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"The Howard-Smith Collection"

Transcription copyright: 1998, by Mrs. F. A. Augsbury; all rights reserved.
The originals are at the McClung Library in Knoxville.

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To: James T. Gaines, Esqr., Near Rossville, Sullivan County, Tennessee
From: Edmund P. Gaines, Post Master, Fort Stoddert
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                                    Fort Stoddert
                                    March 15, 1807
Dear James
            My letters never reach you, or yours me, otherwise you are 
one of the most lethargic correspondents in the world.  I have lately 
determined to send my letters by the way of Georgia, as the Nashville route 
must have some attractive power on it, by which our letters are not suffered 
to pass.  I had a suspicion that Aaron Burr's magic wand, with which he 
manufactures conspiracy and insurrection, had touched some of the mail people 
on that route but what use could they find for our howdedo letters?  'Tis 
true I have sometimes taken occasion to mention the folly of the projectors 
of an enterprize tending either to sever the union, or to chastise our 
Spanish neighbors.  The first is as impractacable at this time, as it is 
impolitic: for we have no earthly reason to expect a more salutary Government 
than that we at present enjoy, and we have a world of reason to believe that 
a severence of the union would weaken and materially injure the whole "united 
we stand, divided we fall."  As for drubbing the Spaniards, I believe all true 
Americans of the U.S. concur in the opinion that the conduct of these people 
has long urged the propriety of punishing them.  But while we acknowledge a 
government and laws are we to look to private individuals-adventurers-to 
point out the time and mode of inflicting this punishment?  Such wretches 
truly cannot be too heartily corrected-and such a wretch doubtless is A Burr.

You have no doubt seen, in the public prints, accounts of the part which fell 
to my lot to act, in relation to Burr.  I feel much anxiety to learn whether 
my guard took him safe to Washington, or not,--I have not heard from them 
since they passed the creek Nation.  Altho I feel great confidence in the 
zeal and activity of Maj'r Perkins, who commands the detachment as well as in 
several of those who composed it, yet Burrs former greatness, and popularity, 
leaves grounds to apprehend that he will be rescued.

My wife joins me in love to you, our parents and sister.
                                                   Yours sincerely
                                                       Edmund P. Gaines

                                      George is in tolerable health-
                                      but just out of a fit of illness.
                                                                          E.P.G.

James T. Gaines Esqr.
Tennessee
       Respects to enquiring friends.
                                          E.P.G.

I want a feather bed.  cant you get me a good one and have it put into a 
tight barel and send it via N. Orleans so send it to the care ___ ___(?) 
"military Agent," N. Orleans, and request him to forward it on first vessel 
for this place-such a thing cannot be had in this country, except it as wild 
goose or duck feathers.
                                                   E.P.G.