April 29th, 1806

Editor's Note: This is a letter written by Erastus Granger to a lawyer,William Gay, presumably regarding a debt owed from a William Pratt to a Thad Leavitt and William Brownson. Pratt appears to be the brother of Hiram Pratt, -who founded Pratt Hardware in the early days of Buffalo- and the brother of the reknowned, fur-trading, Revolutionary War Veteran, Captain Samuel Pratt, who'd arrived in Buffalo in 1804 (two years before this letter). The "rich and famous"-or the simply "rich" as they existed then, were a much smaller group back then (as well as being fewer in sheer numbers). Then - as now - the topic of money owed from one person to another was indeed a serious business involving the role of a lawyer.

Buffalow Creek
April 29, 1806

Dear Sir,

I have had some conversation lately with William Pratt on the subject of the debt due from him to [Thad Leavitt] Esqr and the [huis?] of Mr [David?] Brownson [fund?] deceased.

Pratt considers the debt and honourary one feels himself under obligation to do everything in his power toward paying of it, provided he can have some [indulgences?]

As to time.____ he proposes to pay it in three annual installments, from, and after the first day of June Next, together with the Interest if insisted on by you – each one to pay their own cost- he further proposes to give his brother Captain Samuel Pratt of this place as Security – Captain Pratt agrees to the proposition. If the proposals made Should meet your [Opprobation?] Mr Pratt wishes you to write me by Return of Mail – as it will be [necessary?] for him to be in Vermont at Town Court, Should the business not be settled.

I am Dear Sir your friend & humble servant
Erastus Granger