William F. Weeks to John Moore, October 14, 1863

Weeks Family Papers, Records of the Antebellum Southern Plantations, Series I, Part 6, Reel 18, Frames 201-202

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Houston Oct. 14 / 63

My dear sir,

I have had the pleasure of meeting your daughter Mrs. Leigh here. Doct S told me had witten to you.

I have to-day hired out 20 negroes, on the following terms. Men at $25 per month, women at $20, girls & boys at $15, this amt is to be paid in good cotton ready for market at eight cent per pound. The negroes are to be clothed & shod, & I am to pay in work at the above rates at Brownsville specie prices at cost of Material & transportation added. In making this bargain I reduced the whole thing to a specie basis, & I think I have made a good thing in getting the clothing at cost & the cotton at low rates. The plantation is in Wharton County.

It appears our country is over run again. So far Texas is free. The force which threatened Texas before the battle at Sabine Pass, has moved up the Teche & will doubtless attempt an entrance into this state by way of Shreveport. As it is, every thing is quiet. All they get out of Magruder they will have to fight for. He will not give up an inch of territory without a bloody contest.

I was surprised to find one of my negroes among the black prisoners captured at Sabine Pass on board of the steamer Clifton. His name is Cy, has been gone about 2 years. I expect to take charge of him to-morrow. I have as yet been able to secure a place for the negroes. I shall hire them or most of them out for this & the next year & shall proceed to look out good situations for them. I will take a moderate compensation provided I can get the negroes clothed, & I will prefer to take the hire in kind, produce of the plantation.

Yours truly,

W. F. Weeks