St. Louis Sep 12 1807

Sir,

I have delayed very long to answer your letter of the 2d of Aug,- neither do I know at this moment, in what manner it should be answered.

It is pretty generally agreed that you and Col° Smith have been at the head of the two great parties, which have heretofore divided the district of St Genevieve.— Your opponent has been dismissed from office with as much abruptness as the decorums of such a measure would justify; and it appeared to me correct and proper, that your several friends, should be no longer known, as the partizans of their respective leaders.

With respect to the disaffection of certain persons in your quarter of the Country, you must be very sensible—that I have no proofs.

The conduct of Colo, S------has been before the Grand Jury— Against him there were stronger presumptions than against others, and yet nothing was established.

When a Public Agent proscribes a Citizen and declares him unworthy of public trust the world will expect to be told of what he has been guilty.— I have nothing but the surmises of [undecipherable] enemies to offer.—

Major Cook has been with me—He recriminates, tho' he knows nothing of your accusations—but permit me to assure you, that I entertain the same high opinions of your purity of character and conduct that I ever did—

With respect to a Legionary Corps—I approve the idea, and should certainly be gratified by sanctioning such an arrangements— but it cannot at this time be carried into effect, It shall not be forgotten

Mr. James Austin is so fully possessed of my feelings on these subjects that he will carry them to you more satisfactorily than I have now leisure to do—

Frederick: Bates

[Addressed:] Moses Austin Esquire Mine a Burton, Jas. Austin Esquire