F129 .R7A8 ►^' -f> ^^. s>'' .^^ :^ r o;^ A v^. .A^ . *^.i . •■ ' • \ ,>'> '^^. •0^ ^o >. .'^'' .c--' ' -.'■»■ -i. vV' *>■ * » , ' A N V o - - '^ '>', ,y y "-^^.^' % ,0 . VJ ,*^^ -oV^^ \^r= ^^x- •*•. Ov" ''•'?:^^* r/ -^^ •^ o " <• , *0 o o ■0^ v< •0^ .0^ iMOSES ATWATER OF OANANDAIGUA, N. Y. to SAMUEL J. ANDREWS OF DERBY, CONN. A packet of letters relating to the early history of Rochester. 1812-14 ROCMISTCn HERALD PRESS I*I4 > 4 To the Rochester Historical Society : These letters were found in a little hair trunk studded with brass nails, together with other personal effects of my grandfather, in the garret of the house he built in 1817 which is still my home. They were written by Judge Moses Atwater to his friend and brother-in-law, Samuel J. Andrews, concerning personal and family matters and — chiefly — the conteniphitcd purchase of the Atwater and An- drews Tract, which is now nearly in the centre of the city of Rochester. The reports they contain ol events in the War of 1«12 -told as news of the day— and the light they throw on the early settlement of the city seem to be of so much local interest that 1 have been requested to have them printed and given to the Historical Society. After the lapse of a centuiy it is hoped that no propriety is violated in making these private letters public. J. SHERLOCK ANDREWS. 123 St. Paul Street, Rochester. January, 1914. Canandaigua, August 27, 1812. Dear Sir: An express arrived this moment from Buffalo in- forming that Genl. Hull and the Army under his com- mand are prisoners of War to his Britanic Majesty; that Genl. Hull was now at Fort Erie, that the Enemy has taken Detroit and Fort Meehackimacinae. It is said Genl. Hull was obliged to surrender in conse- quence of all supplyes being cut off and his Army all sick excepting eight hundred men. Under these cir- cumstances. Sir, the prospects on the frontiers are very gloomy at this hour and unless the general gov- ernment affords immediate relief the settlements in New Connecticut (? ? ?) and generally on the western frontiers will be cut off or deserted. I have been so constantly engaged in public and private business that I have not had time to effect the object contemplated when you were here, but shall attend to it as soon as practicable. Mrs. Atwater, Eliza and Samuel left a week since for Connecticut. I expect they at Mr. Whittlesy's at this time. Be pleased to remember me gratefully to your family and our friends. I am, Sir, affectionately your friend and humble, servt., MOSES ATWATER. Samuel J. Andrews, Esq. Ganandaigua, Sept. 18, 1812. Dear Sir: I have this hour rec'd your letter of the 6th Instant and also acknowledge the receipt of one in July last. The constant, unceasing press of private and public business must be my only excuse — were I to follow my own inclination I should write you every mail and write many things now and some that would be inter- esting. The present is a distressing day with the in- habitants on some part of the North Western frontier. God in his mercy grant speedy relief. The most de- cisive measure is immediately to be taken to (?) upon Canada. If the Am. Government are in possession of the Lakes the B. Provinces must fall— this will be the case I believe within six weeks. Judge Porter, Sir, soon after you left this went to Detroit, returned sick and like to have died— he was able to be brought in to this town where his family was last Monday and has spent this afternoon with me. He says that he owns the lot next to Stones and that there is a good mill seat upon it but I have not been able to get his terms. I have agreed to go out with him and look at it as soon as he is able which will be in a few days; as soon as I do this I will write. I think I shall be able to do better with Porter than any other person. Hallot was to have written me and given me his proposition but has not. I shall en- deavour to make every inquiry and giving an every information on the subject in my power for I do think it to be an object of the first magnitude. I reed a letter from Eliza dated Wallingford 3d inst. that informed me Mrs. Atwater had the fever and ague which I was very sorry to hear as it must at best render her visit very unpleasant but I hope it has left her before this. I expect she will calculate to set out for home about the time this letter reaches you, and if she should not be at your house I wish you would take measures to have the letter inclosed immediately sent to her as it will be necessary she should receive it before she leaves Connecticut. Please to make my best compliments to your Dr. W. and family. I am Dr. Sir, your Humb. Svt., MOSES Al^WATER. Samuel J. Andrews, Esq. Canandaigua, October the 11th, 1812. Dear sir: Inclosed is the information we received by last coming mail from Buffalo. About ten thousand men are now on the Niagara Frontier under the command of Gen. S. Van Rensselaer, and an equal number at Detroit under the command of Gov, Harrison. It is expected by the best informed in this part of the coun- try that a successful descent will shortly be made on upper Canada. I have, Sir, after so long a time been able to obtain Judge Porter's terms for his mill seat and lot contain- ing thirty-two acres of land situated on the east side of the Genesee River and is the lot next to and adjoin- ing Mr. Stone Lot on which a Mill was erected at the time you, Mr. Whittlesey and myself were their. Mr. Porter declares to me that it is the only mill seat on that side of the River between Stone's Mill and the Lake, he also describes the conveniences attached to it in the same words that you did. That there is stone on the spot to build the walls of the mill, that the same ought to be built of stone in consequence of spray that arrives from the falls. His price is one thousand dollars payable in one year. In consequence, Sir, of Mrs. Atwater's being ab- sent, and public business I have had to do since you were here. I have not been absent but one night from home. I have not written to Mr. Whittlesey. I have not heard from Mr. John McKay, nor from Mr. Hallot. I will go to the River this week or as soon as possible and will take a mill-wright and write you more partic- ular. I expect that I can purchase land adjoining the mill lot from 10 to 12 dollars per acre. I have not had any letter from Mrs. Atwater this month past, of course shall expect her home this fall. I have understood since Samuel left this that he had determined not to return to Mr. Gernsey's but I hope it will not prove true. If it should my family and self would be very much concerned (?). I wish you to write me imme- diately as to this mill seat and lot of Porter's. At present it is my opinion that we ought to close with him immediately. I consider the mill seat worth more than the money and the moment peace takes place a village will be built up there. The Bridge is fmished. I wish you could come out this fall. I am, Sir, your Humble Servt. MOSES ATWATER. Sanmel J. Andrews, Esq. Canandaigua, October 17, 1812. James Andrews, Esq. Sir: I have this day for the first time been able to obtain of Augustus Porter, Esq., his written terms for the sale of Lot No. 7 containing the great fall on the Genesee River and situated on the east side of the same and being the particular one that you, Mr. Whittlesey and myself determined to purchase. The following is a copy of Mr. Porter's proposition. Canandaigua, Oct. 17, 1812. Sir: As to Lot No. 7 in Township No. 13 in the seventh range, containing about thirty-two acres, about which we have had some conversation, I will agree that you have the lot on the following terms, to-wit, for one thousand dollars payable the one-half in six, and the residue in twelve months, with Interest, this proposi- tion to be considered as binding on me for two days and no longer, as I should be unwilling to lock up the sales of my property for any longer time. Yours respectfully, AUGUSTUS PORTER. Judge Atwater. — Copy— I have no perticular objection to vary the terms of payment of the within Lot to one year instead of six and twelve months, as stated within and the time of Refusal to twenty-four days. Oct. 17. 1812. AUGUSTUS PORTER. — Copy — The following is a proposition from William Shep- pard, and Augustus Porter — Augustus Porter for himself and William Shep- pard, agent for Joseph Blake, agree to sell to Moses Atwater, Esq. Lot No. 4 of the 3d division of lots in Township No. 13 in the 7 Range at ten dollars per acre for cash or prompt pay. — Copy— Canandaigua, October the 16, 1812. Sir: I have, agreeable to your request, minutely exam- ined the mill seat on the upper fall of the Genesee River belonging to Augustus and Peter B. Porter, and am of opinion that by digging a raceway thirty-four rods that a grist-mill, a saw-mill, a flax-seed mill, a fulling mill, a distillery may have lasting water and capable of doing good business. ELI LYON. —Copy- Moses Atwater, Esq. I will erect you a saw-mill the next season on the fall above described; the same shall be 42 feet long and 32 feet wide and shall carry two saws, for $770. or I will build you a saw-mill for one saw 42 feet long and 20 feel wide for $600. and will finish the same compleat and turn and prepare the water for same and make and place all the necessary defenders to secure the mill from accident of drift-wood or freshets and put the mill compleatly to work, the above same shall be made of good white oak timber taken from the lot. ELI LYON. —Copy- Dear sir: On Thursday of the present week I took the fore- going Eli Lyon who is considered as the best mill- wright in the county and viewed and examined the falls on the Genesee River and more particularly the upper or large fall and the land adjoining the same. The Fall and mill seat more than answered my expec- tation and the lands that I propose to purchase adjoin- ing the falls I consider to be of the first quality, to wit, the mill lot and three lots directly north and adjoining the mill lot or river. The mill lot will cost $1,000 the other lots 610.00 per acre, so that we shall have 128 acres of land almost in square form of the best quality for $1,960, including a situation that will he perfectly safe for any quantity of machinery. The place that Mr. Lyon proposes to build the saw-mill, if we put him to work is on or near the east corner of the fall and does not calculate to (extend into) the water out of Bank of the River. Mr. Lyon is to be at all the in build- ing, finishing & putting the mill in motion; it is to be well boarded and shingled and in every way finished, and makes no doubt but it will stand safe and do con- stant business. If we should think proper and advis- able to build a mill next season Mr. Lyon will want us to furnish him with 3 or 4 hundred dollars to purchase the irons this fall or by 20 January. I expect to be able to obtain a credit for all the lands I purchase except those I purchase oi Mr. Porter. 1 am, Sir, de- cidedly of opinion that this will be an advantageous purchase and that it ought to be closed within the 24 days. I hope you will write me the hour you receive this letter. I tryed to purchase of Enos Stone a piece of land between the Bridge and the fall but could not succeed. The Bridge is corapleated and there is much travel on that Road. I have not heard a sylable from Mrs. Atwater or Eliza in three weeks; my little family is in health. On last Tuesday an engagement took place between the Americans and English at Queens- town. 1200 Americans Crossed; about 800 were taken prisoners. The battle was severe. Maj. Genl. Brock was shot and died within 24 hours. Brig. Genl William Wadsworth was taken prisoner. Times look a little squally, but I think cannot continue long. Be so good as to remember me to your wife and our friends, I am Dr. Sir, respectfully, Your friend and Humb. Servt. MOSES ATWATER. Samuel J. Andrews. Canandaigua, October 28, 1812. Dear Sir : The propositions made me for the purchase of One hundred and twenty-eight Acres of land on the east side of the Genesee River including the large fall of the same by Augustus Porter, William Shephard and Zachiriah Seymour, I have thought proper and ex- pedient to accept and have notified them of the same. It will be some time before the necessary Deeds can be made and delivered. Lot No. 7 is the property of Au- gustus and Peter B. Porter as is also the one-third of Lot No. 4, the other two-thirds of the Lot is the prop- erty of J. Blake of Boston for whom William Shepard is agent. The other two Lots, No. 5 and G, is the prop- erty of Elisha Jinkins and his brothers and sisters for whom Zachiriah Seymour is agent. I expect that about thirteen hundred dollars must be paid in one year from the sale, the residue on a credit of 2, 4 & 6 years, but shall let you know perlicularly when the writings are closed. I hope. Sir, this purchase may meet your appro- bation. I am of opinion that it will be advisable to erect a saw-mill with two saws on the point of the fall next season and clear and put into wheat about 20 or 30 acres of land contiguous to the fall, if the same should be judged proper by yourself and Mr. Whittle- sey. I hope to hear from you shortly. Mrs. Atwater reached home last Saturday in good health. MOSES ATWATER. Sir: In making the foregoing purchase I have had special view as to the healthiness of the stand and I am fully convinced it is the most healthy spot on the Genesee River and as much so as any one in the coun- try, and am fully confident that as a place of business no one in the country can bear a comparison. The Bridge is completed. A direct Road has this summer been laid out from this Village to the Bridge and by mensuration is exactly 25 miles which will be as good as any other Road of the same distance in the county and the most traveled. The Village on the other side is fast progressing; all the boards that we could make would demand Cash. Do let me hear from you. I am Dr Sir, Your very humble servant, M. ATWATER. Canandaigua, Nov. 21st, 1812. Dear Sir: I reed your letter of the 5th inst. and have in com- pliance to your wishes and I believe to your future satisfaction closed a bargain with Augustus Porter, Peter B. Porter, Zachiriah Sej-mour and William Shep- ard, for Lots number seven, six, five and four of the third division of lots in Township Number Thirteen and are bounded westwardly on the Genesee River and each lot contains thirty acres of land making in the whole one hundred and twenty-eight acres of land for and in consideration of One Thousand eight hundred and fifty-six dollars ('flSoG). Thirteen hundred ninety- five dollars and twenty cents with interest on the same from the 30th of Oct. last must be paid on the thirtieth day of October, 1813. making principal and interest $1492.86. The residue in four iMjual Annual payments from next October. The importance of owning the land that is now the property of Mr. Enos Stome situated between the Bridge, the Genesee River, our land and the Road lead- ing up and down the River, struck me with the same impression expressed in your letter. I spent a day with him with a view to purchase it if possible, but I could not persuade him to mention any price. I will asure you. my dear friend, that 1 have laboured more to make the within purchase than any one I ever made in my life, and I do not hesitate to say that it bids fair to yeald the most considering the sum to be paid. Mr. Whittlesy in his letter too approbated the purchase of Lot No. 7, to-wit, the mill lot, but did not the other lots. I was positive the other lots were an object and that the present chance must not be passed, I have more arguments to assign you in favour of this purchase than I can commit to paper at this time but sufTicit to say that it is the only prob- able mill seat that can ever be on this side the River from the Bridge to the Lake. I hope Sir that you and Mr. Whittlesey may view it in the same light that I do & that you may in due time reside with us. But, if on reflection, you should be disposed to think it or any part of it not worth your notice I will take the whole on your giving me notice any time with three months. If consistent with your business I think you had better come out and spend four or five weeks with me this winter. I do think that it will be a good time to purchase land. The Niagara falls prevent my sleeping. They will be a prime object the moment the war ends. Gen. Smyth will make a decent on Canada this present week. God grant that he may be successful. . I or my brother shall go on to the lines to-morrow and remain until we shall know the event. Write me the next mail and let me know when I shall have the pleasure to see you. Will you. Sir, have the goodness to inform me what six good Merino Ewes full Blootl might be purchased for. I have purchased a lull Blood Buck of Samuel M. Hopkins, Esq., Please to make my best respects to Mrs. Andrews, Mrs. Vorse & friends, I am Sir, as formerly, your humble servant, M. ATWATER. Samuel J. Andrews, Esq. Canandaigua, Dec. 6, 1812. Dear Sir: I this day rec'd your letter of the 26 Nov. last. In my last letter to you I meant to state and did state in detail the purchase made for the concern of Andrews, Whittlesy and Atwater; there is to be no money paid under one year from the time of purchase. I hope, Sir, that Mr. Whittlesy will not withdraw. I am shure there is a large field open to make property and in that line that you and he are calculated to persue. It is impossible to delineate in a letter the ad- vantages that this stand commands, or the capital that may be employed to advantage. As to myself, Sir, I should not think it best to do anything at building un- til the saw-mill is in motion for a board cannot be pro- cured even for cash. You have no conception of the demand there is for lumber at this place. I would advise to have a saw-mill built as soon as possible, but that cannot be done until the water is low in the River, which will not be untill .luly or August. I would also advise to have 20 or 30 acres of ground cleared, put into wheat and sowed with grass-seed, that we may have pasture and mowing as soon as possible. Next summer will be an unfavourable season to do much business of this kind as provisions will be scarce and dear. I do not think it will be advisable to lay out much money in buildings untill the War shall be at an end, but never will there be a better time to purchase land than the present. I think Sir, that a saw-mill with two saws ought to be put up as soon as possible. The lumber ought to be cut this winter, also 20 or thirty acres of wheat put in by 10th Sept. next by contract or otherwise. I will bear my part of the ex- pense of the same. If you and Mr. Whittlesy agree to it I am perfectly willing to do anything that I can do to your mutual satisfaction. I am unacquainted with building mills but well acquainted with clearing land. If we make any improvement of this kind which in my opinion is actually necessary you must come out here at my house in your own proper person with delegated powers from Mr. Whittlesey to act on his behalf, as he has given me no power to act on this account. I wish you would calculate to be here the first January. You must calculate to be with me three weeks in which time we can make the necessary con- tracts, and I hope we may be able to persuade Enos Stone to sell us the land between the Bridge and the fall at some price. You must bring Dama, if her cir- cumstances will admit, if not some of the girls. I wish you would call on Mr. Stephen .Tarvis, I believe he had better come out with you, we will introduce him to some good stand (?). I shall depend on seeing you at my house on the first day of January and shall wait home. Please to wright on the Rect of this. I am, Sir, your friend, M. ATWATER. Samuel J. Andrews. Canandaigua, Dec. 10th, 1812. Dear sir: The expedition of Genl. A. Smyth has failed, the cause yet unknown. The Volunteers called to his as- sistance all dismissed. I think there will be no more fighting on this line untill the next season and I think probably a peace may be negotiated in that time. In- closed is a narration of the transaction. - - In my last as in my former Letters, I gave it as my opinion that it would not be expedient to make any other im- provement on our property at the falls the next season than to build a saw-mill with two saws and to put into wheat 20 or 30 acres and that this should be done by contract. 1 obtained and did enclose you Mr, Lyons proposals lor the building of the saw-mill as he is the most approved mill wright in the country and has built more mills than any other three men in the coun- ty. He built Stones Mill and has built all the mills the Nortons have had built in this country; or if we wish he will work by the day. The timber ought to be fell and got out in the month of February. I think Sir, it would be highly advisable for you to establish a store at the bridge as soon as practicable, for if you do not inimedialely occupy the opening some other person you may depend will. I think you had better calculate to call on Mr. Whitllesy and advise with him what improvements he will consent to have made the ensuing season and at the same time author- ize you to contract for the same, and for you to be at my house the first of January or as near that time as you can make it convenient. I wish you to purchase for me and bring on with you if convenient or forward on one of those family Spninsters so called, that will carry ten or 12 Spindles. I take it to be an improvement or an invention of Mr. Humphrey, at any rale, I wish you to purchase me one that is best calculated for family use. Mrs. At- water is very desirous of having one as she will have a very considerable quantity of wool to manufacture the next season. In a former letter I requested you to ascertain the price of full Blood Ewes. If they can be obtained reasonable I would purchase 6 or less, will you have the goodness to write me on the question of this. I am Sir, respectfully, your friend, MOSES ATWATER. Samuel J. Andrews, Esq. Canandaigua, January 29, 1813. Dear sir: Your letters of Dec. 2nd ult. and Jany 14th inst are before me. I will apprise you. Sir, that it gives me and my family peculiar pleasure that you are pleased and satisfied with the purchase at the falls and that you are at length willing to leave one of the most rough and forbidding spots in creation and settle with your family on the bank of the Genesee, that River that is peculiarly calculated to furnish every thing that is desirable to man. I shall, agreeable to your request, immediately contract for a saw-mill to be erected on the premises as soon as the same can be done; the tim- ber for the mill must be cut next month. I shall also contract to have twenty or thirty acres cleared and put into wheat and hay-seed this summer this much will be all imi)ortant for us to do this summer that we may be prepared to do something to elTect the next. I have not heard a sylable from Mr. Whittlesy on the subject of improvement on this property. I wish you to write him and re(|uesl him to write me on the subject. The season is so far advanced that the con- tract for the mill must be made before I can hear from him. I did hope to have seen you here this present month and known your and Mr. W'hiltlesy's wishes on the subject of improvement but in this I am disap- pointed and I will do every thing in my power that those things that are left with me to transact shall not be neglected. As to commencing business in the mer- chantile line this Spring to advantage is a question with me that it will be one of the first stands in our country when peace is established I have no doubt and when it is advisable to go into that line of business I should wish to be connected with you in it. There are extensive measures now taking to make this place of more consequence than any one in our country. Mumford, Browns and Rochester have laid their land out into Village Lots and a great number of them are taken up. I am informed that Mr. Enos Stone is about to do the same with his land that is con- tiguous to the River. A Road is laid out by an Act of the Legislature from this town to the Bridge as you will see by the report inclosed. I shall go out and see Stone next week and if possible make a purchase of him at the Bridge. I do think. Sir, with you, that Mr. Jarvis might better his situation if he could be incouraged to this place. I wish you to wright Mr. Whittlesy on this subject and let Mr. Jarvis know what inducement he can receive from us. I will agree to any thing on this subject that you and Mr. Whittlesy will. I am confident that Jarvis will be as useful as any one man that we can mention. I wish. Sir, that a Company might be formed that would invest 20 thousand dollars or more in real prop- erty contiguous to those falls. Do, sir, if possible, get Capt. Ward Atwater and some of our friends engaged in a speculation that must prove extremely beneficial. The inconvenience of getting on the Merino Ewes and the machine I wrote you will prevent my purchasing this season. We are now petitioning the Legislature for in- corporating a Bank in this town by the name of the Ontario Bank with a capital 500,000 Dollars; if it should be granted we calculate the stock will be as good as any Bank Stock in the State. They \Nill be 50 dollars to the share. Be so good, as to inform by the first mail how many shares I shall put your name down for; the stock will be taken up immediately after the books are opened. I will wTite you soon, MOSES ATWATER. Canandaigua, Feby. 10th, 1813. Samuel Andrews, Esq. Sir: the following is a copy of an agreement for building a new Saw-mill at the falls. Articles of Agreement indented, made and entered into between Moses Atwater of Canandaigua in the County of Ontario and State of New York, of the first part, and Eli Lyon and Norman Lyon of Bloomfield in the County and State aforesaid, of the second part, Witnesseth: That the said Eli and Norman doth for and in consideration of five hundred dollars to be paid to them as hereinafter mentioned and expressed, cov- enant, promise and agree to and with the said Moses his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, that they the said Eli and Norman will on or before the first day of October in the year 1813 build and erect a saw- mill on the largest fall of the Genesee River near the East bank of said River and have the same covered with pine Boards and shingles and to build such dams, projections and fortifications with timbers and stones in said River as shall best command the water for the use of said mill and save the same harm- less from freshets of water and of drift-wood. The said mill is to be built 46 feet in length and 20 feet in width and is to cut at least when in motion two thous- and feet of boards in 24 hours. The timber for the said mill and other work is to be taken ofT the land adjoin- ing the falls by the said Eli and Norman if the same can be found thereon. The timber for the said mill is to be cut this present month. The mill is to be built very strong and stout and all the foregoing work is to be done in a neat, substantial, workmanlike manner, same to be delivered over to the said Atwater in a com- pleat, finished situation by the first day of next Octo- ber. And the said Eli and Norman doth warrant to the said Moses and his heirs and assigns that the said mill shall saw at least 2000 feet of boards in 24 hours and also that it shall stand secure against any water or timber for the term of two years from the 1st day of Oct. 1813. For and in consideration of the fore- going work and labour the sd Atwater promises to pay the said Eli and Norman two hundred on or before the first day of April next and the further sum of three hundred dollars on the first day of October, in the year 1813, making in the whole the sum of five hun- dred dollars. Witness our hands and seals the 10th day of Feby., 1813. ELI LYON (L. S.) NORMAN LYON (L. S.) MOSES ATW^\TER ( L. S.) Mr. S. J. Andrews Sir; I shall in a few days make a contract for clearing 20 acres of land, a negotiation is now pending; I shall have some allowances to make for that but do not know how much. M. A. Canandaigua March 27, 1813. Dear sir : I returned from the Falls last evening, was two nights at Stones, I proffered Mr. Enos Stone for the piece of land lying between the bridge and our land supposed to contain from ten to fifteen acres; he at last offered it to me for one hundred and fifty Dollars for each acre, and I am to give him an answer by the first day of June. We want this piece of land very much and I do not see but we shall find it absolutely necessary to purchase it. The situation of it is such that I think if you were here you would certainly pur- chase it; the Corner by the Bridge is undoubtedly the best spot on the river for Store or Tavern. Stone says that he has been offered one thousand dollars for one acre at the Bridge. Land has risen and is now very high near the bridge; land on this side of the River and within three miles of the bridge is from eight to ten dollars per Acre by the 100 Acres. I have not heard a word from Mr. .Jarvis or my Brother Joel Atwater, who lives in Westfield. If they should make up their minds to make a purchase in this the sooner the better. I hope to see you, Mr. Whittle- sey, Mr. Jarvis and my Brother Joel at my house by the middle of May, as to you. Sir, you must be here in your own proper person. If you can persuade Mr. Vorse to take an interest at the fall it will be important. We have a Bank Charter — we are now advertising for the opening the books, and shall have it in operation by September. We agreed to have William Kibbe of New York as Cashier of the Bank and have chosen Nathaniel Gorham as President. This arrangement was made previous to my rec'g your last letter. I beg you, sir, to \sTite me on the receit of this letter and let me know for a certainty at what time you will be at my house, that I may calculate accordingly. See Jarvis and know what he can and what he will do. I wish I could be with you one week. I shall subscribe for you to the bank to the amount of one thousand dollars and more I hope after I have heard from you, it will be good stock. I will write you often and you must answer my letters punctually. MOSES ATWATER. Canandaigua, March 30, 1813. Dear sir: I inclose to you a paper containing the Law for our Bank, together with the notification for Opening the Books. I hope you will be here by the 15th. of May. In case you should not you must write me how many shares you will take. We are confident the stock will be taken up in a short time. I shall sub- scribe for 100 shares. I shall beg the favour of you. sir, if you can make it convenient to see ray daughter Eliza home from Catskill when you come on in May. I think it all im- portant that you and Mr. Whittlesy should be here at that time and I have written to Mr. Jarvis wishing him to accompany you. I think you had better come on in a light two-horse waggon; pray bring out your eldest Daughter and let her remain with my girls. We have a good school. Write me if you will be willing to take the trouble of Eliza and what time you will be here. In haste I am Dr Sir, I am sincerely Your friend MOSES ATWATER. Samuel J. Andrews. Canandaigua, April 7, 1813. James Andrews, Esq. Sir: I have this day rec'd your letter of March the 25 ult. I am very glad to hear that Mr. Jarvis is a coming on with you. I wrote you a short time since requesting you to see Eliza home when you came on, but I have since agreed with Mr. Underbill to see her home in company with a Mrs. Smith with whom Eliza has been long acquainted. 1 this day rec'd a letter from Eliza dated March 30 informing that Mr. Whit- tlesy lay at the point of death. May God of his mercy grant restoration. I shall expect you will have the goodness to let some of our female friends accompany you; a visit from them would be very pleasing. I want you to be here in season both as it respects the bank and the operations at the River. If you can con- veniently I think you had better be here by the 15 or 20th of May at the furtheresl. We are in usual health. Remember me to Mrs. Andrews, Mrs. Vorse and friends, MOSES ATWATER. Canandaigua, July 8th day, A. D., 1814. My dear friend and Brother, Sir: Gratefully do I acknowledge the reception the sundry letters from you that have not been duly answered by me. Two reasons are offense for this re- missness. The one — I had nothing to communicate worthy of your notice— the other, my time has been very much taken up with public and private concerns. I am sure your charity will remove every unfavorable impression you may have received. Nothing Sir has been done to improve our property at the Genesee Falls. Mr. Whiltlesy wrote me advising me not to do anything there until peace should take place. The 200 Dollars I paid to Lyon is yet in his hand. Brown does not claim only to the center of the River and will re- move the dam on this side any time we wish. Last Dec. I rec'd an answer to the letter I wrote to Col. Troup by you the substance of which is in the follow- ing words — The sale of the lands belonging to the Pultney Estate is for the present suspended in consequence of the death of Sir John Johnston and the non-renewal of Col. Troup's powers. As soon as we shall be able to renew our sales I shall give you immediate notice that you may have an opportunity of buying the land men- tioned in your letter- signed-Joseph Fellows. Some time since there has been a dividend made by the Directors of the Ontario Bank for the first six months. Vou have s23.40. The Board of Directors have ordered that five dollars on cash shares be paid into the Bank on the 12lh day of September next. I have taken the liberty to inclose you a blank powder. I hope and expect and shall positively depend on seeing you and Mrs. Andrews at my house at that time. — War is the order of the day. Last Saturday night Gen. Jacob Brown crossed the Niagara River above and below Black Rock with 4,000 men and took pos- session of Fort Erie with one hundred and forty pris- oners. On Tuesday this force meet a smaller force of the enemy on Samuel Street's farm. You will recollect this is the place where we sleep and is two miles west of the Chipeway Creek. Here a battle took place and forty-live of the enemy was killed and thirty-five of the Americans. They drove the F:nemy to the other side of the Chipeway Creek where they had erected strong Batteries; here the action ceased. It is expected that a more general action will take place in a few days. I believe that Gen. Brown's whole force is about 10,000 men. We do not hear that Com. Chancey is out with his fleet but is daily expected. I hope Sir that we may shortly have an honorable peace but I see no reason to expect it. If we do not have a peace innnediately we shall have a long, bloody and ruinous war. If the Enemy has the compleat command of Lake Ontario the inhabitants of this part of our County will be placed in a very desperate situation. You will Sir be so good as to recollect that when I was at Derby last fall about the time thai Capt. Vorse and Capt. Thompson came to this county, you engaged in a most solemn and honorable manner that in case your good wife would not come out with them you would per- sonally accompany her this summer to this place in case her personal circumstances should be such that she could come with decency and safely. I am assured by Panthea and Julia that Dama is altogether prepared for the journey. I shall expect to see you & Dama and I hope Whittlesy and Lavinia at my house in Septem- ber next. Under this expectation I shall make a point of remaining at home to wait on you. I am Sir, your friend MOSES ATWATER. Samuel J. Andrews, Esq. Canandaigua, Sept. 9, 1814. Dear sir: Your letter of Augt. 24 ult. came safe to hand with 260 Dollars inclosed therein, which I have paid into the Bank being the instalment due on your fifty two shares on the middle of this month. You are apprised before this the stand the Banks in New York have taken, to what extent this will effect the country Banks I do not know. The prospect of the nation is gloomy. The visionary prospect of peace is no more. The nation is at War not only with England but with her- self, her public councils are paralysed and no united effort can be made. As to the Army at Fort Niagara they are safe for the present. But in a few days the Enemy will have the command of Lake Ontario. This frontier will be in the utmost jeopardy. Julia I expect is safe home before this. Please to remember us all cordially to your dear family and friends. Respectfully Sir, am Your friend MOSES ATWATER. Samuel J. Andrews, Esq. The Instalment due the 15th inst. on fifty two On- tario Bank Shares held by Saml. J. Andrews has been paid by Moses Atwater, Esq. & entered on the Bank Books. WM. KIBBE, Cashier. Canandaigua, Sept. 9th, 1814. The letter containing an account of the battle of Lake Erie — if it ever was written — has been lost. J. S. A. \a HK196"7a •^^^^ : : ^c;^" '\ ^^^^i¥^ ^^% ^ '<...* A ' ■ 1i ~ . '. -^ -0' • "• t o ,^>?;^^^;> ^ .Oi " ^^ ■^;.'. "^^ .-K^ ^\.%^.'<- ^ ,^ v° -^ -^ .> -^_ ■<"\ .^vV-^.^ e II o ^a o V ■^ ^:v ^J.r^ ^'"'^, >^^. 4* ^O. c *V^'>^.', -^ .^ A'^ ■ MANCHESTER. INDIANA ■f. A , Vt ,-v -^^0^ o «: .-C "-, ^ ^ •«?.^ * «& 7 ^ O 'o , , -• ^A. A" }-°-nf.. .0'