You did me the favour some time since to address a letter to the secretary of War in behalf of my son George who has been an applicant for a long time for a Cadets Warrant,1 that letter was forwarded and filed in the Office of Engineers, Genl McComb2 assured me that it should not be overlookd but at that time there were too many applicants from Va this difficulty is obviated by my removal to this Territory will you have goodness to remind Mr B by letter or otherwise that George is still an applicant, and no longer a citizen of Va he hails from Florida I ask this of you sir because yourself and Mr Southard3 are the only persons (a few humble ind[i]viduals excepted) from whose hands I would receive an obligation not certainly from Mr Barbour ’tho he said publickly at the La fayette dinner at Fredg that if old Hickory was elected he would in his character of Senator support any nomination the President might make in my favour. I had no views myself but looked upon it a good augury for George for rumour had already given him the post he holds now in the event of Mr Adams or Mr Crawfords election but the condition faild and he lookd upon himself not only absolved from his promise but an obligation to answer any letters I might write this business of not answering letters is a family failing I find I had the same cause of compla[i]nt against his honor the Judge.4

The crops of sea Island and sugar are very fine, and promise the most flattering results, exceeding the expectations of the most sanguine, tis a rare country sir that produces these valuable staples together with abundant means of supporting the labour necessary to cultivate them corn is easily raised and its succedaneums or succedanea or whatever is the plural of the word, rice, peas, potatoes & pumkins are raised in incredible quantities with little or no trouble but the harvesting, large herds of cattle and hogs (for the work of procreation commences early and is constant in the Land) are marked and turnd into the range, large numbers of sea or jumping Mullet are taken in cast nets just be low St Marks, with a seine, hundreds of blls might be put away with a few hands, when salted even with little care they are better than Mackerel and the firmest salt Fish I ever saw, a great recommendation in a warm and humid climate every chicken that is hatched if it escapes the hawk or horses foot finds its way sooner or later to our pots and pans and finer never was fried. The trout and bream in our ponds or Lakes I cant say much for but the wild fowl are abundant & fine.

If sir the attempt to relieve the onerous parts of this letter should be considered impertinent, If my efforts to amuse be deemed disrespectful I shall be exceedingly chagrind and mortified they may be irrelevant or abortive but nothing worse no sir the sentiments of respect and regard and if I may be allowd to add a warmer feel[in]g forbid it, in the absence of the latter I never presume to take the smallest liberty. Mrs Willis and Mrs Murat desire to be respectfully remembered to Mrs M & your self please accept the same from Your Ob St