Letter from W. F. Weeks in Houston, January 12, 1864

Letter from W. F. Weeks in Houston, January 12, 1864

Most probably addressed to John Moore, this letter is written by William F. Weeks, who is currently residing in Houston. He discusses prices current for hired out slaves, notes the location of C. C. Weeks's slaves, explains C. C. Weeks's contract hauling supplies for the government, and also details his own plans to take a train of teams to Mexico to buy and bring back cloth for resale. Internal evidence suggests the letter was written in 1864, even though the date at the top reads 1863. He also mentions Moore's having taken up the "miserable life of a refugee."

William F. Weeks

Records of Ante-Bellum Southern Plantations, Series I, Part 6, Reel 17, Frames 810-811

Image scanned from 35mm microfilm published by UPA. Published here by W. Caleb McDaniel.

January 12, 1864

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23F804D9-9774-4DAA-883C-F7E2994EBF45

Houston, Jany 12 / 63 [1864]

My dear sir

This will be handed to you by my friend Doct McLeod of Thibodaux La., who like myself is a resident of this place. He can tell you how I am getting along. I went with C. C. Weeks to Skaggs' where he has hired his negroes. Men at $5[0?] per month, women at $25. His carts will be changed into wagons & he has a contract to haul for the Govt from Huntsville Tex to Shreveport at $10 per day, for each, to that point and back, being paid, both ways for the trip & the privilege of loading back himself. I have advised him to bring back salt, which is worth here now one dollar per lb. His mules are fed on the entire trip by the govt, also the drivers. I think a very good arrangement. I have not heard from home directly recently. [Mr?] Huff left there about one month ago. All were well then. My family were with Ma, not permitted to leave New Iberia.

I enclose you an extract from a letter recd from T. Hopper dated Nov. 7th in answer to mine of Sept 20 / 63. I stated to him that you fled the pleasures & comforts of home to drag out the miserable life of a refugee.

I propose to go towards home with Mrs. H C. [Meade? Weeks?] about the 1st of Feb. If the lines are open I will go in, if not I will go as far as I can with her & return.

I propose as soon as I can get my teams in order to send a train to Mexico. Altho my confidence in the result is unshaken, still my judgement tells me to prepare for the worst. I think it would be well to prepare the Magill teams with the same view. It is by far the most profitable employment for teams, either to get coin or Confederate money. Cotton goods & calicos are worth here now about $10 per yard. They cost in Mexico about 40 cents. Just think of it.

I wish you would think of this matter & if you coincide with me, place the Magill teams or a portion of them at my disposal. It is a pity that such valuable property should be idle now.

Address me here care R. & D. G. Mills.

Yours truly,

W. F. Weeks

Manuscript