1

Murfreesboro Tennessee
23^d December 1820

The following are extracts from a letter
written to William Torrey esquire on the above
date. "I am much gratified on learning, that
you have obtained, employment, in a contract with
Governor Bibb; by which you are to make a survey
of a parts of the Coosa River; with which stream I con
=template with great pleasure, that the day is ap
=proaching, when the Holston, and the Tennessee Rivers
will be united, to it by a canal; and being well
aware, that the State of Tennessee cannot fail to profit,
by every successful exertion, that may be made, to improve
the navigation of the rivers within the Alabama; calls
for the expression of my best wishes, for your prosperity in
the present service.

I am extremely sorry to learn that you
esteem your salary inadequate to your service's,
as I had flattered myself with your future usefulness
in the event, and will feel mortified should, I find
my hopes baffled, by a parsimonious policy on your