Lengthy Autographed Letter Signed

3 pages (front and back) each measuring 10 x 8 inches, New Orleans, February 1, 1838. Written by Calvin Keith, agent for Almina Partridge, mother of United States Generals Samuel Partridge and John Milton Partridge. Almina is attempting to find out what real estate holdings her late husband has in New Orleans and Smith informs her, in small part: ".I found myself in a rather awkward predicament. The Judge informed me the agent he had made the appointment, Mr. Parker, had admitted in Court that he had been in the State Prison for passing counterfeit money and informed me he could not now be removed without showing his present incapacity to manage her property. This information could only be obtained by depositions from the place where he resides.The last agent has not obtained any of the funds & I have much confidence in believing that his bail will not permit him to remove the funds and certainly not without securing him. On the whole I consider it rather a bad business & wish myself fairly out of it." Usual folds with no weaknesses; extensive pencil underlining on the second page; small chip on the right edge of the third page with slight loss of text. Good condition.…