Now I have all nine images. Pages 1–3 are the primary letter, page 6 is the address panel, pages 4–5 are archival dividers, and pages 7–9 are alternate copies. I'll transcribe the primary letter (pages 1–3), using the cleaner copies (pages 7–9) to resolve difficult passages. 9. Sep. 96 My dear Sir, [Copy] 12 I find a comfort in writing to you & as I want comfort & perceive that my letters only draw a line from you & therefore are not troublesome I indulge — I want comfort because I am just getting over a pretty severe illness in which my doctor treated me in the true spirit of bleeding & purging with calomel — for an inflammatory bilious fever which has raged here W:^m has been down with it & is recovering — Rush is the reigning ^authority [strikethrough: pharmacy Bus] — whose laws like Draco's are written in blood — Success however attends these laws & like a good subject I submitted & am the better for it — To a minister working upon great materials this country never need be a great relaxation — Let it not however tinge your Talk to the Cherokees who would not understand the amity of such a depleting plan — How clearly that Talk will come out from some future commissioner & to the vulgar appear an able extemporary effusion of W: Commissioner — N.B. Of the President's future — 'Tis in vain to lament that the President will not longer serve — at least till the war is over. The timing of the canvass of the Fed party seems to me very important — This will come from you & W.W. & Col. P. for a party discuss'd without concert unless a rallying point is understood among them. I know the delicacy of such a proceeding but a hint might I should suppose be confidentially dropt to fit persons. However you will be the best judge. I have mentioned W. A. as the man. our Electors from this State, at least for three counties will be good men. Tone. Eccleston & Hemsley — I am affectionately & truly y^r S^r W.V.M. [1 192]