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Col R. C. Ballard Care of Heissenbuttle & Co Warrenton
Pr Princess
Apr 21th 53/ Mr R.C. Ballard Sir I Believe we are all on the mend Slowly Spencer is mending and nothing to Hender Him from Getting well and and I reckon I am mending myself though enconemly slow no appetite it appears as if eating was a thing tha tough not to be done at all by myself my corn crop is worked out and now making A start on my cotton no other Sick Come Down yours Respectfully J Westbrook
Col. R. C. Ballard
Magnolia Plant
Steamer Frank Lyon
New Orleans April 27th 1853
Col R C Ballard Magnolia Dr Sr {care Henry Heisenbuttle Warrenton, Miss}
We are but this moment in receipt of your favor of 15th & 19th Inst, and note contents. Your a/c will be duly credited with the amts paid Dr Rucket and the Plantations, charged respectively. We are sorry the Molasses turns out so badly and if you wish it, will send you 5 bbls in the place of those you already had. Messrs Dudley & Nelson (our grocers) should not have put on us such bbls; and as a matter of course must either take them back or pay the differences. We will see to this you may take our word for it, as we feel provoked that they should have been guilty of such carelessness in the face of our orders to them to send every thing ordered for you of the best.
The I M Relf will leave this evening for the Tensas and we are now getting on board the bagging and rope for Elk as well as some other articles ordered for the place by Mr. Morgan. This is the first oppty for a month past we have had to ship up the Tensas and most likely the last trip of the Boat for the season. We have bought the India bagging at 11 [?] We are very sorry to hear you had not recovered your health. Judge Boyd left on Tuesday evening and we believe; will soon go up to Jackson will write again by Saturdays Boat In haste Very Truly yr friends Nalle Cox & Co
Genl Quitman paid us on Tuesday $20,000 - for yr a/c. Judge Boyd said he would advise you as he went up.
Natchez 22 Apl 53
Dr Col. Since my return I find your letter of the 12th
If we go to New Orleans, & find you can buy negroes on satisfactory terms, I think your idea a good one, but they have risen so of late that you will scarcely be able to buy any. Men are $1550 & none $1150 to $1200. There will be no need of borrowing money as I am confident the a/cs of Pine Monet & Lefore will supply all you may need.
Mrs. Boyd continues to have chill & fever, & has pretty much made up her mind to go to [Loopers'?] Wells when I go to Jackson the 1st Monday in May. If we should do so, I will not be able to stop at Magnolia, but will let you know when I pass.
I am sorry to hear of William