This collection contains five letters written by Nicholas Meriwether to his father-in-law Captain William Meriwether. The first two letters were apparently written in 1782 from the North Branch of the Potomac River in Maryland. All of the letters concern Nicholas' financial difficulties and affairs, in which William apparently figured. Nicholas described his attempts to settle estates, which included sales and transfers of slaves. In his May 20, 1784 letter, Nicholas mentioned a financial scheme to send a boat down the Mississippi River. He himself was setting off on a journey down the Monongahela River towards the Ohio River and Louisville. His August 7, 1784 letter reported he arrived in Louisville June 11 after a passage of seventeen days. The letter also discussed lands held by the Meriwethers on Beargrass Creek. Nicholas described Louisville as a "flourishing" town affording an "amazeing" market for farmers, with several merchants with large stores. The last letter in the group was written two years later in Danville. Nicholas said he was unwell and feared his condition was fatal, so he was trying to get his affairs in order. He again mentioned several financial concerns, including a case in the Supreme Court relating to land disputes. He referred to continuing danger from Indians at the Beargrass Creek settlement, which could lead to his family's temporary relocation to the fort at the Falls of the Ohio River. He believed he would soon have to leave the area due to his health, but he urged others to come and stated his belief conditions would improve there. All of the letters include some family news as well.
