1823 Jan¼y 21 Trip H Q A. Provision for death or absence © J.B

Circumstanced as I am, and for I know no what length of time may continue to me,

it is impossible for me to say exactly where I may be, at the time when an

answer from you might reach this part of the world. A letter lately received

from Tripoli has filled me with apprehension that by the next which I receive

from thence I may be informed of my fathers death. Supposing the apprehension

not realized, nor any [...?] produced from any other cause May is the time

/month/ fixt upon for a visit to Tripoli for the purpose of this momentous

/great/ experiment