Inventory of the Rice C. Ballard Papers, 1822-1888

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Biographical Note

Rice Carter Ballard was probably born around 1800 in Virginia. By the late 1820s, he was involved in the interstate slave trade, buying slaves in the southeastern states, especially Virginia and North Carolina, and selling them in New Orleans and Natchez. By 1831, Ballard was involved in a slave trading partnership with Isaac Franklin and John Armfield, who ran one of the largest interstate slave trading operations of the nineteenth century. Ballard moved from Virginia to Natchez in the fall of 1836, and by this time had formed a company called Ballard, Franklin, and Co. in Natchez, which was involved in the slave trade. Ballard was also a partner in his brother's general merchandise company, James Ballard and Co.

Ballard seems to have stopped trading in slaves by the late 1830s, but he was involved in many kinds of financial transactions. By the early 1840s, Ballard was beginning to purchase plantations in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arkansas in partnership with Judge Samuel S. Boyd of Natchez. He spent the remainder of his life, until his death in 1860, managing these plantations.

Ballard married Louise Berthe of Louisville, Ky., in the spring of 1840. They had three children: Ella Ballard, born in 1841, and twins Ann Carter Ballard and Charlotte Berthe Ballard, born in the fall of 1847. Although his wife and children lived permanently in Louisville, Ballard spent much of his time at the plantations, especially in Mississippi. Many of Ballard's correspondents addressed him as Colonel Ballard, but it is not clear how he got this rank.

Collection Overview

These papers document the career of Rice Carter Ballard as a slave trader and planter from 1822 through his death in 1860. The papers are arranged into series by the type of material, but there are materials concerned with financial and legal matters in the letters series, since many letters discussed financial and legal affairs. Enclosures, including, for example, bills of exchange, have been kept with their letters in cases where the connections between letters and their enclosures were clear.

The division of the letters into subseries roughly reflects Ballard's changing activities in various stages of his life. From 1831 (and in fact before, as the financial series shows) until 1834, Ballard was a slave trader based in Virginia and working in partnership with Isaac Franklin and John Armfield. After 1843, Ballard was primarily a planter, based in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Kentucky. Subseries 1.2, which covers the years from 1835 to 1842, documents what seems to be a transitional period, when most of Ballard's correspondents were his old slave trading partners, but the letters no longer contain the day to day business of the trade. Some letters, including several from Henry Clay, discuss the legality of sales of slaves in Mississippi. This transitional subseries also contains the beginnings of Ballard's life as a planter in the Mississippi Valley, but does not have the preponderance of letters from plantation overseers, commission merchants, and business partner, Samuel S. Boyd, that subseries 1.3 contains. This last subseries, by far the longest, documents Ballard's activities as a planter and the administration of the Wagram, Magnolia, Elcho, Karnac, Laurell Hill, Golden Plains, and Outpost (or Pecan Grove) Plantations. Letters discuss the health and activities of the slaves, the weather and crops, family life, politics (including several references to the Know-Nothings), and financial arrangements. In addition to another letter from Henry Clay, now Ballard's opponent in a Supreme Court case, this subseries contains a letter from and several about John Anthony Quitman, governor of Mississippi. Also included in subseries 1.3 are three letters from slaves, 1847, 1853, and 1854. These letters are all from women slaves asking Ballard for help with emancipation or with pending sales of themselves or others.

The financial series is arranged by year, and documents the same activities described in the letters. There are two folders of legal materials, which are also closely related to the letters and financial records. The series of other papers contains material that did not fit clearly into other series, such as slave lists, medical prescriptions, printed material, and other documentation of plantation life. The volumes series, arranged chronologically by the latest date appearing in each volume, documents the same three rough phases of Ballard's life in account books of slave trading and other financial activities, and detailed plantation journals, especially for Magnolia Plantation.

There are a few items in the collection which were not produced by Ballard and which date from after his death. Letters of 1866 and 1888 and a miscellaneous document describing a trip through Belgium, have no obvious connection to the rest of the collection. One volume, Volume 34, seems to have belonged to Samuel S. Boyd and records plantation-related accounts from the years 1874-1879. Volume 35 contains grocery accounts from 1879-1880 and has no identifying name.

Organization of Collection

Series Descriptions

Letters received by Ballard personally and by R. C. Ballard and Co. from Ballard's slave trading partners, Franklin and Armfield, and from Isaac Franklin, his nephew James R. Franklin, and John Armfield personally. Other correspondents include C. M. Rutherford, L. R. Starkes, and Joseph G. Blakey, all of whom seem to be involved in the slave trade. Ballard received most of his mail in Richmond, Va., but occasionally in Warrenton, Miss. Franklin wrote from New Orleans or Natchez, and Armfield wrote from Alexandria. Many of the letters contain notes of exchange for thousands of dollars. There is one letter from Ballard to Isaac Franklin about a business misunderstanding, dated 7 September 1832, and another from Ballard to Franklin dated 2 December 1832.

These letters discuss financial, legal, and practical aspects of the interstate slave trade. They contain instructions for when to buy and sell in Alexandria, discussion of the effect of the price of cotton on the price of slaves, reports of prices, and attitudes of the planters to the traders. In the first letter in the subseries, dated 28 February 1831 from New Orleans, Isaac Franklin expressed his anxiety about the future of the trade since the state legislatures of Louisiana and Mississippi were debating trying to close the interstate trade. "I will have a petition tomorrow before the house for our relief--should that fail god knows what will be the consequence. I will do the best I can for all concerned & if nothing better can be done I will declare myself a citizen of the state. I am much depressed & if we have to rely entirely on the Mississippi market we have more in this shipment than can be sold to advantage." On 8 December 1832, Isaac Franklin wrote Ballard from Natchez about a cholera outbreak, and described how they were sneaking dead slaves out of the slave yard at night so potential customers wouldn't know that there had been cholera among them. There are several letters which mention "fancy girls" and the prices they'll bring (1 November 1833 from Isaac Franklin); one mentions establishing a whore house (11 January 1834 from James Franklin.) Starting in June of 1834, Ballard received a number of letters from Joseph G. Blakey, which begin with receipts for money "to be paid out in negroes or returned on demand." On 27 November 1832, Ballard was sent an advertisement for a Louisiana sugar plantation.

Letters from the period of Ballard's transition from slave trader to planter. Many of the letters in this subseries are from the same correspondents who wrote Ballard earlier in his career, but the letters are more social and most are not obviously concerned with an active slave trade. There are a number of letters from individuals such as Catherine Prince requesting loans of money, and many more concerned with money lent to and owed by others. Ballard began the year 1836 in Alexandria, Va., but around September of that year he seems to have left Virginia permanently, and began to receive his mail in Natchez, Miss. There are very few letters from 1835, 1836, and 1837, and it is difficult to tell exactly how Ballard spent most of his time. By 13 May 1840, Ballard had received his first letter from Samuel S. Boyd, the judge who was to become Ballard's close friend and partner in plantation ownership. By the fall of 1840, Ballard began to receive letters from cotton commission merchants, especially Albert G. Nalle of William R. Glover & Co. of New Orleans. The cotton sales on which Nalle reports are from Brushy Bayou Plantation; it seems that this plantation belonged to Philip Burris and its cotton was being sold to pay a debt of Burris to Ballard.

One of the main topics discussed in letters of the late 1830s and early 1840s is the possibility that slave traders will lose money on the sales of slaves purchased in Mississippi after 1833 if the Supreme Court of the United States decides that those sales were null and void. See letter from Bacon Tait to Thomas Boudar, 1 January 1840. Tait wrote to Ballard on 3 January 1840 commenting on the Mississippi federal court case Hickman v. Rose related to this subject and predicting the dissolution of the Union based on a possible Supreme Court decision that slaves were not property. There are two letters from Henry Clay in the summer of 1841 on this subject. On 23 June 1841, Clay wrote to Ballard demanding his contingent fee because the United States Supreme Court decided the case of Groves v. Slaughter as Ballard wished. "So confident am I on this point, that, I would have no hesitation to agree to refund the money if the Court should hereafter change their decision as to the responsibility of purchasers of Slaves in Mississippi." Then on 6 July 1841, Clay wrote again reaffirming his conviction that the Supreme Court of Mississippi can do nothing to influence the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Correspondents in this subseries include Bacon Tait, who wrote lively letters from Virginia; Isaac Franklin; John Armfield; Henry H. Pease, who wrote on 8 January 1838 that Robert Stevens wouldn't pay short of a suit (see the legal series for more on this suit); Joseph Alsop, who wrote on 22 October 1839 about Lewis Rawlings guardianship (see the legal series for more); R. W. Schooler; commission merchants William R. Glover and Dupuy, Tate and Nalle; Philip Burris; Edward Moore; Catherine Prince; Samuel S. Boyd; and A. Stampley, the overseer on Quattleburn Plantation.

Letters from the overseers at the Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arkansas plantations owned jointly by Ballard and Samuel S. Boyd: Magnolia, Wagram, Karnac, Outpost, Pecan Grove, and Elcho. The overseers' letters report on the progress of planting and picking, the weather, height of the Mississippi river and state of the levees, the health of the slaves, and improvements being made on the places. There are also many letters from Boyd concerned with the management of these plantations and general news of the Natchez region, requests for Ballard to find horses for Boyd, and especially in the late 1850s and 1860, much discussion of health. Ballard got regular updates from his commission merchants in New Orleans: in 1843, Dupuy Tate and Nalle; from 1844 to 1850, Nalle and Cox; from 1850 to 1854, Nalle Cox and Co.; from 1854 to 1856, Cox, Gillis, and Boyd (James Boyd, a brother of Samuel Boyd); and from 1857 to 1860, W. Cox and Co. From the commission merchants, Ballard received receipts for cotton, notices of shipments of goods to the plantations, news of the state of the cotton market, and social and general news of New Orleans. Ballard also received letters from pork merchants in Louisville, Ky., especially Adams and Anderson.

Friends and relatives in Louisville, including Ballard's wife Louise and children, Ella, Ann, and Charlotte, wrote occasionally when Ballard was in Mississippi at the plantations. They wrote of the health of their friends, the pork packing industry in Louisville (see, for instance, W. H. Sparke's letter of 17 December 1857), and some current events. W. A. Ellis wrote on 2 May 1858 about a wave of religious enthusiasm sweeping Louisville, but reassured Ballard that his wife and children appear to be untouched by it.

Ballard's wife Louise wrote about the health of the children and social news of Louisville, and requested money for her household. When the children learned to read, they too wrote occasionally. Ella went to the Franklin Female Institute near Frankfort, Ky. in the mid 1850s, and in 1859 rumors were afoot that Ella was about to make an improper engagement. W. Cox warned Ballard on 22 March 1859; Ella replied to a letter from Ballard about it on 2 April 1859. There are comparatively few letters from Ballard's family. Ballard received updates on his family, especially from W. A. Ellis in Louisville. In May 1852, Ballard received several letters suggesting that he spend more time in Louisville because his wife was being led astray by false friends. On 1 March 1857, Ellis wrote sympathizing with Ballard's domestic worries, and implying that Louise was drinking heavily. "...Your dear children I feel for very much. Were it not for them matters could be remidied much easier, and the older they get the worse it is for them as they are more liable to be injured by the wickedness of an unnatural Mother."

There are several letters about Henry Clay and another from him, related to a case in which Clay opposed Ballard in the Supreme Court of Louisiana. Dupuy, Tate, and Nalle mentioned the case in a letter of 2 June 1843. Clay wrote Ballard on 4 July 1844 to report that the Court had decided the suit in Clay's favor and that Ballard owed Clay $4000.

Ballard was involved in some kind of financial deal with John Anthony Quitman (1798-1858), Governor of Mississippi for a term of less than a year, beginning 10 January 1850. (See the Dictionary of American Biography .) Quitman wrote Ballard on 1 February 1851, and Nalle, Cox, & Co. wrote on 9 February 1852 that Quitman had paid $10,000 that day to Ballard's credit.

This subseries has many letters interesting for the insight they provide into slavery. On 20 March 1844 Ballard received a letter about removing a slave named Maria and her daughter, who were living with Boyd and about whom the writer, J. M. Duffield, was very concerned. Another letter of 29 May 1848 from Duffield urged Ballard to save Maria who was being whipped nearly to death. Duffield wanted to buy her before she was killed, and said that her "unfortunate child" has already been sent North to be brought up, educated, and reside forever. On 2 April 1853, Boyd wrote Ballard about the will of a man named Baldwin who had attempted to free his slaves and send them to Liberia, but Boyd reported that the will would soon be overturned and they should be able to buy the slaves cheap. [?] Crutchfield of Louisville writes on 23 February 1856: "Big Lewis made a pleasure trip to Canada about the 2nd of January last--and has forgot to come back--the river being frozen over so long has afforded an opportunity for a great number of slaves to leave Ky. You will see by our police reports--that we have one of the agents--for the under-ground Rail Road in limbo and will give him the extent of the law i suppose (which is 2 years in the State Penitentiary)--I wish now that I had sold Lewis to you last fall when I found that he was gone I immediately sold his wife and children to Alterburn and will bring all the ballance of my negroes down with me..."

Most of the letters from the plantation overseers comment on the lives of the slaves-especially their work, health, and punishments. On 4 January 1860, Henry C. Buckner reported to Ballard, "Miles left Monday morning abut sun up. I went to correct him & he struck me with his ax and would of killed me if I had not of goten out of his way I tride to shoot him but my pistole would not shoot."

A letter of 1 December 1853 from Nalle & Cox to the slave trader, C. M. Rutherford, includes an itemized list of life insurance policies for slaves. A letter to Ballard from P. B. January written on 29 November 1854 requests information about the history of a "yellow woman" purchased from Ballard some time ago by the writer's uncle; a state legislature decided that this woman was born free, kidnapped and sold into slavery, and should now have the rights of a free born person. Palmer, an overseer, wrote on 20 December 1859 begging forgiveness and mercy for "Poor Priscilla and Betty," asking Ballard not to sell them, or to let Palmer buy them. It seems that Betty may be the child of Priscilla and Palmer.

The series contains three letters from slaves. Lucile Tucker wrote on 25 June 1847 about sending a power of attorney to someone who can emancipate her without her going to New Orleans from Georgia to meet Ballard, "for life you know is very uncertain and you might die before I can see you." On 6 May 1853, the pregnant Virginia wrote Ballard from a slave trader's yard in Texas begging for his intervention and help to prevent her sale. This letter is particularly poignant because of Virginia's condemnation of a man (apparently not Ballard; perhaps Boyd) who could sell his own children as well as their mother. A letter of 8 August 1853 from the slave trader, C. M. Rutherford, reports that the slave Virginia and one of her children had been sold but that her oldest child had not. On 22 October 1854, Delia wrote (presumably to Ballard, although the recipient is not named) asking him to buy her husband.

There are a few letters from Ballard's old slave trading partners in this subseries, mostly social, but a few related to business. On 4 January 1856, John Armfield wrote for Ballard to meet him in New Orleans "when I will pay you your ballance and I hope for ever close our old firm." Armfield wrote again on 29 August 1859, mainly about their advancing age and failing health. Joseph Alsop wrote on 7 April 1860 to tell Ballard about Alsop's father's death, and giving a description of the new businesses in Fredricksburg, Va., and the prospects for the city's future.

Ballard's correspondents occasionally remarked on the political scene, both in the United States and abroad. For instance, Joseph Alsop asked in a letter of 29 January 1847, "What think you of Mr. Polk and his Mexican war? Has it not cooled your Democracy a little?" Samuel Boyd wrote in a letter of 31 August 1848, "We are all for Taylor here. How is it with you?" W. A. Ellis wrote on 16 November 1850 about "the great compromise scheme that was passed by the last Congress," and the possibility of a dissolution of the Union. There are a number of references to the Know-Nothings. Ellis wrote on 30 May 1858, "We have no news here. The Democrats seem to be disposed to organize and try and dislodge the K.N.'s from their stronghold. It can be done if managed properly and we get to our work as in days of old." The letters of W. Cox to W. H. Johnson of 3 June 1858 and of W. H. Johnson to Ballard of 15 June 1858 describe election-related disturbances in New Orleans. Johnson wrote, "Some of the most famous among the Thugs have been arrested, but have been immediately bailed out by the leading Know Nothings..." See also the "Know-Nothing Resolutions" in the miscellaneous series (folder 413).

International events appear in the letters mainly in relation to their expected effect on the price of cotton. Thus, W. Cox wrote on 24 July 1859, "The news from Europe is very gratifying--I hope the worst is now over & that cotton will improve as the season advances. All we want is peace but I fear we shall not be gratified until that villain Louis Napoleon is put down. But who will draw the lions teeth & cut off his claws?"

Another topic that appears occasionally in the collection is homeopathic medicine, of which Ballard was an advocate, especially in the spring and summer of 1858. On 9 June 1858, S. P. Johnson wrote to Ballard that he could not subscribe to or prescribe from the homeopathic doctrine. On 10 July 1858 a homeopathic doctor wrote to Ballard, "Understanding that you employ a Homeopathic Physician on your Estates in La. and that you have none at present, I wish to tender my services in that capacity." On 29 August 1858, the overseer at Lapine Plantation wrote to Samuel Boyd listing needed medical supplies, and added, "I cant brake the chills on these people with homeopathy I hav tride suffishantly." There are other examples in the collection; see for instance 25 January 1858 for another letter from a homeopathic doctor looking for a place to practice.

The two last letters in the collection, those dated 11 April 1866 and 12 October 1888, have no obvious relationship to the rest of Ballard's papers.