Raynors HCA 2017-12
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/7/2017
Autograph Letter Signed by Arthur Middleton (1837-1878) of Charleston, South Carolina, 2pp. folio, Daisy Bank, December 29, 1859, and reads in part: “...I am anxious to hear as soon as possible what you decide upon doing with regard to buying Negroes...Walter wanted to know what your proportion of the income would be. I think it ought to be in proportion to the number of workers. For instance, ten full hands (at least five men) with one carpenter, would entitled you to one third of the income. ...I could plant for you 100 acres, which would probably yield between four & five thousand dollars, and the expenses you can calculate at $30-$35 per head on your Negroes...A committee of the Bulow Negroes waited on me on Christmas night to beg me to buy them. They are very good & orderly gang, some very prime, and have been very much neglected, but not over worked. They will be sold by the Master in Equity. I supposed they will sell high, but the terms will be easy, and even if they sell at $900 round, the investment will not be as heavy as buying them at $400 and rice land at $100...$2500 is the interest of over $35,000, and I calculate that you would get a prime set of 25 Negroes @ $800 round, making our investment $20,000. Our is about $40,000, and I think the crop will sell for very nearly $7,000 which is the interest of $100,000. ...” Very good condition.
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