John McMahan Letter 1828-12-02

Courtland Ala. December 2d. 1828

Dear Branston

You have doubtless ere this time give out of ever hearing from me again, but you shall be mistaken although I have not written to you believe me you were not forgotten, and I have been writing to you every day since my arrival in this place. you must excuse me for my negligence when I tell you that I have been very closely engaged ever since I reached here, taking an a/c of stock which you know is a very pleasant business shortly after which we recd our Goods which kept us very busy both day and night, Sunday too. you have no Idea of the number of pretty Girls that Flock to see us daily all of which buy more or Less – were you here I am confident you would once more loose that Heart which is so prone to go astray and should you succeed you might then give up the Yard Stick Bar &c to pursue amore pleasing occupation, you know what I mean, while I am on the subject of the ladies I must tell you of Miss Jane Patton of Huntsville who is one of the Handsomest Girls I have seen since I left Virginia. had not my broken heart led me back to Old Monroe I should certainly have fallen in Love with her. I spent the evening at her Fathers who is the partner of Col Bierne. I thought she smiled on me (vain man) and promised to call again which I shall certainly do.

I am tolerably well pleased with this Country some parts of it is the finest Land I ever saw – but to take it generally I think we have as good Land as there is in this Country. one thing I am certain that we can live more comfortably and as to health there is no comparison which is the Greatest gift of God. there is a good many Goods sold here. our last months sales amounts to $5628 – 99 – which is nothing to what was done a few years ago. still we do not calculate to average more than $3000 a month.

It is quite uncertain what time I shall leave here, my expectation is to get away in June whether I get the business settled [or] not, which I can do nothing on un[ til] Col Beirne arrives to make advise or or sell out.

Swoope is well & trying to get the wife he sends his respects to you

Give my respects to your Father & family together with all my acquaintances. Write soon

Your Friend John J McMahon

This is written in a great hurry which you can see from the style