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best I could do for them but to get such a woman as would do, I fear will be a hard matter for good ones are hard to find.
Our town has been duller than usual for some time back and still continues so.
Stock of every kind is higher by far than I ever saw there and we have come to the conclusion that we will buy no mules while they are at present prices. They are Twenty per cent higher than last year.
We have some clever horses on hand but they have cost very high.
I hope you will not make it long before you come up and particularly as your health is not very good.
Your family join in love to you and my little ones also.
Wishing you long life, peace, happiness and prosperity I am as ever Your devoted friend W.A. Ellis
New Orleans 30th April 1853 Coln Ballard {Warrenton, Miss}
Dear Sir I recd yours by the Southern Belle I have not recd any information from the land office yet but expecting it every day I must have some of that land if it can be had at low rates for the Rail Road will run through it before the first day of September next and it is bound to be valuable shortly. With regard to the price of Negroes they can be had such as you want at $1200. and not less there are five next door to me from Georgia all good men from 21. to 25 years old weighing from 160 to 180 pounds good hight and well proportioned and $1200 average is the lowest I can get them I have two good young men 19. & 20. years old black & likely 5 ft 9. to 5 ft 10 high that I will let you have at $1150. each they are from near Elizabeth Ky if you want them send down and I will send them up by the Southern Belle with three of the choice of the five I think can get at $1200. they will all be very likely fine teeth black & all right good men are getting scarce they have been selling brisk for the last two weeks best men at $1300 to 1350. I sold one this weak 5 ft 6 1/2 high at $1150. one light boy 5 ft 6. $1075. I want to get through by the 15th of May. My Steamship case will come up
in ten days before Jude Campbell my attorney think they will gain it Campbell reversed one decision of McCalebs yesterday a collision case I fell sanguine of gaining it. I sold Stephen for $600. cash Capt Rob Crump is here he offered me $50 per month hire for henry your boy to work on the Rail Road back of Grand Gulf if I dont sell him I think it better to hire him there than on the River he is a good man I would not have any fear of hire if you want to clear land he is acclimated & will suit you he is larger & stout and very easy managed Respectfully yours C M. Rutherford
P.S. I hope your health is better. Come down here and stay ten days & get plenty of [P?ano] to eat the weather is fine & city very healthy. If you dont get better you will have to go to the White Sulpher Va & stay this summer there mountains & your old range will bring you out. [Ceocs?] wife is in very bad health he tells me. yrs R.