Description:

BUYING SLAVES IN 1850 TEXAS
Fine content A.L.S. 4pp., 4to, Van Buren, Mar. 22, 1850, a letter from "Mother Austin" to her son, "Edw[ard] Clegg" of Port Lavaca, Texas, detailing family affairs. Austin writes offering news from Mazatlan, New Orleans, and San Francisco, which would incorporate as a city only a month later, and passes on word of a family friend's trip to Cincinnati for a tumor removal, and another acquaintance's successful business dealing with Indian tribes. Of particular note is Austin's several mentions of slaves. In part: "...Poor little Mary is a very good little girl and extremely useful, attends table, puts it out as they learn it here... Many thanks for your kindness in saying you will pay for her schooling for a session but at present I could not well do without her, she saves me a great deal of trouble... I have been enquiring the prices of Coloured Servants here they are pretty cheep [sic] from three to five hundred dollars, a young one of fifteen or 16 for 300 dollars...Gerry will not be sold, Mr. Grand who owns him has got worried lately and won't part with him...". 1850 saw the passage of the Clay-Douglas-Webster Compromise, which attempted to keep peace in the Union after the 1848 Mexican-American War inflamed the issue of slavery in the Southwestern Territories, particularly in Texas, to which this letter relates. Cross-written on two pages, folds with a couple of negligible small tears, else very good.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Shipment is sent USPS priority, USPS International Express (for most overseas) or UPS Ground at the auctioneer's option, signature required, unless other arrangements are made. Handling, shipping and insurance charges will be added to the invoice in one entry. Buyer's should be aware that large, framed, fragile or odd shaped items can incur substantial shipping and packing charges. Customer's who supply their own courier account number will still be charged a handling fee.

October 9, 2010 11:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 22.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 + $1,000