- Collection:
- Southeastern Native American Documents, 1730-1842
- Title:
- [Letter] 1838 Nov. 21, Pontotoc, Mississippi, [to] John Fontaine, Columbus, Georgia / Cha[rle]s D. Fontaine
- Creator:
- Fontaine, Charles D.
- Date of Original:
- 1838-11-21
- Subject:
- Chickasaw Indians--Land tenure
Chickasaw Indians--Relocation - Location:
- United States, Georgia, 32.75042, -83.50018
United States, Mississippi, 32.75041, -89.75036 - Medium:
- letters (correspondence)
- Type:
- Text
- Format:
- text/html
image/jpeg - Description:
- This is a letter dated November 21, 1838 from Charles D. Fontaine to John Fontaine, prominent merchant in Columbus, Georgia. Charles Fontaine reports that there is an abundance of cheap, vacant land in the Chickasaw Nation in Mississippi. (Chickasaw Removal took place in 1837-1838.) He asserts that someone with enough capital could easily profit from land speculation there, and he suggests that John Fontaine might be interested in doing so. The letter mentions some banks in the state and region, including agricultural and commercial banks.
Digital image and encoded transcription of an original manuscript, scanned, transcribed and encoded by the Digital Library of Georgia in 2001, as part of GALILEO, funded in part by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. - Local Identifier:
- jft007
- External Identifiers:
- Metadata URL:
- https://dlg.usg.edu/record/dlg_zlna_jft007
- Digital Object URL:
- https://dlg.usg.edu/record/dlg_zlna_jft007#item
- IIIF manifest:
- https://dlg.usg.edu/record/dlg_zlna_jft007/presentation/manifest.json
- Language:
- eng
- Bibliographic Citation (Cite As):
- Cite as: [title of item], John Fontaine Papers, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries, presented in the Digital Library of Georgia
- Extent:
- 3 pages/leaves
- Original Collection:
- Manuscript held by the Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries, John Fontaine Papers, box 02, folder 1838 September-December, document 01.
- Holding Institution:
- Hargrett Library
- Rights:
-
Page: [1]
Pontotoc
Novr [November] 21st 1838
Mr John Fontaine
Dear Sir
After So long a silence I conclude it is my duty to write to you, notwithstanding nothing has been done withe [with] the business in hand
This, I can [unclear text: assure ] you, is from no want of Exertion on my part, but owing Entirely to the circumstances of the times -- There being no demand as yet, for Land in the Chickasaw Nation
Very few Settlers are coming in, and for those, there is yet a Sufficiency of vacant land, which they can obtain by paying a woodsman from $10 to $20 per quarter, and [unclear text: Enter ] at 50 [unclear text: ct [cents] ] per acre at this time, a [unclear text: reduction ] not taking place until January next
I hear of no Sales of land whatever Except by Entry, and I much fear it will be many years Ere ready Sales can be effected.
The [unclear text: patents ] have arrived, but will not be ready for distribution for two or three months yet --
Our Town is slowly improving, though not in a business way, as there is not on hand a tolerable assortment of goods, and no preparation making for a supply by any of our merchants, that I know of, What goods there are [added text: here are ] sold at from 1 to 200 pct on New York costs -- And those
Page: [2]
too purchased with Mississippi money and Mississippi credit --
I mention this for the purpose of shewing [showing] you the the [the] opening there is at this time, at this and other places in the Chickasaw Nation, Should you again feel induced to Embark in this kind of Speculation- A large amt [amount] of goods could be sold for cash at handsome profits -- A cash business, I believe, would succeed best under Existing circumstances -- I feel confident with the management of a small capital, I could in a few years realize a handsome fortune
Some of our Banks intend resuming Specie payments in
January, To wit The Agricultural, the Commercial Banks at Vicksburg, Columbus, Manchester, and [illegible text], Tombegbee Rail Road & Banking Company, Pontotoc & Aberdeen Rail Road & Banking Compy [Company] and Union Bank, also Lake Washington & Deer Creek Bank. The notes of all other Banks in this State, being [unclear text: pcs ] below par
I have lately traveled [travelled] a good deal in the wood, and find there is much more [added text: good ] vacant land than I Expected
We are all well
Very Respectfully Your Obt Svt [Obedient Servant]
[Signed] Chas [Charles] D Fontaine
Page: [3]
[ Note: A postmark appears on the upper left of the page.; PONTOTOC Mis.
Nov 20 [November] ]
25
Mr. John Fontaine. Columbus. Georgia.
mail}
Chas. [Charles] D Fontaine
20 Nov. [November] 1838
Pontotoc Mis
1838