2005-03
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/28/2005
Autograph Letter Signed, “I. Winston” 2p. quarto, November 24, 1835, Tallahassee, Florida, with integral leaf addressed to Mrs. Susan Winston in Virginia, with Tallahassee date stamp, and reads in part: “…The country cannot be said to be hilly, but boldly undulated, and the land varying considerably in fertility…About this town it is rich and said to be more so in an east direction; but the texture is loose that I do not think (without great care) it will last. The town itself presents a curious aspect, extending along a high ridge (it is said) three miles. There are three parallel streets intersected by cross streets as in our country; But alternate squares is in woods and is always to remain so… The buildings are many of them large, but none fine - compared however to the miserable habitations thro’ the interminable said region of N. Carolina, S. Carolina, & Georgia, Grand …The character of the inhabitants for Politeness, intelligence, and urbanity has not been over drawn. The Gentlemen here are very much like Gentlemen in our own country, except that they appear to be more at ease; and I see no reason why they should not be so, if the possession of wealth and the prospect of its uninterrupted increase can make them self complacent and contented…The reports of the cotton crop is very favorable, the best lands having produced from 1500 to 1800 per acre, few planters cultivating less than 15 acres to the hand. They talk of buying 50 Negroes here as lightly as we talk of buying a dozen chickens…” Missing blank panels on integral leaf, else VG. Tallahassee had been made the capitol of Florida in 1830.
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