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Bullard Esqr Richmond Va
New Orleans 25th Dec 1833 R C Ballard Esq Dr Sir Yours of the 10th presant month inclosing Bill of Lading has just come to hand I reached this place last night at 11 oclock I have had a Desperate season I am almost broke down on my pasage up the river with the last Shipment lost 3 first rate fellows with Cholera since which time we have lost several others and several died after they were sold & delivered but there appears to be some [falalely?] attending me notwithstanding all the Bad Luck I sold more negros than all the Traders together I sold in the Two last weeks about 150 negros for first rate prices and profits could have sold more had they been in a situation to show when I left Natchez we had several sick & very doubtfull whether they might recover or not this is two hard for a one Eyed man I have had to Attend to all of the shipments from this place myself & by which I loose a good deal of time running backwords & forwards my health has rather failed will stand it if I
I can but after this you all must dispense with my services its too bad to kill the old fellow after sustaining you all under so many Disadvantages only for this dammed cholera & bad luck which have made for the Conserns at least $100,000 will do it any how if you can lower the price with you a little & you can send me between you all four hundred more slaves this season the Louisiana Law has been repealed and only lacks the Governor Signature to become a law but I doubt very much whether it will be of any advantage or not for the price is & has been the whole season & over in this place than in Missippi say in your next how many you have on hand & the prospect you have for Buying & also if you have any means of raising funds & have collected some of your old Debts from Charles Lee and some Others I am now busily engaged in proposing a house to keep the next shipment will divide them & send a part to [ILRF?] to Natchez I have already engaged a part of them Excuse this hasty scrall & believe me as usual Isaac Franklin
will send you some money in a few days Give my respects to old Saml Alsop
NB I have received no Invoice of the negros on the Lisbon
(post mark) New Orleans Jan 5
R C Ballard Esquire Richmond Virginia Mail