Scope and Contents From the Collection: Dated 1783-1825. Letters, 1783-1825, primarily between William Short (1759-1849), American diplomat and financier, who, after a career in Europe, settled in Philadelphia, Pa., and his brother, Peyton Short (1761-1825), a native of Virginia who moved to Kentucky and engaged in extensive land speculation there and in Ohio. William gives advice concerning Peyton's career and the education of his children, and discusses other family matters, but is primarily concerned with various speculative...

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Urges him to stand for election in the fall, as best means to get his name before the public.

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Admonishes him to overcome his natural shyness if he is to be a lawyer.

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Is leaving for Falmouth on British packet Oct. 7; has met some of fellow passengers, including secretary to Dutch legation; Spoke with Henry Laurens on conditions in Europe; directs that proceeds of sale of negroes be invested in lots in Norfolk.

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Directs him to write in care of Benjamin Harrison, merchant of Richmond; has seen his advertisements in the Virginia papers concerning lands for sale in Virginia and Kentucky, and wonders the cause; inquires into [plantation?] sale to Col. [John] Harvie; awaiting statement of accounts and affairs from Harrison, his agent; desires to know of future plans; has given up idea of practicing law and representing Surry Co. in the legislature [?]; best to sisters and Major Edmonds.

Scope and Contents Has received no word in so long, is sending this letter by way of [Thomas] Jefferson, who will be sure it is delivered; Jefferson reported receiving a letter to be forwarded which, however, had no enclosure; Jefferson sent news of the family, including marriage of sister, Jenny; pressed sister, Eliza, to send a letter, and assured her of its safe delivery, but to no avail; aversion of Americans to writing; anxious for safety of family in Kentucky because of Indian War; will leave Holland...

Scope and Contents Scope and Contents Had hoped to be home long ago, but the President, [Washington] refused to accept resignation; then death of someone in Europe prevented departure; recently learned letters sent to America not reaching Kentucky; pained by lack of letters, but attributes it not to inattention, but Americans' almost universal aversion to writing; since the beginning of the [European] War, correspondence most precarious, even Jefferson not writing; Devilmont, arriving in Spain from Ft. Pitt,...