Carroll, Charles (1737-1832) to William Gibbons
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04868 Author/Creator: Carroll, Charles (1737-1832) Place Written: Baltimore, Maryland Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 9 April 1823 Pagination: 3 p. : address ; 19.4 x 15.9 cm. Order a Copy
Writing to his overseer regarding a slave he has just purchased, a blacksmith named Clem. Says Clem does not get special treatment but that "he was promised, if sold, that his wife should live with him." Also discusses buying horses. Signed "Ch. Carroll of Carrollton."
Charles Carroll was a Senator from Maryland and a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
[draft]
Baltimore 9th Aprl 1823.
Sir
I have just received yr letter of this date. As 4 horses are wanted let them be bought as soon as possible, strong [illegible] healthy and not exceeding seven years old. money is now very scarce and very few have any to spare and therefore I hope the four horses may be bought [strikeout: for $] at the average [rate] of $75 pr. horse for $300; if you should want $100 to complete the purchase or a larger sum I will pay your draft.
Clem the blacksmith must not have [inserted: more] privileges than my other [inserted: slaves] or be better fed. Mrs Mr [T]avish tells me that the only privileges he desires is to have his wife live with him and a [muck] patch, these [2] I grant. Mrs Patterson told me he was promised, if sold, that his wife should live with him. Mr Dean was informed of this promise when he attended the sale at [Tuscarora], he ought to have a [muck] patch which Mr. Dean will allot to him, as many of my slaves have that privilege. But I will not consent to clem's coming to see Mrs. Patterson, she is no longer his mistress; she has sold [inserted: him] to me and I have paid her $1000 for him. The tools wanted viz 12 blacksmith's vices 1 anvil and 1 bellows shall be bought - Did he bring any tools with him to the manor? Mr. Bri[struck: ghtly] [inserted: ely] wrote to Mrs Patterson that several expensive or more costly tools would not be required at his place and [3] therefore I concluded that Clem has brought with him to the manor those costly tools which Mr Briely does not want. The reasons assigned by Mr Dean for buying four horses are good. I hope as seven mares are in foal we have several colts growing up & mules also that those four horses will be the last I shall [text loss] be obliged to buy of [text loss] remain with regard.
Sir
Yr most hum. servt.
Ch. Carrol of Carrollton
PS -
I sent you last evenings gazette which contains all the latest European news. If the [timbers standing from the] water wheel be got ready in a month it will be in time to have the new wheel [struck: by] made by the middle of September.
[address]
To
Mr. William Gibbons
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