The following letter was submitted by Mary Bob McClain Richardson on 30 September 2004.

 

Letter from James H. Cooper to his nephew Albert Gallatin Cooper:

July 25th 1850

Friend A.G. Cooper

Dear Sir,
We are all in good health hoping you are all enjoying the like blessing. We recd. a letter from John in California dated May 11th a few days ago. Him and your brother, James was both in fine health. They were gong in a few days in company 300 miles North. He says the gold is there and no mistake, altho he says he has not made a fortune yet, he also says his Cousin James had never recd. a letter from home. John acknowledges the receipt of two letter, one from me and one from his Sister Mary. In his last letter he sent to his sister a small piece of virgin gold, worth I suppose about 2 or 3 Dollars. Corn Crops are pretty good, cotton is very indifferent, we don’t make more than half crops of cotton at best. Miss Lucy Erwin was married on last Wednesday evening to a Mr. Patillo of your country. They left today for Tenn. Your cousin John Cooper of Hinds County, who administered on his father’s estate is dead.* All the rest of the friends both here and there are well as far as I know.

Considerable excitement has prevailed in the public mind for sometime past, in regard to the sayings, and doings, in, and out of Congress, on the topicks which are convulsing our country. Still hoping however that the Union will be preserved. Wishing you may receive every needful blessing, both for time, and eternity,
I remain affectionately your friend,

JAMES H. COOPER
*Son of William Gill Cooper