Herculaneum July 5 1817
Dear Son
I inclose to you 100 Dollars in Bank Notes which I drew out
of Bank and that is all I can Draw at this time the situation of
the Bank is, such, that Money cannot be had, on your Note I have
obtained a discount—but cannot draw money from the Bank I got
Mr Smith the Cashier to lett me have 139. Dollars which I send you
the 50 to Mr Bates I shall settle, and the Balance of your note I think
I can draw next Week—but the cause of all this difficulty is in
consequence of the Bank of Missouri having made a run of our Bank and
they have agents out to purchase up all our Notes this has stopped
all notes of Ours going out untill things become a little settled then
I can draw the Balance as to Dollars is out of the question
McDonald must take Bank notes or he cannot be paid. I would not have
you to Draw Dollars from the Bank now not for, 50 pr C-t it would
ruin us both in as much as every exertion is making by the Bank
of Missouri to run us down and I would not obtain a Dollar but
by the friendship of Mr. Smith and If a hundred Dollars was to be
called for and by you it would ruin our C-t in the Bank— but be
assured as soon as money can be had you shall have it . . .
Moses Austin.
[Addressed:] Mr. James Bryan Hazel Run