New York April 22d. 1787
Dear sir
I have your letter of the 10th Jany. It was put into my hands only yesterday, to which delay, attribute your not hearing from me sooner.
The only part which I took in your contract with Mr. Imlay was the burthening myself with the security to his bond.1 This I did from my friendship to him, my confidence in his punctuality & truth and my solicitude to remove you into my country, Considering your emigration in every point of view important. The information contained in your letter is as distressing as unexpected. Mr. Imlay left Charlestown long ago for Kentucky. He was obliged to take that route having pecuniary demands on a merchant there, which were necessary for him, before he visited you.2
I hope before this he will have reached you & I trust all matters will be settled to your satisfaction.
Should any accident have befallen him pray my dear sir possess yourself of property adequate to your claim - This you have a right to do in justice & your regard for me will urge you to execute this measure. In any difficulty apply to my friend Wilkinson who I am sure will from my letter exeret [exert] himself to accomodate us. I confide fully in your honor & justice & shall always be happy in testifying the strength of my attachment to you. Adieu, Henry Lee Junr.
Receiver's copy, Anderson-Latham Collection, Library of Virginia.
1 Undoubtedly Gilbert Imlay (c.1754 - 1828), a former officer in the New Jersey Continental Line, whose heavy involvement in Kentucky land speculation forced him to flee to Europe in late 1786 to escape legal and financial entanglements. While launching a new career in continental adventurism and intrigue, he published A Topographical Description of the Western Territory of North America (London, 1792), which appeared in several subsequent editions. DAB.
2 Symmes, a former New Jersey delegate, was in the northwest territory at this time and would soon petition Congress for a two-million-acre grant of land on the Miami River.
3 See the following entry, note 4.