Friend McQuesten,

I wrote to Doct. Crombie as you proposed, though I did not receive an answer until yesterday, I was at his house. I found the affairs at Francestown not quite as favourable as I had anticipated--as it respects Farley and Howard. I think there are and will be some considerable hard feelings as it is generally believed that Farley is and has from the beginning carried on quite a gouge game with Howard--When H. bou't [sic] of F. the agreement was that F. should not practice nor encourage any physician in or about Francestown and gave (I believe) Bond to that import and furthermore gave his word to H. that he would recommend and use his influence in favour of H., but in lieu of that he has turned traitor quite to H. injury--you probably recollect when F. said his object was to remove to the West. He had been a journey in that direction and it is conjectured that the country did not appear very favourable as he expected and his treatment now to Howard is with a view to make him dissatisfied and give up the bargain. Doct. Crombie spoke quite favourable with regard to assisting you in that place in case Farley gets the place back from H. I should think from all appearances that the current was rather setting against Farley as it was universally understood that H came there on fair and honourable terms, bou't the place at its full value with the understanding that F. would secure him his practice--one thing looks somewhat suspicious in F. is, it is believed that Farley has the means of Bards coming there and also Dr. Atwood is another of his tools--they will probably both leave in case F. can make his plans work to his mind. That is if it finally turns out that he has this object in mind and it certainly has that appearance from all his actions--Crombie feels a little delicate about expressing his mind with regard to H's popularity at present but states he wants [to] watch the movements and inform me if any alteration was like to be made--In case you have not found a place to your mind I presume you will be amply compensated for all trouble if you want to ride up and see Crombie--you will then be better able to judge of the prospects for practice which that place offered. Let me hear from you soon.

I am in Resp'ty [sic] your friend,

C. C. Boutcher