§ From Elie Williams. 13 August 1806, “Plains Post.” “I have this day received under a cover franked by you, an appointment, by the President of the United States, as Commssr. under an act of Congress entitled ‘An Act to regulate the laying out & making a road from Cumberland &c. to the State of Ohio.’ Altho the discharge of the duties enjoined will be attended with considerable inconvenience to myself and some injury to my private concerns; the importance of the object contemplated and my extreme solicitude for its completion induces me to accept the appointment.

“Wishing, as speedily as possible, to concert with my Coadjutors a plan of operation, or to know if any has already commenced, and being unacquainted with Mr. Thomas Moore & his place of residence, if any relevant information can be afforded from the Departt. of State I shall hope to receive it by an early Mail, and also a Copy of the road law which cannot be procured here.”