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                          New Orleans, 14th July 1857

Dr. M.B. Jarvis,

                         Canastota, Madison Co. N.Y.

Dear Sir

                On the 9th of last May I wrote you

in answer to yours of the 26th April. But I regret to say that I directed the letter to Canastolee instead of sending it to Canastota.

                 I have just discovered my error. Mr. Bell

of the firm of Bell, Buchanon & Co. has just called on me in relation to the boy.

                 In my letter of the 9th May I state that

I got the boy out of jail on the 11th April, that I had become personally responsible for the costs of court and the jail fees. - I gave him the documents which were sent me by Mr. Post, & Dr. Elz of Rochester, & which contain the eviden ce [sic] of his freedom. I saw him but once since.

         He had sixty days after his discharge to leave

the state, & he could have paid me in the mean time if he had been so disposed, but he has failed to do so.

           Being personally acquainted with the judge

was the reason that I got his discharge. I having pledged myself to see the costs paid. $50. will cover all the costs, including my fee. Write me in receipt of this & oblige yours Respectfully

                                                  John McKee

Line on left margin of letter: The boy I presume is in some????of the Western States, Steamboating.