Sr
I should not trouble you with any observations on the Renaut
business, Was I not disposed to have the affair a justed, with out
difficulty, could such a thing take place or be effected, With Jones
I can say nothing more, I have recvd a most Billingsgate, letter,
with denunciations against the Claim, and what, he will do, he says
"it is in my power to prevent your realising those Golden dreams
and, believe, me, the, Inclination, to, do, so, is not nor shall not
be wanting.["] the Soul, of the man, is, spoken, in, this line, it, is, in,
fact saying purchase me or I will act—the, Villing!!! Jones has
never paid a Dollar in money or in time spent, from the commence-
ment of this transaction, and from his letter I soon gather that he is
determined not to pay a Dollar, and yet expects to hold 1/4 under an
Original contract between Maj. Hunt and himself, which he knowes
was never carried into execution by him, I also find that he
disbelieves that I am called on to pay 2647 1/2 Dollares, the purchase
money for my 1/8 of the last half of said Claim, and that he intends
paying nothing, You know that I have advanced all the money that
has been paid and from mony Drawn from the funds of Moses
Austin and Co and now because I call on him to say—Whether he
intends to consider himself interested Equal with myself in the
purchase of the last half and provide for the same say thirteen
hundred and Twenty three Dollars and fifty Cents—I am answered
in a most Billingsgate Style. If Jones has a Claim on Maj Hunt,
for a 1/4 so be it, I— have nothing to do with that contract I—
only, speak of, my contract with Maj Hunt in which I have offered,
Jones, an equal part with myself, Conditioned as above, I have
made no stipulations with Hunt for any disposal of either, Jones,
or, his Contract, how can any man of common understanding say
that I have acted in any way improper with, Jones, when I gave
him an oppertunity to injoy with myself an equal participation if
he thought proper to come forward and make the proper advance
If, he, will, not, accept, I cannot, make, him
I have said thus much to you that hereafter I may have it in my
power to face, him, or, any, Other, man, in Vindication of my
Conduct, should it be called in question—
I have one other observation to make as respect Jones and I have
don, If Jones considers his Contract with Hunt valid, Why accuse
me of not Securing his interests in the Claim any act of mine could
not have changed his Standing with Maj Hunt unless he thought
proper to approve the same, and that he would not have don, so, is,
clear, in as much as he objects paying or making his advance, on the
purchace, and I alone am bound to Maj Hunt for the consequences,
Such conduct is With out a parallel
I am Sr Yours
Moses Austin [Rubric]
again If Jones, had no expectations of being called on to pay, his
share on the last purchase money of the last half how came it to pass
that he made a provision in the contract With you that you should
pay all further and Other expenses that should Arrise on said Claims
from the day of making said Contracts in writing to me on this sub-
ject he say—" I have sold a part of my Share in the Renaut Claim to
Mr Wm Scott the conditions of which I will explain to you when
We meet" this explanatun has never taken place and I have only
agreed to Said Sale conditionally. Now Sr forward to me John Rice
Jones acknowledgment—that he has sold to you a part of his share in
said Claim, expressing what part, and at the same time provide the
Money, to, meet, the expences on what ever part he may so express,
taking for your standard two thousand Six Hundred and forty Seven
Dollars as the expences and purchace money on Eight of shares of the
last half, and I will immediately agree and secure to you the same
title I may receive—from Mr Baldwin
Provided always, that such Certificate of sale to you from Jones
doth not exceed or equal share I hold in Said Claim under my
Contract with Maj Seth Hunt and that I am in no wise bound either to
you or Jones jointly or Separately, Verbally, or, Written either as
M Austin and Co or as Moses Austin for any more than a share to be
claimed by you both inclusive Equal to that I myself can and may
receive from Maj Seth Hunt Henry Baldwin or any Other person
authorised to make to me deeds for said property.
Such are the Conditions on which an adjustment may take place
respecting the Renaut Claim—Provided that with in eight [days?]
from the recept of this letter the conditions herein stipulated are
ratified and also that the propositions herein contained are carr[i]ed with
good faith into real Execution Canceling all other pretentions from
either you or, Jones, on me, leaving the said John Rice Jones and Maj
Seth Hunt to settle any contract They may have between each Other
to be adjustd as they may think proper hereafter.
I have thus again givn both Jones and yourself an Oppertunety to
come forward and make a final finish of this business on termes equal
with myself—If you do not accept remember I hold myself exonerated
both in Honour and Justice
I am Sr Yours
M Austin
Durham Hall,
Mine a Burton, May, 28th 1813
[Endorsed:] Copy letter to John Scott Saint Geneveve on the
Renaut Claim May 28th 1813