Kaskaskia, Nov'br 6th, 1820
Dear father
In my last letter to Mama I mentioned the possibility of a dissolution
of Partnership taking place between Dr. Betts & myself. For
the last week we have been engaged in settling our business which has
been done very amicably. On settlement I find myself in possession
of the shop, consisting of medicine and shop furniture, the first cost
of which, by inventory this weeks, amounts to $720; at retail, say, worth
$1700, & about $1200 in accounts, on which I shall lose very little
so that my years work amounts to, clear of all expenses, about $1800.
I have now commenced business by myself and (shall) never engage in a
aprtnership again of this kind. I feel confident of succeeding well.
I expect an answer to my letter of the 19th September every day.
I sincerely hope you have received the money on that draft I sent you.
I wish to have some medicine from New York next spring if possible, about
$300 or $500 worth if I could have it sent on immediately and I'll
send the money immediately after its arrival. Messrs Hull & Bowne,
druggists in N. Y. I should like to deal with but I am not acquainted
with them. Suppose you should enquire of Dr. Downs (?) who I know
deals with them, if it is possible I could have medicines sent me by
way of N. Orleans & pay on their arrival, on his accomodation I can
get them. I wish you to enquire & let me know as soon as possible;
but if Edwin should come on, I would not like to have the medicine as
it would push me too hard at once. I want either him or the medicine
to come in the spring. Although money is scarce I can advance to him,
or pay the medicine. My heath never was better. Betts is not yet
well. Accept my love & best wishes to the family.
Yr affect.,
C. P. Livingston.
P.S. Sid goes to Vandalia in a few days to live. The lot that Betts
& myself purchased I gave up to him entirely. I intend purchasing one
& building next summer some time.
Nov. 11th. In consequence of some new arrangement of the mails
my letter was not sent when written so I break open and write again.
On the 9th inst. about 4 o'clock in the afternoon we had quite a severe
shock of an earthquke, the hardest that has been felt here for 5 years.
The night following the shock it commenced snowing and continued all
the next day, xx however, which left it on the ground about 3 1/2 inches xx.
This day water and snow in abundance.
By xx Mail I xx to Mr. Reynolds of Amsterdam for information
respects Betts caper which, by the bye, is very public, not through
my means, but long before I came here. My Po'keepsie friends don't
write me, the reason they have I do not know, even Sidney & Edwin don't
write any more. Mama & the girls have also quitted a correspondence
which afforded me the greatest satisfaction and pleasure. Adieu--
Yours &c
Charles P. Livingston
Henry Livingston, Esquire,
Po'keepsie, Dutchess Co.,
New York.