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...

Scope and Contents Scope and Contents Does not know if Capt. Hall (according to Col. Lytle's letter) was able to sell the land as he had hoped; Gen. Wilkins confirmed his comment about selling lands; emigration good in that "quarter" so sales are good; also reports that the agent sold his land, used the money for his own purposes and then did not repay it when requested, a common occurrence; Capt. Hall should have received payment for sale, but no word of it; please send information on this matter; agent in...

Scope and Contents Scope and Contents Has just returned from a month's tour in Ohio, but was not able to meet with Capt. Hall; detailed discussions concerning a land sale payment plan, litigation in connection with Paskie lands and the possible sale of some land on the Ohio River; thanks for news on the North Carolina "windfall"; lengthy inquiry and information about Jack Edmunds, and debts owed by him; appreciates offer concerning Potomac affair; pointed comments about Sir Peyton Skipwith's estate settlement...

Scope and Contents Scope and Contents Inquires about news of Ohio and Cumberland land sales, troubles in Ohio country make their main officers, such as Col Lytle, hard to reach, making business hard to conduct; inquires as to Hall's agency, and the state of affairs regarding the lands under his disposal; discusses merits of having money in the bank at Pittsburgh or Philadelphia; has learned Paskie's land to be titled in his name; the Skipwith "windfall" is not enough to bother with; discusses character of...

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Inquires about plans for educating sons [John and Charles]; suggests Princeton as a good place; college costs less than $300 a year, with $450 necessary in supplies; surprised over sale of Ohio lands to Carneal at a discount, especially as he always pictured him as dishonest.

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Scope and Contents Has inquired into various schools in the region [for John and Charles]; only one definitely to be rejected is Princeton, where students have recently revolted; "Southern" boys have so much money they are a bad example and taverns are so near the school, they are a constant temptation; prefers a local school, headed by the Frenchman, Carrè; however, he does not admit boys older than 13 years; requests information on Carneal sale.

Scope and Contents More hopeful of embarking this summer than before; will do whatever possible to aid sons [John and Charles] in getting in a school; thinks that the plan of sending one before the other is a good one; Princeton is still in a state of insurrection, but if restructured better than formerly it is to be preferred; looking into Carlisle, and a school at Germantown run by a Catholic priest who does not meddle in religion; chose between three; describes tombstone made for parent's grave; will be...

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Sends more precise information on Princeton program, which is better, and more strictly administered since the insurrection; have Mr. Wilkins certify handwriting on Paskie sale; Gen. Wilkins says John Kerr at Chillicothe a good man to handle affairs.

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Just returned from the falls at Niagara; problems with the post to Kentucky; discusses evils of speculation, giving the examples of Robert Morris, prince of all [speculators] and George Nicholas; only Pasties tract remains; please press Mr. Wilkins to go to the next court for that.

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States opinion of sending sons to Princeton if they desire to study law, rather than school in Philadelphia; mention of Carneal and Col. [Henry] Skipwith and debts owed by them; Paskie land issue.

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About to sail for [France?]; has written to Mr. Wilkins about dealings with Carneal; desires moneys to be deposited in Bank of the United States Philadelphia; is leaving a trunk at the U.S. Bank with papers; also in it will be a tin box with titles; his son has not arrived; if he arrives after his departure, he will be assisted by Mr. John Vaughan or Mr. Mahler (?) Dickenson; asks that he sell all of his lands as soon as possible.

Scope and Contents In a former letter, advised that horses sell easier and at a better price in Ohio than in Kentucky, and that his horses should be sent there, but has recently observed in the Frankfort Palladium that the horses were put up for public sale; good market for [iron?] castings there; could probably sell 20 or 30 tons assorted; Mr. Owens promised all or part of payment due next spring in tall kettles, and a lower price if collect them at furnace rather than Lexington; perhaps, if funds allow,...

Scope and Contents Glad he is travelling by land; please advise as to route; suggests he go westward by way of Col. [James] Henry; should leave patents for the 20,000 acres and other papers with Col. Henry, or some other dependable person; send information as to titles and prices desired; should have stayed in Kentucky, at least in opinion of Dr. Ridgely and Mr. Wilkins; also would have saved living in taverns from Florida to New York these last twelve months; lengthy discussion of travel route and monetary...