Letter of Quinton Anderson to Thomas Ruffin, January 15, 1822
Title
Letter of Quinton Anderson to Thomas Ruffin, January 15, 1822
Description
This letter from Quinton Anderson to Thomas Ruffin includes Anderson's refusal to enter the slave trade with Ruffin. This letter is significant in that it shows that slave trading was not looked upon with respect in the 1820s. Anderson turns down the opportunity because he does not want to be involved in "business of that nature" and that "the trafic (sic) itself, against which the feelings of my mind in some measure revolt."
Creator
Quinton Anderson
Source
Quinton Anderson to Thomas Ruffin, 15 January 1822, Thomas Ruffin Papers, Collection 641, Southern Historical Collection, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Date
1822-01-15
Type
Document
Coverage
Caswell County, North Carolina
Original Format
Correspondence
Text
Caswell, 15th January 1822
Mr. Ruffin,
Dear Sir, On Sunday last I had an interview with my Brother William Anderson, on the subject of business of which you spoke to me on Saturday Evening. He appears disposed to enter into business of that nature but as it respects myself, I have after giving the subject mature consideration, came to the conclusion that the situation of my business forbids that I should embark in business of that nature, not the least consideration with me, is the trafic (sic) itself, against which the feelings of my mind in some measure revolt. In order to raise the necessary funds to prosecute the business to advantage, a resort would have to be made to some of the ___ Institutions of the state, which to me would be unpleasant. Their mode of ___ business with their Customers is so strongly marked with tyranny as to disgust a free and Republican Spirit, believe me sir wen I say that no friend of yours would be more grateful to render you any service than myself particularly under your present Circumstances as named by yourself to me when I last saw you, but the reasons which I ___ I know to a mind like yours will be satisfactory.
In hopes you may be able to hit upon some ___ that will better answer your ___, than the one of which you spoke to me, while I remain with all due respect yours.
Respectfully
Q. Anderson
Mr. Ruffin,
Dear Sir, On Sunday last I had an interview with my Brother William Anderson, on the subject of business of which you spoke to me on Saturday Evening. He appears disposed to enter into business of that nature but as it respects myself, I have after giving the subject mature consideration, came to the conclusion that the situation of my business forbids that I should embark in business of that nature, not the least consideration with me, is the trafic (sic) itself, against which the feelings of my mind in some measure revolt. In order to raise the necessary funds to prosecute the business to advantage, a resort would have to be made to some of the ___ Institutions of the state, which to me would be unpleasant. Their mode of ___ business with their Customers is so strongly marked with tyranny as to disgust a free and Republican Spirit, believe me sir wen I say that no friend of yours would be more grateful to render you any service than myself particularly under your present Circumstances as named by yourself to me when I last saw you, but the reasons which I ___ I know to a mind like yours will be satisfactory.
In hopes you may be able to hit upon some ___ that will better answer your ___, than the one of which you spoke to me, while I remain with all due respect yours.
Respectfully
Q. Anderson
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Citation
Quinton Anderson, Letter of Quinton Anderson to Thomas Ruffin, January 15, 1822, Civil War Era NC, accessed December 21, 2024, https://cwnc.omeka.chass.ncsu.edu/items/show/597.