5

White Hall near
Natchez April 16th 1834

R.C. Ballard Esq

Dr Sir
I have sold out
all but about five house girls 5 girls for
the field and one old man and 3 house
boys making about 15 negroes which is
a hard a lot to get off to any one person
I have sold first but cannot get
my cost. I though it better to sell
for paper as cash could not be had
Some of traders have been here for 3 or 4 mths
& have not near sold out. They tryed to
Sell for cash & reputed paper and are
Willing at present to take paper at at least
a decline in price of 15 pct from from what they
might have sold for in the Winter. [G Gorlowe?]
is at present at my house and he says
he about 10 on hand W H Dinglays has
left about the same number with Mr Edwards
you have no idea the scarcity of funds
The best paper cannot be discounted @ 30pct
The Banks will not disct any paper at any time
We find it very hard to Collect one
third of our notes & Bills of last year
I am affraid we shall all have to
stop this season for the want of cash
to purchase sundrys you and Armfield
can make some arrangement to borrow
funds for a short time & have it understood
you are to pay by a bill on us

We have about 60 Thousand dollars to pay yet. Should
you purchase a good lot for Walking I will bring them out by
land this summer
My present impression is I shall [leave?] for New Orleans in a few days
and shall carry what I [?] have in hand with me.
I shall be compelled to [?] N Orleans before I leave to settle
up my books after I got [?] of what Uncle Isaac has done
below. I have your Charlottesville maid Martha on hand
She answers by the name of Biz Cupp I am happy
to say to you I have changed very much since I saw
you. have become very virtuous how is it with you
Adieu
I am nearly ruined I sold Paddy my little
horse fr $300. Martha sends her best Respects
and says she wants to see you very musch.