Thomasville, 7 June 1834

Capt. E. West,

Dr Sir,

Yours by Mr. Greenway has arrived. I am going to Jonesborough today and if I can raise $15,000 will send it to you in the morning but I don't know that I can raise it that soon. I will have to either stare myself or find a man to Blacks Rolling Mill in South Carolina in the morning. Mr. Smotherman I find does not understand building an air furnace for melting potmetal and my opperations [sic] will be almost stopped until I get the necessary information. I expect to send Mr. Irwin to haul for you on Monday. I know of no person that can fill your place at the furnace. If a good manager can be had I don't wish to confine you at it against your will, tho [sic] I believe you will do better than any uninitiated man that we can get.

Boyd has run out a little for me which makes excellent (?) iron.

The scarcity of money with me is partly in consequence of having to give cash for both corn & bacon. I am doubtfull [sic] I cannot get grain enough to feed my teams until harvest even for cash.

Your friend,

Elijah Embree