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Gavin Alves Esquire [H?] by Col Polk Hillsborough
Edenton 30th June 1800
Dr Sir I Received your several letters the last to hereof bears date the 11th May last respecting the Balance due to the Trustees of the university, but being obliged to be very much from home I have not had it in my Power to acknowledge the receipt of them till now. I am very sorry that the payment of this balance has been so long delayed nothing but the want of opportunity of conveying the money in safety could have occasioned this delay, be assured It shall be forwarded as soon as a convenient opportunity presents. There is so little intercourse between this and Hillsborough that I have heard of no opportunity except by post since my removal from Newbern to this place, and that made [?] to be too hazardous or a one to be adopted.
I spoke to Mr. Miller some time ago and requested him to be so kind as to inform me if any opportunity should offer whereby I might avail my self of sending the money he told me that he would [the?] if he should hear of any such and at the same time mentioned to me that if it was agreeable to you he would [revive?] the amount of the debt here, will you be so obliging as to signify your approbation of the measure (should it prove agreeable) and it shall be immediately paid. You mention that interest ought
to be paid from the time of our settlement, I think it right and founded on priciples of Justice that it should be so, the university shall sustain no loss by any [transaction?] of mine to wit it is in my power to guard against or prevent.
It was with some [surprise?] I [understood] by your letter That Mr William Jones had informed you that the subscription of Mr. John Sturkey of [Gaston?] County had been paid into my hands, I have for some time thought Mr. Jones void of every sentiment or Principle of Honor but did not think him Capable of advancing so deliberate a falsehood, I call god to witness that his information in this respect is entirely unfounded. and this I have reason to believe was [?] Mr Jones’s knowledge at the time, and it would seem to me that a man whose malignancy of disposition could induce him to swerve from the truth for the paltry sum of ten pounds is altogether unworthy of Credit, I put the subscription papers into the hands of Mr Badger about the time or shortly after I removed from New Bern, and I presume it Mr Sturkey’s representatives have paid his subscription, they have the Persons receipt to whom It was paid to show In Justice to my own [reparation?] I hope that they will be called upon to produce it before this [association?] will be taken as proof
However there is one thing in Justice I ought to observe to you and it is this, that I was to have paid the balance of Mr Wilson [Blount?]’s subscription I believe £30. upon an Agreement between us, in which I Concur there was some small mistake, If this subscription is not fully paid or shall not be paid before the sitting of Hillsborough supr. Court, I will then see it paid for him.
On my return from New Bern supr Court in [April?] last the sheriff of Chowan informed me that he had in my absence received a subpoena for me to collect at the [?] Hillsborough Court to give evidence in [?] of the Trustees of the university against Mr. Cox Executor of [?], my indispensable attendance at [E?] Supr Court which sets at the same time of that of Hillsborough will prevent my attending on any subpoena issued for that purpose. The Judges are so well acquainted with my circumstance that I have no doubt but they will allow a Commission to take my deposition [absolutely?] who read on the trial of that Cause as any other where my testimony may be wanting
I am with sentiments of [r?] Dr Sir Your most obedt Sert W. Slade
William Slade June 30th 1800
Mr. Gavin Alves Hillsborough