[Letter] 1774 Aug. 9 to Lachlan McIntosh, Darien, Georgia / Seth Jno. [i.e. John] Cuthbert

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Indian Land
9th August 1774.
Dear Sir.
I wrote you sometime last month, via New Port but as it is uncertain whether that reach'd [reached] you, I shall pay no regard to it in this, which will be handed You by my Brother Isaac, accompanied by Brother George, in order to pay you a Visit, & to fix on proper places to settle themselves in Your parts the ensuing Winter.- George seems bent upon the Great Thicket if he can get it upon such terms as will be convenient to him, being desirous of living upon the Salts & going upon Indigo -- As Indigo is lighter Work, & for a week [weak] -handed Planter more profitable than Rice, I have advised Isaac to fix upon a Spot that woud' [would] answer that purpose, in case you can accommodate him with such a One. -- If I am not mistaken I saw some good Indigo Land at the old Fort, if so, & you can conveniently spare it, I do not know a plan tha [document damaged: t ] woud' [would] suit him better. My Mother woud' [would] be near your family, [unclear text: which is ] principal object in her, besides the situation, which pleases his mark, & the advantage of making a Crop of Provisions the first year, as I remember an old Field just above it, that I imagine woud' [would] answer that purpose, but I am much afraid [document damaged: that ] will put you to inconveniences, as they must depend upon you to get a House built for them; if you coud' [could] get a Carpenter to put up a coarse House for them, or to fit up the old House [illegible text] Horse-Creek, 'till [until] Isaac could build one for himself, he will, I am confident, thankfully repay you as soon as he is able, -- This is not the only trouble they will put you to, for they must depend upon your assistance in moving, as George will not be able to move before the middle of the Spring, & they want to get away by the first of this next Year. -- You will I am afraid be at a loss for a proper Boat, as my Mother wants to carry a


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whole years provisions of Necessaries with her, tho' [though] the bulkiest part of her furniture she will leave with George. -- What I have said about the old Fort is intended only as a hint, as I am not certain whether the Land will answer or not, & Isaac will depend upon your judgement & directions; I coud' [could] wish that he was of a more active turn, but poor fellow he is a good natur'd [natured], steady Lad, & I hope will do well; He will have three good workers besides Sabina & Bristol, & intends to purchase [deleted text: [illegible text] ] another before he leaves the Province. --
For my own part I intend to try something or other in Savannah & intend to move there Next month. I am much afraid that my being so great a stranger as I am in [deleted text: [illegible text] ] Georgia, will be the [document damaged: c ] ause of my getting no business in the Factorage Way the first Year, [document damaged: be ] sides [deleted text: [unclear text: my ] ] meeting with some losses since I saw you, I shall be able to carry but a trifle of Cash with me, so that it will be out of my [illegible text] to take a Wharfe [Wharf], as I thought to have done. -- Suppose I was to try something in Jacob Valk's way, or try to get into into [into] a good Counting House for a twelve-month or so, 'till I can form a good acquaintance in in [in] the Province? I shall be greatly ob [document damaged: liged ] to you for your opinion on these leads. -- Let me follow what [added text: Plans ] I will, I am determined it shall not miscarry thro" [through] want of industry & application. --
This province is greatly decided at present in its political opinions; Boston, Resolutions, & an Indian [added text: & Civil ] War, are the general topics of conversation: It seems we are likely to have a general War with the Indians, & that the Creeks will lead the [illegible text], but of this matter I dare say you know more than I do, as it more nearly concerns you; they talk of stopping the Importation of all dutiable & unnecessary Articles here, if so, it will be the better for your Provinces as I


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am told that you have no thoughts of entering into such measures-
I wish much to hear of your Son Jacks welfare, & hope to have that satisfaction by the return of Isaac, as Jack promised to send me a full account of his Expedition by the first opportunity. --
The [document damaged: little ] Man I wanted to Send you as a Schoolmaster, I can by no means persuade to leave these parts. --
I have Sent your Son Lachlan a Treatise on Planting, & in return for this favor, I expect he will send me his remarks & observations upon it. -- I have not been able to procure you any directions for the Cultivation of the Wild Indigo, that I wud' [would] depend upon. --
Pray remember me in the kindest [document damaged] to my Sister & the rest of the family, & make my Compliments to y [document damaged: our ] Brothers, & Messrs: [Messieurs] Bailey & Rodk. [Roderick] McIntosh, & believe me to be --

Dr. [Dear] Sir Yr. [unclear text: Afft. ] Humb. Servt. [Your Affectionate Humble Servant]
[Signed] Seth Jno. [John] Cuthbert





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To Lachlan McIntosh Esquire at Darien In Georgia
[unclear text: by ] favor of Mr. Isaac Cuthbert

S. Jno. [Seth John] Cuthbert

9th August 1775

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