Description:

Early Louisiana Letter- "I am at open war with that damn’d rascal Pibley…"

ALS, 4pp, measuring 8" x 9.75", dated August 17, 1805, Natchitoches, LA. A four-page handwritten letter from one Captain B. Schaumburg to his friend discussing commerce, specifically cattle and whisky, as well as a recent feud between himself and a colleague. Sent seven years before Louisiana would become a state, and more than a decade prior to the city of Natchitoches' incorporation therein. Darkened, uneven surface toning throughout, with expected creasing and folds, areas of ink bleeding through, and small holes in places. Overall very good condition with interesting content- an early piece of Louisiana history!

An excerpt from page 3 and 4 reads in part, with original spelling and punctuation:
"I am at open war with that damn’d rascal Pibley- he has again attempted to injure me by telling a lie, he has told that I had pack’d one of the cattle I kill’d last winter for the contractor- viz that I had paid only for 39 & had killed 40… I demanded of him to recall the lie which he refused- I then challenged him and he refused to fight and threatened me in case I should persist in my demands that he would put the civil law in force against me- [coward like] I therefore published him for a coward -liar & poltroon- you will hear more of it directly…".

Natchitoches, Louisiana is a small city located in the northwestern part of the state, and is one of the oldest cities in the entire country. The city was founded by French-Canadian Louis Juchereau de St. Denis in 1714 and was named for the indigenous Natchitoches tribe. It quickly became a major hub of the fur trade, particularly in beaver and buffalo pelts which, coupled with the city’s strategic location in the Louisiana Purchase, eventually made it a prime target for Spanish and American colonization. The Spanish briefly held control of the city in the late 1700s, but the Americans eventually took control in 1803. 

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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