I have nearly recovered from a serious indisposition which had nearly launched me from time to eternity, otherwise, your letter of the 30th ulto would not have laid by so long unanswered— I am truly sorry, that in all my efforts to collect debts due to me, I have failed, wishing, if possible, to pay in that way rather than, resort to a loan from the Bank.
I hope you will not think me disrespectful, or unmindfull of your late communication in regard to the claim against me on the part of the Estate of Genl Washington— I can assure you it has been a source of considerable pain to me, as well as to the Executors— I calculated upon drafts on a certain Philip P.
Your letter of the present month, without date, came duly to hand; & I sincerely thank you for your expressions of condolence in regard to my late misfortune— Such indeed has been my painful situation & close confinement by the inclemency of the weather that, I have not been able to pay the attention that I wished, to the claim of the estate of Genl Washington against me— I learn, however that, our Banks here have discontinued their discounts for a short season, in consequence of the heavy demands of the Northern Brokers, & some late [c]laims of the Bank of the United State
I am favored with your letters dated the 11th inst. in regard to the business with McClean, and the Round Bottom tract of Land. I have no hesitation in saying we had better take back the Land, and make the best terms we can with McClain— As far as I am interested, I am willing to submit to your discretion, whatever may seem most beneficial for the whole, and beg you will consider yourselves as entirely unshackled by me in this arrangement. I am very respectfully Dr Sir's Yr Mo. Obt Sevt