Main content
George Handy papers
Notifications
Held at: University of Delaware Library Special Collections [Contact Us]181 South College Avenue, Newark, DE 19717-5267
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the University of Delaware Library Special Collections. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.
Overview and metadata sections
The George Handy Papers, 1845-1871 (bulk 1846-1850), comprises 273 letters and business documents from a prominent Philadelphia-based nineteenth-century merchant. The collection, as a whole, reflects social and personal relations with Handy family members in Philadelphia, New Orleans, and Mississippi, as well as other friends; and business and economic affairs of domestic and foreign commerce, much of which was conducted by shipping through the ports of Philadelphia and New Orleans, or via the Mississippi and Ohio rivers.
Correspondence in the collection is addressed to George Handy in either Philadelphia or New Orleans, where he conducted business on behalf of his Philadelphia firm, Samuel Hildeburn & Co. There is frequent reference to St. Louis, Louisville, and Cincinnati, as well as New Orleans and Philadelphia; and travel is described as undertaken via steamboat, canal boat, stage, and rail. Handy engaged in purchase and sale of cotton, sugar, pork, lard, bacon, wheat, corn, molasses, turpentine, and, to a lesser extent, gunpowder, pecans, and peaches. Other business ventures involved loans, mortgages, and property transfers.
Throughout the letters, Handy received news of national events, such as the 1848 presidential election of Zachary Taylor, the swelling “California gold fever,” or fires in Nashville and St. Louis, in 1847 and 1849, respectively. Epidemics of smallpox, yellow fever, and cholera were specifically reported in the correspondence, as such episodes threatened quarantines and other risks for commercial shipping. Cholera swept the country in 1848/1849, as described in news from New Orleans, Kentucky, Tennessee, Philadelphia, and Cincinnati.
The collection was arranged chronologically by Margaret Lawson in 1945, who wrote the following comments and calendar for the papers.
The correspondence of George Handy from 1846 to 1850 reveals him to be a man well-known and respected in the Philadelphia of his day. His association with Samuel Hildeburn & Co., merchants, made his name prominent in the business world, and the warm and gracious personality that is evident in his personal letters won for him a large circle of friends.
George Handy was the only living member of his generation in the Handy family in the years from 1846 to 1850, except for three cousins: A.H. Handy, of Canton, Mississippi, who had occasion to write very infrequently on business; Martha Marshall, also of Canton; and George Martin, a cousin, of Charleston, Mississippi. Most of Handy's personal correspondence consists of letters from his nephews. Three of them, Isaac, Edward, and Aleck Handy, are usually spoken about together and presumably were brothers. There are letters from two of them, Edward and Isaac, written from Philadelphia, where Isaac was active in politics, and Edward in business. There is no mention made of Aleck's place of residence or occupation, and he never found occasion to write to Handy. A fourth nephew, John Ewing, bought a tract of land in St. Mary's, Elk County, Pennsylvania, and moved there from Philadelphia in 1848. He was evidently in a poor position financially, and was discouraged about his new surroundings amid a group of German settlers, who lived under primitive conditions, but to all appearances must have stayed on his farm, which was rich in undeveloped resources. There is a rather large group of letters from Joseph W. Allen, a nephew who lived in New Orleans. He was an emotional young man, and reacted very strongly to current events, seeing in them the hand of God. His writings, however, are informative, speaking of politics, business, and world affairs with understanding. It is possible that Allen was a preacher, for he mentions speaking before church groups. Among George Handy's letters are several from nieces in St. Louis, Elizabeth and Margaret Carroll. They are written during the cholera epidemic and fires in St. Louis, and are interesting in that they reflect the religious attitude of the period toward events of a disastrous nature.
The friends of George Handy from whom he received correspondence during the years from 1846 to 1850 were numerous. Those who figure most prominently are his friends in Dover, Delaware, Mr. and Mrs. Bates, and Mr. and Mrs. Gove Saulsbury. Handy was often a visitor in Dover and Wilmington. In New Orleans, where Handy spent the winter months until 1849, his best friends were Dr. Scott, a minister, and Robert Powell, with whom he had business dealings, and with whom Joseph Allen lived during the winter of 1849, when Handy was unable to make the journey to New Orleans. There is a letter from John Richardson of Philadelphia, written from Warm Springs, Georgia, a fashionable resort at the time. Mr. Richardson writes with excellent style, describing the countryside, and telling of traveling conditions and the lot of the southern Negro. Thomas Robins, a business associate of Philadelphia, was a frequent correspondent, and speaks of the effect on business of the California gold rush, the cholera epidemic, and the cholera quarantine for ships. Among the other friends of George Handy were George Collier, of St. Louis, who saw in the cholera epidemic and fire in St. Louis the need for the establishment of a reliable insurance agency in the West; Ralph King, a merchant, who writes from Bremen, Germany, of the conditions of international trade, and of economic prospects for Germany; and Lewis Whiteman of Cincinnati, who considers Handy very lucky to be living with his (Handy's) adopted daughter and her children. In addition to these, George Handy had acquaintances in New York, Memphis, Nashville, and other cities. He was constantly the recipient of requests for financial aid, and his reputation indicated that he was generous in his compliance. In one instance Littleton Quinton of Cincinnati asked Handy to use his influence with the Secretary of Treasury or other persons in Washington to encourage his appointment as Surveyor of the Port in Cincinnati. Again, Theodore Dahlgren, a stranger to Handy, asks his aid in obtaining work, having been injured at sea, and interned in the Marine Hospital. Handy advanced the money necessary for Joseph Calvin, an aspiring young minister, to attend Princeton Theological Seminary, and gave his financial assistance to many other persons, some of them unknown to him.
In 1846 Samuel Hildeburn & Co., with whom Handy had his business affiliations, was conducting a profitable commission business. The company was located in Philadelphia, where both foreign and domestic trade was handled. During the winter George Handy represented the company in New Orleans, supervising the purchase of goods for shipment to Philadelphia and selling goods to the South. The purchases Handy made consisted for the most part of cotton, tobacco, sugar from the West Indies, pork from up the river, wheat and corn, also from the up-river country, molasses, and turpentine. Goods were shipped to New Orleans from Cincinnati, St. Louis, and Louisville by steamboat and flatboat. The purchase of perishable goods involved a large risk, for cotton was damaged by rain while being shipped in open boats, and often pork and lard was spoiled. From New Orleans the goods were shipped around to Philadelphia. During the cholera epidemic in 1848-1849 a quarantine of cholera-infected ships from New Orleans was instituted in Philadelphia.
Because of adverse business conditions created by the cholera epidemic, a poor cotton season, and probably a number of undetermined causes, the Hildeburn Co. began to decline in 1849. In January Watson Hildeburn was "dissolved by limitation," and the remaining members of the company formed a co-partnership as Hildeburn & Bros. Co. A letter from John Hildeburn the same month reviews the financial status of the firm. He is not pessimistic, but looks forward to a good year, for good reason. In 1847 the company had lost $20,000, but $6,000 profit in 1848 had dissolved a part of the debt. Plans were made to make up the rest of the deficit by November, 1849, when the senior partner planned to retire. John Hildeburn planned to do a very large business of $350,000 in the coming year with 4% profit. In February foreign imports showed a decrease of 1/4 to 1/3 from 1848. By April only $2000 worth of business had been transacted, as compared to $70,000 by April of the preceding year. In November letters appeared regretting the news that Handy's firm has been dissolved. At the same time land belonging to Handy was sold to repay a note held by the United States Bank.
After April, 1850, there are no letters to Handy, and no mention is made in documents relating to his estate of the date of his death. The rest of the papers deal with the taxes on his estate, and are addressed to George Handy Bates, Wilmington, Delaware. William Woodruff, land agent in Arkansas, advised Bates and Edward Handy to sell the lands belonging to George Handy's estate in Arkansas, since they were not of very great value. There is no indication of the actual worth of Handy's estate.
Boxes 1-2: Shelved in SPEC MSS manuscript boxes Removals: Shelved in SPEC MSS oversize boxes (32 inches)
Gift of Daniel Moore Bates, 1945.
Processed by Margaret Larson. Encoding by Lauren Connolly, July 2015, and Tiffany Saulter, December 2015.
People
Organization
Subject
Place
Occupation
- Publisher
- University of Delaware Library Special Collections
- Finding Aid Author
- University of Delaware Library, Special Collections
- Finding Aid Date
- 2015 November 4
- Access Restrictions
-
The collection is open for research.
- Use Restrictions
-
Use of materials from this collection beyond the exceptions provided for in the Fair Use and Educational Use clauses of the U.S. Copyright Law may violate federal law. Permission to publish or reproduce is required from the copyright holder. Please contact Special Collections, University of Delaware Library, http://library.udel.edu/spec/askspec/
Collection Inventory
Petition of William Karr for a privilege claim of $600 against the sale by George Handy for payment of a debt of a boat owned by James Lee. Judgement was in favor of petitioner.
Summary of law on holding to bail and upon attaching property in courts of the State of Pennsylvania, County of Pennsylvania, and City of Philadelphia.
Tells of sale of the boat of “James Lee” at $15,000 to satisfy the claims of George Handy and others.
Information concerning market price of sides of bacon in New Orleans and advice to Handy to retain those he has for awhile.
Continuation of matters of previous letter.
Advises selling bacon at high price.
Concerning sale of sides of bacon owned by George Handy.
Concerning an offer from Mr. Donlin to buy notes held by George Handy on Mr. Donlin's brother, who has absconded. Powell & Bryan ask for power of attorney for the transaction.
Is preparing to ship bacon to New Orleans for sale.
Request for the loan of $5,000 at 6% semi-annual interest. Money derangement caused by the war has lessened. Crops of corn and number of hogs very large.
Matters relating to the deed for the Bayless property; the mortgage on the Clendenin property; insurance on the Clendenin property.
Concerning the purchase of a tract of land for George Handy.
Regarding a lien by the Bank of New Orleans on property purchased for George Handy, who must now pay the debt.
Account of cost of land bought for George Handy at public auction, as a result of the decision in the case of Symington vs. Campbell. Asks whether Handy wants land sold at less than cost.
Personal and family news items. Speaks of Charly, Maggie, and Ellen.
Personal. Asks why he doesn't write. Speaks of Anne, Charly, Lizzie, Uncle Isaac, Mr. P. Powell.
Asks for gift of money that George Handy had promised to leave him in his will. Is in poor health and needs money for debts and for improving a piece of public land.
Asks return of two drafts sent to George Handy, since they have not been used. Is in poor health.
Says there is possibility of redeeming Rust's notes by selling them to Judge McKauley, who wishes to buy a lot owned by Handy.
Thanks for business transacted for him. Tells of trip home by way of Mobile, Montgomery, Savannah, Charleston, Wilmington, Richmond, Washington City, Baltimore, and Pittsburgh. Traveled by steamboat, stage, and railroad.
Has found a St. Louis Bond of 1837 belonging to George Handy, the interest on which, amounting to $70 a year, has not been collected since 1840 or 1841.
Concerning a debt of $4,354 to be settled.
Concerning payment of a debt to McCorry.
In order to change investments, thinks it wise that he be appointed guardian to the children. Gives Handy power of attorney.
Appointment of Dan as Secretary of State. Satisfactory to party and people. Grain market very prosperous. Mentions D. M. Bates, Margaret, George, Mrs. Pennewill, Hester, John, and Cabe.
Inquiry concerning a power of attorney sent of Feb. 4.
Concerning purchases on the sugar market. Commodity has risen slightly in consequence of the anticipated action of Congress.
Description of a shipment of sugar and molasses to McClain.
Acknowledges receipt of McLeans's bill. Fire in Nashville.
Concerning taxes and a lien held by Handy on a tract of land.
To insure George Handy against action by creditors of James Lee of the steamboat “Old Hickory,” taken by Handy for a debt.
Concerning redemption of lots purchased years ago at New Brighton.
Concerning sales on the sugar market. Has had large loss. List of sugar prices. Mentions fever in New Orleans.
Concerning debts owed to George Handy in the West. Quotes prices of commodities such as pork and lard.
Forwarded to Cincinnati. Concerning George Handy's part as a witness in the case of Donnell v. the Bank of the United States. Mr. Porter is Donnell's attorney. Mr. James Robertson is President of the U.S. Bank.
Concerning the execution of business matters for George Handy, particularly in relation to one Tom Smith, on whose account Handy had purchased cotton.
Speaks of a "Mexican heroes" returning. Whig ratification meeting in the open air in Canal Street, New Orleans. Politics--one General Butler seems to be prominent. Tobacco and cotton markets poor. Sends check for copying press sent by Handy to his friend Charles. Mentions friends-- Powell, Dr. Scott, Mr. Martin, Mr. Bradle. Seems to be looking for a wife.
Acknowledges receipt of telegram.
Routine business letter. Payment of debts owed to Handy.
Written during a visit. Speaks of Mr. Powell. Asks Handy to write.
Asks for a loan, with a mortgage on farmland as security.
Introduction of Mr. A. J. Duncan, of Shepherd & Duncan, Nashville.
Report on sales, chiefly of tobacco, in New Orleans for George Handy.
Report on sales for George Handy in New York.
Apathy in the South toward the coming presidential election. Predicts "Zack" Taylor will carry Tennessee, but not Louisiana. Written during a visit to his sister and her nine children. Says he is looking for a wife. Mentions a relative, Alexander Allison.
Looks forward to cotton-picking at home and the installation of a new steam mill. Spending vacation in Cumberland Mts. Sends regards to Dr. Chapman, Mr. Wilson druggist, Mr. John Richardson, cousins George and John Martin, Mr. and Mrs. Bates.
Asks Handy's aid in clearing up a claim of the U.S. Bank on T. B. and W. P. Warfield.
Personal matters. Speaks of death of Aunt Mary Donelson.
Asks for a loan in order to buy property in Louisville.
Complains of poor molasses sold to him by Handy's agent and asks to be repaid, threatening to sue for the money.
In answer to a complaint about a shipment of cotton, the writer says his company is not responsible.
Arrival in Elk County after six days' journey from (Philadelphia?), partly by canal boat, by way of Harrisburg and Lewistown.
Good cotton crop in the South. Low prices, however. Planters all ship to New Orleans.
Reports on the arrival of Handy's nephew, Jno. Ewing, and the prospects offered by his new farm.
Introduction of Francis McKay, a merchant who will visit Philadelphia to purchase gunpowder and who desires to connect himself with a commission house.
Wants Handy to negotiate for the purchase of some lots.
Describes new farmland into which he has moved, rich resources (iron, coal, lime), primitive condition of German settlers. Discouraged about his "low and deplorable position" and gossip about him in town.
Acknowledges receipt of letter.
Routine business matters.
Concerning business matters. Prices on tobacco and cotton.
Concerning the advisability of selling land. Makes an offer for land.
Orders the purchase of 200 bales of cotton for his son.
Concerning recovery of debts and other business matters.
Recommends Mr. Wallace in Knoxville, who needs help in business. Tells about his family.
Business. Speaks of Mary, Mr. Powell, death of Mrs. Parker.
Routine business matters. Good prices for sugar from the West Indies, cotton, and tobacco.
317 Bales of cotton.
Inquires whether there is a market in Philadelphia for pecan nuts grown in Texas.
Low prices of cotton and sugar quoted; expected to rise. Information about the advisability of granting credit to a Mr. A., a businessman of Philadelphia. Pork prices high, expected to decline.
Reports epidemic of small pox in Philadelphia; approach of cholera to city. Speaks of California gold fever and possibility of inflation. Speaks of Sally (his wife?); Isaac, who is visiting Germantown.
Introduction and recommendation of Mr. P. Twisin(?), a young man recently arrived from Ireland.
Business letter. Predicts good season ahead for produce commission houses. Says that the cholera epidemic will not affect business. Rainy season.
149 barrels of pork.
Business and personal letter. Orders cotton. Deaths of Robert Toland and Wm. [illegible]. Mr. Powell, to arrive on the ship “Europa;” his friend, Richardson; and Edward.
Business letter, evidently from a beginner in business.
Business letter, concerning money owed by Handy to a bank in Philadelphia.
Business letter.
Notification from the Bank of the U.S. that Handy's property in Northumberland County, mortgaged for $8,000 in 1846, will be sold, since the interest has not been paid.
The president-elect has been to New Orleans. Writer hears that Mr. Clay will visit there and that Clay carried Pa. by a large majority. Hears that Clayton is to be Secretary of State. Others say Crittenden will get the post. Has moved to Germantown from Philadelphia to get benefit of country air. Went to see D. Ewing at Agricultural School at Mt. Airy, but D. was not there. Speaks of Mr. Richardson; Dr. Powell; death of Mrs. Parker; Rosa and Alexander at Dover.
Concerned over cholera in New Orleans and the effect on prices. Foreign news regarded as favorable.
Business. Speaks of selling carpets.
Business. Asks Handy to patronize Campbell Wallace, merchant of Knoxville. Lists commodities to be sold by Wallace.
Fears that a quarantine of ships from New Orleans at Philadelphia will harm business. Cholera abating somewhat.
Notice of consignment of cotton.
Business letter. Sales of pork, molasses, cotton, sugar.
Business and personal letter. Cholera in West bad for spring business. Regrets death of Hugh Thompson. Encloses business circular from Liverpool date Dec. 29, 1848: Good market, stabilized by French Presidential election. Quotes prices of cotton, wheat, corn, turpentine.
Order for cotton through Hildeburn Co.
Business matters.
Concerning a shipment of pork and lard via South America to Handy's company for sale.
Fear of quarantine of ships gone since cholera abated. Wants Hildeburn dissolved by limitation. Joseph, William, and Henry Hildeburn formed copartnership as Hildeburn & Bros. Co. Senior gave them $100,000 capital.
Profit was $6,000. In 1847 $20,000 was lost. Writer asks effort to make up deficit by Nov., 1849, when senior partner will retire. Wants to do business of $350,000 in coming year with 4% profit.
Business letter.
Business. Asks lists of rates of New Orleans underwriters for rates on steamboats, flatboats, and hulls from Cincinnati, Louisville, and St. Louis.
Inquires of David Ewing, who left for Pittsburgh, wrote for money to return home, and then presumably went down the river, possibly to New Orleans.
Concerning arrival of long-awaited shipment of cotton on the "Robert Burton." Cotton has been damaged badly by rain. Proclamation of the Board of Health of Philadelphia for examination of cholera-infected ships from New Orleans.
Asks Handy's aid in recovering a debt owed by a Mme. Poultney and her daughter, formerly of Philadelphia, now residing in New Orleans.
Concerned over cholera epidemic. Speaks of her father's recent marriage. Mentions Ellen Powell, now Mrs. Wilgus.
Asks that an inquiry be made about Mr. P.N. Revera, merchant.
Order of Mr. Frierson and Mr. Powell for cotton filled. Unable to fill order for Mr. McCrea.
Arrival of steamer "Canada" with news from abroad has sent cotton prices down. Death of F. G. Critcher.
Personal matters. Mentions friends--Lindell and C. Carrol.
Business. Market dull. Anticipates small business for 1849.
Personal letter in response to congratulations on her marriage.
Business. Arrival of ship "Niagara" from Liverpool causes prices to rise. Foreign imports 1/4 to 1/3 below 1848.
Business matters.
Asks Handy's influence with the Secretary of Treasury or other persons in Washington to encourage his appointment as Surveyor of the Port in Cincinnati.
Business letter.
Business. Trying to make up loss on damaged cotton. Dull market.
A stranger to Handy, he asks his assistance in obtaining work, having been injured while at sea and unable to pursue further a seaman's life.
Business matters.
Emigrants to California are draining silver supply from East. World trade stable.
Business. Handy is to sell produce and invest money in molasses, sugar, and coffee.
Business.
Business matters.
Business.
Discussion of business conditions in the market of New Orleans as compared with the West.
Business.
Business. Directs Handy in attempt to recover $8,000 owed to Hildeburn Co. by Nelson & Donaldson.
Concerning impending sale of Handy's property for U.S. Bank note.
Business.
Business.
Personal and business letter.
Application for a position in a commission house.
Business matters.
Business letter concerning a shipment of groceries.
For goods stored by Handy in warehouses of New Orleans and Lafayette.
Business matters.
Business matter.
Business. Losses incurred through damage to goods.
Personal letter. Health of his family. Regards to Col. Powell.
Personal matters.
Asks help, presumably financial, in building stabling.
Business. Sold pecans for Mr. Powell at very low price.
Has attended dull session of Legislature. Favorable impression of new governor, W.F. Johnson. Items about Pennsylvania politics. Coming Methodist Episcopal conference. News of friends: Mr. & Mrs. Buchler moved to Harrisburg; "Brother E" and widow Dickinson expected to marry; Mr. & Mrs. Powell left for France.
Business matters.
Business. Pork and cotton market dull.
Concerning sale of Handy's property for debt to bank.
Personal letter: Mentions friends.
Business. Cholera worse in Kentucky and Tennessee.
George Handy, New Orleans, reply to T. L. MacKay, Alton, Ill. Business transaction.
Business. Wish to limit consignments to $200,000 in summer because of fear of cholera. Business dull.
Personal matters. Speaks of children, Rebecca and Susan.
Business matter.
Business. Dull market.
Business matters.
Business. Encloses draft.
Dull business. $70,000 in Apr. 1848, compared to $2,000 in 1849. Asks Handy's quick return.
Business matters.
Sale of Handy's Northumberland property to take place in three weeks.
Business matters.
Business matters.
Business transaction.
Personal. Invites Handy for a visit. On back of letter, in pencil, account of a sermon.
Business. Dull Market worsened "warlike" news from Europe.
Notification of a shipment of cotton to Hildeburn Co. through George Handy.
Business. Last letters written before Handy leaves New Orleans for Philadelphia.
May and Rosa, Mr. Bates, and Dr. Saulsbury have been visiting. Hopes Bates will not carry out his plans to leave Dover. Edward, Isaac's brother, has married Mrs. Dickinson, his second wife. Death of Mr. Charles Bird.
Business matters.
Great fire in St. Louis. Cholera epidemic bad in Tennessee. News of friends.
Asks Handy to deliver parcels for him.
Business matter.
Business matters. Dull market.
Congratulates Handy on his ability to enjoy a rigorous steamboat and stage journey home. Personal matters. His wife, Virginia, has been ill. Drawing on back of letter.
Floods in New Orleans. Is in bad health.
Notification of stockholders' meeting.
Asks Handy to obtain an insurance agency for him.
Business matters. Encloses bill of lading.
Personal matters. Encloses bill of lading.
Still in bad health.
Deaths from cholera and fire in St. Louis. Inquires about relatives: Uncle Isaac, Edward, and Aleck.
Asks him to answer letter of Alex McChurg, Pittsburgh.
Business. Writes for company of Shults and Hadden.
In the midst of the cholera epidemic. People evacuating town. Deems it the judgement of God.
Cholera and fire in St. Louis. Sees need of insurance agency.
Business matter.
Small cotton crop because of rains. Prices are up because of speculation and Spanish buyers. Orders window shades for office.
Rain damaging cotton crop. Several cases of yellow fever.
Asks advice and financial aid to his nephew, Joseph Calvin, who is beginning Princeton Theological Seminary. Market dull, except tobacco and cotton. Greetings from Dr. Scott. The Canal Bank has been discovered as dishonest, and its personnel has to be changed.
Cholera still prevalent. Lebanon depopulated by migration and death. Death of Mr. Morris.
Asks Handy to promote his interests with a reliable company in Philadelphia.
Cholera epidemic. Comments on Handy's good fortune to live with his adopted daughter and her children. Wishes he could join Handy in a trip to Wilmington. News of Presbyterian church.
Tells of trip across Atlantic in 16 days. Took steamboat from the harbor up the Weser to Bremen, an old city, within the ramparts of which has been built the New City. Under the City Hall he had some wine from the famous wine cellars, vintage of 1624. Large tobacco business. Free port. Cotton market increasing. Germans are turning to the manufacture of cotton. Business suffering from Danish blockade, expected to be withdrawn. Stays at best hotel, Hellman, at one half the price it would cost in New York.
Trouble with the cotton crop-- rain, frost, floods, bowl worn." Intends to send his daughter to Philadelphia or Virginia to school, his son to Washington College in Virginia. Sends greeting to his cousins, George and John Martin; Jas. and Jno. Richards; Mr. & Mrs. Bates.
Describes the surrounding countryside as very beautiful. Very fashionable resort. Surprised at absence of intoxicating drinks and travel on Sunday. Superior coaches and roads. With freedom from slavery, he thinks it would be a glorious country. Thinks this will surely come, although it may be postponed by foreign intervention. Blacks treated well in this section. Springs have temperature of 98 degrees; very beneficial. He is on his way home. Travels 20 to 30 miles a day by coach with his family.
Asks Handy to further his interests with a Mr. Fisher, representative of the English of Morrison Bros. & Co. Cotton crop very poor. One-half of usual crop.
Lists his expenses, which Handy has arranged to meet. Asks more money for winter. Likes Princeton. Good library. 140 students. Likes his professors, especially one Dr. Alexander. Acknowledges receipt of draft. Asks $20 more.
Tobacco market good in New Orleans. Has moved to Bon Air for his health. Speaks constantly of death.
Is on his way to Philadelphia.
Acknowledges receipt of money.
Directions about finances of his nephew at Princeton.
Orders household articles for his wife, Rosa.
Is recovering from his illness. Has met a friend of Handy's, a Mr. Hoffman from New Orleans.
Business matter.
Asks for money for herself and widowed sister, who are in great need.
Account sales for peaches sold for Handy. Poor sale.
Sympathizes with Handy on death of his small grandson. Is in better health after visit to Bon Air.
Orders utensils for his fireplace and an invention to keep the chimney from smoking.
Speaks of explosion of boilers on steamboat "Louisiana." He was on another boat and narrowly escaped. Lives with Robert Powell, who had also reserved a room for Handy, but regrets to hear that Handy's company has gone out of business, and Handy will not be in New Orleans for the winter. It appears that Allen is a preacher.
Business. Sorry to hear of dissolution of Handy's firm.
Asks for money. Sickness in the seminary.
Asks return of some letters. Jos. Allen encloses note.
Orders new pair of gold-rimmed spectacles like those he bought in 1842.
Describes Christmas scenes. Healthful surroundings, pleasant weather, in contrast to last year's cholera epidemic. News of friends--Powell, Whiteman. Encloses letter to McAllister.
Asks for money.
Personal matters. Cotton and tobacco market good. Wishes for a good wife. Anxious to see his "little boy." Coat of arms on seal.
Business. Concerning payment of a debt.
Business matters.
Notification that annual taxes on land in Arkansas belonging to George Handy’s estate are increased by 50%, as a result of the war.
Letter from Wm. Woodruff, land agent in Arkansas, to D. M. Bates, Dover, Delaware in which he advises sale of Arkansas lands to the first person who has applied for them in 20 years. Thinks the land is not very good, and in any event would not bring a better offer, since money is scarce under the "Negro rule" of the government.
In reply to an inquiry about the legality of the claim of the children of a niece of a testator (George Handy?) who died before the testator. Recommends Bates go to Gould's Digest of Statutes for information.
Land commissioner for Arkansas Central Railroad, he asks Bates to trade his land for stock in the railroad company.
Information on taxes to be paid.
Chief Justice Marshall, Dr.
Asks to be remembered for past favors.
Journeyed to springs by railroad--250 miles--and stage--150 miles. Describes location as very beautiful.
Business. Shipment of flour.