THE AUSTIN PAPERS. 127 If the terms are such·as cannot be acceded to on your part, it is yet in your power to withhold yourselves from the service. But if you are still anxious to make a display of your patriotic dispositions in this way, I must beg you without unnecessary delay to transmit to me the names of those officers who would be acceptable to you. As to volunteer companies generally, I am willing as an individual Public Agent, to express to you my most cordial approbation of them.-The :Militia law is at this time under revision, and if my private wishes should not be overruled by legislative interposition, I hope shortly to see volunteer companies, for the defence of the ter- ritory merely, without being compelled to march out of it, both of Cavalry, Artillery and Riflemen.- I enclose the Law as well as the Procln and hope you will do me the favor of making them both public F. BATES. You will also oblige me by putting up in conspicuous Places the enclosing advertisements on the subject of Land Claims.- [Addressed :] Messrs Elisha Baker, Moses Austin 1 Darius Shaw and J os Whittlesey Mine a Burton [Endorsed:] Fred Bates Seci Territory Saint Louis May 30 1807
MosEs AusTIN TO JOHN FRANCIS MERIEOLT 1
June 201807
Mr JOHN FRANCIS l\1EnIEULT The political situation·of this Country has delayed me desending the Mississippi for many months and of consequence has prevented the adjustment of our accounts however I trust l\{r. Elias Austin Elliott my nephew with your help will be able to make such ar- rangement as will finally Close our transactions. I found on an E~amination of your Sales and Accounts a number of mistakes which I have examined with care and attention and have stated as Clearly as the situation of the account will allow. I have made to Mr Elliott all the observations on the different statement, which are necessary to explain my Ideas of the business. You will find many overcharges-and some Omissions. the amount of ShQtt accounted for is not equel to the quantity deliver.d also a small difference in the small barr lead which I have note.d. I am of opinion that: when you reexamin the state of our account you will readily admitt that· some largo mistakes, have been made, by your Clerk against M A & Co. and some to your disadvantage I have so £arr ~s the nature of the ..business would admitt corrected all the mistake and send them to you for final settlements [M. A UST IN.] 1 Original ln possession ot Mrs, Emmett I,. Perr7.
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