation. To say more on this subject would, perhaps, be trifling with you. I remain yr mo. obt