
          Charleston 21. Nov. 1818.


 My Dear Sir


 I scarcely know how to apologize for my long
 silence because I might have written you a note when [crossed out: you]
 I could not write a letter, but by waiting until I could write
 you fully I postponed and protracted a duty [crossed out: waited?] and at last
 am obliged to do what I might have done some months ago.


 Early in January last I was attacked by a Rheumatic
 affection of the Head so severe that for months I was incapable 
 of attending to any thing I could not even sign
 my name without suffering. With the cession of summer
 my indisposition abated. But excepting a fortnight in
 July when I prepared for the press the sixth number of 
 my sketch my letters to you in January [crossed out: ?] the last literary
 exertions I have made. In the commencement of
 August when I was expecting and preparing to resume my
 usual habits circumstances occurred which determined
 me to visit our western Country and I have just returned
 from an excursion over a part of the Alaskan Territory
 I made this expedition so unexpectedly to myself that I 
 had only time to arrange such business as was absolutely
 necessary and I have returned merely to visit my
 family and business for a moment. In two days I expect
  
        