Pittsburg 25^th December 1797 [12] When I had the pleasure of seeing you last I then mentioned that I was apprehensive it would not be in my power to attend at the Monge Bottom on the 26^th instant unless the detachment of Troops destined for Mafsar should have descended the Ohio — That detachment is still here detained by the ice which together with other indispensible Business in the War Depart^t prevents me from meeting you at the Bottom, but lest my non-attendance should be considered as a means of retarding the sales of the lots in the intended Monge Town, I wish it to be understood that I have no objections to the sales of the lots on the Conditions agreed on at our last meeting. But you are to understand thereby reserve on my own use or for a future sale all the River lots contained in that Square on the River bordering the main street that is to bound our Town viz the North East Square of my part of the intended Town, and I also wish you to understand that I shall have no objection to begin a reasonable proportion of the Expence that may accrue by laying out the lots including the sales I am, with much esteem Sir Your Fred^t Servant Alexander Addison esq. J C