Copy of letter from G. Runyon, Little Rock, to Chief John Ross. Regarding troubles with boat (typescript included) Single folded sheet of paper with handwritten text in ink on three pages. Folder 698

Inscribed in ink on recto, "Copy"

(Copy) Little Rock ark Jany 28th. 1840 Mr John Ross Sir, You know doubt have asked the question why I have not written you sooner, my answer to you is that I have experienced nothing since you left us but disappointment and vexation. – You know the calculation when you left us was for us to leave Louisville on the next Monday for Ark. Instead thereof, that day we left for Cincinnati empty, there we remained for nearly a week and procured a tolerable freight of Whiskey & flour at prices that was not justabyable for any Boat to take, together with some Passengers. On the 21st or 2nd we passed Louisville on our way down, we had good luck getting out of the Ohio River, but when we entered the Mississippi River we had to encounter the ice, for it was running very thick, we succeeded in getting through it, about Randolph, Ten, we went on very well 2 miles below Commerce Missi, there two passengers haled us, the Captain rounded two for them, and in rounding out about 20 yds from shore she struck a log or stump, aft the wheel house and knocked a hole in the hall about the size of 8 by 15 inches. It was immediately ascertained that she was sinking and the pilot held her towards the opposite shore and succeeded in running her on a barr near the shore, but she was sunk to the Guards, we immediately rigged a stage to shore and got our all the freight without much damage. We then built a bulk head around the hole and stopped it. And employed hands pumped and bailed her out and raised her in a few days, we keeled her up, and repaired the damage as good as it ever was, we then took in our freight and went to the rock safe, we entered a protest to secure the Boat from damages. When we arrived at the rock Capt. Collins had just started to Vicksburg & I was and I was out of funds, I collected the freight & borrowed some money to enable me to pay off the crew. I discharged them all with the exception of Capt. Hickle, I could not get money to pay him untill Capt Collins came home, which was the 25 Jany 1840, he is now paid and is boarding at the tavern with his family. Capt Collins did not feel sufficiently authorized in your letter to make final settlement with me therefore it involves upon me to remain here with the boat untill we hear from you. In the mean time Capt Collins will advertise her for sale. I am eating at the Tavern and lodging at the Boat, and will have to remain in this situation until we hear from you which I do hope will not be long, for boarding is $10 per week here, and my time I cannot afford to loose. Capt Collins told me he would write you to send him a draft. Capt Collins is willing to advance the money if you had instructed him to do so, but he considers your letter is not sufficient for him to act on. If Capt Collins’s letter should not reach you I hope you will write him on the subject & me also immediately so that we can settle the business. Capt Collins has made an agent of C J Drenan to sell the Boat if he can which I have no doubt can be done by spring if she was painted…… so he could release me. I am sorry that I consented to come on her, for I am well convinced she would have had a plenty of funds on hand if she had been managed in a proper maner, she was run out of the Arkansas trade when there was a plenty of business, and laid up on the barrs in the Ohio river for 6 or 7 weeks & a full crew shipped. Below I send you a balance account of the transactions of the Boat &c since I came on board Respectfully Your Obt Servt C. Runyan P. S Jack Nicholson is in jail here for some difficulty he had with a white man with regard to his negros. The latest accounts from the nation is peace & harmony & a disposition to settle all differences C. R.

[Transcribed by Danielle Culp., 2014-08-28]

You know doubt have asked the question why I have not written you sooner, my answer to you is that I have experienced nothing since you left us but disappointment and vexation. – You know the calculation when you left us was for us to leave Louisville on the next Monday for Ark. Instead thereof, that day we left for Cincinnati empty, there we remained for nearly a week and procured a tolerable freight of Whiskey & flour at prices that was not justabyable for any Boat to take, together with some Passengers. On the21 or 2 we passed Louisville on our way down, we had good luck getting out of the Ohio River, but when we entered the Mississippi River we had to encounter the ice, for it was running very thick, we succeeded in getting through it, about Randolph, Ten, we went on very well 2 miles below Commerce Missi, there two passengers haled us, the Captain rounded two for them, and in rounding out about 20 yds from shore she struck a log or stump, aft the wheel house and knocked a hole in the hall about the size of 8 by 15 inches. It was immediately ascertained that she was sinking and the pilot held her towards the opposite shore and succeeded in running her on a barr near the shore, but she was sunk to the Guards, we immediately rigged a stage to shore and got our all the freight without much damage. We then built a bulk head around the hole and stopped it. And employed hands pumped and bailed her out and raised her in a few days, we keeled her up, and repaired the damage as good as it ever was, we then took in our freight and went to the rock safe, we entered a protest to secure the Boat from damages. When we arrived at the rock Capt. Collins had just started to Vicksburg & I was and I was out of funds, I collected the freight & borrowed some money to enable me to pay off the crew. I discharged them all with the exception of Capt. Hickle, I could not get money to pay him untill Capt Collins came home, which was the 25 Jany 1840, he is now paid and is boarding at the tavern with his family. Capt Collins did not feel sufficiently authorized in your letter to make final settlement with me therefore it involves upon me to remain here with the boat untill we hear from you. In the mean time Capt Collins will advertise her for sale. I am eating at the Tavern and lodging at the Boat, and will have to remain in this situation until we hear from you which I do hope will not be long, for boarding is $10 per week here, and my time I cannot afford to loose. Capt Collins told me he would write you to send him a draft. Capt Collins is willing to advance the money if you had instructed him to do so, but he considers your letter is not sufficient for him to act on. If Capt Collins’s letter should not reach you I hope you will write him on the subject & me also immediately so that we can settle the business. Capt Collins has made an agent of C J Drenan to sell the Boat if he can which I have no doubt can be done by spring if she was painted…… so he could release me. I am sorry that I consented to come on her, for I am well convinced she would have had a plenty of funds on hand if she had been managed in a proper maner, she was run out of the Arkansas trade when there was a plenty of business, and laid up on the barrs in the Ohio river for 6 or 7 weeks & a full crew shipped.Below I send you a balance account of the transactions of the Boat &c since I came on board