In a March 19, 1849 letter to his cousin D. C. Clint Douglass in Lebanon, Tenn., Alfred William Douglass writes of the increase in students enrolled at his school, his desire that Clint remain another year in law school, and his dislike of life in the city. He also notes that there is no alarm here about cholera, though there are some deaths nearly every day.

In this letter, W. B. Lewis relates news about several friends and family members, mentions that cholera is still afflicting Nashville and the surrounding areas, asks Jackson to pass some news to Ralph E. W. Earl, and complains that [t]imes in Nashville are exceedingly dull and hard. He closes by asking after General Eaton (who he thinks should come to Nashville because the Foster and Grundy parties are waxing very hot) and sending his respects to Jackson's family.

In this letter to Dr. James Gower, William Russell (then near Nashville) reports that during his visit to Tennessee he has seen disease [cholera] in its most agonizing form and the minister of death in his blackest habiliments. As a result of this outbreak, the people are panicked and Russell expects a perfect stampede. He goes on to report on former President Polk's baptism, death, and burial and closes by asking his cousin for news from home.