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New Orleans Jany 11th, 1834

R C Ballard Esq.
Dr Sir

It is just two weeks since
I Landed the Shakespeare from the Brey Lisbon + have
not sold the first negroe out of that lott The
repeal of the Law will not have the affect to raise
the price I have had no offers since they landed
Some of the traders have sold a few but keep the
price a secret there were 70 offered at the Exchange
the day before yesterday and none of the fellows
sold for more than $800 Twelve months credit
without Interest I am told that there has been
sales made within the last week at $700 and girls
said to be uncommonly likely at $550 There is
a Mr. Cobb here from near Linchburg who has
sold nearly out at $530 + 700 Indeed he offered
me his men for $700 I said they were very likely
I had almost come to the conclusion to purchase
them but he told me that none of them cost him
but $500 if we had purchased at that price we
could have made lotts of money but I canot
contend with men when they can sell for a
profit when they get what [?] cost I have
great fears for the latter part of the market
this season I never have seen it so dull at this
place in my life its true the weather has been
unusually bad It has rained or snowed every
day since the negroes landed and there is great
fears express on acct of the Freeze Some say
that the Rattoon Cave is entirely destroyed
and the greater part of the [Mattasses?] that