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ALS. 2pp. States that winter conditions were not favorable to the New Orleans slave trade. Saunders says he recently sold a "boy" and that there was a "considerable stir" in northern Virginia over land claims made by Revolutionary War veterans. Also encloses "last advise [sic] from New Orleans," a January 13, 1831 letter from James R. Franklin.

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ALS. 3pp. [enclosed in February 5, 1831 letter] James R. Franklin, an employee of the Franklin & Armfield Co. and Isaac Franklin's brother, describes the state of the New Orleans slave trade and quotes current prices.

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ALS. 1p. Reports that slave trade prices are down and reminds Burford to take care of their joint lawsuit in federal court involving a parcel of land.

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ALS. 2pp. [enclosed with July 4, 1831 letter] Discusses Franklin's slave trading activities in the New Orleans market.

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ALS. 3pp. Shows the business account of the J. M. Saunders Co. slave traders. Complains that "times are dull and slave difficult to procure"; reminds Burford again to take care of their land suit in court and asks him to perform some personal favors. Predicts that the Franklin & Armfield Co. will go out of business in 1833 and mentions that Burford was reelected to the state senate.

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ALS. 1p. Details Saunders' shipment of thirteen enslaved individuals, "8 men and 5 girls," to market; gives an estimate of the profit expected. Reference to [James R. ?] Franklin's involvement.

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ALS. 1p. Envelope from Saunders with forwarded letter from John Armfield to Saunders concerning Armfield's business affairs in Tennessee. [very hard to read]

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ALS. 1p. Discusses Saunders' and Armfield's attempt to reduce slave prices in northern Virginia.

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ALS. 3pp. [enclosed in December 13, 1831 letter] Discusses Armfield's and Franklin's activities, and comments on proposed federal legislation favorable to their business.

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ASL. 3pp. Discusses Burford's plan to withdraw his capital from Saunders' slave trading company in the summer of 1832. Saunders seemed happy with Burford's decision, stating he could "continue any branch of the business without the benifit [sic] of your part of the funds." Comments on their continuing involvement in a lawsuit in federal court over land, and address Burford's request to purchase some "negro boys."

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ALS. 3pp. Describes the current conditions of the slave trade stating that he is "purchasing negroes much faster than usual at fair prices." Saunders now seems to want Burford to remain within his company, stating that "I think from the present prospect that I shall be able to use all of the capital without much difficulty." Mentions his connection with Franklin and Armfield and states that disease and death often destroy his profits.

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ALS. 2pp. Letter with separate envelope written on the blank page of a letter Armfield wrote on July 2 in Alexandria, Virginia, to Saunders. Reports the state of their common business concern and reveals Burford's share of the year's profits. General comments on the slave trade and on the Burford-Saunders Lawsuit in federal court.

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DS. 1p. Proclamation of Tennessee governor William Carroll calling the General Assembly into special session to reapportion the state congressional districts according to the results of the 1830 census. Burford was a member of the state senate at this time.

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ALS. 1p. Confirms the receipt of $1,200 for an undisclosed number of enslaved individuals. Saunders tells Burford to send an agent for them "to avoid as much as possible the winter travelling."

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ALS. 2pp. Reveals that Burford's order for enslaved people was canceled because prices were too high. Returning Burford's check, Saunders comments on the seasonal fluctuation in prices saying "negroes are generally lower in this country in the latter part of the winter than at any other season of the year."

Scope and Contents Note ALS. 3pp. Discusses Saunders' current activities in the slave trade. Casual description of a public auction "where about 30 valuable negroes were sold." Burford apparently changed his mind twice in regard to a purchase since the October 2 letter because Saunders reveals that Burford placed a second order and then canceled it. Discussion of deaths and disease among a group of enslaved individuals traveling through the south with "29 in the lot, among them 15 likely men, the balance boys,...

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ALS. 2pp. Acknowledges the receipt of the $1,200 check that Burford sent in the names of Mr. Yeatman and Mr. Woods for the purchase of some individuals. Reveals that he still cannot fill Burford's order and suggests he try another agent.

Scope and Contents Note ALS. 3pp. Reveals that [James R. ?] Franklin sent work to Saunders through Purvis [likely James F. Purvis, a fellow slave trader under the Franklin & Armfield banner] to "suspend our purchases until further orders." Tells Burford to send his agent to Virginia to purchase any slaves he wants. Discusses the conditions of the market in general, blaming it partially on the Veto and the Cholera" [veto being a possible reference to Andrew Jackson's veto of the bill to recharter the Second Bank...

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ALS. 2pp. Letter discusses the cholera plague that was then sweeping Mississippi and tells Saunders of the death of a friend's [Plich's?] wife. Gives details of the growing slave trading business in Mississippi. Saunders forwards the letter to Burford on January 30, 1833 and this envelope is included.

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ALS. 2pp. Comments on the "demand for slaves, they are at this time higher in this country than I have ever known them since I have been in the trade" and reveals that he expects to receive a letter from Williams. Confirms the receipt of Burford's money and promises to return it as soon as he can get a note of the proper denomination from the "Philadelphia money market." Informs Burford that he will sell him a woman named Mary and her child for $500.