1To James Madison from John Francis Mercer, 6 January 1800 (Madison Papers)
I was taken on the road & have been confind by a Cold & inflammatory fever ever since which prevented my going to Balto. I have writen on yesterday to get Notes discounted, (even by shaving if necessary) & shall certainly I expect forward you 400$ before the Assembly rises. I shall lose no time after I get it—altho’ I have been dissapointed in the rect. of Money for Articles sold for Cash at...
2To James Madison from John Francis Mercer, 14 November 1799 (Madison Papers)
It is unnecessary for me to suggest the pain I feel that a renewal of a correspondence which always afforded me the highest satisfaction shoud now arise from so great a delinquency on my part. I did hope that you woud not have had occasion to remind me of the claim your friendship gave rise to, but my own imprudencies & those of a very near Relative, have in spite of all my exertions kept me...
3To James Madison from John Francis Mercer, 5 January 1801 (Madison Papers)
I am at length able to say I have 350 dollars that I can pay you. I am at this moment under Execution to amt. of 2000$ & I have seldom been engaged for a less sum during the last 8 or 10 years, & never before coud I flatter myself that those difficulties woud find a certain period, this year certainly will close them, & free me from every species of embarrassment. Write me whether I shall...
4To James Madison from John Francis Mercer, 8 February 1801 (Madison Papers)
It was with the greatest regret that I learned by a letter from Mr. Ennalls & now by yours enclosd to him that a draft had been presented to him & return’d for the 350$ which I had desired you to draw on him for. Having given myself 15. days, & having allmost daily communication with this place, I conceiv’d it impossible that a draft coud arrive & that term expire previous to my hearing of it...
5To James Madison from John Francis Mercer, 10 November 1800 (Madison Papers)
You’ll feel for me when I tell you that I feel like a Culprit when I take up my pen to write to you—but exclusive of some very serious dissapointments that have arisen from the failures in Baltimore, I have actually been in a manner under execution the whole year—the last will be settled in this month after which, I shall not owe 3000$ in the world, of which yours will be the first paid. If I...
6To James Madison from John Francis Mercer, 20 December 1799 (Madison Papers)
It gives me the greatest uneasiness to say that I have not as yet recd. 200$ Cash from my sales of $5000.—which was what I sold of about 12000$ offered. I shall wait only two days longer, when if matters are no better I will go on to Balto. on which place I have drafts & try to get them discounted & forward you the Money before the Assembly rises. Yrs. with great truth RC ( DLC ). Docketed by JM.