William Knox To Henry Knox On Housing And Trade Matters 19 April 1793

Wanted to write yesterday, but received no word of Wilks' house until after the post left. Mr. Wilks is currently in negotiations with Colonel William Smith either for the purchase or lease of it. Will know the outcome in two or three days. If Smith does not take the house it will be let for 350 per annum. The house also has 50 acres of grounds. Yesterday a ship arrived form Calcutta owned by John Livingston. It contained Indian sugars and muslins. Says the ship and cargo amounts to [dollar sign] 50,000. While it did not net Livingston as much as he hoped, he considers it as so much saved from the scrip business. Reports that Mr. Macombs' Houses & etc. were sold yesterday and purchased by Mr. Edgar on Macomb's own account. Says Mr. King it is said offered at private sale upwards of 7,000 pounds for the large House, but finding Mr. Edgar decided on purchasing, it went off for considerably less. Is happy Henry's health is better, although his own is not so good.