You will pardon the anxiety of A friend who is solicitous not only for your reputation; but for the welfare of his neighbors in Louisiana when he says that if you leave the place of Governor of that Territory unsupplied until the riseing of Congress, your enemies will say that you mean to keep the emoluments of that Office for General Wilkinson and the place open for him to go there to commit fresh hostilities against the rights of the Citizens, as well as to reward him for his Atrocities—A Share of your friends will join more or less in the Clamour, while the mouths of others will be shut with astonishment & Indignation. A sense of duty only has prevail’d on me after some delibration to suggest this for your consideration. I am with great respect

your hble Servt