Letter from C. S. Longcope to Daniel D. Avery, July 19, 1865

Avery Family Papers, Records of the Antebellum Southern Plantations, Series J, Part 5, Reel 11, Frame 679

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Houston July 19, 1865

Hon. D. D. Avery

My dear friend,

I had intended to reply at lngth to your most esteemed of the 20th, but pressures of business engagements has prevented it & now my worth friend Capt. Wells, is hurrying me up for his letter for New Orleans.

The note of your safe arrival & that of the family, was to me a source of great relief. We had rumours. [Yes?] rumours, as usual, of violence &c. having been [used] towards your party.

I am happy to know that you are meeting the situation & preparing to make the best of it. The same may be said of my Philosophy. In view of my losses by freeing some 20 odd negroes, my energies are stimulated to renewed exertion, & I have adopted my old seafaring maxim not to give up the ship. As long as I have a plank (no matter the smallest one) to step on.

That you have my fervent prayers for faster success I hardly need add.

I desire to be affectionately rememberd to each and every member of your amiable family. God bless you all. Mrs. L. joins me in compliments.

In haste,

Your friend,
C. S. Longcope