29

No 5

Petersburg (Geogia) 6th Sept 1821.

Gentlemen

Your letter duly arrived at this place but I did
not receive it till last Saturday having been absent for 14
days previous at the Springs 40 miles above this for the
improvement of my health; the mail only leaving here once a
week (Thursday) I take the first opportunity of replying.

I have been in the state ever since the last of
March, and did not expect to have remained here more
than 4 weeks- My business was to settle the accounts of
a large estate in which a sister of mine was interested
but I was taken sick immediately on my arrival, and have
remained so enfeebled all the summer that I have been
unable until lately to travel even a short distance;
being now much mended I expect to set out in 6 days
for Raleigh. The statements contained in your letter
are generally true, but not the whole truth; the sums
have rather been settled than collected, and I defy any
of the gentlemen concerned to show the contrary. And
that too much upon my own responsibility, as I found
much difficulty in securing some of them on any
other terms; In some of the cases a loss of the whole
or part might have been apprehended, in the others great
delay owing to death of the parties - to these remarks
there is but one exception, I mean the amount paid
me by B B Smith on Lucas' note endorsed by Lane
that was paid me just on the eve of my departure