Does not know whether to sue or not over Carneal's not having given title or patent to the 10,000 acres of land; if cannot write about this soon, please inform Mr. [Charles?] or Mrs. [Janes (Short)?] Wilkins about status and have them write; have out off trip to Europe; objects to delay in settling Carneal affair; would rather have $8,000 in cash than a bond for $10,000 at the end of the year; feels that sending his sons to the Atlantic states for schooling a good idea; eldest son [John Cleves Short] should go to Bishop Carroll's school near Baltimore , where he will study under French professors; the cost of $400 per year is expensive, but should not be considered impossible since it is considered the best school in the U.S.; write to Nazareth about son [Charles Wilkins Short]; as to bond loaned, had hoped it would go to discharge his debts, not to embarking on new speculative ventures; only desires it to be paid back a little at a time, through agents in New York, Lewis & Lawrence Brokers, Wall Street or Philadelphia George Taylor, Jr., Broker, Second Street, or to Mr. Charles Wilkins, merchant in Lexington, [Ky.], who will send it to Philadelphia; have not heard from sisters, Wilkins and Ridgely for some time.