Thomas Ruffin Papers

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folder 095: Correspondence, 1–20 January 1822

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Aberville District S. C January 18th 1822

Mr Thomas Ruffin

I arrived in this district on the 29th of last month, I had the disagreeablest weather, I ever experienced, and detaind by high water six days, I had no sickness with my negroes til I got out, but several of them has been sick since they are on the mend, I was mch flatterd with the prospect in Georgia as their legislator was trying to repeal the act prohibiting Slaves going in there state, but it was rejected in the Sennate by Two votes, had it passd it woud enhanced the Prices even in this State - however, I hope I shall do well, at least as much so as I expected, I have made sale of seven, [?] for less then 50 percent, and sum for 75 which is a handsom profit, tho expenses is high I have to pay one dollar pr Bushel for corn in this country, but I am releaved in part of this, by my Conections who are assisting much in my sales. I am doing my best and hope I shall compleat my bisness in time to assist you at Person superior Court, but shoud I fail you need not be uneasy, as I am doing the best I can for you and my self - and I have no doubt if I have my helth but I shall do well - I hope you will do me the favour to watch the steps of my friends, D. and M. Rose and strain every thing from them that is passable - I enjoy good helth have not bin sick one Hour since I saw you

I am with respect yours Benj. Chambers

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some little time we will I know be able to make his property pay his debts -

The debt to the trustees is one most to be regarded - I have just read a letter from Mr Haywood saying; that if application be made to the trustees in a proper manner they might perhaps be prevailed on to extend further indulgences - Now any condition or obligation which it may be thought proper to impose upon Colo. Clement brother William & myself we will cheerfully submit to, for the purpose of gaining the necessary indulgence

If we could be indulged until somtime in may we will have then time to send his negros out to Alabama by our brother who is now at washington city who will be a long some time in march I expect & who will be able to dispose of the negros to an advantage

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If it is impracticable to make such arrange =ment meet the convenience of the trustees will it be possible ^for us to procure money from the bank? Mr Haywood writes the prospect he thinks is dull at the bank - If the money can be had at the bank to pay off the Judgment to the trustees the accomo= =dation in paying back to the bank will enable us to dispose of his property perhaps to an advantage - If you think it would be expedient to apply to the bank & can feel cheerfulness to recommend us the favour will be gratefully received - should you be unwilling to recommend if we can have the time we can be recommended by Isaac Dutton & C F [Baggan?] if he ever recommends in any case - Inclosed I send a blank bond pro= =vided you think it expedient to apply at bank - If indulgence can be had from trustees will you be so good as to say to us upon what terms -

Sincerely your friend Matt. R. Moore [Moon?]

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[NB?] Colo. Clement is now here with me wishing is possible to arrange this business

M R Moore

Thomas Ruffin Esq

Hillsboro Orange

Matthew R Moore Janu 7 1822

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Petersburg 18 Jany 1822

Thos. Ruffin Esqr

Dear Sir/

I take the opportunity by my Friend Mr Nisbet to send out your acceptance, presuming that the balance is now in hand to satisfy it, & enable you to retain the order of Captn McRae

I am respectfully yours

Wm Moore

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Petersburg Jany 20th 1822

Dear Sir

We have been waiting [at? wh? (with?)] a great deal of patience for the money you promised, we should have by the 25th of last month - you said we should then have at least 2500 Dolls we have only recd [100? 700?] Dolls - our necessities are very great, and we have to make [nice? new?] calculations and the bank [disappointment?] very much [?]= [?] operations. The debt agt Row no doubt is fully settle'd by this time that with the other collections you ^calculated to have made would very much relieve us at this juncture

With great respects-

Yr freinds & obd svts Dunkin Henderson & Co

Thomas Ruffin esq.

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folder 096: Correspondence, 21–31 January 1822

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Haw-River. 21". Jany. 1822.

Dear Ruffin.

Ihad intended to write you a long letter this morning; but some Clients coming in, Ihave but a few minutes to write before the Stage passes on -

Isend you an Argument for the Defendants, in the Case of the Governor &c vs Matlock, which Ibeg you to submit - Surely this case must be decided for the Defendants -

Isend to your care a letter to Dr. [Butler?], & one to Mr Boylan.

Ihave entirely forgotten my Cases in the Supreme Court from the last Circuit. I would gladly prepare Arguments in each and had them to you on this day week, if Ihad the names of the Cases. Pray drop me a line by the return of the Stage on Tuesday evening, and give me a list of these Cases.

Is the case of Davidson vs Beard, or Davidson vs somebody else, gone up from Mecklenberg to this [Term?] - Mr A. Henderson and myself agreed to send up a case. Idraw it up, for him to spread out on the record at Mecklenberg at the last Term - It is a case involving the same question as Cowan vs Green. Whether a Judgment Condition seeing out his Execution & having it [levied?], twelve months after the execution of a Mortgage of Negroes, the Mortgage not being registered, shall not have his execution satisfied out of the Negroes. Whether the Mortgage be not void as to him - If this case has gone up, just state in your letter the precise Point. made in it - Iwill send on an argument immediately -

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and still less any explicit assurances were given to the Trustees as to what our views and feelings were - Yet they very naturally drew the conclusion that our assent had been given to the proposed measure - so that we have nothing to complain of on the part of the Trustees. Had been really consulted we should beyond all doubt have fallen in readily with the plan so there had been nothing irreg -ular but the omission of an empty ceremony. But as you appear to be so sensitive upon the subject it may not be improper to say that probably the the expectations which the Trustees authorised us in indulging when we left our early home have been satisfied inasmuch as the great increase in the value of money within the last two or three years has rendered our present stipendas valuable as 1500 would have been in times like those in which our con -tract was made. So that Adam Smith would say we had [torn] complaint even if we chose to complain - and Adam you know is no mean authority. Furthermore Mr Olmsted enjoyed for nearly two years and I have en -joyed for a year and a half and am to occupy in future the house in which I live - a thing not promised by the Trustees- So that if I were to give up - what was promised [above?] what I receive from The treasury I should seem to do very litttle. Knowing however what are the disposable funds belonging tothe University and that although you are ready to do even more than was promised yet we cannot hope to keep our Professor of Rhetoric except uponthe present scheme I certainly cheerfully give up from the present time all claim to more than 1240 Dolls per Annum. And whilst I wish these matters to be communicated in the proper way to those few persons amongst whom the subject has been talked over - I should be glad to have them after this has been done - hushed to sleep. With regard to Mr Olmsted Iwill observe thatup to the present time we have perhaps shared equally with myselfthe liberality of the Trustees in Relation to a house but that hearafter unlessthe expences I shall be obliged to incur for repairs to the building I occupy should be more than I expect. I shall ^If his house is not purchased by the Trustees have the advantage of him - he has moreover a pretty large and expensive family - and if the Trustees could find themselves able agreably to their vote of last winter to purchase his - house they would do a good kind and perhaps a just thing. After this - he as well as myself would have every reason to be satisfied. There is - one thing which is not taken into the account in fixing the salaries of men in our situation. Shutting ourselves up as we do like a parcel of monks we - never learn how to do business and manage money and are therefore forever imposed upon. I alway think I come off grandly if when I make a bargain I am not cheated more than one third. Now that I have you as it were in my claws I will call your attention to the enclosed in presenting which I hope you will not think I am stepping out of my proper sphere-

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P. S. I have not time to finish the paper referred to on the lastpage but may put it into your hands at some future time.

E. M.

Thomas Ruffin Esqr. Raleigh

Rev'd E. Mitchell Janny 1822

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23d Janny 1822

On this evening Ive collected the Case of Davis & Shanks. I have drawn up an argument in much haste, what I send to you with a request that you will submit it to the Court for me - Iam promised a good fee in this Case, and I am sorry Ihave neglected it so long- Ihope to receive on?] tomorrow, from you a list of my Cases - If Ido, Iwill send short arguments by the next stage -

I send to Mr Gules (who will hand you this) the Manuscript from nearly one volume of my old reports - Mr Lucas printed 208 pages- I have [urged?] Mr Gules to commence the Work [underlined] de novo - It is so badly & incorrectly printed, that I feel ashamed for it to go before the Public- Will you add your request to mine that he reprint what has been printed - If he will, Iwill dress it off in a new style-

I have issued a Writ for my neighbour Matthew Ray against a Mr Spikes of Jones, for a [?] in the sale of a Negro - Mr Ray wishes to engage you - I have promised to write to you for this purpose on to night-

I will write to you again by the stage of Sunday - God bless you - It is now 2 OC.

Yours Affectionately

A. D. Murphey

Thomas Ruffin esqr

I have prevailed on the Fremans (who were to see me on the day before yesterday) to pay to Mrs Albert the money she paid for the Land - If you approve of this, I beg you to write to James Hutchinson to advise him to compromise - This is the only Case that will keep him from Rockingham - & Ibelieve, Ihave done here, all that you wished in the [suit?]- write to Margery? by the next mail -

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