Yazoo County MsArchives Photo Document.....Lamb, Jonathan Capt. Letter From George W. Terrell April 12, 1841 Page 1 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ms/msfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Laura Van Ness lsvanness@gmail.com February 27, 2022, 7:55 am Source: Laura Conrad White Stettbacher Personal Collection Photo can be seen at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ms/yazoo/photos/documents/lambjona7716gph.jpg Image file size: 339.8 Kb Jonathan Capt. Lamb Letter From George W. Terrell April 12, 1841 Page 1 Date: April 12, 1841 From: George W. Terrell (1803-1846), San Augustine, TX To: Capt Jonathan Lamb (abt. 1795 – 1848 or 1849), Benton, MS RE: GW Terrell is in debt & is expecting Capt Lamb to get there. What we learn: Capt Lamb finally wrote him back. Debt discussion continues. Donated to: Texas State Library and Archives Commission Donated by: From the collection of Laura Conrad White Stettbacher (1936-), 2nd great-granddaughter of Jonathan Lamb Transcription, formatted: Laura Byers Stettbacher Van Ness (1961-) Last updated: 19 Jan 2022 Transcription, Cover: Captain Jonathan Lamb Benton, Mississippi Dr. King Postmark: VICKSBURG Mi OCT 1 [substantially different than that of the letter] 10 [postage mark] Transcription, Page 1: San Augustine Texas Apl 12th 1841 Capt Lamb Dear Sir , I received yours [letter] of 21st Jany last only two days since, and it is the second letter I have had from you since I left Mips [Mississippi] . I regret to learn that you are likely to be involved in the general embarrassment[?] of the country. I had hoped you would be able to make your payments as they became due, if no more_ and yet hope you will not be greatly pressed[?]. If you could by any means obtain Tolls I consent to bring the negroes into this country, you would under our laws be at once freed from further apprehensions on the subject_ as by our toll [tax?] laws negro property is entirely exempt from forced sales, either by execution, mortgage, deed of trust or any other lien_ and this operates upon all contracts whether now existing or to be made hereafter. I further believe that you could make the money here to make your payments without any sort of difficulty, and at about one half the expense attendant on the same business where you are. See King and talk with him about his Trinity country_ you will conclude that he is wild on the subject_ but I assure you that every one that goes there talks in the same manner of the country. I was struck with a remark made by a very steady young man a few days since who had just returned from there_ he was asked how rich the land was, and his reply was “about as rich as land ever gets to be”. It is most conveniently situated also_ you could there make a situation within a few miles of steam boat navigation_ where you could make more cotton than Transcription, Page 2: than [sic] on your very best lands where you now are. You could make all your own meat, without a dollar of lost[?]. And the stock of cattle you now have, brought there and placed in the rich bottom and extensive prairies could with wild rye and oats would in five years be worth a pretty little fortune of themselves. And moreover, which is of the last importance, you would not be under continual apprehension of loss, expense & by sickness. I am really uneasy all the time, about your safety, and that of your people on account of the unhealthiness of your place. I have a large quantity of the best lands in that country, and if you will come out and go there, you may make your selection of any one league to settle on, and I will make you a deed to the one half of it. I should suppose you could make some advantageous disposition of your land there_ and if not just let it lie there, it will after a while be very valuable, and will not depreciate by lying idle. I am decidedly of opinion that this is in every account a better country than yours. We are at present cursed with the most abominable enemy on earth but we are not in debt here_ and the means of living are abundant and cheap_ All your friends here are doing well_ I think I am doing at least as well as I deserve to do, and this should satisfy any reasonable man. My friends are anxious to seen me for the Vice Presidency on Houston’s ticket , but I have declined all such solicitations, because I believe I can do better. An old friend Tom (now judge) Johnson , is here, and [~wants] me to say to you that he has not forgotten you. What has become of Polly _ the debt for which she was detained is paid_ and I now think Thomas ought to Transcription, Page 3: give her up, and probably will. I would not ___[?] her for four times her value. Dewitt must be crazy to talk of making you liable for a debt with which you have no concern_ and what was contracted in a foreign country _ to be paid where contra =ts, and I am still here where the contract was made, and have not fled to avoid it. He certainly made enough out of me, for about six weeks services_ to wit one whole crop, and a note for $1500, to satisfy any com =mon man, and indure [sic] him to exercise a (little levity?). I wrote you that Buck Walker, and Eli B Warren had never paid their note due us. Warren had handed[handled?] some cases for me, and afterwards promised to pay them_ there was however no such agreement when he handed [handled?] them, I was only to wait with him for his not[paper torn] with this however you had nothing to do_ and you have a right to collect the note. Warren never paid[?] the judgements_ is now in Texas_ and of course Walker is liable and ought to pay it_ Garrett has the note_ make him sue Buck, and collect the money_ It will be of service to you, in a pinch_ as there is about $2800 now due on it. Write me all the news_ what you will do etc. With great regard Your friend G.W. Terrell File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ms/yazoo/photos/documents/lambjona7716gph.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/msfiles/ File size: 6.3 Kb