Letter fragment from Richard Maury, 1865

Scope and content:

Letter fragment regards colonization in Mexico.

Language:

English.

Other descriptive data:

Reasons for establishing colonies in Mexico.

1. Va is not a fit place to live in now. All must come to Mexico. If they stay in Va they will have to free their nigs, will have to pay taxes heavier than in Mexico will very likely have a nig tax collector coming around, will be always haunted by the Yankees, will have to pay the Yankee war debt, will have to help pay pensions to the widows and orphans of the men that have been fighting against us and do nothing for ours and will perhaps have our lands confiscated. The Spartans of the war who remain in Va will be in the category of a conquered race.

2. All must come to Mex. Pa is going to Max and get form him grants of land in different part of Mex for the best blood of Va. and the South to go to. He will get Max to allow them to come to Mex and bring all their effects with them free of duty, get them exempted from taxes and conscription in the army for a term of years. Besides these he will get such other privileges as my be practicable including those of religion.

3. Brother Wellford must come right off the reel to pick the lands for us to settle on. Some steady young men who are not afraid to work must be sent to get ready for the rest to come. Must set all the nigs free and then bring them along as persons owing passage money to be paid in labour. Then they can be held as peons till the debt is discharged. That is you pay them but can compel them to work for you as long as they owe you money or labour. Must get mechanics of all sorts to come with their tools and uncle John or Uncle Charlie or Brother Will or someone else must stay behind to wind up the affairs of all.

Those persons that intend to leave the Confed anyhow had better send someone to him at once; but he wants no one to come simply on his representation. Indeed the idea is that those people that wish to settle together and intend to leave the country any how should appoint a certain on and send him to Pa who can offer him better privileges that he could get by himself. Then if Max don't suit him he can go back and report to the people that sent him and they will be just where they started from.

Subjects:

Mexico—History
Correspondence

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