Letter from James W. Reeve to Daniel D. Avery, September 15, 1865

Avery Family Papers, Records of the Antebellum Southern Plantations, Series J, Part 5, Reel 11, Frames 688-689

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New Orleans 15 Sept / 65

Judge Avery

Dear Sir,

I endeavoured to impress upon you the importance I attached to your early & prompt action in producing here samples of what you could do in the way of producing the different grades or quantities of salt. Since you left a cargo of Lpool salt has arrived direct (still on the boat however) of over 8000 sacks, 2200 of which were fine which is understood to have sold at near $3 pr sack [round?]. Lpool salt from N. York is arriving by every steamer almost and selling at $2.50 pr sack fine. Salt of the [Oneidaga?] & Syracuse works [several illegible lines] have sold at $4.50 but is dull & I think if another arrival or two comes in will be down to $4 per sack. This last is of very fine gran but heavy for the size of the sack, making a smaller package than the Lpool Salt of 35 lbs less weight. This is an objection to it according to the present ideas as the more feathery or light it is in bulk, the nearer it comes to Lpool [illegible] or fine salt. Taking great interest in the development of your salt mines, must be my excuse for writing you on the subject. I can't see why with the salt in the mass you have it so close to this city you cannot manufacture it into any required form & compete with salt brought from the Interior of New York or from England or taken from the Islands in the Straits here, known as [Turks?] Island & the Salt Keys of the Gulf taken to New York & Boston & ground there & there [illegible] not here & still sold at a profit. I wish your could get 20 or 50 tons sent here in the crude state to sell as Rock Salt at any rate until you can go on and manufacture some other kind. My interest in the development of your undertakig & knowing of an opportunity of getting a letter to you direct must be my excuse for addressing you.

Yours truly,

Jas. W. Reeve