Happy to receive letter of 29 Nov. 1799; has recently sent two large letters, largely concerning state of affairs with Col. [Henry] Skipwith; hopes it will be satisfactorily completed soon; has seen Dr. Watkins in Paris, and learned much about Kentucky and the family, especially as to mode of life, which never is revealed in letters; the family's prosperity all due to his better judgement, as himself had counseled against this enterprise; great happiness in having lands cultivated by tenants rather than slaves; would never have guessed that there were land so plentiful and cheap, so many could be found to work the land of others; this the best kind of property; wish had invested in such land long ago; sorry had not invested in Kentucky as you advised, but left it with [Col. Henry Skipwith], and which by now would have produced a fortune; would it still be possible to trade the 10,000 acres for land near his?; discusses profitability of rent vis-a-vis expenses; hopes plan of Dr. Watkins succeeds, and negotiations with the [Spanish] government successful; much land for sale in the U.S. north and south; has heard Kentucky lands four to six times more valuable since 1794.