_Coffin's, Dec. 26._ I expect my sojourn at Coffin's Point is nearly
closed. The attractions of the place or the people are not sufficient
to keep me here another year. The climate is bad enough, the general
"shiftlessness" of the people is disgusting enough; but when I see
that the disposition to steal the crop is very general, that the
people have done and can do it with impunity, I am discouraged about
cotton-raising here. I believe they have not taken any of ours since
it has been packed, but large quantities of it before. And as they all
raised cotton on McTureous[196] for themselves, they could mix and
secrete it very successfully.
Mr. Soule has this moment learned that his cotton-house has been
entered and cotton stolen, but to what extent has not been determined.
I think Mr. Soule will be glad to get away from this "Sodom." He is
too good a man to be worn out by the barbarians of this latitude.