Resurrecting the First American West

To Mr Samuel Beall in Wmsburg

1779 Peterburg 17 August John May

17th: Augt. 1779 John May

Dear Sir I have expected to hear from you by every opportunity since I left Williamsburg, but have not yet received a scrape of a Pen; you certainly have heard from Mr. Morris before this Time and can by Mr. Murray's Return inform me what his Sentiments respecting the two subjects, of back Lands and the Mississippi Trade are : They are matters which I have much at Heart, and wish you to come to a Determination on as soon as possible. The violent attack of my Disorder prevented my coming to any Bargain for the 2000 Acres of Land I [mentioned?] to you, but the owner lives in or near Williamsburg, and may be seen almost any Day; his name is John Holt & Mr Charles Taliaferro can inform you where he may be seen : The purchasing his Claim at this Time will probably be a Matter [of?] [Consequence?] as I have an opportunity of locating it to advantage before other warrants are issued; I therefore should be glad you would in my name make the Purchase, procure a Certificate from the first Court wch. is held at or near Wmsbg. according to

To Mr Samuel Beall in Wmsburg

If the Land Office should be removed to Richmd the Attorney Genl is requested to open this Letter & if the Contents can't be otherwise complied with, to send it by Express to Mr. Beall at my Expence wch [?] [?] advance for me till he can get it of Mr Beall J M

at the Falls of the Ohio wch. is the Land Mr Todd alludes to : It is very fine, has every natural advantage & lies adjoining the Place where a Town will be laid off next Assembly. I have several Times been on Terms with them about it & if you approve of it when I come down [illegible] [illegible]pose the Matter to them again

Your old Friend Col - Banister has for 10 Days past been very ill with a bilious Fever; but is recovering; I came here last night & mentioned your want of Flour, but he informed me he had sent you some the Day before. _ I have got much better myself than I was when I left Wmsburg but am far from being perfectly restored. I am Dr Sir yr Friend John May Battersea the 30th Augt 1779 } Mr Saml Beall