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
I am favd with your circular letter respecting Mrs Washington's wish to surrender into the hands of the Executors of the late Genl Washington, all that part of her life Estate at present taxable, which derives her no profit, and yet is in her possession. I cannot but agree with you in opinion that such property as wou'd be inconvenient to divide should be sold.