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New Orleans Dec 5th 1853
Dear Sir The bearer W B Reid Esqr goes to Warrenton with the view of engaging in business there; and permit me to assure you that he is agentleman in every way worthy of the confidence of any one that may employ him.
If you can do any thing to aid him, I shall feel greatly obliged to you; and regard it as a special favor.
Very truly Yr obt srvt Edwd Nalle
Introducing Mr W B Reid
Col R C Ballard
Warrenton
Miss
Lafayette Dec 6 1853.
[Warrenton, Miss] Col. R.C. Ballard Dear Col. Thinking it will not be unacceptable to hear of us I write a few lines.
The market here is unusually dull and very full though when we do sell we get tolerable fair prices. We have sold Twelve and bought three and traded the pacing horses for a good home and got $125 to boot. Market full of every kind of stock and none selling as the buyers confidently believe they will come down.
We have the little mare yet. She looks fine I hope your horses turned out well.
We would be pleased to hear from you at any time you could find it convenient to write.
I have heard nothing from Mrs. Coleman though I wrote her on my way down.
Kidd desires to be kindly remembered to you.
Very sincerely Your friend W.A. Ellis
{Warrenton, Miss}
Natchez Miss Dec 7th 1853
Coln. Ballard Dear Sir I am this morning in recpt of yours of the 1st Inst. glad to hear you were well. I am well at this time but was very sick after I came here was threatened with cholera. had two more cases among my Negroes one of them is convalescent the other will certainly die he has been low 11 days and has taken into Lypheria character Dr. Blackley says he must die he is insured at $800. Cost $1075. I wrote you I had 21. insured it was 23. I have insured the policy is transfered to you at Nalle Cox & Co If this boy dies which I think he will to day or in less than 24 hours I will get Boyd to make out the papers & send them down to Nalle Cox & Co. I have $4000 to pay on the 19th & $4000. on the 24th of this month and no prospect here if Sales there has not been five Negros sold here in three months. Atterburn is here offers ten of his pick men at $1250 Ficklin offers five pair at $2100. a pair four negros all young & Black I wrote you same days since by request of Boyd about them Boyd thinks you had better buy them Yours &c C M Rutherford P.S. I have recd 19 from Conway all likely.
Pecan Grove La Decr the 7th 1853
Col. R C Ballard Dear Sir Messrs Ledbetter & Deacon wishes to sell their land we went to your house the same day you left, you know what price to give and I am willing to be governed by your Judgement. if you trade we will take the quarter youwe were talking about. I think that we can not get get for less than eleven dollars per acre the land is good Yours Respectfully Thomas Evans