Resurrecting the First American West

very intent upon purchasing a 400 Acre Lott of Connolly's Land at the Falls, w^ch I do not incline to let him have; for upon our former Plan, I mean to purchase the whole three thousand Acres. Our warrants ^sent by M^r Overton of course the Escheator's Commission did not come out Time enough for any Thing to be done in this matter before I got out; and my Brother George being out looking for Land when they came, I found the Packet unopened: He will qualify the 2^nd of May next and at a convenient Time will proceed upon the Business of his Office. Lands about the Falls are likely to be immensily valuable, and I wish to be em-powered to secure some thousands of Acres there at any Price; they would be worth 20/. p^r Acre at least of space, and may now be purchased at one fourth Part of the value thereof, or at any Rate the most vauable of such Land could be got for Half that Sum. Southall & Charlton have divided their Land I am informed, if so, by a Line to run from the River back through the survey, if so, the upper Part will be one third Part more valuable than the lower. I have sent you a sketch of the River at the Fall ^& ab^t 80 miles up with the several Tracts of Land lying on the River, which appear to me to be the most desirable purchases, & by w^ch you may be properly informed, before you you make any Bargain; and whatever you do in this matter let it be done soon.- I have seen a Man from N. Orleans who informs me the Spaniards were in Possession of all the lower Parts of theMississippi & that they only required of the Inhabitants to take an Oath of Fidelity of the United States of America, or of neutra -lity during the present war; & in that case did not molest them or meddle with their Property.- The Carolina Line contrary to the Expectation of most People, runs near Cumberland River leaving it