1837 – A long, three-page letter describing a businessman’s journey from New Orleans to Velasco, then overland by foot to Washington, Texas, where he was murdered by “desperados”
Washington, Texas: 1837. Envelope or Cover. This long, three-page stampless folded letter, measuring 15” x 12.5” unfolded and datelined “Washington Texas April 19 1837” was sent by “Charly Ela,” of Dover, New Hampshire, to Richard F. Nichols in New Orleans. It contains over 1,200 words. A forwarding letter from Harriet N. Perkins, also of New Orleans, sent Charly’s letter on to his sister, Susan, in Dover later the same year. Both letters are in nice shape. A full transcript of Charly’s letter will be included.
Charly was apparently a merchant who traveled to Washington (now Washington-on the Brazos), then the capital of the Texas Republic on business. While there, some New Hampshire histories suggest in the company of another Dover merchant, George C. Durrell), he was murdered shortly after writing this letter, either by “desperados” or “Indians” depending on the genealogical refence. In her forwarding letter to Susan, Harriet, who had received the letter from Richard Nichols with who Charly had boarded, wrote that it was “probably the last letter he ever wrote.”
This exceptional letter details Charly’s trip first by the schooner William Bryan from New Orleans to Velasco and then on his multiday overland journey of about 140 miles to Washington. Tip of the iceberg entries include:
“We went on shore in the long boat [to conduct] our business at the custom house [and then] examined the fortification of the place which consisted of long 18 pounders mounted near the beach. {While there,] we heard of the Mexicans giving chase to the steamer Columbus and firing upon her, but we saw nothing of them. . .. Commenced . . . on foot [and at} arrived at Brasona where the District court . . . adjudged [a man] guilty of murder [who was] sentenced and executed upon the gallows, another [convicted of] stealen was whipped and branded in the hand and remanded to Prison. . . .. We likewise went through Columbia [and] we dined in the house where St Anna was confined when Prisoner to the Texians. . .. the 1st night I lodged on the floor with 16 others in the same room. [While] out hunting. I espeyed 3 cubs . . . in a small tree [and after we felled it and] they scrambled for the thicket [where] they squalled most bestily but no old one made her appearance we carried them in I tryed all ways to get one to you but I could not. . .. the next day [we started on foot] for Washington the distance of 125 mile . . . after putting our goods on board the teams. [At] Mill creek . . . we saw a very large Panther cross our path about 400 yds ahead and retire to the wood I had nothing but my small Rifle and did not dare pursue. Here we were entertained by Thompson who gave us feather bed to lye upon [and] I was sorry to leave for they lived well. . .. We arrived [at Washington and] entered our names upon the book of the Washington hotell took supper lodging and breakfast. This Tavern is kept by one Robert who looked upon us verry suspiciously [which was] substantialed by the questions asked and the continual watching of every step. On going to bed [one man asked] have you got any bagage to which I replied no not with me I had put it upon a team and the team had not arrived. . . . As I took out my watch and placed it under my pillow he takes it up and looks at it says not a word [so] I undressed and went to bed. . .. In the morning landlord looks in & he sayes you are getting up [and] now out immediately I was out washed and got breakfast after which I proposed going up to see Rice a merchant here with whom I had conversation. . .. I left his hous for the Planter Hotell [because] I have not seen either chair, sugar, milk peper, vinegar, or mustard since I have been at this house. There is not a building on Girod St but what is respectable when compared with the best Hotell in this place [and] there is but few here who are not rapscallous: I hope it will please God soon to Deliver me from this place As it respects the country it is delightful and fertile the cattle are fat [but] we have such poor . . . Beef when cooked if it were not for the bones no person of Gods footstool could tell what it is. It is this and cornbred and coffee we have to live upon morning and night. . ..”
. Very good. Item #010754On-line information about Charly and his family is sparce, although a few genealogical records and a bare-bones family history exist. There is an online finding guide for the “Dow/Gray/Ela Families Papers, 1798-1899” held by the New Hampshire Historical Society that briefly notes Charly was “killed by deperados while on a business trip to Texas,” however it does not show that any material related to him is within the collection.
At the time of listing, there is no similar early first-person account about travelling overland to Washington, Texas for sale in the trade. The Rare Book Hub and ABSA, show none have ever appeared at auction, and OCLC shows none are held in institutional collections
.Price: $2,500.00