Philada 24th Decr 1798
Mr James Austin
Dear Sir the Bearer is Mr Daniel Hall the young Man who I
have before informd you of who I have engaged as a Blacksmith for
Twelve Months—I believe you will find him a Very Steady Man
and all the Blacksmith work that is wanted our Selves will be the
first object then Let him do all other Work that offers from others
that will pay he Can do—he is a good Edge Tool Maker Axes in
Particular therefore he can always be Imployd at that when nothing
els offers—and as old Jn° is such a Thief I would have you put him
to Work at the Mill and Never Let him Come in the Smith Shop at
all and I think best to put young Ambrose in if he will promise to
Attend to Learn the Trade—and Mr Hall in his articles has Engaged
to Learn a Man—
the other young Man is My Nephew Harry Elliot who I have took
to bring up untill he is 21 year old he wants Much Improvement
and I will thank you to keep him at Writing a[t] Night and at
Cyphering—he will be usefull to you and is to attend to all the
Bussiness going—will thank your attention to him—and to Live with
you and Mr Hall at the Tavern I have gave Mr Hall Forty Dollar
to bear his and Harry Expence which I expect will be More than
they will Spend and when they Give you the Account of their
Expences Mr Hall will give you the Ballance—of which Please
Inform me—I shall as soon as Possible Send you some Money but
as Charles has not got any Shot here to Raise Money I am very
much in Want we are all Well and the family Joins in best Respects
to Mrs A and Self Mr Sanders and others
S Austin.
[Addressed] Mr James Austin Austin Ville Lead Mines Card by
Mr Hall