Resurrecting the First American West

Levi Wells Oct 21. 1812

Cincinnati 27. Oct. 1812 Major Isaac. R. Gwathmey Student at Law Louisville Kentucky

[?] Ensign Butler

Dear Sir,

It is a long time since we have heard from you, and you may rest assured that we are very anxious to be informed of situation of your family, some person {unclear} a report in this neighbourhood about Xmas, which gave us a good deal of uneasiness, we knew that this [unclear] had been very low for a very long time, and could ^help not placing more confidence in the report than it deserved, for we about a month afterward heard certainly that Mrs Hite was rather better than she had been - and I was told that there was good prospect of her recovery, but my friend, her disorder is sometimes flattering, and we cannot help feeling a good deal of anxiety lest as the spring comes on the disorder may prove more unfavourable, it commonly changes as the warm weather commences; we hope it will be for the better, but fear the worst. we shall feel great anxiety indeed until we hear from you, please gratify us by the first opportunity. The post comes regularly to Louisville,but I so seldom receive letters from my friends by it, that I can't help suspecting that the conveyance that way is not so certain as might be expected. as to my own family we are all pretty well at present, the white family have been healthy since we have been in this country (except Isaac who was laid up for about three months, his disorder proceeded from a bleeding at the nose, and his nose still bleeds very often, but I am in hopes he will get the better of the complaint - we have had the measles among the negroes and several of them have been laid up for a considerable time. I yesterday finished planting out my orchard, and tomorrow expect to begin in the garden. The earth has been too wet to do anything in that way untile a day or two past . I send this by W. Thomas Bullen who I expect will call by and deliver it, and if you have received any money for us, please send it to us by W. Bullen. I fear from the last letter I got from you, not much has been paid you. If any you may have received is on account of the grant, please retain your part, or the whole of whatever it may be if you in the least want of it, for I can do very well a while longer without. I should not wish money to be sent me to this country, but there is a small piece of land joining me, which I expect will be for sale shortly, and if it should

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

Louisville 1^st April 1813

M^r N. Beal

Bought of Audubon & Rozier

Louisville April 1^st 1810

Mis. E. Maupin

Bought of Audubon & Rozier

* The 2 pr of [morrous?] shoes M^r Audubon would not deduct although improperly charged by his store keeper W B Gault