1785, June 28 - Frontier Real Estate

The following letter to Thomas Madison, excerpted from the Draper Manuscript Collection, held by the Wisconsin State Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin, further elucidates the complexity and difficulty in concluding real estate transactions, and in effecting relocation, among the property owners of the post-revolutionary period. Overlapping claims and unscrupulous dealings were common. News is also conveyed pertinent to Wallace's expectations regarding eventual statehood for Kentucky.

" Lincoln County, June 28^th 1785.

Dear Sir,

You may remember that upon informing you I had purchased the 1500 Acres of Land which you sold to Anthony Gholson in the Kentucky Country, You referred me to Colo. Gabriel Madison to make good your Contract. Accordingly when I applied to Col. Madison he assured me that as soon as your Lands could be surveyed he would be ready to settle the Matter with me, and that he expected Col. Knox, who located the land, would have it surveyed in a short Time, which however, is not yet done. Not expecting that any Difficulty would arise, I have unwisely taken 's Assignment in such a Way as to be obliged to make good 400 Acres to Robert Baker out of the 1500 so far as your Articles of Agreement would enable me.

Baker knowing this to be the Case blames me with the Delay and insists so warmly for his part of the Land that I expect he will ^^shortly bring Suit for it if he has not already done it. He says that he is to have Land equal in Value and Quality to any that may be located by Virtue of the Warrants you sent to Col. Madison; that he can prove 1000 Acre Survey ^^{of the best of the land} has been assigned to one parberry besides a considerable quantity of the Warrants; And that after waiting long he will not receive Land that is not of equal Value and Quality to any located by any of these Warrants to whomsoever disposed of or without regarding whether the Locations are gained or lost; as by Bargain he is not to risk any Claim but that of Congress. Upon looking over your Articles of Agreement with Gholson of which Baker's is a Transcript with little variation only in that of Quantity and Names, His Sentiments seem to be founded upon the Contract, and I presume he has taken advice theron.

I give you this Information, that if you think proper, you may specifically empower Col. Madison or some other Agent to settle the Matter with me immediately so far that Baker may get Land to his Satisfaction free from other Claims even though you should give him a greater Quantity than 400 Acres. But before you do this perhaps it may be best to consult Col. Knox who I understand expects to have part for making the Location laid off before any of the Lands are disposed of. If the remaining 1100 Acres cannot immediately be allotted to me at the same Time agreeable to Bargain, I shall be contented to wait a while longer rather than to receive Lands of inferior Quality or that may be taken away by other Claims, which would neither be for your interest nor mine. Provided, however, that I shall not in consequence of Bakers accepting his Allottment be obliged to take my part adjoining to his. Of which please to certify me by letter.

I have nothing in the Way of News worth your Reading. A New State is the prevailing Topic here which I suppose you have heard. A State Convention unanimously resolved to petition the Assembly for a Separation; Another Convention is to meet in August to mature the petition and the Terms upon which the Separation shall be requested. Money is scarce and Disputes for Land Numerous, so that gentlemen of the Law may have sufficient Employment if like the ancient Romans they would appear for their Clients gratis.

Rye and Wheat are nearly ripe and look well; We have also the prospect of a fine Crop of Corn although an inclement Spring has been succeded by a long Drought.

M.^rs Wallace joins me in the warmest Regards to you and M^rs Madison.

I am D^r Sir

Your most ob^t Servt.

Caleb Wallace"