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Letter from Governor Thomas O. Moore to Daniel D. Avery, August 12, 1862
The Confederate governor of Louisiana writes to inform Avery that he may not be able to provide the powder requested, but he encourages Avery to pursue the manufacture of salt on the Island (which he recently visited) as a sure money-making venture.
Avery Family Papers, Records of the Antebellum Southern Plantations, Series J, Part 5, Reel 11, Frames 571-572
Published here by W. Caleb McDaniel
August 12, 1862
This item is published solely for personal research and nonprofit educational use under the terms of fair use. No copyright in the item is asserted or implied by its publication here.
English
Text
4B31DED8-F594-4F67-B606-1E8C7CE7ED12
Opelousas 12th Augt. 1862
My Dear Sir,
The favors of yourself & son were duly recd. & contents noted.
I sincerely desire to accommodate you in the matter of powder required for your salt operations, but I am so very scarce of this article & have such constant calls for it from every part of the state, that I fear it will be impossible for me to accommodate you. Although to the public & country generally it would render a great a benefit as used in battle, as those who use it in that way, must have the material to cure the provisions they eat. I will however examine some of the boxes, as I have some of them have been somewhat damaged, but they may still answer very well for that purpose, if so, will send you box by Mr. Fragard.
I regretted exceedingly not seeing you when at your hospitable “Island Home” as I desired conferring with you on other points besides the salt. In this latter matter, in a pecuniary point, I think you are losing a big fortune. I never saw an opportunity for rapidly making money in my life. I was astonished at the resources for doing so, & to see the great caution exercised by its proprietor at the same time. If there was danger of a large accumulation being left on hand or peace being restored it would be different, but all that can be made today can be sold tomorrow, & as labor would be employed by the day or at farthest by the month, hands would be discharged at any moment they would not be required.
I think when you make one dollar, you ought to make twenty, without difficulty, but I have come to the conclusion that Judge Avery was not an avaricious man, that he was certain of sure & small profits, & satisfied, but when he can be as certain with big proficts, why not be so? Your location with 12 months war, ought to give you a million of dollars, should your rock salt hold out & the supply of water continues as I suppose. Excuse me for so freely meddling with the affairs of others. In the matter of sending for my supply I have the promise of a little boat & hope without fail to be able to get it.
Best regards to your family & say to your son I hope he will take this in answer to his also.
Yours very Truly
Tho. O. Moore