Honored Sir:—A letter from one whom at first you consider an entire stranger, and of the character of this, may well excite surprise; but sir if it surprises you I assure you it is with feelings of utmost regret—that I am compelled to adopt this course of communication. I regret it because I feel I address you necessarily with a seeming degree of impertinance and because it is somewhat humiliating to myself. But sir I will be brief and state what I wish to communicate for your consideration. You may probably remember my name, when I mention the circumstances under which you first heard it, at the time you purchased the Bank of Monroe—while I was a Clerk in that institution. Since that time, I have been engaged in various operations, which the limits of this letter will not permit me to explain—suffice, to say the last, but not least in importance has been Financial and Political in , and in which I have become familliar with men, & measures in that country. A knowledge of which I am certain will be of service to you, and on which I am anxious to confer with you personally. I was on my way to your , when an accident deprived me of the means of doing so, the accident to which I refer, was the sinking of the Buckeye and loss of all my money, except a small sum which I had in my pocket at the time. One word more, and I will throw myself entirely upon your kind charity which I am compelled to do I am by profession a physician, and have been for some years prior to going to , in practice in Louisiania. That I am an ambitious person I will not deny; but sir, I am also one whose ambitious schemes have met with disappointments. is equally true, and I am now anxious and determined to make it subservient to some more fortunate man. (Will you avail yourself of it,) I am but a young man 29, and can long be service to you. I have a good classic education, which perhaps may be made available. But all these matters will and can be better understood when I shall have the pleasure of seeing you. And now my respected sir, if you will send me money enough to carry me to your place, I hope I shall be able to convince you that the small sum was not badly expended. Cast thy bread upon the waters, and thou shalt gather them after many days.

In the mean time I have the honor to be with feeling of the highest consideration.

P. S. Should you condescend to reply to this please address,

Dr. WALL SOUTHWICK. [p. [1]]