[P.] R. ALS to William C. Rives, Jr., April 8, 1866

African American History Collection, 1729-1966 (bulk 1781-1865) [Box 4, Folder 64a]

Castle Hill April 8. 1866. I received your letter about the darkies, a few days ago, my dearest Son, and will, with the greatest pleasure, set enquiries about them on foot and do my best to meet your wishes. Like yourself, I think any of them would be wise to go to a country where the mild and equable climate, spontaneous fruits and fertile soil furnish the necessaries of life with little exertion, for their [?] ideal of happiness and comfort is in idleness. I have felt, and still feel a sincere wish for the welfare of the race, though I am sorry to say our own experience has convinced us that there are very few of them for whom it is possible to do any thing. I thought that those immediately around us would have more reason and intelligence than the mass and that something of the old family attachment might be developed, but I am sorry to say I have been sadly and sorely disappointed. It seems to have been all in vain that we have waited with

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About this Item

Series
African American History Collection, 1729-1966 (bulk 1781-1865) [Box 4, Folder 64a]
Title
[P.] R. ALS to William C. Rives, Jr., April 8, 1866
Type
letter
Recipient
Rives, William C.
Canvas
Image 1
Publication
Castle Hill, [Virginia]
1866 April 8
Method and Signature Status
autograph manuscript signed
Notes
Discusses tensions between slaves and former owners, and slaves traveling to Liberia; "I think any of those would be wise to go to a country where the mild and equable climate..."

Technical Details

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https://name.umdl.umich.edu/africanamer.0004.64a
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https://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/api/manifest/africanamer:africanamer.0004.64a

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Full citation
"[P.] R. ALS to William C. Rives, Jr., April 8, 1866." In the digital collection African American and African Diaspora Collection, 1729-1966 (bulk 1781-1865). https://name.umdl.umich.edu/africanamer.0004.64a. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 28, 2025.
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