Alexander Mitchell Letter to David J. Heaton

              [corresponds to page 1 of Alexander Mitchell Letter to David J. Heaton] 
Eaton March 16th 1836 
Dear Sir, 
Yours of the 7th [th superscript] of Feb. was duly & very gladly 
received.  I have always felt a deep solicitude in 
the subject, ever since my residence in Eaton.  And 
I indulge the pleasing hope that justice will yet be done, 
and our labours [sic] crowned [carrot mark] at last [above carrot mark] with glorius success.  - I have 
lately had the pleasure of seeing the publication of the 
Assigments presented to the Committee on Roads & 
Canals pro & con.  And I thought that all was said 
on both sid[carrot mark]e [above carrot mark]s that could possibly be advanced.  I thought 
that the subject was so exhausted that any more [illegible] 
[illegible] was needless, and that the question would be 
determined without any more trouble or delay.  But 
we understand that the people on teh upper route are 
making another desperate effort.  It is probably 
the last gasping agony of their dying cause.  It is 
said that they are forwarding depositions of their 
supposed injuries in consequence of the change of 
the National Road, every man the judge in his own cause. 
And it is matter of regreat that [carrot mark] that the change [above carrot mark] will be a misfor- 
tune to many.  But a great number will be unfortun- 
ate on which ever way it is established.  And if 
the people on the lower route should be disapointed 
theor losses would be far the greatest, because their im- 
provements are by far the most valuable.  Believing 
that it may be some satisfaction and assistance to you 
in the interesting business, I will give you a statement 
of the valuation of town property on both routes, as it 
stands on my Tax Duplicate, according to the late assess 
ment.  This [tear in paper- illegible] made the summer before last by 
John L Dickey, without any consideration of the National