[Copy] NewBern 10^th Sep^r. 1799. Dear Sir, Yesterday M^r. John Gray Blount, in consequence of my letter to him, came over here, and executed a Deed to the United States for Beacon Island, and agreeably to your instructions, I gave him a bill on you at sight, for One thousand dollars, being the Amt. of the purchase money. I employed M^r. Benjamin Woods the Attorney of the United States for this district, to draw the deed that it might be properly done; and shall satisfy him for doing it, as well as pay the Other incidental expenses attending the transaction such as the Stamps & proving and recording the deed. I have delivered the deed to Capt. James Taylor, who is the evidence to it; that he may prove it. I shall afterwards have it recorded, both, in this county and in Carteret where the land lies; and then send you on the original deed. The Yellow fever has again broke out here with alarming symptoms, & I believe from the negligence of the inhabitants, in not fully cleaning, or burning the bedding, on which persons had had died last fall with the fever. I shall leave town today & go to a plantation of mine about two miles from town on the South side of Trent river. I am with Respect Dear Sir, Your most Ob^t. Ser^t. James M^cHenry Esq^r. Sec^ty. of War. Rich^d. D. Spaight [Enclosure:] Exchange for 1000 Dollars Sir, At sight of this my first of Exchange (second of same tenon & date not paid) pay to John Gray Blount esq^r. or order the Sum of One thousand Dollars, Value rec^d. as p^r. advice. I am Sir, Your most Ob^t. Ser^t. James M^cHenry Esq^r. Secretary of War. Rich^d. Dobbs Spaight. NewBern 9^th Sep^t 1799. [Endorsed:] pay to Ches. Biddle Esquire 3416 J.G.Blount Che. Biddle Received October 5^th 1799 of William Simmons Ac^ct. a Warrant N^o. 4516. for one thousand Dollars in full for the within Bill of Exchange — [signature] D.M. 1000[undecipherable]