Winn, John (b. 1789) to George Winn
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03434.27 Author/Creator: Winn, John (b. 1789) Place Written: Winnsville, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 23 September 1838 Pagination: 4 p. ; 19.5 x 16 cm. Order a Copy
Discussing the price of enslaved people and corn. Writes to his brother, possibly George Winn, to discuss a transaction between the two regarding the purchase of enslaved people. Says the prices on enslaved people have gone up in the last year. Also discusses the harvest, which he says is very poor due to floods. Expects his crop to be very bad this year, and discusses prices. Says he may have to move his family soon in order to get by. Recipient inferred from other letters.
Your letter f the 7 July was recd some time since, but I waited a reply till I could see Mr Cleavland, which was not till the day before yesterday. Shortly after writing to you in may last Mr. A[]s demands for money was so pressing that I had to pay him on my own account for his part of the negros so that they are now with you Mr C and myself. On receiving your letter I found I could not borrow the money you requested to pay Mr. Cleavland without [] myself to some [] & therefore waited to see him on the subject he is in want of the money, but has concluded to wait until you come in as you expect to [] on the 10th or 15 Nov. All are still disposed for you to have the negros at a fair price, but property of this sort has much advanced in price since you made the offer & were even slightly higher at that time - and as they have been at our risk, It seems to me fair that we should have the benefit of the rise. I have no doubt but we shall settle it to your satisfaction. Men are now selling from 8 to 900 Dollars & upward. Women from 6 to 800 Dollars. We have had a most distressing drought & in many other parts of the country. There has not more rain fallin [here] from the latter part of June or early in July till [], than would failry lay the dust. Consequently there has been almost a total failing of every kind [] except a [] which was tolerably good it is now raining & a [] in a great deal, the most of the farmers will have to use their wheat for home consumption, although there has been a recent rise from the [] of the crops in England . The price here now is from 1-50 to 1-75 per [bushel], & probably will be higher. Of the [] I think there will not be made more on an average in Va [] of the usual crop & that very inferior. We had a …
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