Daniel Boyd to C.A. Harris — January 16 1837
Little Rock Jan 16th 1837
Sir,
Our voyage from New Orleans has proved much more tedious than was anticipated when I last wrote you. We arrived at this place on the 13th inst, and found the river so low that no steam boat could proceed further.
I have, with the advice & under the direction of Capt. Brown, purchased a keel boat, and will hire men as soon as they can be had, to work her up the river.
The roads are in such a state, and the difficulty of procuring teams so great, that the keel boat is considered the surest and most expeditious method of transportation at this time.
The distance is over 400 miles, and will require about thirty days to make the trip in only if the river should rise so as to enable a steam boat to pass up and take us in tow, in which case the voyage may be made in much less time.
I’m very respectfully
Your Obt Servant
Daniel Boyd