I [take] the present oppurtunity of writing you a few lines to inform you that your negroes are all well Except mingo Charity rinor Peggy and one of Hariets children I would also state to you that I commenced howing my cotton last monday morning. I have worked the hands without a task and find that the hands will do near double what they did when they worked by tasks. I have a verry good stand of cotton and have planted 300 & 9 acres of the best land on the plantation except one field. My corn crop is sorry for this time in the spring. I would be glad to see you soon, your stock are in good order. Several of the cattle died in the winter which make our milk & butter scarce during the spring & summer.

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Source: Howell Cobb Family Papers (MS 1376), Hargrett Rare Book & Manuscript Library, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia.