Messrs A Henry Jr. & Co.
Gentlemen
enclosed
is a bill of exchange for 1200 dollars drawn at 60 days sight on Mr
Andrew Erwin of your City which I wish you to have discounted at Bank in the usual way.
Pay to yourselves the one half and the other half to J. Adams, Knox
& Nixon as I will advise them by this post.
I should have been punctual to the day had not that dreadful disease
the smallpox seized me on my way home and detained me 2 months longer
than usual.
The balance of your bill I will send the first drafts or bills I can
purchase I could have forwarded it now if the drafts could have been had.
My best wishes to your Father and tell him without some misfortune
I hope he will never have to regret the confidence placed in me our
business is going on as well as ever --
I am with Respect
Your sincere friend
/s/
J. C. McKean
A receiving clerk’s docket:
John C McKean, Columbia Tenne,
Oct 9th 1817, enclos’g draft for $1200 on A Erwin
Notes:
“60 days sight” refers to a “Sight Draft” which
is a banking term, meaning payable on sight, or presentation.
Notice how J. C. McKean was not able to obtain additional drafts and thereby
complete his obligation to A Henry Jr & Co.
From the
Collection of Frederick Smoot
