University of Virginia Library

(Put into the hands of confidential people in Penna & N. Jersey for
the purpose of procuring followers.)

Several Gentlemen who propose to make settlements in the Western
Country mean to reconnoitre & survey the same the ensuing winter.
All farmers, Tradesmen &c of good characters, who wish to unite in
this scheme & to visit the Country under my direction, shall be provided
with boats & provisions for the purpose, free of expence, on
signing an agreement which may be seen by applying to me at Prospect
near Princeton on or before the 8th day of Ocr next, or at Fort
pitt by the 10th day of Novr next. The boats which will be employed
on this expedition are proposed to be from 40 to 60 feet long,
to row with 20 oars each, & to carry a number of Swivels. Each man
to provide himself with a good firelock or rifle, ammunition & one
blanket or more if he pleases. Such as choose tents or other conveniences
must provide them themselves. Every person who accompanies
me on this undertaking shall be entitled to 320 Acres of land,
at 1/8 of a dollar per acre. Those who first engage to have the preference
of surveys, wch., however each person may make on such part of
the whole tract as he pleases, taking none but his choice of the best
lands; provided each survey is either square or oblong whose sides are
East, West, North & South; 640 Acres or more being first reserved
for a Town which I propose to divide into lots of one acre each & give
600 of them in fee to such Merchants, tradesmen &c, as may apply on
the spot, & 40 of them to such public uses as the Inhabitants shall
from time to time recommend; together with one out lot of ten acres
to each of the first 600 families who shall build & settle in the Town.
All persons who settle with me at New Madrid, & their posterity will
have the free navigation of the Mississippi & a Market at New Orleans
free from duties for all the produce from their lands, where they may
receive payment in Mexican Dollars for their flour, tobacco &c.

It is proposed after fixing on the spot to clear & fence in 100 acres
in a convenient situation, to plant it with Corn, to hire suitable hands
to tend it thro' the summer, & in the next fall winter & spring, to
distribute it to New Settlers at 1/8 of a dollar per Bushel, that they may
have a dependence so far as this will go. And as Buffaloes & other
Game are very plenty in the Neighborhood, there can be no want of
provision, contractors being ready to engage to deliver fresh beef &
venison throughout the year at 1 Penny Per lb. Credit will be given
to those who desire it, as well for the land as for the provisions, & payment
recd in future Produce. All persons will be assisted in building
a house, clearing a spot of ground, & in getting in their first crops.
Horned Cattle, horses & swine will be delivered to the settlers at New
Madrid in such quantities as they shall stand in need of at first at
very reasonable rates for cash or future produce. Those who settle
at New Madrid in this or the ensuing year shall have Plough Irons, or
other Iron works, & farming utensils transported down the ohio
gratis; also their cloathing, bedding, Kitchen furniture & certain
other articles which may not be too bulky.

School Masters will be engaged immediately for the instruction of
Youth. Ministers of the Gospel will meet with encouragement &
grants of land made in fee to each of every denomination who may
agree with a Congregation before the year 1790, besides particular
grants of tracts of land to each Society.

This new City is proposed to be built on a high bank of the Mississippi
River, near the mouth of the Ohio, in the richest & most healthy
part of the Western Country, about the latitude of 37°.

Those who wish for further information win be pleased to apply to
me in person as above mentioned, or at the New City of Madrid after
the first day of next December, where the Surveyors will attend to lay
out the lands.

  (Copy) (Signed,)

George Morgan.

October 3d, 1788. —Mad. MSS.