Frederick Town 15th. June 97.
Dr. Sir,
I expect you have heard from Mr. Jones of Kaskaskea by Mr.
Pascall a French Gentm from St. Geneveve destenated for Philadelphia,
Agreeable to what last pased between us respectg the Louisiany
Country, I went and Exploared, untill no probability of meeting of
Success in that which was the object of my Journey to that Country,
Returning without seeing any thing that I conceived would by any
means Just [if] y an undertakeing of the kind,—I met with every
incouragement from the People that was within the Scope of their
power, but not of Situation or Mineral,—I agreed provided there
should be such a Situation Discovered that would Justify as before,
That a Memorial might be laid in for me, and provided it Came
forward in time, That I then would come forward as before proposed—
But time Runs so long with out hearing anything from that quarter,
and the Very great uncertainty of such a Discovery that I shall be
oblidged to make Other Arangement, I nevertheless should be glad
to hold an Interest with You in the Lead business, Provided I can
do it on agreeable an[d] Equaleable Turms, But should it not meet
Your Interest or inclenation, for me to hold any part of the Lead,
without pursuing the Iron Business, I shall decline any thing of that
kind, for the reasons before stated, I should be glad to hear from You,
Wm. Shreve [Rubric]
[Addressed:] Moses Austin Esqr. or Stephen Austin Mercht.
Philadelphia
[Endorsed:] June 1797 William Shreve this letter is in Answer
to a Conditional contract made with said Shreve in consequence of
which the business contemplated under said contract was relinquishd
M Austin