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New Orleans May 21st 1853 Coln Ballard
Dear Sir
I ship you by the Southern Belle a negro man named Adam for which I paid $1500- he is the best man in market I could no better I hope he will suit in the place of the boy bob you wrote me about I have also shiped by the H. R.M Hill to the care of Goodrich three other boys for which I paid $1275$1250 & $1250_ one of them about the size of Adam & the other two not as tall by 1 inch but about 2 years yunger they are all black fine teeth + strip well. I could do no better + in fact they are the only ones in market that I would by for you at any price I may say the market is now closed there is about 100. negros in market all total & I may say all scruby I had thought I would not buy them at the prices but your last letter stated you needed them & I was compelled to pay the price or not buy I hope they may turn out well write me what boat you want to go up on & I will try & be on board I want to leave before the
first of June if possible for it is time I was in Ky buying for I am certain they will advance there $100- by the first of Septr they are worth $1000. to $2000 there now write me by the Southern Belle. I paid the passage of the other three on the Harry Hill $12& will the passage of the present three the Harry Hill leaves this evening for Nashville all well there is a good many cases of flux in the City & deaths from it Respectfully yrs, C.M. Rutherford
P.S. I shiped the other three boys - SamArthur & Simon by the Empire the Harry Hill would not take them R____
[Warrington, Miss] Vidalia May 21st 1853.
R. C. Ballard Esqr
Dear Sir
Your of the 13th of April enclosing two pieces of script each for the sum of $176 40/100 come to hand,- and I replied to yours of that date acknowledging the receipt of the same, and authorizing you to Draw on me for the amounts, less your taxes now due.-
I suppose the reason my reply did not reach you was that Vernon the tax collector weighted my letter down with your Bill for Taxes,- Vernon is now absent and I do not recollect the amount- the script when paid will have to be endorsed by you.-
I would like to know if you will be down in the course of a Month or six weeks, as in 1846 when Sillard Died, no person would Administer his Estate, and by operation of Law I was as Clerk compelled to admr.- all that come into my possession did not amount to Seventy Dollars.- I have been applied to as Admr to institute proceedings against you to discuss certain property now held by you and others:- you had better enquire into the matter and be ready, I will not proceed unless compelled from the evidences which have come into my possession-- let me hear from you soon
Very Respectfully Your Obt Servt
Thos Edwards
Vidalia May 23d 1853. R. C. Ballard Esqr Warrenton Mi..
Dear Sir
Mr. Vernon informs me that the amount of your taxes due is --- $278.35 two pieces of script $176.40 each, amounts to $352.80 Int at 6% on each piece for 2 yrs-- 42.33 =395.13 Balance due you-- $116.78
I hold the collectors receipt for your taxes as above stated, also the sum of One hundred & Sixteen Dollars + Seventy eight cents, subject to your Order or Draft: -
I can get Mr. Morgan to endorse your script as agent
Very Respty your Obt Servt
Thos Edwards
New Orleans May 23d 18t3 Coln Ballard {Warrenton Miss} Dear Sir
I met you by the Steamer H. M. Wright. I write you by the Southern Belle What I had done I think you must regret it for the boys I sent you are likely one of from South Carolina one from North Carolina & one from Ky I bought from Talbot he is as likely as the boy Adam I sent you there is now no ngrs in Market but scumb & bad ones at that if the boys I sent you live over Summer they will be worth $200 a head more in the fall I will write you by the Southern Belle on Saturday the first I will take & get a room for you, if you do not leave before the Empress leaves about the 1st & the [illegible] they are the only chance except the [Shetsnell] & Eclipse the Reindeer leaves to morrow Evening Talbot goes up on her & she is the first boat before the Eclipse all well I hope you are better.
Respectfully yrs C.M. Rutherford