Business as Usual in Columbia
or
That Dreadful Disease, the Smallpox
Maury County Tennessee
~ 1817 ~

© 1997, Frederick Smoot. All Rights Reserved.


Manuscript postmark:
       Columbia Ten , Oct 9th 1817
Addressee:
       Messrs A Henry Junr & Co
       No 192 Market Street
       Philadelphia
Contents:
Columbia October 9th 1817
Messrs A Henry Jr. & Co.
Gentlemen
       enclosed is a bill of exchange for 1200 dollars drawn at 60 days sight on Mr Andrew Erwin of your City which I wish you to have discounted at Bank in the usual way. Pay to yourselves the one half and the other half to J. Adams, Knox & Nixon as I will advise them by this post. I should have been punctual to the day had not that dreadful disease the smallpox seized me on my way home and detained me 2 months longer than usual. The balance of your bill I will send the first drafts or bills I can purchase I could have forwarded it now if the drafts could have been had. My best wishes to your Father and tell him without some misfortune I hope he will never have to regret the confidence placed in me our business is going on as well as ever --
I am with Respect
Your sincere friend
/s/   J. C. McKean

A receiving clerk’s docket:
John C McKean, Columbia Tenne, Oct 9th 1817, enclos’g draft for $1200 on A Erwin

Notes:
“60 days sight” refers to a “Sight Draft” which is a banking term, meaning payable on sight, or presentation. Notice how J. C. McKean was not able to obtain additional drafts and thereby complete his obligation to A Henry Jr & Co.

From the Collection of Frederick Smoot




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