William Nelson to William Short, 17 July, 10 and 12 August 1785

          As I have not rec^d a line from you of a later date than Jan^ry, I fear that my letters have miscarried, and, if they have miscarried, I fear that your suspicions of neglect still continue. This is the fifth that I have written since your arrival in France.— One was committed to the care of M^r. Latill, who sent it by packet, under cover to M^r. D^eBeaumarchas,— one was given to B H to be sent by him, and the others went by post— one of them^^sent under cover to our friend Monroe, and ^{& another Mr. Mazzei took charge of, which no dout you have recd}— Tho’ scarcely any thing new has occur’d since my last, I am determined to write incessantly ‘till I have it from under your own hand that you have received some ^{a letter} from me.

          The eclesiastical convention, which was meeting when I wrote last, ^{in May,} have published an address to the people, on the necessity of their exertions, & propriety of aid from government, for the support of religion—

          The style is elaborate, tho’ the sentiments are liberal— It goes so far as <...> to hint the possibility ^^of, and even a wish for, a coalition with other religious societies— However, altho’ the difference among some ^^sects, as this address observes, is rather of form than essential, no coalition need be dreaded, as the nearer they approach, the more inveterate is their animosity— They are really like the assymptotes of the hyperbola— always approaching, and yet never meet— Such an event, if effected, would be highly dangerous, as an establishment would be the consequence.

          The gen^l assessment will certainly be rejected in October. The bill has been published for the inspection of the people, and has drawn forth numberless remonstrances & instructions from the upper part of the country.

          The inhabitants of Kentucky are now assembled in convention ^^{for the second time.} They have resolved about the right of con^mplaining of grievances,— the necessity of an executive in that country etc and to address the assembly for a seperate government— One of their resolutions respects the impropriety of nonresidents holding land in that country ^there—

          This may affect you,— but, as it will be some [probable missing page] but M^r. Oster informs me that he is connected with a considerable house in France— He goes for an assortment of goods, which, I hope, will convince our countrymen that we may be supplied elsewhere than from England.

          Remember ^^me with great respect to Gen^l Chastellux ^^{and Mr. Jefferson} and believe me

Y^r's sincerely

W^mNelsonjr

PS. I forgot to give you any information about my own plan.— I have resigned my seat in council, and have entered seriously into the practice of the law— M^r. Tazewell’s business, I hope, will be a good introduction.

___________

 Aug^t. 10^th 1785.

          I left this letter unclosed, near three weeks ago, to make an excursion as far as Richneck (where Col^o. ^^W Cary resides), and on my return was overset in a chair— I have been confined ever since, and unable to write without great difficulty— Today I got on horseback, and within a few days I have exchang’d two crutches for a stick— In short I am getting well fast, so that it w^d. not have been worthwhile to inform you of the accident—, except to account for not sending this letter and the papers by M^r. Perens, who sail’d a few days since—. I enclose you a letter for Gen^l Chastellux which you will deliver This is consigned to the care of our friend Monroe, and I shall send the newspapers to M^r. Oster, who will take care that they have a passage in a vessel ^^{which is} to sail from York in a few days.—

ever y^r. fr^d—

WNjr.

________

 Finding the packet was to sail on the 10^th, M^r. Oster will send this from York—

WN 

12^th. Aug^t 85.

A late paper has announced a proclamation from the Governor of a state called “Franklin”— it is a self-created commonwealth in the countrnties of N. Carolina mentioned above.—

WN

Inclosed is a letter from M^r. Wythe to M^r. Mazzei which he begs you to deliver or contrive to him— Remember me to him and tell him I expect to hear from him on his arrival—