Your favour of late date has come to hand about ten days since, and would have answered sooner had not the Postmaster of Alton & St Louis, disappointed me in obtaining the requisit Papers and as yet have not obtained ^any^thing but promises to Inform the Department as soon as possible. I visited the St Louis P. M.[Postmaster] Daily for one week and would be at h[?] yet if navigation was not closed I hope however he will execute his promises to me, and give Satisfactory evidence to the the Department respecting the tedious business you have under taken for me. W^m P. Merril will furnish you with abstracts as is your request, or he may write to the Department. I most exceedingly regret that, you have, undertaken the adjustment, of this claim as the whole of the transactions is not in accordance with Laws required, but was surely executed in good faith by me with the advice and assurance of reasonable compensation by the Late mail agent Jos Carrol Esq at st Louis.

The mail I carried for the year 1846, between Alton & St Louis was 562½ trips to and from, either place at 50 cents for each would amount to Two hundred and Eighty one Dolls for the year 46. I think you have memorandum undue of bill for 45, which you requested of me at last Session Time com[?] for that year was 17 May to 1 Decem making 170 [...?] full trips at $1—or there abouts. I make these few remarks to give you a correct amt of charges agaist the Department for such service. I shall forward any [?] the petition you desire me to get from merchants &c[etc.] as proof &c.

I regret very much Dear sir that so much Labour has been under taken by you in my behalf. I Really Know ^not^ how to express the gratitude I owe you for the Liberal feeling you have extended towards me. I hope however it will or may be In my power to remunerate the kindness you have bestowed upon me.

I have no news of Interest to Inform you. Judge Temple is here yet, but I have not had the honor of seeing him yet. The Intends returning Shortly. Weather is very cold, business fair in alton and health in general very good. no deaths have occured but what you no doubt have heard of.

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