1841 Letter

Envelope Postmarked: New Orleans, Louisiana 18 Nov 1841
Addressed to: Pheneas C. Hall and Samuel B. Hall State Illinois, Jackson County, Brownsville
Letter Heading: Texas, Washington Coun;ty, Cedar Creek, 5 Nov 1841

Dear Sons, I now embrace the opportunity to drop you a few line informing you that through the mercies of the Great Giver of All Blessings we are all enjoying good health say all our friends-your Mother excepted and her health is much the same as it was shen you were here. I sincerely hope that these lines may find you and all the Connections in a state of perfect good health. I have but little of importance to communicate to you- we have good crops of corne (corne is selling at $.50 per bushel). Cotton crops are tolerable good. There is a great quantity raised in the County. This season cotton is from $9.50 to $10.00 per hun.

I can inform you that midst plenty we have indirectly Peace. The Mexicans scarcely threaten us as they are so engaged in perpetual war at home they have not time t think of war abroad. It is a short time since Santa Anna defeated Bustementa (the President and Cheiftain of Mexico) and got possession of the City of Mexico and is counquering all the Centerlists before him. This has been the misfortune of those rebeled criters for the last eleven year and God only knows when such a civil war will be at an end.

I wrote you a letter about the last of August informing you that if you could encourage me to come I intend to pay you a visit though I have not received any answer yet though I am still expecting one. In some short time if I receive a letter shortly informing me to come I shall start in three days after I receive it, but if the time is delayed I cannot come lest the River might freeze up and I be detained until Springs. Which would be very much against my wishes. If you are not prepared to pay the little money that is coming to William and Jackson at this time perhaps you an discharge it in flower next spring. If you can write to me immediately and I will come on or about the first of March next. Since James speaks of authenticizing me to dispose of the eight acres of land joining you as he has declined the intention of ever going back to live there.

He is such a fair way of making a good living but William is a little embarrased at this time. They have lands in abundance but it will not sell for money. They are anxious to get out of debt before the law is repealed making property bring two-thirds of its value as property cannot be sold under any pretnece whatever for less tha two-thirds of its value . Congress is now in session and it's expected the above law will be repealed and a new law be passed making property sell for what it will bring. If so it will place the citizens of this County in a very awkward situation and some of ourselves among the rest unless you can do something for them. If you cannot riase money, flower can be used. Have very soon and I will come and receive it first next March but if I receive a letter from you to come this fall I will start in two or three days after receiving it. William and Jackson both have helpless family and not situated to leave them and the way I am situated to assist them is to attend to their concerns in that County. I assure you it would be a great accomodation to them if you can help them and it would be remembered by them as a great favor. As it is not in my power to assist them at this time, please to write me every month for two or three months. Perhaps I may get some of your letters.

Before I close I inform you that your Mother sends her love to you both and all her grandchildren. Also my adopted daughter, Sarah A. Hall send her best respects to all her uncles and aunts and she says she wishes to see them all but her lot is ast-always therefore she has to be content with her situation. I now close my letter by offering to you my best love and affections.

Your Affectionate Father until Death,
James Hall, Sr.
(signature mark)

Before I close I inform you that religion is flourishing very much in the County-eighteen months back there was not a Baptist church west of the Brazos River-now there are seven or eight containing a great many members.

James Hall, Sr.