Sir I recvd yours of the 16th Instant which I was very sorry to
hear of the Death of your father and illness of your mother but
happy to find your family in a reasonable stait of helth we are all
in a good stait of helth in this section of the Country you desire
to know something of our country as for my part I am well pleased
With this part as to the soil none to exceed it we have good water
and timber none to exceed our Country on the North side of the
Sangamo is high dry soil handsome for farming well furnished with
good mill streams this on the South side is not thus furnished in no
respect the Cuntry is low and wet on two much of a ded leavele the
water is Confined in ponds in the wet season and makes bad
traveling In the spring—I think I can say as it Respects the helth of the
people in this part I dont apprehend the least dangere heare more
than their from the appearance of the Cuntry and people last season
and this—I have nothing of grait importance only we air brought in
to a Cuntry our first court in this infant part was held on the first
Monday of May so that it put it out of my power to answer your first
by haveing a new County all that was in commission was thrown
out and remained untill very recently so that the business could not
be dun as it respects that business of yours and Mr Alleys this has
been transacted so long that I Cannot be positive about the time nor
number of bushels I remember hailing the Corn and delivering it
at the still house neither can I remember the dates stated in the
accounts only it was in 1818 I have not Convirsd with Mr Alley on
the subject yet it may be on Examination things may occur to my
mmd that dose not at this time so no more on this subject my family
send their respect to you and your lady
We wish to drop a line to your mother. Dier madam we air very
sory to hear of the loss of your Companion it is a natural case for
us to morn after a friend But we only Come to gather for life the
lord giveth and the lord taketh a way we ought to Bless the name
ot the lord I dont Consider your Case in life Bad you have an
affectionate sone and daughter that I am well satisfied will go any
length to make you happy let us look forward and be faithful and
we have a friend that sticketh closer than a brother we will
remember you at a throan of grase and prey god to give you suffering grase
tor suffering times let us looke to god for help to beare us up under
all our difficulties that we have to incounter in this world and if we
live faithfull in this world haveing a consiance void of offenc to god
and man we shall meet to part no more whare all teers shall be
wipt from your eyes and go to receive a never faiding crown of life
bee faithful until death preys your unworthy friend untill death I
hope you and Mr Bryan will not for get to wright to me if not
pnvit opportunity offer direct your letters to Edwardsville postoffis
and I will call for them give our compliments to Mr J Austin and
family