Mine A. Burton Jany. 20th. 1804.
a few Days past Mr. Maxwell mentioned to me that he held a note of
mine and at the same time handed me your letter. Mr Maxwell
observed that the intrested had liberty to either make payment or
return the Concessions to me the concequences are the same I have not
a Dollar at Stake but as I had recd orders from some of the Intrested
not to make payment I requested from Mr Maxwell time to learne
the Determenation of the Gentlm after which I would Either make the
payment or Return the Concessions. I receiv'd from all the Gentlm-
for answer that the Concessions Should be returned for reasons-
following first that Mr Madden has made a Survey for an Indian boy
of Pratts of a peice of Land he was informed two weeks before was
intended for Mr Shaw and Mr Treat also after being made acquaint'd
Where Mr Stuart wish his Survey made he Survey [ed] a Concession
for some of his family or friends a preference being given to an
Indian Boy of Pratts After Messr Shaw and Treat had paid one
Hundred and Twenty Dollars to some of the settlers of the Mine of
burton who have made some improvement on the land they intended
to take and which Madden surveyed by the Indian not
withstanding being for old Mr Duelle thus treated by a man you promis'd
Should execute your orders with out deviation has induced them to
suppose that this Conduct of Maddens meet your Approbation under
such impressions you are not to be surprised that they have Declaired
there dissattisfaction in the highest terms, what confidence is to be
given to Madden who the moment he had information Where the
Gentlm. in question wish'd there [concessions] Survey'd, immediately
made Surveys for Others on the same lands this with Other
Considerations which I can communicate to you when an opportunity offers
has Determened them all to Return the Concessions As to myself I
have but One Observation to make and that is that I cannot
sufficiently express my dissattisfaction with my Self, that I have had a
part in this business by which I have not onely recd from you a
Charge of Conduct of which I always shall Declair myself
Blameless and have been Shamefully abus'd by your freind madden I have
given Great dissattisfaction to the Gentlm for whome I acted, all of
which has been brought about by a man altho your friend is
uneversally Detested by the American People on the West Bank of the
Mississippia notwithstanding I beleave your intentions have been always
to give Sattisfaction to Evry man yet your unbound'd confidance
in Madden and his friends has induced you to look on me as a man
unworthy of belief—and Capable of many improper thing haveing
as you was pleased to express yourself to a friend of yours Clouds
before my eyes which you have not been able to remove
M Austin [Rubric]
[Endorsed:] Copy letter Mr. A. Soulard. St. Louis Jany. 20 1804
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