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whatever their prior relationship, Claiborne could not have been intimately knowledgeable of Jackson?s business dealings.
A letter dated one day after the Clifton deed was executed is excerpted as follows:
Pearlington, Mi, Dec. 3d, 1856
My dear Sir,
We have bid off the Clifton plantation for you at $8,525, 1/3 to be paid immediately,
& the balance in 1 & 2 years at 6 per. cent....
It is all important therefore, that you should be in New Orleans forth with. And your teamjsh /ould be here at work, as soon as possible. The land should be turned up immediately. Your plows, grubbing hoes &axes should be at work....
If you wish to buy anything in New Orleans, & have no merchants theree, I would refer you for hardware to Sam. Locke. For provisions to Boyle & Crone 102 Tchopitoulas Street, now F.A. Boyle & Co; and for grain to I.W. Wilder, 5 New Basin. Groceries?R.W. Adams & Co. These are my merchants, & if you apply to them you will find that I have written to them & you will meet with friends....
Mrs Russ is willing to sell at $6,000. S says that will not pay for the improvements. I think the place very cheap at that price. She says you can have it, at that price, or on the same terms; of if you prefer it you can take possession, at any time you choose to make the first payment. They will keep it til the 1. Dec. next when you can make the first payment, or it you
Our best regards to Mrs Jackson.
PS. You must consider my house your home until you are settled?If you need endorsers here in any of your arrangements Mr. Russ & myself will with pleasure endorse for you. (ALS. Ms-Claibome Letterbooks)
choose. I have said to them that they may consider the trade as made?for I think it a bargain & would be perfectly willing myself to buy it at that rate.
Hoping to see you soon, I remain
Truly Yours,
JFH Claiborne
^(tc^doXt^da)