I left home in February, 1826. On my arrival I went to see those commission merchants who had led us to this unfortunate speculation. I told them they must lend me some assistance. Their reply was that they could not assist me to a dollar. This caused some unpleasant feelings with me. I tried to make other arrangements to get money, but without the least success. Every description of produce had fallen to the lowest possible point. Tobacco was selling from $2.00 to $5.00 per hundred pounds and still on the decline. Cotton was selling from eight to eight and a half cents per pound. A great revolution seemed evident. My tobacco began to arrive slowly, prices still receding. I still held that I would not sell at those ruinous prices. The draft we had drawn on our commission house was about maturing and there were no good feelings between the commission merchant, who had accepted our draft, and myself. These things all tended to make me uncomfortable. I finally received notice from them that my draft would fall due on a certain day. This gave me additional trouble. Little of my tobacco had arrived; not enough to half meet the draft. I had become acquainted with a wholesale merchant from Philadelphia, who had invited me to spend my leisure hours at his store as we had become quite intimate. After I received the notice I called at his store, looking, no doubt, very gloomy. He inquired if I was unwell. I told him that I was not. He said I did no look as lively as common. I replied that there was nothing the matter with me save the want of money. He said if that was all, he had plenty and that I need not look so sad. There were quite a number in the store at the time. He, Mr. Charles S. Olden, afterwards Governor of New Jersey, beckoned me to his counting room. He asked me if I was jesting about needing money, and I told him that I had spoken in a joke but it was, nevertheless, true. He told me that he had money in the bank that was doing him no good, that it would afford him a pleasure to accommodate me. I thanked him and said I would try and do without borrowing until I would make sale of my tobacco. He said there was no necessity for that and insisted upon knowing what amount I needed. I told him $5,000.00. I had drawn upon a house and the draft was about due. He turned to his check book, drew a check for the amount and handed it to me. I looked at it to see if it was all right, but still thought he was playing a joke on me, as we had been quite familiar; but thinking he should not get the start of me, I handed the check back to him, saying: "My friend, I have always heard it said -- one good turn deserves another. Will you be so kind as to have it cashed?" "Certainly, sir," was his reply. He called one of his clerks and told him to go to the bank and bring the money. The money was soon handed over to me. Such an act of magnanimous confidence I had never met with before, nor have I since. The many acts of disinterested kindness and attention that I received from him will ever be remembered with gratitude.
     My tobacco was arriving and the price was still receding. It now became impossible to sell at more than 8-3/4, 2-3/4 and 3-3/4 for the best quality. I sold two hundred and sixteen hogsheads at this ruinous price. To pay freight and to refund the money, I borrowed of my friend, C.S. Olden. I noticed from the prices current in Philadelphia that tobacco was bringing from $2.50 to $5.00. I shipped one hundred hogsheads to that market. Dr. Allen Hile I sent on as agent. I was to follow with one hundred and fifty hogsheads more as soon as all my tobacco arrived from the upper country, which was expected in ten or fifteen days. I was, therefore, delayed two months longer than I expected. I soon had it shipped to Philadelphia.
     Having nothing more to look after, I engaged my passage on the ship "Amelia", bound for New York. Before leaving my friend, C.S. Olden, he inquired into the magnitude of my wardrobe. I told him I had sufficient to take me around. He stated that I might be a long time on the route and he insisted that I should take a couple dozen shirts, which he brought down to the ship to me. He said that when I finished with them I could leave them at his store in Philadelphia. I accepted for fear of offending him.
     We left New Orleans on the 12th of June and landed at Sandy Hook on the 1st day of July. We were quarantined three days. I gave bonds not to enter the city. We were landed on Staten Island and took passage for Philadelphia, and arrived there the 2nd day of July. My agent, Dr. Hile, had sold the one hundred hogsheads of tobacco at $2.50, and some few choice hogsheads at from $5.00 to $6.00 per hundred. The other one hundred and fifty I sold at similar prices. I here received letters from my partner that if I did not remit money soon all would be lost. There were many judgements against us. There would still be heavy accounts that we could not provide for, so I concluded, as a gambler would say, to risk all on a single turn of the wheel, that I would lay out every dollar in my possession in merchandise, so we might be able to pay our debts, but to pay the money we could not. Consequently, I made the purchase and quite a large amount on credit. I reserved only enough money for freight and charges. I had the goods loaded on wagons for Pittsburgh. Dr. Hile and myself left by stage for the same place.
     Arriving there, I took a boat for home, leaving my friend to pay freights and to attend to shipping the goods to Louisville, where they were to remain till further orders form me. On my arrival at home I found everything in a most confused condition. Creditors flocked in from all quarters for their pay, which had been so long delayed. I submitted this proposition to them -- that they should select three good business men; we would render a schedule of the amount due us by note or book account, together with all the invoice goods that we had coming; that if such committee should report that we had sufficient means to pay our debts by giving us one year's time, they should do so, but, otherwise, if it was found that our assets were insufficient, then they should take the notes, accounts and goods and divide the sum, according to ratio, and give up our paper. This proposition seemed to meet with favor. It in some degree restored confidence, and the excitement seemed to die away. They all promised to give the time required without going into the examination, so the matter rested for a time. But there was a judgement against us for about $3,000.00, which had to be met in a short time. I proposed to go to Nashville and make arrangements to raise that amount. My partner said I could not raise a dollar, but, disregarding his opinions, I went. I met with a wholesale merchant from whom I had been in the habit of buying goods. I told him my situation and that I had a large stock of selected goods on the way from Philadelphia, and wished to sell him some of them to raise money which we were compelled to have. He asked my terms and I told him he would have $3,000.00 worth at 10% on original cost. He said he would take the goods at that rate and gave me $500.00, which I was compelled to have. I was to write him a note on the arrival of the goods, and wrote to Dr. Hile to send them as soon as possible. When they arrived I wrote to the merchant, Matthew Wheaton, of Nashville, to come and make his selections. In a few days he was on hand; bought $2,700.00 worth, and paid for them. This in turn made things a little easier. We were able to pay off the judgements against us; we sold goods rapidly, which gave us quite a relief as we paid many of our goods for debts.
     Things took an upward turn, but I was not satisfied with the manner in which business was conducted during my absence of the last seven months. I proposed a dissolution of our co-partnership which was done, but we were jointly bound for all of our old debts. We both continued to pay them as fast as we could, each taking receipts for the amount paid by him.
     During the fall of 1826 and 1827 I again bought a boat load of tobacco of my customers, yet many of our old debts remained unpaid. In the spring of 1827 our creditors became more urgent for their pay, and, forgetting their former agreement with us to wait one year, began to sue us again. Finding I had no other alternative to save myself from ruin, I wrote a letter to Messrs. Newkirk & Olden of Philadelphia, to whom we owed $2800.00 for goods purchased of them, that if they did no come or send their claim against us, they would lose money by us and we could not help it; if they would come, I would secure them. In two or three weeks their agent arrived with a letter to me, to secure them in any way I might their best for our mutual interest. I closed the store and took an invoice of the goods. This caused many conjectures. Not even my old partner knew what I was doing. Some thought that the stranger had bought me out. We kept our own secrets. In a few days we finished our labors. A deed of trust was made out and signed, all the goods, books, etc., turned over to Newkirk & Olden. They appointed me their agent to sell the goods, it was, also, agreed that I might pay off some of my old debts with goods, provided such payment did not interfere with their interests. Thus ended the speculation of 1825.
     I had sent a boat-load of tobacco to New Orleans, but had no returns from it when this deed of trust was given. In justification of what I had done and the causes which led to it, will be seen the following circular:

To the Public
The house of Phelps and Duffy, of Hartville, of which I was a partner, purchased in 1825 a large quantity of cotton and tobacco, by which transaction we lost upwards of $18,000.00. IN consequence of this immense loss, we have not been able to meet many of our engagements with that punctuality which had previously marked our course in business, and many of our creditors have been necessarily compelled to wait longer for their money than they expected to have done when we made our purchase. By the most indefatigable exertions, we have succeeded at length in paying all but a comparatively small part of our debts. Yet this part, small as it is, must be paid. Our creditors expect it, and we make no other calculation. Yet, with regret, I inform them that they will be necessarily obliged to wait still longer. We found it necessary last year to purchase a considerable quantity of goods in Philadelphia on credit, for the purpose of paying our debts here and had no doubt at that time that we should be able to purchase a sufficient quantity of Products to pay for them. In this we have been disappointed. The people to whom we paid a high price for produce and who (if any people) should have felt themselves under obligations to us, were, with few exceptions, the first, after receiving their money, to turn their backs upon us and, in almost every instance, preferred selling to anybody else. Had our conduct at any time been such as to justify them in their course toward us or had we at any time given them cause to lose confidence in us, we would have submitted to our fate without murmur, but no such cause can be shown. I am sensible that I have been censured by some for with-holding the proceeds of our tobacco and laying it out in goods. To any reasonable man who had an idea of our situation, this matter would need no explanation. Yet there are some people in every community who, either from ignorance of design, can never be convinced of anything contrary to their interest or their feelings. To such, I have only to say I despise them and their opinions, and inform them I write not for them. It is to people of a different character I address myself, and with them I hope to be able to justify the course I have pursued throughout the whole transaction, which has involved me in my unfortunate situation.
     If the proceeds of our tobacco had been paid over to the people, one-half of our debts would have remained unpaid and, after selling every particle of property we possessed on earth, a large amount of our debts would have remained unpaid, which probably would never have been able to pay, and our creditors must have lost it. The only course then that I could pursue with any probability of success, was the one I did pursue and I can with confidence assert that had any other course been taken after we made the purchase of produce, we would have been effectually ruined and our creditors would have sustained great loss by us. As matters now stand, we will eventually pay every cent we owe. We have the means; we will do it but we must have time in which to do it. Mr. Duffy, my former partner, is equally bound with myself, and, from our united exertions, I apprehend but little difficulty in the final settlement of our business.
     All debts that I have contracted since the dissolution of partnership between Mr. Duffy and myself, will be met as punctually as the nature of our position will possibly permit. The principal debt we owed in Philadelphia has recently been sent on for payment, and, having no money to pay it, I secured a deed of trust on my remaining stock of goods, books, etc., together with all the property I possess -- not excepting the bed on which I sleep. This result has not been anticipated by me nor has any one so great a cause to regret it as myself. None, I am sure, could regret it more. Those who know me, I am confident, will be satisfied that I have no disposition to evade the payment of any debt I owe. Those who are willing to be persuaded of this fact have proofs before them; those who are disposed to think differently, I must leave to the enjoyment of their opinions. To my friends, I return my grateful acknowledgement and assure them that they will be remembered with the sentiments of the warmest regard.
John Phelps
Hartsville, May 28, 1827

     This being done, I had no available means left, save the boat-load of tobacco which I sent to New Orleans. I soon received the proceeds, which amounted to some $4,000.00. I heard of the Galena lead mine; That large fortunes had been made, sometimes in a week, and that there was a great opening for selling goods. I suggested my plan to my friend Dr. Hile, that the enterprise would be worth trying. He agreed to go with me. We set about making preparations for the journey. We were ready to start on the trip by the 12th of June. I invited many of my old friends to take dinner with me on that day. I announced to my friends my intention of leaving them for the far off West, to better my condition. Everything was in a state of readiness; we saddled our horses and started. Four of five of my guest s accompanied me for seventeen miles, and stayed with me that night. In the morning I bade them all the last farewell; I have never seen them since. I left the business in the hands of my clerk and family.
     I arrived in St. Louis on July 1st, 1827. I there purchased a stock of goods for the Galena lead mine, which was then in Indian territory, with the exception of fifteen miles square which had been purchased by the Government for mining purposes. It was cut off from all the civilized world and surrounded by the Indian tribes. I shipped my goods on board a steamboat bound for Galena. I had hardly gotten them aboard when Gov. Cass arrived from Prairie Du Chien, bringing the sad news that the Indians had broken out and were killing all the miners. The boat was pressed into the services of the Government to take up the troops. My goods were put off the boat on the wharf and the troops marched on. I was again disappointed in all my anticipation and bright prospects of building up and mending my broken fortune. My only chance then was to get the privilege from the commanding officer to let me ship my goods and go up with the troops. Major Riley had command. I approached him by saying: "Major, these goods which are on the wharf are mine. Would it be possible for me to get them back and go up with you? If it is soldiers you want, I can make as good a one as you have, and I will charge nothing for my services, and bear my own expenses." His reply was: "My good sir, your goods shall be put back," at the same time giving an order to place them on board again.
     In five hours we were on our way. Everything went on smoothly will we arrived at the Lower Rapids of the Mississippi. It was there we found we could not get the boat over. This being the case, the boat, evidently, would have to return to St. Louis and take my goods back, and the troops march by land. But, fortunately for me, there was a keel boat at the foot of the rapids, which was to be towed up to Galena by the steamboat. The owner was on board with us. My only alternative was to charter the keel boat. I did so. There were, also, a number of adventurers on board of the steamer, going to the lead mines, who agreed that if I would take them and their outfit on board they would assist me in pushing the boat to Galena and take our chances among the Indians. This being agreed to, we were soon well underway -- well armed and equipped with everything necessary for our comfort on the journey.
     We then organized our little band and continued on our way, and arrived at Galena on the 27th day of July, 1827, without molestations from the Indians, a guard having been placed out every night. On our arrival, we found Everything in great confusion, and most of the miners gone to the settlement for safety. The balance were principally fortified and business was completely paralyzed, as they expected an attack from the Indians. I spent two or three days at Galena, but became tired of inactivity. I hired a horse and went our to what was called the New Diggins -- about ten or twelve miles away -- where I found the miners still at work on their claims. They all gave me great encouragement to build a house and bring my goods out. I accepted their invitation, went to work and soon had a house ready. My goods were brought out and placed on the shelves, and I commenced selling on credit. I did a lively business, as I was told that all miners could and would pay. I had not been open but a few days when all was again thrown into confusion by a report of a friendly squaw, who said she had seen the hostile Indians and they would attack us soon. I took my horse and went to the Diggins and warned the miners of their danger. I invited them all the meet at my store the next day and organize for defense. At the meeting it was agreed that we should organize a company to assist Gen. Whitesides, who was encamped a few miles off guarding the settlements. There sere about one hundred volunteers, which made a full company. I was elected Captain, and in two or three days all were ready and on our march.
     On our arrival at Gen. Whiteside's camp, to our gratification, we found a council had been held and peace established. Thus ended the Indian War that created so much excitement and nearly cleared the country of its mining population. Now that the danger was over, the miners returned and resumed their former occupations.
     Business of every description became lively; The smoke of the furnaces was seen curling up in almost every direction. Each day we could hear of some new discovery. Miners poured in from all quarters. They began prospecting on Indian territory and finding mew leads, until they had covered a territory one hundred miles square. The principal discoveries on Indian ground were Gratiot Grove, Mineral Point, Blue Mounds, Dodgeville, Plattville, Snake Hollow, Bee Town, Cassville, Dubuque, and many other points of less note.
     This opened before me a large field in which to operate. It seemed to me there was a bright prospect before me. I came to the conclusion to start smelting, in connection with my store. Smelters were each allowed six hundred and forty acres of land for smelting purposes, and I located at White Oak Springs, fourteen miles north of Galena. I there built a store house and furnace, and soon had the whole thing in operation. No sooner had I accomplished this that I saw, or thought I saw, a fine opening where Cassville now stands, eighty miles above Galena, on the Mississippi. I went up there and made another smelting survey, sent up hands, built a furnace and store house, and bought a stock of good for that place. Many miners had located there and the prospects seemed good, both in selling goods and in making lead. But, as we extended our operations on Indian territory, there were still some doubts as to whether it would bring on a renewal of hostilities. These doubts hung heavy on the most timid portion of the adventurers. I will here relate a little circumstance what occurred, which created no little merriment for the citizens of the village and a great deal of confusion and trouble to the miners and their families, about nine miles back at what was called the Bee Town Diggins. The fact of the circumstance were these.
     I had up a carpenter from the White Oak Springs, to do some work on my store house. He was a very timid man and had a great fear of Indians, so much so that it seemed to haunt his mid-night dreams and occupy his daily thoughts and conversation. Some mischievous fellow, seeing he was laboring under great mental excitement for his own safety, got up a plan to have his courage tested. They circulated a report, which they said they had just received, that the Indians were to make an attack on the village that night. All seemed deeply concerned for their own safety and that of the women and children. A meeting was called, a company organized and officers elected. They appointed Mr. Graham sergeant, whose duty it was to place out the guards, and relieve them. About dark the guard was placed out, along the high bluff which almost surrounds the town. While the sergeant was stationing the guard, a number of citizens, who were engaged in the fun, loaded their guns with powder and painted themselves like Indian warriors. They passed through the lines and took position on the bluff, out of sight. At the end of two hours the sergeant came to relieve the guard. The attack was made, and they came down the bluff yelling and firing, after the manner of Indians in battle. They cut off the sergeant's retreat from the town and he had no other alternative but to take the bluff and get into the road that lead to Bee Town. He ran nine miles, carrying the sad news that the Indians had attacked Cassville and massacred every soul but himself, and he had made a most miraculous escape by climbing a bluff that no human feet had ever climbed before. This news threw all Bee Town in the wildest consternation. Teams were gotten and whole families retreated to other settlements for safety. After the families were gone, a number of miners volunteered to go to Cassville to ascertain the extent of the slaughter, but what was their surprise when they got there and found all the inhabitants cooly moving about and attending to their business. Thus ended the farce at Graham's expense and the great annoyance and trouble to the settlers of Bee Town.
     But to return to my narrative, I had gotten the two stores and furnaces in operation. Business was good; lead worth $40.00 per thousand, mineral worth $17.00 per thousand -- giving a good profit to the smelters. I also sold a large amount of goods, mostly on credit, but, if I could judge anything from the profit on my goods and lead, it bore me out in the belief that a prosperous future lay before me.
     This was in the fall of 1827, I wrote to my family, who were in Tennessee, to close up their business and come to me. They arrived in Galena on the 17th of March, 1828. During this year I was busily engaged in smelting; bought a large amount of mineral at $17.00. In the fall lead began to decline in price and kept sinking until it reached bottom -- $15.00 per thousand. This completely ruined me. Previous to this, I had opened the first store in Mineral Point that was established there. I had many good friends in the lead mines, who sympathized with me in my losses, a number of whom made me this proposition; that if I would take charge of fifty men, which they would furnish, and go into the Rocky mountains or on the head waters of the Gulf of California, to trap and trade with the Indians, they would bear all expense and give me one fourth of all the profits that might be made by the expedition; that I should remain in the mountains for the term of three years in command. I accepted the proposal. The article was drawn up and signed by all parties. We were to leave as early in the fall as possible, so as to be able to reach Santa Fe and, if necessary, winter there. The outfit was to be made in St. Louis, where the company had a large amount of lead in store. My family was to be sent back to their friends in Tennessee. They were placed on a boat at Galena. I remained at the lead mines a week or so after they left. When ready, I started on horseback, and took my course to strike Ogle Ferry, then kept by a half-breed Indian.
     I must have struck the prairie, not far from where Freeport now stands; came down the prairie about one and one-half miles east of where Polo now stands, and struck the river at the trail which leads to the crossing of the river at the ferry. This was the first sight of the beautiful valley of Rock River, which embraced a good portion of what is now Ogle County. I met my family near Alton, but I was still doomed to further disappointments. On our arrival in St. Louis, I found that the house with which the lead was stored had failed and all the lead in his possession was attached as his property, and could not be had. Thus ended the Rocky Mountain expedition.
     "Misfortunes seldom come singly." I was still doomed to drink out of the bitter cup of adversity. I was there among strangers -- without money or means of any description, I, fortunately, met with Thomas Carlin (a cousin of my wife), who has since become Governor of the State of Illinois. I formed his acquaintance in the year 1818. I told him my misfortunes. He said that if I wished to go on a farm he had a fine one about five miles below Alton, in the American Bottoms. I might go there and live on it as long as I wished, without paying rent. I accepted his kind offer and stayed there one year, and did well.
     During the winter of 1830 I received a letter from my old friend, Dr. Hile, who had settled at Beardstown, on the Illinois River, for the practice of medicine. I had loaned him a considerable sum of money, which he had never been able to pay. He stated he had a good practice and that if I would move to that place he would pay me three or four hundred a year, and live himself. I accepted the invitation and moved there in the spring of 1831. Was received kindly by the Doctor, but he was still unable to give me assistance; so we were once more in a disagreeable position. Misfortune, like some malignant fever, will stick to the patient while there are any vitals to prey upon.
     I settled on a piece of the public land and on the banks of the Illinois River, in Schuyler County, built a cabin and commenced opening a farm. We had been there but a short time when the Black Hawk War broke out. Troops marched from the southern part of Illinois to Beardstown. I went down to meet the troops. Met Governor Reynolds, an old acquaintance of mine, who was with the troops. He seemed pleased to see me and asked if I was going with them. I told him I was not aware of his raising troops in our country. He said he had ordered one company to be raised, and if I would go he would order another one. I finally agreed to go with him. He then asked if I would be the bearer of a dispatch to Col. Sellars of Rushville. I answered that I would. He then wrote a dispatch and a letter of introduction to the Colonel, stating to him that he wished me to command the Second Company. I delivered them, and the Colonel said that it was the Governor's wish that I should have command of the Second Company. He said he did not know how that would be, as the men doubtless had the right to select their own officers but it would certainly be acceptable to me; he added, that as I was a stranger I could not expect it. I told him that was so, but, In further conversation, he wished to know if I would accept second in command. My answer was "yes". The day following was the day appointed for the people to meet to raise the first company, and it was advised by the Colonel that the second should be raised at the same time. We met the next day; the two companies were soon raised, and proceeded to elect their officers. I was announced by Col. Sellars as a candidate for the First Lieutenency in the Second Company. We were all drawn up in line. The Colonel read the Governor's letter. My opponent felt indignant at it and made some remarks. I answered that it was true I was a stranger but had become a citizen of the country; that I had seen service in the War of 1812. Should they favor me with the command, I would be with them through six troubles and not forsake them in the seventh. My remarks were responded to with a cheer. I was elected. We joined the brigade in two days, and were on our line of march for Rock Island. On our arrival the Indians retreated across the Mississippi. We burned their town. In a few days they sent in a flag of truce. A council was held and peace made. This ended the war of 1831. The troops disbanded and all returned home.
     Nothing occurred, worth noting, till the summer of 1833. Seeing no prospect of bettering my condition, I resolved to return to the lead mines and try to collect some of the old notes and accounts that were due me. The arrangement being made, brother B.T. Phelps, was to go with me and try our luck at mining and collecting. Brother G.W. Phelps and my son, James, were to stay home and raise a crop. After making a desperate effort, we raised the sum of $4.50. This was insufficient, but we supplied the place of money by packing provisions on horse-back and taking them with us.
     We arrived at the lead mines in either May or June. We met with a kindly reception from our old friends. We had but fifty cents left and that was soon spent in treating them. We rested a couple of days with our acquaintances, after which my brother went to mining and I on a collecting tour. My object was to go to Cassville, about sixty or seventy miles from the place where we stopped. I was out of money and had nothing to bear my expenses. I applied to an old friend to lean me a few dollars. He said he had but fifty cents, but I could have that if it would do me any good. I set out after breakfast and traveled all day without feeding my horse or eating a bite myself. I got to a little town on the Big Platte and put up on a tavern. The landlord was an old smelter with whom I was well acquainted. He did not recognize me nor did I let myself to be known. I was invited to supper, but I made an excuse, saying I was not very well and did not take supper. This was strictly true, but I was very hungry and did not feel comfortable. In the morning I arose early, ordered my horse and was told that breakfast would be ready in a few minutes, and that I had better take breakfast as I had had no supper. I replied that I did not wish breakfast but would ride twelve or fifteen miles first, and by that time I thought I would feel better. I called for my bill, which he said was fifty cents. This again left me without a cent. About twelve miles on my road there lived a man who was owing me some seventy-five or eighty dollars for the last five years. On my arrival there my horse was fed and breakfast set for me, to which I did ample justice. I then introduced the objects of my visit, which was to collect what he had been so long owing me. I stated to him that I was poor and had not the necessaries of life; that, notwithstanding my straightened circumstances, I had never oppressed him; that I was then traveling without one cent to bear my expenses, and solely depended upon the charity of the people and my friends for support; that if he could not pay all, any portion would be thankfully received. His answer was that he had not money and could not pay anything. This conversation took place before another gentleman who was in the room. Though I had failed to reach the sympathy of my old debtor, I had touched a noble and generous chord in that of a stranger. I felt gloomy and disappointed, and ordered my horse to proceed on my journey. Just as I was mounting, the stranger came forward, unfolding a letter. He drew out of it a five dollar bill, saying: "Sir, will you please accept this five dollars? I would offer you more but this is all I have with me." I thanked him for his kindness but could not accept it as he was a stranger to me, and I did not know when I could refund the money. His answer was: "That will make no difference. It will afford me more pleasure to accommodate you than it will for you to receive it," adding, "Though you are not acquainted with me personally, I have long known you by character." I said, "Sir, as you insist, I will receive it, knowing, as I do, you will never be a loser by me. Your disinterested kindness will ever be appreciated."

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