Augusta: Alexander Hugh Holmes Stuart to Ellen
Stuart (Douglass) McCue, January 21, 1863
Summary:
Stuart offers his opinion on a property deal to his cousin Ellen.
Jany 21st63
Staunton
Dear Cousin Ellen
I spent the last week at the [unclear: farm], & did not return until Monday evening. This will explain why I did not write to you sooner.
I have always thought it was your pecuniary interest to have the whole land of
Mr McCue sold, & I
believe that it was the [unclear: course] but calculated to ensure
harmony & kind feeling among all parties interested. Nothing but your
strong desire to return the [unclear: manni-]
[unclear: house] caused me to abandon my position. My opinions however
remain unchanged, & were I in your position, I would prefer a sale of
the whole. I fear, if you return the home place, you will be harrassed during
life, & have a struggle to get on & educate your children. I
never thought the home a durable one for you, & were I in your place I
would still let it be sold. If it went for a moderate price, you might buy it.
if not, let it go, & look elsewhere. Property must fall, & you
can do better with this money six months hence. You will find it a troublesome.
and in ordinary times, an unprofi
[page 2]
table thing to carry on such a
farm. It would be better to have a less costly home, & the surplus money
in production stocks. You would then be certain of a revenue even in case of a
failure of crops. A small farm sufficient to furnish your own supplies, with the
balance of your money at interest, would be better in all respects.
You had better come up on Monday, & qualify as guardian for your children. Come to my office & I will have every thing arranged so that you will be detained but a few minutes. you can then go to our home to dinner & return, if necessary, in the evening.
When you come up, we can talk matters over, more in detail
I think Col Bell had better file a bill & let Judge Thompson settle the matters of the estate both real & personal
Affectionately yours & c
Alex H. H. Stuart
