Durham Hall Novr 25 1814
My Dear Son
This will be handed you by Mr Frizzel a Gentleman from
Boston Mr Frizzel wishes to Purchase Lead. I have told him that I
could Not Sell any but that I thought you would I have therefore
refer'd him to you I have wrote Mr Henry Schell that the money
promices [promised] should be sent him in ten days, the Waggon
Starts this morning in companey with Been Brown the Lead She
takes I sold to Mr Wilkinson to send on to Stephen and I have sent
of John J Bricky to RussellsVille to see Stephen and help him
should he make the purchase. I had to send to Cape to engage my
Pork an article I find will be difficult to obtain this year and I
thought best to make safe in time I am told Pork can be contracted
for at or Near Eathmans ferry on the Mississippia which would be
with in 4 Days of Stephen and I have given New instructions to
him on the Subject of Negroes which I am determin'd to take at
about 24 Thousand for 52 this will bring the Men at 600 Dollars
Women at 500 Children from 200 275 and 300 In consiquence I have
sent forward proper Securety for the Negroes. If Ever there was
a time that would Justify a high Price for Negroes It's at this
moment Lead must be up the demand is great and 750 is given.
If you can sell Lead for 800 Dollars I think I can make out the
balance If Scott doth Not disappoint me as I have sent on money to
Stephen you will not send any I have also Bought myself a Horse
which will answer me for 60 Dollars—Stapels may come as soon
as he pleases, all well at the Hall Expect you in a few days I hope
Mr Elias Bates has much mend'd and that things goes on much better
at Herculaneum
I wish you to see If you can make a Contract for Corn If I
can Purchase Corn at Herculaneum It will save all the Hawling as
the Waggon could bring back a return Load with this expense I
am inclined to think Stephen will make the Purchase of Negroes and
in that case many buffelow Robs will be wanted and much provisions
I shall want 600 bushells for Bread alone and 10 Thousand pound
for Pork—You know that in the payments to Henry Sckell the Silver
must be taken and If Nothing better could be don I think we could
Exchange 800 Dollars with Mr Duglass at St. Louis
Mr Haskal wrote Mr Elliott that he wanted a school—you may tell
him that a school can be obtained for him on that subject Mr
Elliott has wrote him
[Addressed:] Mr James Bryan Herculaneum
Moses Austin