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Mobile Ala. April 23.d 1837. John Howard Payne Esq. Dear Sir, Your favour of April 7th. 1836, was only received, and my wish was to have answered it immediately - the intention to neglect it was ever, for one moment, meditated. but you know enough of me to be satisfied that I cannot write about nothing - cannot find leisure for mere guiling?. Your suggestions and your inquiries of me about our Indians were to me very interesting. I have been seeking knowledge on the subject for years. I have obtained some, but I desire much more. Neither my own, nor other man's speculations can satisfy me for a moment. That which I have, however, is interesting and you shall have it, after I advert to your Georgia disasters, and some other matters. When I learned the fate of your laudable and only commendable enterprise in Georgia, I felt much regret, but no surprise. You are correct in saying that I admonish you of what you might expect, and if you ever publish your travels you ought to state the fact and the source of my suspicions. I think it almost impossible that I can be deceived in my estimate of a people if I can once dine at a public table among them. I have been importuned to visit the interior of Georgia. I have not yet done so, and if I were to it will be with slender expectations of either enjoyment or profit. But if I should go and be arguably disappointed I will do them justice. Intelligent gentlemen assure me that I ? be pleased.