[added: 5th] March 1831 [added: 1831] [added: Col. J.M. King]Dear Hardy

I take this opportunity of informing you that Hesekiah House Mr Burre has purchased and myself has purchased our half of Sir Richard for which we gave $2000.- he is [added: a gray] 15 hand 3 inches high and one of the most splendid and high formed horses you ever saw, he has run all distances [added: and never been beat] he has had to repeat the 3 mile heats 4 times before winning, tho he was not in order he is full brother to Monsheer Tonson now in virginia that run so successful in this state Louisana [Louisiana] & Virginia and now standing in virginia at $50 —this season, he is aso [also] full brother to champion that belong to Coln [Colonel] [unclear: Kemp ] [added: Is this W.R. King] There was an exabition [exhibition] of fine horses at murfresboro [Murfreesboro] on monday at court, I heard several saying from account they expected to see a very fine horse, but they ware [were] amased [amazed] in seeing a much finer and a more splended [splendid] horse than they could posible [possible] imagine existed there ware [unclear: 11 ] or 12 horses exhibited, but richard

the admirers, and it was a unanimous exclamation that he was the finest and most splendid horse they ever saw, he will stand the ensuing season at P.J. Burrus, near Murfreesboro , upon the terms stated in the enclosed lines, ( I would have sent you a hand bill if had an oportunity [opportunity]) If you have any fine mares I should like for you to send them over to him, and leave them with me, and they shall be strictly attended to, I also solicite [solicit] your influence in procuring some of the best bluded [blooded] mares in your section and neighbourhood [neighborhood], believing and hoping that all those that patronese [patron] sir richard, [added: they] will be highly gratified with his progeny and abundantly rewarded say to Coln [Colonel] King to make all the interest he can for me. with those that raisee [raise] fine horses and to send 2 or 3 of his own as he is fond of fine horses tell Henry to write to me, if you are not two much engaged I shoul [should] be glad to see you here

Yours Respectefully [respectfully]

Ja [James] M King