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Montgomery Nov 16 16 1870
G.C. Bartholomew 

Yours [[strikethrough]] ye [[/strikethrough]] of the 8 inst is to hand and after respects I say about two week ago I called a meeting of the collord poupulation and used every inducement to them of incouragement I could and there was not a man among them that claimed to have tools to do said work. I then engaged [[strikethrough]] w [[/strikethrough]] some of them to get good post oak sills and blocks a part of which is now on the ground. I am slave sent by A.W. Morris Dep Sherif to buy the Syprus Shingles he has not returned as yet. I think these Syprus Shingles has been in the wrong all the time and one of the reasons and a nother. If I would become responsible for the work's being received or become receiver myself I told them I had just as [[strikethrough]] mulck [[/strikethrough]] much as I could do in my office  I have concluded to put the sills and shingles of on the ground -  an other [[strikethrough]] reaon [[/strikethrough]] reason is they do not think the collord people will pay and will not count it any thing - Some of it may be collected but most of it doubtful. I am determined to make one other offer if you do not take the contract away from us I will give you till 1 day of February to complet [complete] the house. [[strikethrough]] if [[/strikethrough]] I will make a lasting effort at the same time if we could get you to advance say $200.00 it will and shall every dollar be spent on said house.
Say Can not you avance say $200.00 say to plining all said timbers on the ground.  If you will I will promis to make said contracts as though I was doing it for myself and see that it is there and there will be no doubt in my mind [[strikethrough]] [[they]] [[Husen]] [[start]] [[as]] [[indone]] [[/strikethrough]]

Transcription Notes:
Edited: words added, removed several < > that are supposed to be double brackets and + that should be &. See SI instructions on brackets. many misspellings in original. I had a hard time... hope you can figure out more!