[TEXAS]. A letter from an enslaver detailing the value of enslaved persons and noting the recent discovery of gold. Hallettsville, TX, 28 April 1853. [With:] Additional letter to same recipient.

4 pages, 8 3/8 x 10 3/4 in., creased at folds, occasional stains. With stampless cover addressed to Edward D. Hicks, Nashville, TN.

In this letter to his nephew, A. W. Hicks writes about family happenings and updates, including some severe losses including money and relationships. He writes: "I can only say as you know that in 1839 after my pecuniary misfortunes come on me I lost my child my Father-in-Law Judge Cooke my Brother (your Father) and my wife and a fortune of $30,000 all in about one year and was left a drift on the world without a dollar and nearly all my old friends forgot me remarkably soon so that I was almost a strainger [sic] in the land of my nativity."

He then explains how he married again in 1844, had 5 children, and opened the only tavern in their town. Of his wife, he writes: "My wife has 8 very valuable young negroes 2 men 3 women & 3 girls altogether enough to make us comfortably independent. We dislike our present business and will go to the country to make cotton and raise stock as soon as we can sell."

In a postscript, Hicks mentions an exciting and timely development: the discovery of gold. He writes: "Gold has recently been discovered on the upper Collonade about 150 miles above this and rumour is wildly contradictory as to quantity and products. Sum [sic] accounts Represent it as equal to California though as yet nothing satisfactory or reliable is known about it, though, excitement is getting high. I say time and energy will develop it soon."

[With:] A letter from Jones Hicks to the same recipient, Edward D. Hicks. "Georgia Macon Cty," 10 October 1849. Among the updates he provides is the following: "A gentleman livinge [sic] at Ringolde [sic] owned A valuable settlemente [sic] of swampe [sic] lands on Flinte [sic] river About five miles from whare I live I concluded to purchase them and settle sum Negroes on the river as the lands are very rich..."