Scope and Contents

Mrs. Cropper sends regards and asks how things are going in America; plans to call on her tomorrow morning; assumes Mrs. Cropper is refering to Mr. Lincoln's plan of offereing Emacipation with compensation to the brder states; people in England thinks that means that the North is tired out and will let the South go; does not think the North wants to give up the mouth and the most part of the Miss[issippi] River; thinks that the war will end only when the North takes back New Orleans; thinks that Lincoln's offer will not be attractive to the border states and will make slave states angry; gave William £4 to William to share with Fontaine; William spoke with his Uncle Horatio [Hughes], who told him he should not try to go back to New Orleans ; told William that he did not want him to try to find business in New Orleans because he would clash with James; discussed the amount of money William owes creditors; William said that Cousin Robert advised him to set up business in Richmond or Norfolk after the war; thinks he would be better off in New Orleans since that is where the money is; thinks it would be good for him to go back to New Orleans and trade with the West; William wants to sell used gunny-bags; thinks this is a bad idea; but said he would ask Matthew for information on the enterprise; does not think it was worthwhile for William to come to England; told William that he did not think it was a good idea to look for a job as a clerk called on Mr. Rodewald, who was not in, to see if he knew a cmopany that could take care of the lard that William is selling; wants her to tell Matthew was he has written about William; (22 [March]) called on Mrs. Cropper; received letters from Matthew. 6pp. ALS