folder 16: 1853–1855

We have at last had a rainy spell ; and the old adage has been verified, for it has been "pouring" for the last ten days It commenced with a three days [sic] heavy rain storm from the S.E., and after a week of almost daily rains it is now winding up with a driving rain with heavy wind from the N.E. It still blows heavily but as the barometer does not fall, and the gale is abating I hope it is nearly over. This state of the weather is most injurious to the rice, and will destroy some cotton. But for the rain, the whole of the rice would have been cut at Hopelow, and 2/3ds of it in the barn yard. As it is, all is cut but 50 acres, and 130 acres carried up.

I have no report from Hamilton for the last week, by the 2^nd Ins^t 23000 lbs had been picked in and 14000 lbs asserted. The pickings of the last week can scarcely exceed 4000 to 5000 lbs. Charles informed me on the 10^th that he had then in at Oatlands 6^1/2 bags, and expected to reach 10 bags. Here we have in 19 bags, - on 19000 lbs of dried cotton and but for accidents can scarcely fall short of 40 bags. The potatoes, pears and turnips will benefit by the rain. The turnip seed has proved to be very good, and has come up well here, and at Hopeton

The health of the island continues to be perfectly good. We are still without a single case of fever here either among whites or blacks. It is now I think too late for the rains to do any injury.

I find that the sale of Hamilton is generally known. The authority given is M^r Woolley, when passing through Darien. The price stated $50,000. & the number of negros [sic] 150. The sale is attributed to me, and I am reproached with having sold the property for less than the value of the Negroes. It is mortifying to me to be placed in a false position - I have had nothing to do with the sale. I handed M^r Cubin M^r Kings [sic] letter of offer to purchase without comment. I had in the valuation for a Deed of Partition previously put Hamiliton & the then 115 Negroes (Spring of 1852) at between $54000 & $55000 - In June last I informed M^r Cubin that Negro property had advanced from 1/5 to 1/4 beyond the value for the date of valuation. I have had no communication with M^r Cubin asking my advice during his last negotiation. If the bargain is a bad one, - and I think it is: - the fault is not mine. With kindest remembrance to Hannah

I am dear William your affectionate Brother

[signed, to right of page] J Hamilton Couper

[bottom left of page] M^r W^m Audley Couper.

[top right, in pencil] (September ?) Union Hall Saratoga Springs - 23^rd 1853 -

Here we are again my own beloved Mother I did not write you from Niagara as Georgia did so and realy [sic] the gentlemen rushed us about at such a dreadful rait [sic] that there was no time for any thing. Oh my Mother dear how I wish you and all the dear ones could have been with us to view that grand work of God - it is indeed Sublime - Grand it elevates ones [sic] soul to worship that giver of all good I have every lovely view painted on my mind and shall ever be thankful that I went to Niagara it is soul elevating - The only bar I had to my enjoyment was that I have not heard a word from you my beloved Mother since I left here --- Dear Butler joined us on [Saturday?] night - and on Tuesday he and the Cunninghams who came that night also - with our dear Georgia went the rounds - and on Wednesday morning we all started for this place - Cousin A had been quite unwell on Sunday Monday night and on Tuesday M^r Woolley and herself ran down as far as Rochester - where they found us on Wednesday ( yesterday ) and we all came here we went back to our old quarters at M^r Hustises and staed [sic] there this night but his house was perfectly crowded with Country folks - come in to this

great State Fair - And his wife is expecting every honer [sic] they put us in very crowded rooms so - so this morning we / that is William & I - / moved here to the Union Where the B--s - G- & Butler are , Mr W & Cousin A are still in their miserable little cramped room & will not come here -- This is a delightful house elegantly furnished - quiet and comfortable - Georgia & Kate have one large room - Mrs & Mr B - one - Butler one - & William & I have 2 - Oh how I wish you all were here - This place is perfectly jamed [sic] with country people - We all went down to the Fair grounds this morning - There was a great show of poultry cattle horses - hogs sheep - mashinery [sic] &c &c of all kinds but there was such a great crowd that we could see nothing with any pleasure - Tell my darling Cooney that I saw the bigest [sic] Cows I ever saw some just like his Beauty - and did so wish I had him to show them to -- Tell my little Tillie that I saw a tame [led?] dog - so tame that he eat [sic] out of his Masters [sic] hand - and cut all kind of playful capers - he looks much like the little [Butler?] we had - I also saw the wild Mare of South America who has no [hair?] - she is beautifully formed - and an Indiarubber dog - from Mexico but he was so cross - Tell my little Anna that I saw hundreds of beautiful little Bantams born black & some like her little one at home also a quantity of monstros [sic] big fowls of all kinds. Then we

went to the Managary [sic] and saw the Rinoserous [sic] 4 Lions- a Royal Tigar [sic] - Panthers a Zebra Elephant - Monkeys - Parrots Macaws & many other things that I shall tell them about when we meet - which I pray God may be soon - Oh how ardently I long to see you all again - I hope I shall have a letter tomorrow my darling little ones how I long for them - God bless them & you too Mother darling -- Georgia tells me you think of spending some time in New York before we go home - Now dear Mother I have a proposal to make - William is very anxious to spend some weeks in New York to see the Cristal [sic] Palace &c &c and now he says cannot affoard [sic] to go to Philadelphia & return to New York - so he wants to stop there - Pleas [sic] dearest Mother come up and meet us there - Butler says he knows of several just such houses as the one you are now staying in - and Father is so much in New York - dear Mother please do so - If not I must join you in P - and let W- remain in NY alone as I cannot be longer seperated [sic] from all of you beloved ones when I have seen so little as yet of my beloved Father - Oh how dear you all are to me - William proposes leaving this on Saturday or Monday going by the way of Spring Field & New Haven to NY - It is very doubtful our going to Boston - I am so anxious to see dear Lord - Please write me to New Haven under Cover to Mal - Dear Mother - We are all quite