[ Autographs ] SLAVERY-RELATED CORRESPONDENCE A fine group of five letters, 9pp. total, all written to Edward Hicks of Nashville between1849 and 1856, and all relating to the sale of slaves or discussion of the politics of the slavery issue. In part: "...March 25, 1849...The Yankees seem to be pregnant with the hope that the Wilmot Proviso willmeet the approbation of the president and congress. We Southerners here anticipate a little fight of our own before a great while, and whether we will have white or black Yankees to contend against us, we neither know or care, we are only determined to whip somebody...Feb. 2 1854...Push up your land and Negro sales as fast as possible if you will allow me to speak my wish. I am needing money a little more than I did before...Feb. 16, 1856, from an attorney...I find no decree vesting the slaves in your wife, and if there is nothing in the original title you get the Negroes free of encumbrances...Mar. 15, 1856...In 1828 Rucker White the father of your wife made a deed to theslaves, now owned by you...for the use of his wife and children. This deed White never had registered...White afterwards contested the rights of Mrs. Gordon as trustee to said slaves, but failed by a decision of the Supreme Court to get the slaves...you get as perfect atitle to the slaves...as any man in Tennessee can have...Mar. 26, 1856..You have to pay Mrs. Dolly Gordon...interest...from the first of May..and the further sum of...costs of obtaining the division of slaves..The above sums constitute the sum total of your indebtedness...". All letters are easily readable and well written, in very good to fine condition.