Presque Isle Feby 3 1796
Gentlemen
Mr. Elesworth has been so kind as to show me the letters directed to you, & has calld on me for my advice on the matter. I must confefs that I fully approve of evry calculation made. The land purchase is a matter of weight & importance, I fully believe it will answer every expectation formd by Mr. Elesworth. The prospects are very great so much so that I request you will admit me a partner in the purchase. I should not conceive it to admit more partners then what is proposed, it will be easy to add partners if we should be sick of the bargain, if we are not, we shall not wish it. I think sir Miles will Contain a sufficiency for a decent Town & in such a poor you can sell the land much better than if the lands lay a distance back — I expect M. Elsworth is a doing well for himself & company. Your greatest misfortune is that you had not sent him a month sooner as it would given him time to provide stores for the Winter. However if you will keep him supplyd with articles most adapted to this country, you will find great dec. thirteen
Any letters you wish to send me or your partner M. Elsworth you can send to Lieut. D. Bissell at Middletown, and the former will be forwarded me with great dispatch with much Respect
From Gentleman
John Wyles & Aaron Buckland { Your very
R. Bissell
Messieurs John Wyles & Aaron Buckland
East Hartford
Russell Bissell to John Wyles, Sr. and Aaron Buckland, 1796, Box: 1, Folder: 2. Wyles Family Western Reserve Collection, MS-079. Linda Lear Center for Special Collections and Archives.