Durham Hall Sept 26 1812
My Dear Son [in New Orleans]
When I wrote you last I was under very great apprehension of
the Indians and I did truly think that we should have a visit from
them in a few days—but things have changed and I am now
satisfied that we are safe, great exertions have been made, and many
troops called out, and are now out on the frontier, the Indians that
threatened this Territory have retired back to [the] Wilds of the
North, and the Troops on the North of the Meremac I think
sufficient to keep them on that Side of the River. I have seen an account
of a most deadful storm in Orleans, that has don[e] much damages
you will write me an a/c in your next I have also seen an account
of Negroes being landed in St Augustine and Pensacola in excellant
order and under the command of British officers, and that great
apprehensions existed in consequence of many Negroes running away,
and, joining the English Standard. Should this be true, I have a
desire that you leave a Country where you will be in greater danger
from Negroes than we are from Indians, but of this you will be the
better Judge. As much as I apprehend danger from Negroes in the
low Country, I wish I had 50 more at the mines I could make the
value of them this year in the state the mines are in and I have
Supposed that you could make yourself acquainted how they may be
obtained in Carolina from Mr Hampton, and If you could by any
contract obtain 10, or 12, payable in Orleans. It would make a great
alteration in our business— You must be carefull in puting your
cargo in Orleans for sale and the price of the Shott will be
determined by the Order of your cargo, may be when presented for sale,
I have mentioned that I should make ready an Other cargo of sheet
lead and that you had better stay untill It arrived, this I still think,
for the best and had not the Indians have put a stop to every kind of
business I should have had the Cargo of [f] before this time I shall
make exertions to forward it to you so as to arrive in all next month,
and I think you had better attend untill that time. . .
[Moses Austin.]