Halifax, Feby 22, 1774.
Dear Sir,
I recd your favr of the 10th Instant by Mr Macnair. I shall be glad to see you and Mrs Burke here by the time you mention, when I hope Mrs Miller will be in the Straw and restored to her former Temper, which is what she Seldom has during the months of Pregnancy.
Mr McNair was married the 17th Inst., to Miss Hall. He sets off for Newbern on Sunday, in Company with Col Jones—but I am much afraid this Ride will be to no purpose, the Inhabitants of Chowan and Edenton have been Instructing their Representatives, in a different way to what we shall do here.
I have a Congoer who wants to be sold along with his wife and two Children. I do not wish to sell him, tho' I would not refuse to
do so, If I find he will not stay here—should I sell him I would take not under £140. Mrs Miller & the Children are as well as usual. Mrs Montfort has been very unwell but is getting better. The Col has still a Swelling in the Intestines, some of the Doctrs say it is a Temporary, other an Ulcer in the Intestines. Be as it will I am afraid he is not long for this world. Mr McNair has been giving me a hint of some difficulty you have met with, as to Jno Maclellan, which I am sorry for. I expect to see him in a day or two, when I shall remove that. I am afraid he has done wrong. Mrs Miller Joins me in Compliments to you and Mrs Burke, to whom beg you'l mention us both in the kindest manner. On Second consideration I shall not finish this bill; the post comes on Saturday when I shall be able to say more.24th—I Inclose you a Copy of Instructions &c entered into by the Inhabitants of this Town. Should many places follow our example I should have hopes of Court Laws. We have a Story here of their having made some Similar resolves in Craven County and at Newbern. John McLellan is here. I find he has made very Small Collections from our debts, which has been the cause of his paying you so little. When you draw for the future I hope you'l meet with no Difficulty as to the payment, for should the Collector of our Debts at Hillsboro not be in Cash, I can always answer them here on Sight.
Dear Sir
Your Humb Servt