An Early Letter About A Timber Business

Book Description

(TIMBER). ALS. 2pg. 8” x 13”. October 18, 1835. Grand Prairie. A lengthy autograph letter signed “Lovitt Eames” to his brother Daniel Eames of New York: “I recd no Letter from you but one from Moses stating that you wished to know the particulars as to the size of the bore &x. He said that you would probably come but I suppose it depended some upon the conditions. Now ‘this necessary that I should know pretty certain whether you do come. You must be aware of this. Well then he says that you will do if for 50 two inch hole & less in proportion to the other hole is less & likewise less in proportion to the quantity done this I consider high for I only have .50 for small jobs & 2 ½ hole & where I bore by hand…I have about 2000 rods to boar [sic] next summer & I think it can be bored with a horse…find that a man can make 2 & 3 dollars per day at that, but knowing that you will do it more faithfully than any other man I am willing to pay you for the two thousand rods $500. This will probably keep you in employ through the season & if you wish to stay longer I will engage to find you more work so you need not fear on that part & if you do not wish to do as much you need not consider yourself under obligation to do more than 1000 rods but this shall be at your option. I can busy myself at farming to good advantage & am very desirous that you should come but if you cannot come on the conditions I have proposed you need not come on my account, your pay shall be certain. Hayward will tell you more particulars about the spring & other matters & things than I can in this letter, you can learn the particulars of him about my plan of boring…for you not to bring any tools except your hand runner & you 1 ½ inch auger & shank & such other little tools as you might find convenient as for getting my augers prepared or fitching [sic] your horse power I should not, for I have a cheap plan that will ans. every purpose, for a horse I use a common auger standing upright & boar the logs (split out of oak timber 5 inches square and six feet long & then turn the timbers in a lathe)…I think you had better come by sleighing with a horse of your own & then you will be here in season in the spring.” The letter is in fine condition.

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