consolation it would give her; but I have not behaved well....
* * * * *
Gallatin remained in Philadelphia till July 31, to form a new company,
dissolving the old one, and joining with Bourdillon, Cazenove, Badollet,
and his brother-in-law, James W. Nicholson, in a concern with nine or
ten thousand dollars capital, the business being "to purchase lots at
the mouth of George's Creek," "a mill or two" in the neighborhood,
keeping a retail store and perhaps two (the main business), and land
speculations on their own account and on commission. After settling the
partnership he remained to buy supplies and to get money from Morris,
who at last paid him eight hundred dollars cash and gave a note at
ninety days for a thousand. On July 31 he started for Fayette.
GALLATIN TO HIS WIFE.
PHILADELPHIA, 31st July, 1795.
... After being detained here two days by the rain, we finally go this
moment.... I have settled with Mr. Morris.... I have balanced all my
accounts, and find that we are just worth 7000 dollars.... In addition
to that, we have our plantation, Mr. Morris's note for 3500 dollars, due
next May, and about 25,000 acres waste lands....
FAYETTE COUNTY, September 6, 1795.
... Upon a further examination of Wilson's estate I have purchased it at
£3000, which is a high price, but then we have the town seat (which is
the nearest portage from the western waters to the Potowmack and the
Federal city, and as near as any to Philadelphia and Baltimore) and
three mill seats, one built, another building, and the third, which is
the most valuable, will be on the river-bank, so that we will be able to
load boats for New Orleans from the mill-door, and they stand upon one
of the best, if not the very best, stream of the whole country. The
boat-yards fall also within our purchase, so that, with a good store,
we will, in a great degree, command the trade of this part of the
country. I have also purchased, for about £300, all the lots that
remained unsold in the little village of Greensburgh, on the other side
of the river, opposite to our large purchase, and 20 acres of the
bottom-land adjoining it. It will become necessary, of course, for us to
increase our capital.... As to politics, I have thought but little about
them since I have been here. I wish the ratification of the treaty may
not involve us in a more serious situation than we have yet been in. May
I be mistaken in my fears and everything be for the best! I would not
heretofore write to you on the subject of the dispute between your
father and Hamilton, as I knew you were not acquainted with it. I feel
indeed exceedingly happy that it has terminated so, but I beg of you not
to express your sentiments of the treatment I have received with as much
warmth as you usually do, for it may tend to inflame the passions of
your friends and lead to consequences you would forever regret. It has
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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