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W. C. NICHOLAS TO WORTHINGTON

Warren Feby. 10. 1812

Dear sir

Our former acquaintance will I hope induce you to pardon an application for in- formation; upon a subject in which I feel some interest. Having a valuable tract of land on the Ohio river at the mouth of little Georgian [illeg.] which had been for many years unproductive, I was induced five or six years past to settle it & I have now a considerable force there. My principal crop is corn, which I have heretofore fed to hogs that have been driven to this place. This has involved me in a traffic that with no great additional trouble can be extended, so as to be more profitable and afford me a market at home, for all the corn I can make here. With this view, I beg the favour of you to inform me upon what terms, I can purchase from 1000 to 1500 hogs within twenty or thirty miles of Chillicothy annually, and if it is probable I could make a contract for five or seven year, for either number to be delivered at one place, in or about Chillicothy, by the last of October in each year, to be paid for in my bills upon a respectable house in Richmond at 90, 120, and 180 days sight. I should expect the hogs to be fat and not to be required to take any open [?] sows or hogs that shou'd weight less than 170 lb gross. The deduction of a fourth for the first hundred and an 8th for the extra weight I have ascertained is not enough. I understand that is the usual allowance in the western country. The loss is at least one fourth and the price ought to be estimated accordingly. In the event of war I would not wish to contract for more than one year. I cannot however, but flattering myself, in our determination to make reprisals that their obnoxious measures will cease. If they do not we have no choice but to assert our rights with arms, and to extort what she refuses, not only in respect to our rights but the interest of her own people. If we do this with the effect I am sure we may G.B. will have cause to curse those of our citizens, who have alike imposed upon her & misrepresented their own country men. Our situation is unpleasant and firmness of the nation to extricate us from. I hope and trust we shall meet it as we ought. We can neither go backwards nor stand still. For considerable time past my health has been so delicate that my [illeg.] and zelous good wishes are the only offering I have been able to make to my country. I flatter myself if there shou'd be invasion, my sons, will be able and willing to render real & substantial service in the field. an effort is making in this state to incorporate a company to form a communication between the Ohio & Rich- mond by the Kanawha, New river & James river. I have taken a great deal of pains to inform myself whether it is practicable or not and I am convinced it is and at an expence within our ability a short portage of twenty or twenty five miles will con- nect the rivers & I believe the whole improvement of every sort roads, locks &c will not cost more than from $200 to 250,000. Permit me to recommend this great work to your patronage, both in your state and at Washington. I will know what you are capable of effecting and no body understands the importance of this enterprise to the Western country better than you do. It wou'd have given me real pleasure to have met with you again but I fear I can not now hope for that gratification.

I am with great respect Dear sir you hum. servt.

W. C. Nicholas