New Orleans 1846

Letter written March 22, 1846 from New Orleans by Hiram A. Goodlett to his mother, Mrs. Harriet Goodlett, in Alexandria, Benton Co. Alabama. Benton County’s name was changed to Calhoun County in 1868. The letter includes a ½-page note to his brother Alfred.

Important letter filled with fascinating observations about New Orleans, its population, fashions, etc. Hiram begins by writing that he had become uneasy, having received “Only one letter in two months.” He continues, “This is a great and growing city, and I think I shall do well here yet…There are people of all nations and kinds here…The rich and the poor are near neighbors…Poor people ought not to live in cities [because] it requires wealth to be fashionable, and if families do not follow fashion, they are out of the world…All cities are more or less filthy, and a person from the country accustomed to neatness, though poor, would be disgusted with what they could not avoid…It is a great benefit to a person, of the right turn of mind, to live awhile in a city…A farmer settled in a good country, with enough for independence, is the happiest man on earth…Most persons [in New Orleans] dress finely, and the women extravagantly…There are three theatres, circuses, galleries of paintings and numberless other places to take a man’s money.”
The note to Alfred encourages him to continue his studies: “study Book Keeping…You ought to improve your handwriting by all means.” He suggests that if Father can sell the lot “on which there is a meeting house” near Goldville (some distance from Alexandria), their father can have Hiram’s share of the proceeds.
In addition, there are descriptions of the City’s distinctive cemeteries, the Mississippi River and its steamboat traffic, ships, etc., the cost of lodging and his difficulty finding affordable accommodations, cotton seed that he is sending and wants Alfred to plant (“The seed is worth $4 per bushel here.”), “I was vaccinated two weeks ago and it took well, so I shall not fear the Small Pox”, etc., etc.

HENRY WALLER LETTERS 1840s

HENRY WALLER SURVEYOR - 5 LETTERS - 1840S Item number: 260168648165

LETTERS PERTAINING TO HENRY WALLER - CIVIL ENGINEER IN NEW ORLEANS, ETC. - 1. Four Page Letter Dated July 7, 1843 New York - From Joseph Waller to Henry Waller at Donaldsonville, Paris of Ascension, La. - Regarding Family Matters - 2. Four Page Letter from Mother in New Orleans to Henry Waller at Land Office Donaldsonville, Dated March 16, 1845 - Family Matters - Caring for very sick daughter, etc. - 3. Letter Postmarked "Steam 5" - Addressed to Henry Waller - State Engineers Office - New Orleans, Dated March 9, 1846 - On Steamer Clinton From Brother William - Regarding Survey Business & Prospects for work - 4. Letter Addressed to Henry Waller, Asst. State Engineer, New Orleans - Baton Rouge - Dated March 20.1846 with "Steam 5" Cancellation Postmark - Regarding Family Matters & Surveying Business - 5. Draft of a Letter to Hon. Henry Johnson, Washington City - from Henry Waller for appointment of Survey General of Louisiana - Mentions references of General Taylor and his experiences of three and half years etc.

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