Letter From Osborn Jeffreys to his cousin William B. Smith of Granville Co., NC

 

Smith Co. (Tennessee)   August 20th 1814

 

Dear Cousin

            Your 20th July I recd a few days

ago. I have been waiting a considerable

time, the greatest anxiety to hear from

you on this subject this salt Petr Contract

having no doubt but you would be

able to make a contract.  But I find

myself sadly disappointed, you mentioned $

34 was the right price talked of But that you

did not believe you could have made a

contract to have depended on delivery or I

mentioned a $30 If you can possibly make

a contract I hope you will I am anxious

to ------ your country that I may selle my

business their, as it appears impossible for

me to have I---t--- without you mentioned

Petr you had heard was of more demand

now I see no reasons why it should not

be as high now as at any time since the war.

Their appears as grate a probability of a

continuance, if you can make a contract

At $ 34 or 36 or 40 to depend on delivery any

time between this & 20 day next January or the

first of next January I will fill it, Jany 5000,lb

I shall take two wagons & they will cary 2700

cash this copa-g- will be some thing I hope you

will do the best you can in that contract if you

 

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can possibly get $40 do it. if you can

get no more than $34 I will take it, rather

then not attend my business in Carolina

pray does ----y -----tion to -------t as soone

as possible.  I want an answer by the midd--

next month (next word crossed out) the last September

I wish to set off with my salt Peter

I am in great hast (next five words crossed out)

We have no news here worth

your attention the sound of war over

a -----te through our country. the drum

is always beating you security, another drop

has taken place since you left hear

Gen Jackson is yet in the creake nation

nothing decisive is yet known,

my son Thomas is in ---- state health

with the consumption it is expected shortly

after you left hear he was taken with the

------- & was every day  --thing under the

spring & fout until he took a -----

color & cough which has settled on his

lungs, it appears impossible to remove it,

the rest of us are well.  Jane joins any

in respects to you cousin Leathy & Family

                        I am Da--- yours

                        Respectfully

                        Osborn Jeffreys Jr.

 

 

Written on folded edge of the above letter:

 

On demand I will pay to

 

 

 

Written on opposite folded edge of the above letter

 

--B make the -

small a quar--

   Capt Lyons

 

 

 

(I believe Osborn JEFFREYS is cousin to Lethe (EATON) SMITH, Wm SMITHs wife, by way of her mother's family)

 

Paulette Smith