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Disclaimer: The opinions on these pages are those of the writers
and don't necessarily reflect my own views. More...
January 8th Harrisonburg Va |
Paid 12 ˝
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Mr Lyle B Fawcett
Richmond
Va
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On back of "envelope": Rader is here and tells me he will not
set out before
thursday. this is therefore sent by mail
Harrisonburg January 5th 1828
Dear Branson
I have just this moment got
home, found all well and found the family removed to the House formerly
occupied by Bushell in the midtst of need
and Trouble cording their Bedsteads, &etc. you can scarcely Imagine
a more uncomfortable journey than I had to be in good health. the
roads are wretchedly bad and the horse equally so, if anything worse
Mr. Effinger sends by Rader
some Butter and Lard to you for which he wants some articles in the grocery
line, trye to oblige him, he appears to be well disposed Towards you.
I do not know what may be Raders instructions but from what he said when
I last saw him it is possible he may leave part of not all his load with
you if he should, you must endevor to procure such articles as he may
want. Indeed I think you ought to trye and buy some flour if you
could with safety but of this Judge for yourself. I fear that if
more is not done in your neighborhood, that the Hill Merchants will take
all the flour business from you. however do what you do with great
caution if you could only make 4(?) or a quarter on the Barrell and make
quick sales, it would help pay your expenses. it would moreover
keep up the appearance of doing some business, but as I said befor Judge
for yourself. I have been unfortunate in the direction of my own
business and therefore cannot with propriety press my opinions on
others. one thing however is clear that if you do no business your
funds must soon be exausted.
with respect to my self and
family I confess I am a little depressed in spirits. the prospect
is quite dull Abner is again harping at me to rent Judge Smiths
place. he thinks we could make a goodeal by raising Stock.
possibly we might but when men can scarcely keep along who have no rent
to pay I fear we should get behind besides it would not be a permanent
home if we even could make a little at it, and there ought to be some
place provided for the family as I cannot according to the ordinary course
of things expect to live more than Ten or a Dozen years. there is
therefore no time to delay. I scarcely know what to do. He
complains and says that I will expend all or friends have advanced in
looking about without doing any thing and really there is only too much
Truth in the remarks yet I cannot help thinking he is a little selfish
with respect to renting Smiths place he in the first place has no respect
as to my feelings when he wants to locate me right among those who have
suffered by me and who of course will never permit me to enjoy anything
in peace until the utermost farthing is paid. moreover he would
with his Stock devour every thing we would make besid it is absurd to
attempt to make a sailor of a cock or a soldier of a goos as Mr. Jefferson
would say altho my pretentions ought to be humble, humble god knows enough.
yet I think I might do something more useful for my family and more respectful
for myself than to turn keeper of Abners Sheep and Hogs for that would
be the result of any attempt at farming here he would never be without
some Horses, Hogs or Sheep to eat up every thing as fast as we would make
it.
I have no faith in the project
of geting me in as keeper of the publick store. It is quite probable
that the incumbent will hold in whether the wages is lowered or not and
if he does he will be reelected, and if he should decline we may expect
Swope and his friends to oppose us. I am led to this conclusion
from a remark made by someone to me, that Tapp had said when speaking
of reducing the salary of the Store Keeper, he could get a young man who
would keep it for $1000. I am satisfied that the young man he refered
to is Swope, but admiting I was elected where is the Security to come
from I could not ask any one here, and there among strangers such
a favor ought not to be expected. Upon the whole it will be as well
to send on my trunk and the spare bed by Rader as am satisfied the chance
is not worth counting on.
Joseph Fawcett
P.S. perhaps it will be as well to keep the trunk and Bed until
Col. McMahon s team comes which will leave this thirsday or friday next.
by that time something more decisive wil be Indicated. Tell Col
McMahon that his family is well that Major Grattan is some what better.
Mr Kyes much as he was, poor encouragement from the last letters rec’d
of Col Halls recovery.
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Source: Handwritten original in the private
collection of the Chambless family. Transcribed to softcopy
by Susan D. Chambless, 1998.
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