Addressed to "Doc, John. Chaslberti | By Peter". ("Ch. Alberti"?)
Transcription:
"D[ea?octo?]r Sir[,?] Peter has just handed your note and in
answer I will say your proposition is liberal and
Neighbour like, but I consider it entirely an
accident that it happened[.] I thank you heartily
for your liberal and gentleman like offer but
I cannot consent to have any thing for him an[?]
I know it was an accident[.] I have caught up
a young [?] steer that I have here and I think when
I get him Broke they will make me good even
they are three years old and I can put my horses
before them for a while accept my best wishes
and believe me respectfully &c.
Sept 3rd 1844 Horace Coleman"
Wove paper, no watermark.
Bought on the slight chance it was written by my 5th great-grandfather, Dr. Horace Coleman (1784-1859). I don't have any evidence yet that it is, and feel it's not likely.