Letter signed Js. Johnston, Louisville, Ky. Reads, “Just as I was leaving home about ten days ago I was told by Mr. Hudson, attorney for Volney C. Musick, that I would have to pay the judgment against James C. Musick, obtained in the replevin case between those two harmonious instruments. I think it very likely that James is insolvent, but what can have become of the replevied property? Will you do me the favour to make some enquiry about that, and in case the negro has not been run off, or any thing of the kind, get Hudson to have him replevied in execution? Volney no doubt prefers the money to the negro, and I think that the reason he looks to me for payment, but you may tell Hudson if they will sell the negro, whatever his sale may fall short of the amount of damages rendered in this case, I will pay as soon as I return. This is the only way I can see of saving myself at all, and I beg your prompt attention to the subject. I arrived here a week ago today, and have been ever since detained by a fever that confines me to my bed. I was going to Virginia, but most probably shall have to terminate my voyage here.” [filed 1845], 1845 Aug 4

Item — Box: 3, Folder: 1

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

This collection consists largely of the papers of John F. Darby and his wife Mary F. Darby, and relates mostly to the political, social, and business history of St. Louis. The papers also include family correspondence with relatives in North Carolina, Kentucky, and Missouri, and correspondence regarding legal and business matters. Of special note are the minute books of the Jefferson Society and the St. Louis Debating Club (1827-1828), both regional debating societies of which Darby was a member; letters of Mary F. Darby; correspondence with Montgomery Blair, William T. Sherman, and George Caleb Bingham; and fragments of a history of the Mormons by John Corrill, dated 1839.