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To: Lyle B. Fawcett
Staunton
Augusta
Cty
Virginia
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Courtland Ala December 2d.1828
Dear Branston
You have doubtless ere this time give out of ever hearing
from me again, but you shall be mistaken although I have not written to
you believe me you were not forgotten, and I have been writing to you
every day since my arrival in this place. you must excuse me for my negligence
when I tell you that I have been very closely engaged ever since I reached
here, taking an a/c of stock which you know is a very pleasant business
shortly after which we recd our Goods which kept us very busy both day
and night, Sunday too. you have no Idea of the number of pretty
Girls that Flock to see us daily all of which buy more or Less – were
you here I am confident you would once more loose that Heart which is
so prone to go astray and should you succeed you might then give up the
Yard Stick Bar &c to pursue amore pleasing occupation, you know what
I mean, while I am on the subject of the ladies I must tell you of Miss
Jane Patton of Huntsville who is one of the Handsomest Girls I have seen
since I left Virginia. had not my broken heart led me back to Old
Monroe I should certainly have fallen in Love with her. I spent
the evening at her Fathers who is the partner of Col Bierne. I thought
she smiled on me (vain man) and promised to call again which I shall certainly
do.
I am tolerably well pleased with this Country some
parts of it is the finest Land I ever saw – but to take it generally I
think we have as good Land as there is in this Country. one thing
I am certain that we can live more comfortably and as to health there
is no comparison which is the Greatest gift of God. there is a good
many Goods sold here. our last months sales amounts to $5628 – 99
– which is nothing to what was done a few years ago. still we do
not calculate to average more than $3000 a month.
It is quite uncertain what time I shall leave here,
my expectation is to get away in June whether I get the business settled
[or] not, which I can do nothing on un[ til] Col Beirne arrives to make
advise or or sell out.
Swoope is well & trying to get the wife he sends
his respects to you
Give my respects to your Father & family together
with all my acquaintances. Write soon
Your Friend
John J McMahon
This is written in a great hurry which you can see from the style
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