Raynors HCA 2019-05
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/30/2019
Transplanted Kentuckian's slavery question letter, 2pp. legal size folio, written by William R. Weldon, Elizabeth, Arkansas, July 1, 1849, back home to his Kentucky family, concerning cotton crops and Kentucky's expected vote on slavery, reading, in part: "…I have commenced making brick, but the weather has been very unfavorable so far…I do not think it can continue long as it has been raining ever since April…so far the clay works finely. I am pretty sure I can set & burn at least I shall try…the corn crops and cotton is not so good. Most people are mistaken about cotton they think it requires a great deal of hard work, but the work is all light…there are men in this country who have grown rich by farming alone and such a thing is not known in Kentucky unless they had a capital to commence with…cotton farming does not require so much land open as 15 acres…I wish you to write me who is the candidates for convention and Legislature. How the people will vote ion the slavery question as I hear there is great excitement on that subject. I feel in hopes that Kentucky will act worthy of the proud name she carries and do all in her power to wipe out the only foul spot upon her erection. It is the opinion of most people here that she will emancipate her salves and some of them are in a terrible fury about it…there will be measures adopted to stop the importation of slaves as they are fearful they will be over run by them. There is great preparations…here for the Fourth…there will be as much patriotic Spirit evinced [here] as there will be anywhere else & a good deal more of another kind of spirit…Wm. R. Weldon." The original manuscript canceled, "Elizabeth, Ark, July 4, [paid] 10," addressed: "Abraham Weldon, Fancey Farm, KY," transmittal leaf remains attached. Minor spotting, else VG.
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