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Martinville 4 July 1800
Sir Last evenings mail brought me yours of the 2 instant inclosing Mr [Purkells?] account of Postage. In all letters of correspondence between the Trustees & myself I kept no account of Postage nor indeed I do not nor never did intend to charge their funds with any such accounts, for their generosity to me first & last has been such as would render such a charge highly ungenerous & improper. For those letters written by the directions of the Govr for which I had to pay postage, I think myself fully entitled to retribution. Those which I see in the Post Masters list enclosed
2 to Salisbury N. C. 25
1 to Cross Roads Duplin County N. C. 17
To which he ought to have added one to Mr George Warrenton, Mr Bingham Pittsboro, Mr Caldwell Guilford & I believe Mr Wilson Burke. If however he has neglected to set these down to my account, I am not anywise farther concerned about them.
What the precise weight of the bar of iron left in McCauleys shop was, I cannot tell, as I never had the bars separately weighed, but should suppose it might be 20 or 25 lbs I am inclined to think Matthew would not hesitate to take off a chunk for nay particular purpose & perhaps the most exact method wd be to weigh one piece of the [Franklin?] & allow the necessary quantity for waste. Perhaps also he may wish
to charge me with as much as made a pair of shoes for my horse, as I had him shod at his shop shortly before my departure from the University but I can prove by Mr Searcy that I paid Matthew not only for the work but also for the iron, & when I recollect it, perhaps Searcy from whom I got the iron could tell you the weight of a bar with more exactness than would be in my power
I have the honor to be Sir, your most obedt J. S. Gillaspie
James S. Gillaspie 4th July 1800
Gavin Alves Esqr Hillsboro
Edenton 5th July 1800
Dr Sir Your Letter dated 8th ultimo did not come to hand till yesterday, I have observed the contents and had to [?] to you a few days ago in answer to these letters of yours upon the subject of my debt, due to the university, with Respect to my deposition which you mention If you will forward the Commission to me & Give notice to the adverse party that the deposition will be taken before Elisha Norfleet Esquire Commission of affidavits. At his office in the Court house of Edenton on the second Monday of [Sept} next. I will procure the deposition to