Resurrecting the First American West

Doc^r Eddy & thank him for his friendly thoughtfullness of you I understood that it would be necessary that the person to take his place should be [their? ? of ?], I cannot advise you because I know not what will be his proposition, but you will in Course inform me your determination, should you accept it inform me immediately what will be your wants, all I can I will do for you, I have been myself at Hallifax it is situated on the Roanoke river near the Virginia Line Latt. 36.13. the Town & County [arpmorse?] contains ^in 1800 13.563 inhabitants 7020 of whom are slaves, The Town is 36 miles north of Yabarough 75 miles S by W. of Petersburgh Virginia as well as I can remember it was about the size of Pacotuxet when I saw it 27 years since, the Country is perfectly level in Course, subject to fever and ague. & such other fevers as attend that Country, I presume not verry different from Louisville should you think of accepting his place, you wil recollect that, going in the summer instead of fall, that you will have no oppt^y of getting [annexed?] to the Climate & you should be verry Carefull, & particularly of the night air I pray you think well & use your own Judgement Caution Joseph John & Mary & not to expose themselves, after night to the [dues? (dews?)] of Kentucky I am sattisfied, from information of very intelligent men from the southern states that much of their sickness arrises from exposure to night air & heavy [due^s?] let me now what you inform Doc Eddy, & act without any refferance to my opinion, for I really know not how to advise you on this proposition, The plan you propose on Indiana is what induced me to advise your going with us, a plantation with practice in Kentucky or any

[Left margin:] 14 August 1816