PBA Galleries

Includes: 19 March 1858, 35 lines, on 7¾x6¼ sheet of plain yellow paper, with cover: “…My blacksmith boy who you have hired has, as I told you a free woman for a wife. She was indicted at our late circuit term because of a law requiring all free blacks to leave the state, she will have to go away it might cause some trouble with Lewis. He says as there is another shop set up near you that you would be willing perhaps like to give him up. I am sorry that you do not have the control of him. I thought you would and that he would board with you. He talked with several here about hiring him who would like to have him… I could possibly hire him yet for $250 by getting him by 1st April. You have not yet furnished him any clothes, perhaps paid no taxes as you would be relieved of all that, could you afford to pay me $125 for him till last of March & let me take him back or if not write to me saying the most you would pay me for him till that time. The hire you give counting his taxes and clothes and other contingencies Doctor’s bill, lost time &c. would amount to smartly upwards of $400 so that $125 giving him up 1st April I think would not be far from right…” * 25 March 1859, 12 lines on 7½x6½ sheet of plain yellow paper, with cover: “…I conclude to take your note for $111.85… Please send your note and Lewis, so he gets here by the last of March…” * 1st April 1858, 19 lines on 7¾x6¼ sheet of yellow paper, with cover: “…I received you letter and note for $111.25 and supposed Lewis would have been here… I have hired him to Mr. Browder 10 miles from here on the road to Clarksville to begin this morning. I want him to stop there when he comes, that is as far as you need send him… You have certainly not refused to send him because I did not send your note. My letter states distinctly that I will send your note upon you compliance with its contents… The boy ought to have been sent so as to get here by first April if he does not come soon to Mr. Browder very soon it will be a disappointment…” * 6th April 1859, 11 lines on 5x7½ sheet of plain cream paper, with cover: “… I have been absent to Todd County for a few days which is my apology for note answering yours since the return of Lewis. I was afraid lest he would not reach here in time to fill my contract with Mr. Browder but never doubted your intention to do exactly right about it. I understand he is now with Mr. Browder and all satisfactory and right…” Together, 4 letters.

Revealing exchange shedding light on the employment condition of slaves and their treatment by somewhat enlightened owners.