"They want them... for their Plantations": Fr. Kenney to Fr. Neale on their plans to sell a group of people to a Louisiana planter, Sept. 10, 1832

"They want them... for their Plantations": Fr. Kenney to Fr. Neale on their plans to sell a group of people to a Louisiana planter, Sept. 10, 1832

Slaves--United States--Economic conditions.
Catholic Church--Clergy--Correspondence

In this letter from 1832 Fr. Kenney asks Fr. Neale to provide him with "the number and description of the Blacks, whom you would sell to Mr. John Lee and to Mr. Horsey." Kenney mentions Louisiana as their destination, stating that the planters "prefer Catholics."

Maryland Province Archives

Georgetown Slavery Archive

1832-10

Elsa Barraza Mendoza

Georgetown University Library

PDF

English

Manuscript

GSA107

College Georgetown Sep. 10. 1832

Revd Dear Father, PC. 

                        I beg, that you will get Mr. Coombs to write to me 1^st to state how you are and how all with you keep their health in these sickly times. There have been several deaths by cholera in this town; and god makes the disease an instrument of much good in bringing many to their duties. I do not know, that any of your friends or acquaintances have been afflicted with it^. Poor Irish labourers and others of that class are its more general victims in Washington Mr. Mathews makes the same remark.

2^nd I beg to remind you, that I am waiting your answer about the number and description of the Blacks, whom you would sell to Mr. John Lee and to Mr. Horsey. They wished to know how many and of what descriptions of persons. You thought, that amongst your neighbours there would be also some to be sold and you promised on your return to let me know, that I might write, as 

On the left hand side:  ^ Yesterday, however Mrs. Benedict Young died of it, who I hear was from your congregation.

 

[Page 2]

I have promised to do, to Mr. John Lee.

If you would also be pleased to say, when he might go down to treat with you about them. You know, that they want them for their own service on their plantations in Louisiana. That they prefer Catholics; that there is a catholic priest in the neighborhood and a church; that the priest, who was lately resident there has been lately removed and that they hope to obtain one, who will understand the English language.

This was the sum of Mr. Horsey’s communication to me before your last came up, and I am most anxious to write without further delay to Mr. John Lee. 

                        Yours most truly in XT.

Peter Kenney 

[
Envelope]

The Reverend
Francis Neale
St. Thomas^Manor
Charles County
Md

[Annotation on the left hand side (possibly in Fr. Neale’s handwriting)]
Men       Women                         Children
William, his wife Nancy their chil    {Listy married of. her chi: {[illegible]
                                                        {Harriet married of. her   {William
                                                                                               {Kitty

Manuscript