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DEAR SIR,

Philadelphia, Feb. 9th, 1797.

I persevere in my determination respecting a certain business as expressed to you at New-York-I am without the expected letter from you. If you have any thing worth communicating comes to your knowledge, I beg the favour to receive it as early as possible, and am with the sincerest esteem,

Doct. Romayne,
New-York.
(Free) Wm. Blount.

MY DEAR SIR,

Wм. BLOUNT.

New-York, Feb. 10th, 1797:

I should have written you before, but I have not been able to learn till lately that nothing has come from Mr. King to any persons in this city. I now know that to be the case.

Our news from Europe you have in the public papers. You see with what earnestness the British loan has filled, and you see with what boldness Bonaparte fights. There are no omens of peace. The Directory agree to the terms of composition, yet they do not mean to give up Flanders and the parts of Germany south of the Rhine which are now incorporated with the Republic one and indivisible. They can only mean to give up some of the conquests in Italy. These terms will not suit the British as yet, and I am fully persuaded that the war will go on, with increasing violence, for it will become more and more national. I have reflected much, since you left me, respecting our plans to the southward, and the more I think on them the more important they appear to me in their consequences. The packet sails on Tuesday, and I shall begin to write this evening fully on the subject, given assurance that the friend we contemplate will go over in May. I am sure of success from a variety of circumstances, and am sure I am not too sanguine.

I am really anxious to go on to Philadelphia to see you for a few days, but I am detained here. The man from whom I had to receive 1200 dollars the 20th of this month has failed, I have sureties, but they will not pay without being sued, and the question is whether I must not give time. I have nearly the like sum due the 1st of March, which I must also endeavour to secure, for I know I shall not obtain payment.

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To add to my disappointments, I shall lose 150l. for houserent from the misfortunes of my tenants.

I trust and hope you are of the same mind you were here about going to the eastward. I am collecting all the facts I can to furnish you, and you will no doubt do the same. Pray let me hear from you soon,

I am, with perfect consideration,
Your assured friend,

NICS. ROMAYNE.

The Hon. Wm. Blount, Esq.
Senator of the United States,

Philadelphia.

New-York, March 3d, 1797.

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I have only this moment, my dear friend, received your ters of the 9th and 16th ult. and I am to censure myself very much for not having called at the post-office before.

I am happy you continue in your sentiments on a certain point. You may be assured it is every thing to you and me. With respect to peace, be assured it is very distant notwithstanding what is said, it is impossible under present circum stances any accommodation can take place or peace continue for nine months.

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There are letters here from Mr. Monroe. His opinion is that of peace, but I know it is founded on a supposition that England must yield in every point to France. There are letters from Mr. K.-he writes with caution.-The only thing he says is that the minister's mode for a loan is not popular, but the result shews that Mr. Pitt has gained his object.

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With respect to myself, I am preparing all my business to follow you. We are here very much perplexed in money matters. The one note I mentioned to you is already protested, and I have another due to-morrow which will also be protested. By given time they will be secured to me.Pray let me hear from you by return of post and what time I will set out foryou leave Philada. &c.you Present me to your lady and family, and be assured of the sentiments of esteem with which I have the honour to be, Your oblig'd servant and friend,

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The Hon. Wm. Blount, Esq.
Senate of the United States,
Philadelphia.

NICS. ROMAYNE.

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Philadelphia,

DEAR SIR,

Philadelphia, Tuesday, March 7th, 1997.

I have before told you that I persisted in the plan of going to London and I now repeat it to you, but from what part of America I will take iny passage is uncertain and I fear it will not be convenient to take it from New-York, hence seems to me to arise a necessity that I should see you before my departure from this place. Can't you come here on the last of this week and spend a few days when and where you and myself can talk things over once more. I shall expect your answer as early as may be.With the sincerest esteem,

Your friend,

WM. BLOUNT.

Free Wm. Blount.

Doct. Romayne,
New-York.

MY DEAR SIR,

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New-York, March 8th, 1797.

I have acknowledged your favours of February, last week; since that time I have not had the pleasure of a line from you respecting your future operations.-The last letters from Holland speak of peace as out of the question, and that there will surely be another campaign.-I do not find that the death of the Empress of Russia will have much effect on the present politicks of Europe. The same ministers will be continued, and if the new Emperor will not meddle with state affairs his life will be continued to him-otherwise he will be destroyed and his wife will reign.-Indeed from late accounts it is suspected that some revolutionary movements are to be apprehended.There is a very high aristocracy in Russia, and they will with much difficulty submit to the controul of a sovereign. The Bears it seems prefer to be governed by a woman.

I do not hear any thing from England-a packet is hourly expected with the January mail.-I shall write you if any thing occurs.

I have read Mr. Adam's speech-I expect the greatest part of his administration will consist of speeches and orations-I fear much that on Saturday commenced an æra not very propitious to our country. The most that can be expected from Mr. Adams will be a negative Magistrate. But

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it appears as if he does not mean to give any tone to the government, but to be led by the Senate and House of Representatives.

Money is very scarce here indeed, and it is said there are very great sacrifices of all kinds of property making every day, at auction at the Coffee-house.-Mr. Macomb has purchased some North Carolina lands here at 10 cents per acre, said to be of a good quality. Pennsylvania lands are offered here at

of a dollar, said to be good lands.-R. Morris's notes are at Is. in the L.-1 have much reason to suppose, that these matters will not mend, as bills on London are rising and our commerce getting more and more embarrassed.-I wish your opinion respecting the value of Morris's notes, and respecting lands for a friend of mine here.

I am, with perfect consideration, very entirely yours,

NICS. ROMAYNE.

The Hon. Wm. Blount, Esq.
Philadelphia.

MY DEAR SIR,

New-York, March 9th,, 1797.

I have just received your favour of the 7th instant and am extremely sorry that my sister's indisposition will prevent me from going on to Philadelphia at the time you have appointed.

Your voyage will be very interesting to us both, and of the highest consequence to certain operations. I have therefore thought much about the most eligible mode for you to go. I have concluded in my own mind it would be best to embark for Amsterdam or Hamburgh-and for a guinea you can always be landed in the channel by fishing boats who are in great numbers on the coast. In this way all-will be done away-you can go very privately from this or Philadelphia, and you will have a much better choice of shipping. At any rate you must not go from the southward in a vessel with naval stores-you will be subject to too many chances. of capture.

Another consideration of moment is, that I wish you to see answers to the letters I have written, because there may be some disposition to be made in consequence of them. Let me know when you leave Philadelphia, and if you go to Washington or Knoxville-It surely will be convenient for you to go from the northward and I hope your arrangements

will enable you to set out the beginning of May.-My opinion is much for your going from this or Philadelphia as I have mentioned. I shall enquire respecting shipping and give you information in my next.

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Yesterday I received your letter of the 8th, and to-day that of the 9th instant. I regret that I could not have had the pleasure of seeing you at this place before my departure for the southward, which will now be in a few days, and particularly the cause which has prevented your coming. Yet I beg you to continue to address such letters as you shall write me on or before the 23d March to this place, as to that day they will reach me free of postage and I shall direct the postmaster how to forward them to me, and before that day I will advise how to address me after that time. My business at present to the southward is such that I cannot give more particular instructions to you at this time. I shall certainly attempt to carry our plan into execution and shall see you at New-York or some other convenient place before my departure for Europe early in May. Mrs. Blount is so importunate to go to Knoxville this spring that I have not yet been able to say I am not going there with her, hence perhaps you may hear I am gone to Tennessee, but hear what you will rest assured I am steady and determined to our purposes. Pray let me hear from you often and on my part I promise to you to keep you well advised of my movements. In the mean time be assured that I am with very sincere esteem,

Doctor Romayne.

Your obedient servant,

W. B.

MY DEAR SIR,

New-York, March 11th, 1797.

I regret very much indeed that I have not had it in my power to go on to Philadelphia to meet you as I so sincerely

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