[Background:
This letter was written Nov 4, 1868 to Attorney Robert Reid Hemphill in 
Cleborne, Texas by James Robinson of Fairfield, Freestone County, Texas.  It is 
about a note owed by a John Keel who is now dead.  He wants Hemphill to help him 
collect it from his estate. The lettersheet measures 7 1/2 x 9 inches.  The 
postmark of Fairfield Texas is hand written and dated Nov. 27, 1868. ]

[--------------------------------- ENEVLOPE ----------------------------------]

[Yellow envelope]
[Red 3 cent George Washington stamp cancelled on envelope in SW corner]

Fairfield Texas 
Nov 27th 1868

R. R. Hemphill Eqsr
Attorney at Law
Cleborne P[ost]. Office
Johnson County
Texas 

James Robinson 
Rec Dec 3 1868
Aus  Dec 5th

[---------------------------------- LETTER -----------------------------------]
[Round seal impression on left side]

      Fairfield, Freestone County Texas  Nov 4 1868

  R.R. Hemphill Esqr.   Dear Sir  I write you for the 
purpose of inquiring respecting the solvency of an Estate
I hold a note for near the amount of one hundred dollars
made by a man by the name of John Keel.  This note has been
due sometime (several years) very lately I understood he
had died some months ago - he was living in Johnson County.
If you will interest yourself to collect this note you can
have one half of what can be collected - I have made some
inquiry as to where Mr. Keel lived, was told in Johnson Co.
Supposed to be in the direction of Fort Worth, please write me if
you will take the note and present it to the Administrator for
allowance - Mr. Keel has a Brother living in this neighborhood
and is well acquainted with the facts in relation to this debt.
 I think if you would come and look at our Town Fairfield
you might find a location here; Our man has made almost a 
fortune here since the commencement of this years filling atty
Schedules in Backrup[t]cy. You could find some old acquaintances
in this neighborhood.  A.P. Robinson once lived near you 
in South Carolina. You would hear Old Secedis Preaching 
and Rouse, unadulterated.   Write me whether I will 
Send you the note against Keel's Estate and what the prospects
I did understand you or your partner was going to Kansas.
if you cannot collect this note for me recommend some one to
me that will undertake + obliege     Respectfully
                            James Robinson