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particularly Gov. Duvale, Col. Achile Murat,
Maj. Adair, Marshall of the Territory of Middle
Florida, George W. Ward, Mr. Nicholl formerly
of Nashville, Maj. Bird Willis, Dr. Walden - Col. Achile Murat,
eldest son of the celebrated King of Naples, & his
beautiful & accomplished Queen, Sister of the
great Napoleon, had been several years in Florida,
& had there married Catherine Gray widow of Dr. Gray and
daughter of Maj Bird Willis, formerly of
Fredericksburgh, Virginia. At the time we were
in Florida, he resided 11 Miles East of Tallahassee,
& near the road, leading to St. Augustine.
He called to see us, shortly on arrival
and invited us to visit him and at his residence
which we cheerfully accepted, & accordingly
went to his house, in Company with several
others. We were either accompanied by or [?]
at his House, his father in law, Maj. Willis
a warm hearted & highly accomplished old
Virginia Gentleman, & his agreeable family.
We spent several days & nights in the most
agreeable manner, with our kind host, & the
excellent Lady. Col. Murat was remarkably
plain, & unpretending, about the stature & appearance
of his celebrated Uncle. He had a high
character in the Territory for talent, & was
a distinguished member of the Florida [Cam?]
Notwithstanding he had been raised in Camp
it was said he was an accomplished Scholar.
He told me, that he had learned almost all the
living languages of Europe. He wrote & spoke the
English language correctly. He was the Commandant
of a Regiment in the Army (nominally of
course) at the age of 12 years. He lived in a
Common hewed Log House - his furniture was