ENPages
{Warrenton, Miss} Port Gibson Jany 2 1854
Col. R.C. Ballard My Dear Sir
I did not receive your Favor of the 23d December, until last Friday, although I called every day at the Post office in Natchez. I left Natchez on Saturday night, reached home yesterday, and leave in the morning at day light for Jackson, where I presume I shall have to remain till about the 15th.
Only a portion of the Jessamine Ridge Crop has been sold, and the market has been so depressed, that I had concluded to hold on for awhile, as there appears to be an impression among those who profess to study the signs of the times, that prices would advance as soon as the falling off in the amount of present crop should be understood in Europe.
As I could not draw a sight draft for the amount due you, and as I thought you might like to have something available at once, I concluded to add the interest for 90 days to your account, and to send you Curry [McQuin's?] acceptance of my draft as Guardian at 90 days for the amount. The a/c is $4631.21 - 3 months interest is $92.62/100, making in all $4,723.83- the amount of the draft. Will you drop me a line to Jackson, and let me know whether this arrangement will answer your purpose, because
if it does not, I will write at once to have the cotton sold, and as soon as it is done, will send you a sight draft for the amount.
I have sent the Petition for the purchase of the Negroes, to Fayette, and the order of the Court, authorising me to make the purchase, will be granted at the next term of the Probate Court. In drawing the Petition, I added in the amount I paid, being exactly $1.595. So that the purchase money to the children will be $6.226.21/100 and the $92.62/100 Interest added in the draft.
I have written in great haste, as I have a good deal to do before going to Jackson, and but a very short time to do it in.
I trust we shall have the pleasure of seeing you on the 18th. Kate is most particularly anxious to have you here on that occasion, if your engagements will admit of it.
Catherine told me she was going to write to you, today or tomorrow. I expect she thought you would not consider my invitation as good, as one from the head of the family, and she being the head, concluded to write to you herself.
I saw Judge Boyd at Natchez, and he thinks with you that the purchase you and he have made, is one of the very best that has been gone into this past year. I sincerely hope it may result according to your anticipations.
I shall look for a letter from you after I get to Jackson.
Very Truly Your Friend Jno. B. Coleman
Natchez Miss Jany 3d 1854
Coln Ballard
Dear Sir I am requested S.W Warren of Adams County to ask you the price of your Lenox Plantation. Judge Boyd told me you wanted to sell it. I mentioned it to Warren he wants to buy send me an inventory of what you want to sell he wants all the farming utentials & corn & fodder dont want an Negroes he told me to say to you that he wanted 1.2.3.4 years payments bearing 6 percent form date untill paid I think he is anxious to buy if you have time come down if you want to sell I think you & him came trade Boyd told me the price was $25,000 he will give that price if there is 1000 acres in the track on the terms above. I handed Judge Boyd a copy of my insurance on negroes to send you 8 of the number you have one [inferior?] for ninety days from the 22 Now you will please direct Nalle Cox & Co to collect the insurance on the boy Charles Craig that died here $800 as it is payable to your order the Small girl that I sent to Texas of [Virginias?] is at D M Mathews New Orleans I have directed him to ship her up to you. I have seen nothing to buy for you in the way of females - a trader from South Carolina came here last evening with about seventy. I cannot say what he asks for them
I have not heard from Memphis B Little the man I wrote had gone to New Orleans with his Negroes. & I learn has gone back again to Memphis with them Send the boy from Out Post down as soon as you can for I want to get through I have only John here since I wrote you. all well I hope you and yours are good health write me by return Boat
Yours &c C.M. Rutherford
New Orleans January 7th 1854 Col R C Ballard Warrenton Miss
Dear Sir
Your valued favor of the 4th Inst was recieved on yesterday, and we are very sorry to learn that your goods were delivered so badly. The writer went in person to the Frank Lyon and charged the clerk and mate both particularly about the necessity of delivering the goods at the right place, and in good order. The freight bill has not yet been presented. We shall mark that Boat hereafter whenever we may have freight to ship. We made arrangements to have the little girl sent on the last trip of the Southern Belle and notified Matthews to have her on board at 4 oclock He failed however to get there in time, but we will see that she goes by this trip of the same Boat. Did not put her on board the Magnolia as her detention here is at the Expense of Matthews; and also feel more Confidence that she will be taken care of by Capt White.
Your draft for $2300- in favor of [Smede?] was presented and paid this morning.
The largest size Water Jar which we can find will Contain from 60 to 70 gallons- price $10= Those which contain from 45 to 55 gallons- price $8=
We are glad to hear that Karnac is Turning out the usual crop of 7 to 800 Bales.
Mr Armfield arrived here a day or two since, and requested us to say to you that he would like for you to accept a very fine desk in his office. We believe it is one which belonged to the old firm of Ballard F & Co and used by Mr [Gwyn?] in Natchez.
Very Truly friends & obt Srvts
Nalle Coss & Co
Cotton is doing very well but we think will do better; therefore have not yet put yours on market. [I?] B has not yet arrived