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R. C. Ballard
Louisville
Kentucky
[Janice?] Miss
Monday July the 6. 1846.
Dear Sir the prospect for a crop of cotton at this time is very good The Weather still continues very dry & uncommonly hot & oppressive There is a great deal of bloom & a good many boles on the cotton at this time and should the season prove favourable from this time out there will be heavy crops of cotton made in this valley We have considerable sickness at this time amongst the Negroes my average No. has been 7 for the last 15 days. but all getting well exceptd one (old Jerry - Colburt & he is very sick he has fever & that bordering on congestion but I think he is better to day than he has been yet. (Old Burnett has been a good deal unwell but getting abought again he is getting on sloly but I hope will finish in time for gining he has raised the press & has the main shaft all ready to raise my crop looks very promising at this time & all in very good order but the grass still continues to grow rapidly & no end to the Cuckleburrows The barrel of oil has not come to hand yet.
I have had two of my best mares killed in the pasture by an old tree falling upon them the Miss river is getting very low I am building rain sheds & cribs with some of my hands at this time & am since sawing nothing more at present I will write you every 10 days. Per your request. I am Respectfully Richard Alsop
NB The previous has come to hand & made as Burnett wanted them
W
Col. R. C. Ballard
Louisville
Kentucky
Louisville New Orleans 9 July 1846
Col R.C. Ballard Louisville Ky Dr. Sir After holding your 1215 Bales Brushy Bayou Cotton for a long time & giving it all the chances of the market we concluded its sales some days since & now transmit account of Same showing a further sum to your Cr $3236.28 which we trust will be found correct & satisfactory as we assure you we got for it every fraction it would then or now bring. We have written to Brannon to know what supplies of Bagging Rope Jeans &c he will require & as soon as we get his answer it will be attended to. In the absence of our two Mr. Nalles the writer has his hands full & the Louisville gets off so soon he has no time to write you further at Present. We have no news of any moment. Business very dull. From Present appearances we would recommend early shipments of Cotton. We have heard nothing of any of your crops for some time. With the writers kind regards to yourself & Mrs. B. We remain Yr Ob. Sts. Nalle & Cox