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Rock Island Novr. 19" 1826

Russell Farnham Esqr

Dear Sir

                 Since you left hear John Forsyth has been down from Oak Grove trading house on Rock River, and has made such arrangements as was agreable to our wish, and will  permit no Indian to Remaine in his house, thier is in the vicinity our houses in Rock River upwards of Six hundred Winabagos the water being entreamly Low thay will be able to kill all the muskrats in this month, for that reason I have abandoned the plan of  letting Mr. D. trade greater part of the first hunt as thier is no prospect of a second hunt of any concequence.  I shall I hope not lose money, but I Shall Leave nothing undone thats fair and honorable; to convince Mr. D. that he better be making Shoes than trading with Indians, he is Building a Store on Rock Island and preparing to assist me in collecting my credits from the  Jones ?       to counter act this I shall Build a house near the Moshetcies about 30 miles below Rock Island on the Illinois Side or on an Island from which place I shall collect my creadites it being the nearest point to whear the foxes will come in the winter, and will prevent them from coming to Rock Island I shall be able to Sell my Goods higher if Mr D should   follow me thier it will put him to a considerable expense and assist in making his equipment of no proffet to him of whe can onley secure the trade to our Selves for two or three years whe will make the Winabagos pay well for the  goods whe know give them at so Low a price.
         Thier is one think you will please to Impress on the Company  that thay must give particlar directions to the different outfits to keep within their limits and not to Sell Goods to come in

[in pencil] *box Ayer N. A. MS 215