{"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bdate_range%5D%5B%5D=1866\u0026f%5Blevel%5D%5B%5D=Series\u0026page=9","prev":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bdate_range%5D%5B%5D=1866\u0026f%5Blevel%5D%5B%5D=Series\u0026page=8","next":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bdate_range%5D%5B%5D=1866\u0026f%5Blevel%5D%5B%5D=Series\u0026page=10","last":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog.json?f%5Bdate_range%5D%5B%5D=1866\u0026f%5Blevel%5D%5B%5D=Series\u0026page=113"},"meta":{"pages":{"current_page":9,"next_page":10,"prev_page":8,"total_pages":113,"limit_value":10,"offset_value":80,"total_count":1130,"first_page?":false,"last_page?":false}},"data":[{"id":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_613_c01","type":"Series","attributes":{"title":"Correspondence","breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vilxv_repositories_3_resources_613_c01#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"ref_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_613_c01","ref_ssm":["vilxv_repositories_3_resources_613_c01"],"id":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_613_c01","ead_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_613","_root_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_613","_nest_parent_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_613","parent_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_613","parent_ssim":["vilxv_repositories_3_resources_613"],"parent_ids_ssim":["vilxv_repositories_3_resources_613"],"parent_unittitles_ssm":["James H. Reid papers"],"parent_unittitles_tesim":["James H. Reid papers"],"text":["James H. Reid papers","Correspondence","Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","Shipp, Scott, 1839-1917","Jackson, Stonewall, 1824-1863"],"title_filing_ssi":"Correspondence","title_ssm":["Correspondence"],"title_tesim":["Correspondence"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1862-1867"],"normalized_date_ssm":["1862/1867"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Correspondence"],"component_level_isim":[1],"repository_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"collection_ssim":["James H. Reid papers"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"child_component_count_isi":3,"level_ssm":["Series"],"level_ssim":["Series"],"sort_isi":1,"parent_access_restrict_tesm":["There are no restrictions."],"parent_access_terms_tesm":["Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information."],"date_range_isim":[1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867],"names_ssim":["Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","Shipp, Scott, 1839-1917","Jackson, Stonewall, 1824-1863"],"persname_ssim":["Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","Shipp, Scott, 1839-1917","Jackson, Stonewall, 1824-1863","Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","Shipp, Scott, 1839-1917","Shipp, Scott, 1839-1917","Shipp, Scott, 1839-1917","Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890"],"_nest_path_":"/components#0","timestamp":"2026-05-21T00:09:24.880Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_613","ead_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_613","_root_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_613","_nest_parent_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_613","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/VMI/repositories_3_resources_613.xml","aspace_url_ssi":"http://ead.lib.virginia.edu/vivaxtf/view?docId=vmi/vilxv00028.xml","title_ssm":["James H. Reid papers"],"title_tesim":["James H. Reid papers"],"unitdate_ssm":["1862-1867"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1862-1867"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["MS.0222","/repositories/3/resources/613"],"text":["MS.0222","/repositories/3/resources/613","James H. Reid papers","Confederate States of America. Army—Virginia Light Artillery Battalion, 13th","Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1866","Virginia Military Institute—Curricula","Virginia Military Institute—Faculty—Anecdotes","Virginia Military Institute—Academics—History—19th century","Virginia Military Institute—Slang","Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1860-1869","United States—History—Civil War, 1861-1865—Personal narratives—Confederate","Correspondence","There are no restrictions.","A portion of the James H. Reid papers are avaliable \n online .","James Henry Reid was born in 1845 in Brentsville, Prince William County, Virginia to James Henry Reid, Sr. and Amy Ann Tolson. Reid entered VMI in 1862 and resigned in January 1864 to join the Confederate Army. He served from 1864 to 1865 as a Private in Company A, 13th Battalion, Virginia Light Artillery (Otey's Battery) and was paroled at Appomattox, Virginia.","During the post-War years, Reid engaged in many professions, including that of teacher, justice of the peace, notary public, bookkeeper, banker, and farmer. He married Beulah Reese on December 10, 1868, at Christ Church, Alexandria, Virginia. They had several children. Much of Reid's life was spent in Prince William County, Virginia, where he died in 1921. He is buried in Manassas, Virginia.","V.M.I. \nAug 10, 1862","Dear Pa \nHaving nothing else to do this evening I thought I would write to you although I had just seen you yesterday morning. After I left you I went up to Barracks \u0026 staid in my room all the morning. After dinner I had a very bad headache so I laid down \u0026 went to sleep whilst Henderson, Lee \u0026 Read went to town.","After supper the Corporal of the Guard came for me to go on guard at an outer post \u0026 was very particular in telling me to let no one pass without the countersign, but he would give me no load to put in my gun. After he left about 25 cadets came down \u0026 wanted to take my gun but I stuck one of them with my bayonet not very hard (for I knew it was all a trick to frighten me) \u0026 drove them off but they came back with guns \u0026 got my gun away. The Corporal came \u0026 made a big fuss saying he would have to be responsible for my neglect of duty, but I told him how 25 with guns could easily take one man but he said I must be court martialed \u0026 sent me to\nthe guard house but in fact Sub Profs. Wise \u0026 Semmes room, kept me in there some time \u0026 saw I was not to be fooled so let me go. That ended yesterday.","I went up town to the Church, I don't know what kind of church but think it was Presbyterian. Came back went to dinner \u0026 am now in my room No.76. Tell Ma to send my box about a foot or less any size about six inches high, I think she has one with my 2 shirts with the 2 collars, as soon as possible if she don't I will have watch money or nothing in a few days. I must close.\nPlease excuse writing as my fingers have all been put out of joint today \u0026 I can hardly write. \nWith love to all I remain.","Your affectionate son \nJ. Henry Reid","P.S. Tell Mrs. Holcombe Tommy is getting on very well, is very studious \u0026 and fat as a pig. Remember me to Mrs. Brown, Mr. Brown, \u0026 every body who think enough of me to inquire after me. Tell Mac he ought to be here the bucking would not hurt him. Please send me some stamps. Henry.","VMI Aug 14, 1862","Dear Pa \nI received your letter about two hours ago just after dinner \u0026 was very glad to hear from you. I hope you have got me a box large enough to hold my collars hank \u0026, not a writing desk it is rather too small but perhaps I can make it do. The Staff Va buttons I would rather have than the V.M.I. Please send me a dozen.","I have bought a mattress for $7 whereas I would have to pay the quartermaster $14, but it should come out of the money which Gen. Smith holds \u0026 I consider I have saved $7. I borrowed it from Thomas Henderson because I did not want to use my small notes. I paid also 75 cts for a chair. Please send me $10. I may want to buy some thing else. I have spent 25 cts since I have been here.","Our studies are math \u0026 French. I am in the 8th section, 4th class math; 4th section, 4th class French. We will have more studies after the first of September. Geo., composition \u0026 some one or two other things. I will make 13 in French this week \u0026 14 in math. 15 is the highest \u0026 none have made 15 since I have been here.","I got 11 demerits the first day, 7 the second, 5 the third, 3 the fourth, 1 the fifth, \u0026 none since. I got off from all of them \u0026 all say I have got less demerits than any Rat that has come here this year. We get up at 5 to Rev, eat at 7 also at 1, squad drill at 5, dress parade at 6 \u0026 supper at\n7, Tattoo at 9½, \u0026 taps at 10. I have been on guard twice since I have been here.","I like the V.M.I very much \u0026 do not dislike the fare. Have fattened about 10 lbs. I have my white uniform \u0026 I think it improves me very much. All I want are the buttons. I don't understand you about the vest. I don't want one it will be no use. How do you do in the office with Mr. Jamieson. Please write me. Tell Mac McLean I am going to write to him as soon as I get things\nstraightened up.","I have three very nice room mates. F. Lee, S. Read \u0026 T. Henderson, all from Lynchburg, very kind \u0026 accomodating fellows. I have heard no news for I don't know how long, not since you left. Don't know where Jackson, Pope or any of our armies are. Please send me a paper with a great deal of news in it, for I want to hear something about military affairs.","Our clothes come in every Wednesday \u0026 Saturday evening. Last Wednesday evening they all came in \u0026 an old cadet by the name of Exall ordered me to carry his box of clothes up. It was more than I could stand so I pitched in I thrashed him pretty badly. The other cadets did not blame me but he collected some of his friends of the same feather \u0026 caught me, at least\njumped upon me suddenly Monday night as I was coming off guard with my gun lying carelessly across my shoulder, tied me \u0026 hung me over the door until I had no life in me \u0026 they had to throw water in my face, bathe my head \u0026c to bring me to. Yesterday I met two of them, the old cadets said they would see fair play so I beat one at a time all to pieces, knocked one's teeth down his throat, at least 2 of them in which I got one eye pretty black. Since then an order has been read out dismissing them for impudence to Major Shipp. None of the Subs found out about the fight though they saw there had been a fight some where. Please write often \u0026 long. \nYour affectionate son \nJ. Henry Reid","P.S. Remember me to Mr. \u0026 Mrs. Brown \u0026 every body else. Tell Mrs. Holcombe Tommy is well \u0026 sends his love. Henry.","V.M.I. Aug 18 1862","Dear Pa \nThe desk \u0026 was recd safely Saturday morning. I walked down to the landing \u0026 got it myself, had to pay 50cts on it. All the things were in good order. Your letter \u0026 Ma's were safely recd., stamps, $2, buttons, shirts \u0026. Very much obliged for the apples \u0026 sugar, do not know what to do with the sugar unless I eat it so, No I will not do that, I will take it down to Mess Hall tonight \u0026 sweeten my milk with it and have a sort of Ice Cream.","One of my roommates Read S has gone to Lynchburg (you have probably seen him before this) on furlough. Please send by him some undershirts for it is very cold up here. I was on guard about 2'oclock last night \u0026 had nothing but my white clothes on, I very near froze. I would write for my thick winter coat but Gen. Smith recd a letter yesterday from Charleston saying the cloth had run the blockade \u0026 arrived safely. It will be here in a few days, so I will try \u0026 stand it as my order for Jacket, pants \u0026 overcoat is 3rd in the list \u0026 Mr. Vanderslice will soon make it. Gen. Smith says he has $30,000 worth of cloth about 15,000 yards or more because it did not cost $2 per yard in Europe.","Don't forget my buttons, send them by Read. Also $10 for mattress, chair \u0026. Send my other blanket as soon as you can, but do not pay a big price for me. I would rather wait a while.","My left little finger has been broke, but I am in hopes it will soon be well. My eye is well but some of the old cadets who have been on furlough \u0026 returned are very hard on Rats \u0026 I heard a cadet say this morning \"I pity the Rats now.\"","I will answer Ma's letter before long. I have now written four letters in a week so you must make them last for sometime. Write often, \nYour affectionate son \nJ. Henry Reid","Remember me to all my friends \u0026 write me about Mr. Brown's boarders \u0026. My pillow is a great deal of use.","V.M.I. Aug 26 1862","Dear Pa \nHaving just recd your letter of the 21st I proceed to answer it at once.","In regard to my maltreatment I went next morning at sick roll call to see Dr. Madison who examined my neck \u0026 finger. He said my finger was right badly hurt and bound it up with two little boards, but my neck was not injured. My finger is nearly well but still swollen. If I had known in Lynchburg how I was to be treated I never would have consented to come, but since I have passed through it I don't think I will be molested any more, especially as Gen. Smith allowed the same fellows that maltreated me to resign for nearly killing a rat named Cocke, a son of Philip St. George Cocke, \u0026 all of them have gone home some days ago.","I have been right sick for several days. Had a chill Saturday \u0026 Sunday but went to the Dr. yesterday morning who gave me some white stuff something like chalk, which entirely relieved me except that it gave me a severe head ache.","We Rats have not any studying to do this week because of the examination which is progressing. The 1, 2, 3, 4, \u0026 5 sections, 4th Class expect to enter the 3rd Class, so then I will be in the 3 section, 4th Class whereas I am now in the 8th. Perhaps I may go in the 2nd or 1st. I made 15, the highest mark to be made, on Math last week \u0026 14 6/10 on French, which is also a very high mark as none in the class made higher.","In place of studying this week they try to drill us to death. We get up to Rev at 5, go to squad drill at 5½, \u0026 drill till 6½, go to breakfast parade at 7, go on guard mounting at 8, squad drill from 11 to 12, Dinner parade at 1, squad drill again at 5 to 6, dress parade from 6¼ to ¼7, evening parade at 7, \u0026 tattoo at 9½. Besides we are on guard twice in every week, stand one\nhour in the night each time.","I have no demerits so fair, will try \u0026 keep from getting them. I was very much surprised to see in an old Lynchburg paper the notice of Clem's departure. Write me about it \u0026 if he carried off any thing belonging to the Co. or your key, for you always gave it to him at night \u0026 I suppose he left in the night. I must close as it is very near 5 clk. Tell Ma to write to me with love to all, \nYour affectionate son\nJ. Henry Reid","It takes 6 years single width of cloth to make me a uniform. Please send also 4 yards double width of Flannagan cloth to make me an overcoat. I want Browns cloth for my uniform \u0026 Flannagans for my overcoat. 6 yards single \u0026 4 yards double width. Be sure to put it up so it will not look like cloth, as any thing of that kind is stolen directly.","V.M.I. Aug 28 1862","Dear Pa \u0026 Ma \nI recd my box safely this morning and enjoyed the contents very much, but was disappointed at not finding the small Va. buttons as I had plenty of large V.M.I. buttons \u0026 did not want any large Va. The shirts, collars, cakes \u0026 apples all recd safe \u0026 sound. You need not have troubled yourselves about the apples as we get the best even nicer than you sent for 5 cts per doz \u0026\nsometimes cheaper. Peaches are considered high at 10 \u0026 15 cts, plenty of pears, plums \u0026.","I have not heard from Bro yet, expect a letter today. Write me about Clem's departure. I think Mr. Jamieson treated you very badly after he had accepted the place. You ought to get some body to take the place as you cannot do every thing.","My finger is a great deal better tho still swollen and a little crooked. It will get straight in the course of time. I have not been maltreated much lately. I must close with love to all, I remain, \nYour affectionate son \nJ. Henry Reid","P.S. Please send my cloth as soon as possible, 6½ yards of Brown's \u0026 4 yards of Flannagan's as I wrote you in my last for my uniform \u0026 overcoat. 6½ single width for uniform, 4 double width overcoat \u0026 small Va staff buttons.","V.M.I. Sep 14 1862","Dear Pa \nYour letter was recd several days ago for which I am very much obliged as it has relieved me of a great deal of twisting \u0026.","Gen. Smith has gone to Gen. Jackson's army with his son (who you saw, he was adjutant of the V.M.I.) who has the position of first Lieutenant in the C.S.A. (Artillery). He will return in a few days, when he does I will ask him about the cloth \u0026 write you immediately.","Since the first of Sept I have been getting up at 5 oclk to Rev., squad drill from 5½ to 6½, breakfast at 7, go in to recite math at 8, Geography at 11, drawing, composition and French till 4, squad drill at 5, \u0026 Dress Parade at 6, supper at 7, \u0026 Tattoo at 9½.","The last week I made 15 on French (max 15) \u0026 14 6/10 on Math. They did not mark us on the other studies as we have just commenced. The reason I make such good marks in Math is because we are in the first part of Algebra \u0026 I have been over it before. If I could make 13 every week on math I would stand near the top of my class, but when we get over in the middle of the book I don't expect to average 11. Very few will make more. I am i the 7th section in alphabetical order. In French I will stand about 7 in the class.","Over 100 cadets were found deficient at the last examination \u0026 of course a great many of them will stand above me on Math. Frank Smith was so sure of being found deficient that he went home on furlough \u0026 did not even run for the 3rd class.","I have 5 demerits. It happened in this way. I was orderly of the room (an orderly is a cadet who is detailed every Sunday morning. He sweeps out the room, brings water \u0026 is responsible for noises \u0026). Some of the boys made a noise. I as orderly was reported for \"noise after Taps\" (after Taps is after the lights have been put out). All of them denied making any noise \u0026 I\nas orderly had to take the report. I don't think I will get any more for some time.","I am getting very tired of the V.M.I. \u0026 would a great deal rather be with you in the office than here, especially as you have no one to assist you. I know you have a great deal to do.","If our army goes into Alexandria I would like very much to go also. Write \u0026 let me know because if the army goes in it will not stay any length of time.","Ten cadets deserted the other day \u0026 10 or 12 more are making preparations to leave also. There is a rumor that all cadets over 18 will be taken as conscripts. I don't know how true it is, if so the Institute will be broken up unless they are exempted by Congress. I think by studying Gilham a little I might get an office in the army for I have learned a great deal about it. With love to Ma \u0026 all my friends.","I remain \nYour affectionate son \nJ. Henry Reid.","V.M.I. Sep 20, 1862","Dear Pa \nYour letter written from Richmond was recd several days ago, and your letter of the 18th recd today.","When I first entered the Institute I liked it very well, but in the last two or three weeks I have become very much dissatisfied. Amongst other things I do not get enough to eat. My seat is in the middle of a long table. At breakfast a pitcher of milk is put at both ends \u0026 by the time it passes down to me there is no milk left so I have to eat dry bread, same at supper. Today at dinner I was so hungry that I ate a piece of rotten beef although it smelled very badly, \u0026 a small piece of bread. Since then I have thrown up several times and still feel very badly in my stomach. My only resource is to buy some apples \u0026 fill up with them. (Capt. Whitwell the Commissary says the fare will be better in a week or so). I felt so badly last Thursday night that I could not prepare any lessons and made zero which reduced my mark a great deal for the week. I am also inclined to some kind of disease in my stomach, my food constantly coming up in my mouth \u0026 my throat hurting me but perhaps that may wear off. I had a cold sweat last night which I don't like very much. I intend going to morrow to see Dr. Madison about it.","I have 13 demerits, 5 for noise after taps, 3 for no regulations in room (I did not know that we were obliged to have them in our room) \u0026 5 for falling out of ranks at drill. The way I came to fall out was thus. For the last two or three weeks we have been double‐quicked nearly to death \u0026 the evening on which I fell out I was very unwell \u0026 double‐quicked until I could go no further. So I fell out \u0026 came to my room. I told Maj. Shipp how it was but he refused to take it off. I don't think I will get any more for some time. There are very few who have as few demerits as me. Thomas Henderson had 40 3 weeks ago. I don't know how many he has now about 60 I suppose \u0026 he has only been here 10 days longer than me. He will be dismissed for neglect of studies unless he alters a great deal. He is the most good‐for‐nothing fellow I ever came across. Has not as much sense as his sister Julia.","I have learned so rapidly lately that they have put me in Company drill, which I am very glad of for it is nothing like as hard as Squad drill.","I asked Gen. Smith this morning about the cloth. He said he did not know when he would get cloth so you had better send mine up. He has given some boys furloughs to go home to provide their winter clothing. He says if I get the gray like you have his will be something like it and I will not want another uniform. Please send it on a Friday so that I can go down \u0026 get it on Saturday. You know how much to send for uniform \u0026 overcoat. The uniform of Brown's \u0026 the overcoat of Flannagan's I wrote you some time ago how much it took to make them. I reckon you had better wait till Ma comes back before you send it but be sure to send it on a Friday. Bundle it up good and write me when you sent it so I will know when to look out for it. I must close with love to all,","I remain, \nYour affectionate son, J. Henry Reid.","P.S. We have not begun to drill Artillery yet, perhaps not at all. Please write me what Bro is doing, what his position, \u0026.","V.M.I. Sept 27 1862","Dear Pa \nI recd your letter day before yesterday, but did not know what to make of its contents. It ran thus, \"I do not think Henry has yet acknowledged the receipt of a package sent him about two weeks ago in the care of a Cadet going to the V.M.I. Capt. Wilkinson was off the line and at the moment of starting the Capt. of the boat was so occupied and I so hurried in getting ashore that I left the package with the Cadet and handed him 25 to pay freight on it. It contained 2 blankets and something else perhaps buttons.\"","It seems the letter is not addressed to me but to somebody else. I recd the package safely, blankets \u0026 buttons and thought I had written you so. I am very much obliged to you for the blankets are a great deal of use these cold nights, for we nearly freeze.","I can either get $4 for my buttons or get 3 doz cadets buttons for them. Please when you send my cloth send my cap cover. It belonged to the cap I sold Boyd Smith. Ma knows where it is she put it away, also my skates, they are in the barrel. Let me know when you send the cloth. Please send it on a Friday so I can go down \u0026 get it on Saturday.","I have been very sick in the last week and got the report \"not studious\" which Dr. Madison will excuse me from. I made very poor marks \u0026 got some 10 or 12 demerits for absent from roll call \u0026. Maj. Shipp assures me Dr. Madison will excuse me from all my demerits so I will be free once more from demerit. I have 20 so far but will write my excuses Monday and send them in\nto Gen Smith's office. In intend to try next week to make up in my studies also. The eating does not improve \u0026 I am nearly starved. Much as I can do to keep up. I nearly froze on guard last night \u0026 expect to freeze tonight. I think when I get off from my demerit I can easily keep from them.","I must close. Write me the news about Bro with love to all. I remain, \nYour affectionate son \nJ. Henry Reid.","V .M.I. Sept 30 1862","Dear Pa \nI recd your letter yesterday morning after I had written you in answer to a letter recd several days ago. I am very glad to hear that the cloth will be here so soon, as it is very cold late at night and early in the morning with my white uniform, and besides I nearly freeze when I go on guard at night (every 4th night). Since I recd the blankets I have been very comfortable at\nnight.","Speaking of the fare I could not get milk or bread, the only thing you can buy up here is apples, and you have to live on them. At breakfast this morning I took a small piece of bread for my dinner (I did not intend to go to dinner), and was reported for \"carrying provisions from Hall.\" Don't you think that is hard.","I have been sick now for nearly two weeks \u0026 have fallen off about 25 pounds. Dr. Madison has been giving me quinine and some kind of acid, which does me a little good but about 4 oclock every evening I have a very high fever which lasts till after bed time. I have had it regularly every evening for two weeks. I understand Dr. Madison said this morning that the fare here\nwas calculated to give any body the Typhoid fever. I hope they will change it, for the milk affects me just as it does you. I don't know what you call the disease but think it is the \"dyspepsia\". I have attended to nearly all my duty since I have been sick, but I will go into the Hospital if it continues much longer.","I have gotten off from all my demerits except \"noise after taps,\" 5 demerits which I think when Maj. Shipp returns I will get off from. I got a report yesterday for grabbing provisions which I intend to deny for I can prove by 3 or 4 that I did not do it. The Sergeant who reported me says himself he may have been mistaken in the person. I cannot get off until Maj. Shipp returns (report says he has gone off to be married.) I have another report for \"allowing visiting whilst on Post on 25th\". I was not on post on that day, but a rat by the name of Reed T. from Winchester was. I will refer that to him, also a report loitering on post. I think I can get off from all but the 5 for \"noise after Taps.\"","I have been made Section marcher to the 8th section, 4th class math (the duty of a Section Marcher is to call the roll of his section every time it goes into recite, also to march the section in, report all absentees \u0026 is responsible for all trifling \u0026 talking in ranks \u0026c. Frank Smith is in my section, he is on furlough at present.","What is the news? Our army had gone into Maryland \u0026 returned before I knew they were really in Maryland. Have you heard from Charlottesville lately? How is Miss McPherson \u0026 all our friends. I must close. With love to all, I remain \nYour affectionate son \nJ. Henry Reid","Please don't forget the cap cover \u0026 skates. A young fellow by the name of Waller came here from Lynchburg \u0026 was shipped in 5 days. Mrs. Brown knows him very well. I have moved over on the side of barracks towards Gen. Smith's, No. 75 with Henderson, Wright from N.C., White from this place, Griffin from Roanoke \u0026 myself. Very pleasant roommates so far except Henderson, but we keep him under. Tell Ma to write me all the news of her trip \u0026c. Every boy in barracks has remarked how poor I am \u0026 you know how poor I was when I left Lynchburg.","V.M.I. Oct 5 1862","Dear Ma \nI recd your letter yesterday morning and would have answered it yesterday (Saturday) but I had a great deal to do before going on Battalion Inspection (the first time I have been on). I recd the cloth safely, also skates, cap cover \u0026 apples for which I am very much obliged. Gen. Smith told me yesterday morning that he thought he could get cloth in 2 or 3 weeks, but he\nwould not have enough to give the cadets overcoats, only jackets \u0026 pants. If so I will keep the fine and only use the coarse for an overcoat \u0026 if he gives me jacket \u0026 pants I will send the other back. You say in your letter you send both cap covers. I recd only one. Please send the other for this one does not suit the cap \u0026 I can easily sell it.","Pa says in his letter \"as to your freezing on post at night, it seems to me the woollen clothes you carried ought to protect you.\" I never brought any woollen clothes with me. The only woollen thing I brought was my cloth coat \u0026 that I put in the arsenal soon after I came here \u0026 there were about 75 trunks on top of mine but I went in yesterday \u0026 got some boys to help me \u0026 got my coat out. White, one of my roommates, has bought a very good overcoat which I can wear at night. It keeps me quite comfortable. I think I can get along as far as clothes are concerned. You need not trouble yourself about sending me anything to eat as probably in a box of cakes I would get 2 or 3 to eat (you need not send my file). I will see a servt. about getting me some thing to eat or apply to change my seat which I think I can easily do.","Maj. Shipp has not returned yet, when he does I will see about my demerits. About 30 cadets are going to be shipped for having over 100 demerits in six months, 5 were sent off yesterday. Adie from Leesburg, Helm from Warrn., Grant \u0026 2 Williams from Richmond. Patton nephew of Geo. A Smith \u0026 Gilham son of Col. Gilham are amongst the number. Old cadets say they are more stringent now than they have ever been before. As soon as a cadet gets 100 he is sent home \u0026 somebody else comes in to fill his place. There is not one in the Institute who has not over 25. Tom Henderson has about 60 \u0026 if he don't get off from some he will be shipped.","I must close as I have to go to Bible class, which recites in a few moments. With love to all I remain. \nYour affectionate son \nJ. Henry Reid.","V.M.I. Oct 12 1862. Sunday.","Dear Pa \u0026 Ma \nI recd your letter day before yesterday, also the box \u0026 letter yesterday, for which I am very much obliged. I was very hungry when the box came \u0026 I certainly enjoyed the sweet potatoes, bread \u0026 jelly \u0026. But I am afraid I cannot eat any more because I have a rising in my ear which Dr. Madison cut yesterday. It is swollen up so much this evening that I can hardly open my\nmouth much less eat. I intend to try \u0026 keep my things until it gets so I can eat. The bread is the best thing as I can buy some butter \u0026 have very good eating.","If I had recd your letter about a week ago when I was sick I should certainly have applied for a furlough, but I have so far recovered that I think I can get along here, especially as it takes all the studying I can do to keep up with my class. If I go home I will be thrown back \u0026 will probably never catch up again. I would like very much to go but would rather wait till Christmas when we have 2 weeks vacation.","You need not be afraid of my being shipped for demerits as I have only 10. 5 for noise after taps, 3 for being late at Dress Parade (I had to go to the Surgeon's Office and as I came back stopped at the Tailor shop to be measured, the drum beat \u0026 before I could get to my room \u0026 get my gun my company had fallen in), \u0026 2 for throwing water on stoop. One of my roommates\nthrew the water on but denied it. I, as orderly, had to take the report. It has been some time since I got a report \u0026 I don't think I will get any more demerit.","Wm Gordon's son arrived yesterday. He is the greenest rat I ever saw--has no sense at all. I must close with love to all. I remain, \nYour affectionate son \nJ. Henry Reid.","V.M.I. Oct. 18, 1862","Dear Pa \nI recd your letter this evening and according to your request I answer immediately.","As well as I remember the report for Oct \u0026 Nov 1861 were put up in envelopes in bundles \u0026 were in the little box on the right hand side of the closet as you go in. They were mixed up with other months I think, but I am not sure. I know how troublesome it will be to find them. Undo the bundles and you will see marked on the backs of the envelopes the month \u0026 dates.","My ear has nearly gotton well but it pained me a great deal. The rising went up into my head \u0026 stopped up the opening so that Dr. Madison had to cut through the lower part, which gave me a great deal of pain. It is however now nearly well.","I have had my uniform made which makes me feel quite comfortable. Gen. Smith expected to get some cloth from near Winchester, but Gen. Lee pressed it for his army and Gen. Smith will have to do without it. I don't know what the Rats will do.","I went up town to day \u0026 had the pleasure of seeing Miss Cassy Reeder from Waynesboro. She says all were well when she left. I have gotten off from all my demerits \u0026 will try not to get any more. I must close. With love to all I remain, \nYour affectionate son \nJ. Henry Reid","P.S. Please send me my old cadet pants, old gray ones, some Friday. Ma knows which ones.","V.M.I. Oct 26 1862","Dear Ma \nI recd your letters and also the box day before yesterday, for which I am very much obliged. I enjoyed the bread very much and will have the potatoes cooked today. I enjoyed the bread very much. It rained very hard \u0026 I did not go to dinner so I came up to my room and eat nearly all of my rolls. I intend to get to the Old Judge (an old negro man who cooks all our Beef) to cook them this evening.","You may sell my Jacket \u0026 Overcoat if you want to, but don't you think my overcoat will make me a good coat or vest when cloth gets scarce, but you can dojust as you please. It is in the largest box at the office with my gun. My winter coat vest \u0026 pants will fit me a year, hence do not sell them. I have gotten entirely well and have to study hard to catch up \u0026 keep up with my section. I have had another rising in my ear but hope it will soon be well.","I have gotton off from all my demerits but 8, 5 for allowing visiting \u0026 3 for loitering on post. The way I got the first was in this way. I was on Post no3 when the Inspector visited. I made all the rooms on my post report just before the Inspector visited. They all reported \"all right\" but the Inspector caught someone visiting \u0026 reported me as sentinel for allowing visiting. I told Capt. Semmes (who was acting commandant in Maj. Ship's absence) how it was but he would not let me off. Maj. Ship would have taken it off I am sure about loitering on post. I know nothing about it and will get off I think.","I have an opportunity of buying a first rate pair of high top shoes made something like the gaiters Pa got in Washington (which were the best shoes I ever had) for $15. Mr. White the father of one of my roommates who has a store up town had them before the war and offers them to me as a special favor (they do not fit his son). They are the finest calf-skin double soles worth $25 or $30 in Richmond or Lynchburg. I will need them this winter as my English shoes have proved a failure and have worn out already. If Pa thinks I had better take them he can send me a check or if he thinks not I will not get them. It is certainly a bargain \u0026 I am sure I will need them.","They have not commenced to heat up barracks yet. Some say they will not commence till Christmas. Gen. Smith has succeeded in getting cloth so I will have 2 uniforms. I have done without an overcoat \u0026 if I get a cadet overcoat I will send my cloth back home. It is very cold getting up at 5 oclk without any fire \u0026 going out \u0026 drilling an hour.","How do you get along with your envelopes. Write \u0026 tell me. I must close. Please excuse this hastily written eltter as I am writing in a cold room without any fire. With love to all I remain. \nYour affectionate son \nJ. Henry Reid","P.S. I wish you could take a trip over here but it will cost a great deal I suppose and would hardly be worth while if I go home Christmas.","V.M.I. Saturday 9 o'Clock a.m.","Dear Pa \nI recd your very kind letter on Monday evening and would have answered it before, but that I wanted to write you a long letter \u0026 thought I would wait till today (Saturday) because I had not time to write you but a very short one in a week day especially when we have so much to do.","Gen. Smith seems determined to pick math into our heads. He gives some 20 or 30 pages of Algebra every day and you may know how much I have studied when I tell you, that all the time I went to Mr. Kirk's, Mr. Smith's \u0026 Mr. Scott's, I only went through my Arithmetic and very little Algebra, whereas I have been here only three months and have gone through my Algebra and will go into Geometry in a few weeks or perhaps sooner.","I had worked my way up to the 2nd section math, but when I was sick I fell so far back that I could not keep up with it, and I was transfered to the 8th section. I make only tolerably good marks because whilst I was sick the class went over a great deal that I did not understand \u0026 I have to study hard to understand it. I however make good marks in French and make the max\nin Geography nearly every week. The way Geo. is taught is a very good one. When we go into the Section room, Colonel Williamson sends one of us to the Blackboard and tells us to draw the map of such a country or state with all of its rivers towns \u0026. It was very hard to me at first but I can draw a pretty good map now. In French I have gone through the Grammars and will\nbegin to read Gil Blas on Monday. I make the max or within a few tenths of it every week (you may not understand me when I say tenths. The way they mark us is this, if you make a perfect recitation they mark you thirty tenths or three whole ones \u0026 skin you by tenths according as you recite. On compostion they have not commenced to mark us.","I know the fare we get is not sufficient for this season. I have therefore made an arrangement with a servant to supply me with some chicken some butter and some good bread every five days in a week at $1.25. I intend to try and get him down to $1. If he furnishes it to me in Mess Hall they will report me for private dish. I therefore stay away from dinner and he brings it to me in my room. He has furnished me now for four days and I will owe him after today $1.25 and I have only 50cts left. I will get him to trust me and pay him at the end of the month.","I have made my money hold out right well. I brought $8 here with me, you sent me $10 which made $18. I paid $7 for a bed, 75 cts for a chair, 75cts for a broom, $1 for a water bucket, $1 to get my gun cleaned (It was so rusty I could do nothing with it and I was obliged to have it cleaned or I would have been reported every time I went on drill), $1 loaned to Tom Henderson and 50cts to the Soldiers Aid Society up town, which left me about $4.50 with which I have bought apples, cakes \u0026 at different times when I was very hungry. I have made my money go as far as I possibly could because I knew you had no money to waste.","I do not think I could have stood the fare much longer if it had not have been for your kind offer. I began to feel weak about the legs, a dizziness about the eyes, violent head-ache and a feeling of emptyness about the stomach. I had this feeling nearly all the time and still have it slightly, but I feel a great deal better since I have been buying from the old negro. But I have not regained my my weight by 15 lbs. By the time I eat some more of my dinners I think I will feel right well. There is a report amongst the boys that Gen Smith is going to give us coffee \u0026 ham, if so I will buy no more dinners. It may be only a rumour for all I know but I think it very\nprobable for Gen. Smith certainly can have more feeling than to feed us on Bread \u0026 milk all the winter.","We get up every morning at 5 o'clock to Rev (before day), go on Squad drill at 5½ \u0026 drill til 6½ (You may imagine how cold is is especially our hands which rests against the butt of the stock which is covered with Iron), after we come off to find no fire in our room which is considered the coldest in Barracks (It is heated by steam through pipes). We intend to apply for another room or apply to Gen. Smith to have the pipes fixed so some steam will come up.","(3 o'clock p.m.). Your most welcome letter of the 29th is just recd (It ought to have gotten here yesterday) containing a check for $15 for which I am very much obliged. I will get my shoes this evening and make them last as long as possible. I have also recd the seven Examiners \u0026 will have a treat in reading them.","Dr. Madison says the risings in my ear were caused by the old cadets pulling them, he put some laudanum \u0026 sweet oil in them which casued them to run and they feel a great deal better. I still keep wood in them \u0026 will continue to do so until they are entirely well. May hearing is as good as ever when I take the wool out.","Gen. Smith's cloth was expected today. I will then have two uniforms. I will take care of the one made out of his cloth and wear my own every day because his will be much prettier. He will not let me have an overcoat because the cloth will hardly furnish all with uniforms. I cannot take an overcoat \u0026 no uniform because all are obliged to have uniforms alike to wear on drills, dress parade \u0026 so I will be obliged to use my cloth, besides an overcoat out of my cloth will not cost near as much as one out of his.","I am sorry to hear you are sick with the Jaundice (I do not know what it is but suppose it is something concerning the stomach). I hope it is not serious enough to make you lie down and hope you will soon recover. I know you are in good hands \u0026 wish I could have been as lucky when I was sick. I have a very poor opinion of Dr. Madison as a physician.","There is a disease in Barracks which I do not like. It breaks out on the hands \u0026 resembles the \"Itch\". You need say nothing about it as I am not sure of its being the \"Itch.\"","I do not wish to disappoint you but I do not think the chances are very good for my getting a furlough Christmas. I intend to try very hard to get one \u0026 am almost sure I can with a recommendation from you.","I recd a letter today from Tom McRoberts. He is keeping books for a firm in Raymond, Hinds Co., Miss and is doing very well. He has been discharged from the army. Please let me know where Bro is \u0026 what he is doing. With love to all I remain. \nYour affectionate son \nJ Henry Reid.","P.S. Ask Ma to look \u0026 see if I left my buck skin gloves with her. If I brought them with me they have disappeared in some way, altho I am more carefull of my clothes than any one in Barracks. If you have them please send them to me. What did hte cloth you bought from Flannagan cost per yard? \nHenry","Camp Carter's Station \nMarch 7th 1864","Dear Pa \nHaving received no answer to my last which contained an account of my hardships in coming out and entering camp, I suppose you must be in Richmond and I having an opportunity write again.","We have had some very fine weather since I last wrote, but it is raining today which makes camp life very unpleasant. We have been expecting to move ever since last Tuesday, but the cars are without an engine and consequently we cannot go until one does come, which I hope will not be shortly as it is a great deal of trouble moving and making bunks etc. Although I like this life very well I am sure it it not as pleasant as in the Engineer service. We get wet one day, dry the next, get wet the next and so on. In the Engineer Corps we can always get to some house out of the rain and mud.","Besides the people out here are all Yankees and it is very hard to get anything to eat. They are the most ignorant set of people I ever saw. I have been for miles around and have not come across the first respectable looking man yet. The ladies call us Rebels, abuse us \u0026. You seldom find that elegance and taste which belongs to a Virginia lady and especially Lynchburgers. Get the Detail if you possibly can and write me as soon as you hear.","I must close as I am lying on my side in a crowded bunk with my feet poking out in the rain writing this. With love to Ma, Miss Emma, Miss Annie, Miss Millie and all the ladies, I remain, \nYour affectionate son \nJ. Henry Reid.","P.S. I wish if you can possibly do it to purchase me a large knife \u0026 send it by the first opportunity . It is one of the most useful articles to a soldier. What must I do with my large Confederate notes. I cannot pass them out here. I expect we will go to the front for Maj. King wants his battalion to do something for him to get promoted.","Direct Otey Battery, 13th Battalion Va Artillery, Longstreet's Corps.","The James H. Reid papers consist of the Civil War correspondence (18 items) of Reid. Included are 14 letters (dated August-November 1862) from Reid to his parents written while he was a fourth classman at VMI. This correspondence contains many references to wartime cadet life, including the use of the term \"rat\" as a name for new cadets, hazing, uniforms, food, guard duty, and other aspects of life at VMI.","The papers also contain one letter (dated March 7 1864) written while Reid was serving with the 13th Virginia Light Artillery Regiment, Confederate States of America, and four letters that date between 1865 and 1867.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards cadet life.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards cadet life, mentioning the cirriculum and the slang term \"rat.\"","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards cadet life.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards cadet life.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards cadet life.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards cadet life.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards cadet life.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards cadet life.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards cadet life.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards cadet life.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards cadet life.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards cadet life.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards cadet life.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards cadet life.","Written from Camp at Carter's Station. Letter regards life at camp.","Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information.","Manuscripts stacks","Virginia Military Institute Archives","Reid, James H. (James Henry), 1845-1921","Williamson, Thomas H. (Thomas Hoomes), 1813-1888","Madison, Robert L. (Robert Lewis), 1828-1878","Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","Shipp, Scott, 1839-1917","Jackson, Stonewall, 1824-1863","English \n.    "],"unitid_tesim":["MS.0222","/repositories/3/resources/613"],"normalized_title_ssm":["James H. Reid papers"],"collection_title_tesim":["James H. Reid papers"],"collection_ssim":["James H. Reid papers"],"repository_ssm":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"repository_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"creator_ssm":["Reid, James H. (James Henry), 1845-1921"],"creator_ssim":["Reid, James H. (James Henry), 1845-1921"],"creator_persname_ssim":["Reid, James H. (James Henry), 1845-1921"],"creators_ssim":["Reid, James H. (James Henry), 1845-1921"],"access_terms_ssm":["Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information."],"access_subjects_ssim":["Confederate States of America. Army—Virginia Light Artillery Battalion, 13th","Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1866","Virginia Military Institute—Curricula","Virginia Military Institute—Faculty—Anecdotes","Virginia Military Institute—Academics—History—19th century","Virginia Military Institute—Slang","Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1860-1869","United States—History—Civil War, 1861-1865—Personal narratives—Confederate","Correspondence"],"access_subjects_ssm":["Confederate States of America. Army—Virginia Light Artillery Battalion, 13th","Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1866","Virginia Military Institute—Curricula","Virginia Military Institute—Faculty—Anecdotes","Virginia Military Institute—Academics—History—19th century","Virginia Military Institute—Slang","Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1860-1869","United States—History—Civil War, 1861-1865—Personal narratives—Confederate","Correspondence"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["18 items"],"extent_tesim":["18 items"],"genreform_ssim":["Correspondence"],"date_range_isim":[1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThere are no restrictions.\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Conditions Governing Access"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["There are no restrictions."],"altformavail_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eA portion of the James H. Reid papers are avaliable \n\u003ca href=\"http://digitalcollections.vmi.edu/cdm/ref/collection/p15821coll11/id/2010\"\u003eonline\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e"],"altformavail_heading_ssm":["Online Access"],"altformavail_tesim":["A portion of the James H. Reid papers are avaliable \n online ."],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eJames Henry Reid was born in 1845 in Brentsville, Prince William County, Virginia to James Henry Reid, Sr. and Amy Ann Tolson. Reid entered VMI in 1862 and resigned in January 1864 to join the Confederate Army. He served from 1864 to 1865 as a Private in Company A, 13th Battalion, Virginia Light Artillery (Otey's Battery) and was paroled at Appomattox, Virginia.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDuring the post-War years, Reid engaged in many professions, including that of teacher, justice of the peace, notary public, bookkeeper, banker, and farmer. He married Beulah Reese on December 10, 1868, at Christ Church, Alexandria, Virginia. They had several children. Much of Reid's life was spent in Prince William County, Virginia, where he died in 1921. He is buried in Manassas, Virginia.\u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Biographical / Historical"],"bioghist_tesim":["James Henry Reid was born in 1845 in Brentsville, Prince William County, Virginia to James Henry Reid, Sr. and Amy Ann Tolson. Reid entered VMI in 1862 and resigned in January 1864 to join the Confederate Army. He served from 1864 to 1865 as a Private in Company A, 13th Battalion, Virginia Light Artillery (Otey's Battery) and was paroled at Appomattox, Virginia.","During the post-War years, Reid engaged in many professions, including that of teacher, justice of the peace, notary public, bookkeeper, banker, and farmer. He married Beulah Reese on December 10, 1868, at Christ Church, Alexandria, Virginia. They had several children. Much of Reid's life was spent in Prince William County, Virginia, where he died in 1921. He is buried in Manassas, Virginia."],"odd_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eV.M.I.\u003cbr\u003e\nAug 10, 1862\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Pa\u003cbr\u003e\nHaving nothing else to do this evening I thought I would write to you although I had just seen you yesterday morning. After I left you I went up to Barracks \u0026amp; staid in my room all the morning. After dinner I had a very bad headache so I laid down \u0026amp; went to sleep whilst Henderson, Lee \u0026amp; Read went to town.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAfter supper the Corporal of the Guard came for me to go on guard at an outer post \u0026amp; was very particular in telling me to let no one pass without the countersign, but he would give me no load to put in my gun. After he left about 25 cadets came down \u0026amp; wanted to take my gun but I stuck one of them with my bayonet not very hard (for I knew it was all a trick to frighten me) \u0026amp; drove them off but they came back with guns \u0026amp; got my gun away. The Corporal came \u0026amp; made a big fuss saying he would have to be responsible for my neglect of duty, but I told him how 25 with guns could easily take one man but he said I must be court martialed \u0026amp; sent me to\nthe guard house but in fact Sub Profs. Wise \u0026amp; Semmes room, kept me in there some time \u0026amp; saw I was not to be fooled so let me go. That ended yesterday.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI went up town to the Church, I don't know what kind of church but think it was Presbyterian. Came back went to dinner \u0026amp; am now in my room No.76. Tell Ma to send my box about a foot or less any size about six inches high, I think she has one with my 2 shirts with the 2 collars, as soon as possible if she don't I will have watch money or nothing in a few days. I must close.\nPlease excuse writing as my fingers have all been put out of joint today \u0026amp; I can hardly write.\u003cbr\u003e\nWith love to all I remain.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYour affectionate son\u003cbr\u003e\nJ. Henry Reid\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eP.S. Tell Mrs. Holcombe Tommy is getting on very well, is very studious \u0026amp; and fat as a pig. Remember me to Mrs. Brown, Mr. Brown, \u0026amp; every body who think enough of me to inquire after me. Tell Mac he ought to be here the bucking would not hurt him. Please send me some stamps. Henry.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eVMI Aug 14, 1862\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Pa\u003cbr\u003e\nI received your letter about two hours ago just after dinner \u0026amp; was very glad to hear from you. I hope you have got me a box large enough to hold my collars hank \u0026amp;, not a writing desk it is rather too small but perhaps I can make it do. The Staff Va buttons I would rather have than the V.M.I. Please send me a dozen.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI have bought a mattress for $7 whereas I would have to pay the quartermaster $14, but it should come out of the money which Gen. Smith holds \u0026amp; I consider I have saved $7. I borrowed it from Thomas Henderson because I did not want to use my small notes. I paid also 75 cts for a chair. Please send me $10. I may want to buy some thing else. I have spent 25 cts since I have been here.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eOur studies are math \u0026amp; French. I am in the 8th section, 4th class math; 4th section, 4th class French. We will have more studies after the first of September. Geo., composition \u0026amp; some one or two other things. I will make 13 in French this week \u0026amp; 14 in math. 15 is the highest \u0026amp; none have made 15 since I have been here.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI got 11 demerits the first day, 7 the second, 5 the third, 3 the fourth, 1 the fifth, \u0026amp; none since. I got off from all of them \u0026amp; all say I have got less demerits than any Rat that has come here this year. We get up at 5 to Rev, eat at 7 also at 1, squad drill at 5, dress parade at 6 \u0026amp; supper at\n7, Tattoo at 9½, \u0026amp; taps at 10. I have been on guard twice since I have been here.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI like the V.M.I very much \u0026amp; do not dislike the fare. Have fattened about 10 lbs. I have my white uniform \u0026amp; I think it improves me very much. All I want are the buttons. I don't understand you about the vest. I don't want one it will be no use. How do you do in the office with Mr. Jamieson. Please write me. Tell Mac McLean I am going to write to him as soon as I get things\nstraightened up.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI have three very nice room mates. F. Lee, S. Read \u0026amp; T. Henderson, all from Lynchburg, very kind \u0026amp; accomodating fellows. I have heard no news for I don't know how long, not since you left. Don't know where Jackson, Pope or any of our armies are. Please send me a paper with a great deal of news in it, for I want to hear something about military affairs.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eOur clothes come in every Wednesday \u0026amp; Saturday evening. Last Wednesday evening they all came in \u0026amp; an old cadet by the name of Exall ordered me to carry his box of clothes up. It was more than I could stand so I pitched in I thrashed him pretty badly. The other cadets did not blame me but he collected some of his friends of the same feather \u0026amp; caught me, at least\njumped upon me suddenly Monday night as I was coming off guard with my gun lying carelessly across my shoulder, tied me \u0026amp; hung me over the door until I had no life in me \u0026amp; they had to throw water in my face, bathe my head \u0026amp;c to bring me to. Yesterday I met two of them, the old cadets said they would see fair play so I beat one at a time all to pieces, knocked one's teeth down his throat, at least 2 of them in which I got one eye pretty black. Since then an order has been read out dismissing them for impudence to Major Shipp. None of the Subs found out about the fight though they saw there had been a fight some where. Please write often \u0026amp; long.\u003cbr\u003e\nYour affectionate son\u003cbr\u003e\nJ. Henry Reid\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eP.S. Remember me to Mr. \u0026amp; Mrs. Brown \u0026amp; every body else. Tell Mrs. Holcombe Tommy is well \u0026amp; sends his love. Henry.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I. Aug 18 1862\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Pa\u003cbr\u003e\nThe desk \u0026amp; was recd safely Saturday morning. I walked down to the landing \u0026amp; got it myself, had to pay 50cts on it. All the things were in good order. Your letter \u0026amp; Ma's were safely recd., stamps, $2, buttons, shirts \u0026amp;. Very much obliged for the apples \u0026amp; sugar, do not know what to do with the sugar unless I eat it so, No I will not do that, I will take it down to Mess Hall tonight \u0026amp; sweeten my milk with it and have a sort of Ice Cream.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eOne of my roommates Read S has gone to Lynchburg (you have probably seen him before this) on furlough. Please send by him some undershirts for it is very cold up here. I was on guard about 2'oclock last night \u0026amp; had nothing but my white clothes on, I very near froze. I would write for my thick winter coat but Gen. Smith recd a letter yesterday from Charleston saying the cloth had run the blockade \u0026amp; arrived safely. It will be here in a few days, so I will try \u0026amp; stand it as my order for Jacket, pants \u0026amp; overcoat is 3rd in the list \u0026amp; Mr. Vanderslice will soon make it. Gen. Smith says he has $30,000 worth of cloth about 15,000 yards or more because it did not cost $2 per yard in Europe.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDon't forget my buttons, send them by Read. Also $10 for mattress, chair \u0026amp;. Send my other blanket as soon as you can, but do not pay a big price for me. I would rather wait a while.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy left little finger has been broke, but I am in hopes it will soon be well. My eye is well but some of the old cadets who have been on furlough \u0026amp; returned are very hard on Rats \u0026amp; I heard a cadet say this morning \"I pity the Rats now.\"\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI will answer Ma's letter before long. I have now written four letters in a week so you must make them last for sometime. Write often,\u003cbr\u003e\nYour affectionate son\u003cbr\u003e\nJ. Henry Reid\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eRemember me to all my friends \u0026amp; write me about Mr. Brown's boarders \u0026amp;. My pillow is a great deal of use.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I. Aug 26 1862\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Pa\u003cbr\u003e\nHaving just recd your letter of the 21st I proceed to answer it at once.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIn regard to my maltreatment I went next morning at sick roll call to see Dr. Madison who examined my neck \u0026amp; finger. He said my finger was right badly hurt and bound it up with two little boards, but my neck was not injured. My finger is nearly well but still swollen. If I had known in Lynchburg how I was to be treated I never would have consented to come, but since I have passed through it I don't think I will be molested any more, especially as Gen. Smith allowed the same fellows that maltreated me to resign for nearly killing a rat named Cocke, a son of Philip St. George Cocke, \u0026amp; all of them have gone home some days ago.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI have been right sick for several days. Had a chill Saturday \u0026amp; Sunday but went to the Dr. yesterday morning who gave me some white stuff something like chalk, which entirely relieved me except that it gave me a severe head ache.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWe Rats have not any studying to do this week because of the examination which is progressing. The 1, 2, 3, 4, \u0026amp; 5 sections, 4th Class expect to enter the 3rd Class, so then I will be in the 3 section, 4th Class whereas I am now in the 8th. Perhaps I may go in the 2nd or 1st. I made 15, the highest mark to be made, on Math last week \u0026amp; 14 6/10 on French, which is also a very high mark as none in the class made higher.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIn place of studying this week they try to drill us to death. We get up to Rev at 5, go to squad drill at 5½, \u0026amp; drill till 6½, go to breakfast parade at 7, go on guard mounting at 8, squad drill from 11 to 12, Dinner parade at 1, squad drill again at 5 to 6, dress parade from 6¼ to ¼7, evening parade at 7, \u0026amp; tattoo at 9½. Besides we are on guard twice in every week, stand one\nhour in the night each time.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI have no demerits so fair, will try \u0026amp; keep from getting them. I was very much surprised to see in an old Lynchburg paper the notice of Clem's departure. Write me about it \u0026amp; if he carried off any thing belonging to the Co. or your key, for you always gave it to him at night \u0026amp; I suppose he left in the night. I must close as it is very near 5 clk. Tell Ma to write to me with love to all,\u003cbr\u003e\nYour affectionate son\nJ. Henry Reid\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIt takes 6 years single width of cloth to make me a uniform. Please send also 4 yards double width of Flannagan cloth to make me an overcoat. I want Browns cloth for my uniform \u0026amp; Flannagans for my overcoat. 6 yards single \u0026amp; 4 yards double width. Be sure to put it up so it will not look like cloth, as any thing of that kind is stolen directly.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I. Aug 28 1862\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Pa \u0026amp; Ma\u003cbr\u003e\nI recd my box safely this morning and enjoyed the contents very much, but was disappointed at not finding the small Va. buttons as I had plenty of large V.M.I. buttons \u0026amp; did not want any large Va. The shirts, collars, cakes \u0026amp; apples all recd safe \u0026amp; sound. You need not have troubled yourselves about the apples as we get the best even nicer than you sent for 5 cts per doz \u0026amp;\nsometimes cheaper. Peaches are considered high at 10 \u0026amp; 15 cts, plenty of pears, plums \u0026amp;.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI have not heard from Bro yet, expect a letter today. Write me about Clem's departure. I think Mr. Jamieson treated you very badly after he had accepted the place. You ought to get some body to take the place as you cannot do every thing.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy finger is a great deal better tho still swollen and a little crooked. It will get straight in the course of time. I have not been maltreated much lately. I must close with love to all, I remain,\u003cbr\u003e\nYour affectionate son\u003cbr\u003e\nJ. Henry Reid\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eP.S. Please send my cloth as soon as possible, 6½ yards of Brown's \u0026amp; 4 yards of Flannagan's as I wrote you in my last for my uniform \u0026amp; overcoat. 6½ single width for uniform, 4 double width overcoat \u0026amp; small Va staff buttons.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I. Sep 14 1862\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Pa\u003cbr\u003e\nYour letter was recd several days ago for which I am very much obliged as it has relieved me of a great deal of twisting \u0026amp;.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eGen. Smith has gone to Gen. Jackson's army with his son (who you saw, he was adjutant of the V.M.I.) who has the position of first Lieutenant in the C.S.A. (Artillery). He will return in a few days, when he does I will ask him about the cloth \u0026amp; write you immediately.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSince the first of Sept I have been getting up at 5 oclk to Rev., squad drill from 5½ to 6½, breakfast at 7, go in to recite math at 8, Geography at 11, drawing, composition and French till 4, squad drill at 5, \u0026amp; Dress Parade at 6, supper at 7, \u0026amp; Tattoo at 9½.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe last week I made 15 on French (max 15) \u0026amp; 14 6/10 on Math. They did not mark us on the other studies as we have just commenced. The reason I make such good marks in Math is because we are in the first part of Algebra \u0026amp; I have been over it before. If I could make 13 every week on math I would stand near the top of my class, but when we get over in the middle of the book I don't expect to average 11. Very few will make more. I am i the 7th section in alphabetical order. In French I will stand about 7 in the class.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eOver 100 cadets were found deficient at the last examination \u0026amp; of course a great many of them will stand above me on Math. Frank Smith was so sure of being found deficient that he went home on furlough \u0026amp; did not even run for the 3rd class.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI have 5 demerits. It happened in this way. I was orderly of the room (an orderly is a cadet who is detailed every Sunday morning. He sweeps out the room, brings water \u0026amp; is responsible for noises \u0026amp;). Some of the boys made a noise. I as orderly was reported for \"noise after Taps\" (after Taps is after the lights have been put out). All of them denied making any noise \u0026amp; I\nas orderly had to take the report. I don't think I will get any more for some time.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI am getting very tired of the V.M.I. \u0026amp; would a great deal rather be with you in the office than here, especially as you have no one to assist you. I know you have a great deal to do.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIf our army goes into Alexandria I would like very much to go also. Write \u0026amp; let me know because if the army goes in it will not stay any length of time.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eTen cadets deserted the other day \u0026amp; 10 or 12 more are making preparations to leave also. There is a rumor that all cadets over 18 will be taken as conscripts. I don't know how true it is, if so the Institute will be broken up unless they are exempted by Congress. I think by studying Gilham a little I might get an office in the army for I have learned a great deal about it. With love to Ma \u0026amp; all my friends.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI remain\u003cbr\u003e\nYour affectionate son\u003cbr\u003e\nJ. Henry Reid.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I. Sep 20, 1862\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Pa\u003cbr\u003e\nYour letter written from Richmond was recd several days ago, and your letter of the 18th recd today.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWhen I first entered the Institute I liked it very well, but in the last two or three weeks I have become very much dissatisfied. Amongst other things I do not get enough to eat. My seat is in the middle of a long table. At breakfast a pitcher of milk is put at both ends \u0026amp; by the time it passes down to me there is no milk left so I have to eat dry bread, same at supper. Today at dinner I was so hungry that I ate a piece of rotten beef although it smelled very badly, \u0026amp; a small piece of bread. Since then I have thrown up several times and still feel very badly in my stomach. My only resource is to buy some apples \u0026amp; fill up with them. (Capt. Whitwell the Commissary says the fare will be better in a week or so). I felt so badly last Thursday night that I could not prepare any lessons and made zero which reduced my mark a great deal for the week. I am also inclined to some kind of disease in my stomach, my food constantly coming up in my mouth \u0026amp; my throat hurting me but perhaps that may wear off. I had a cold sweat last night which I don't like very much. I intend going to morrow to see Dr. Madison about it.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI have 13 demerits, 5 for noise after taps, 3 for no regulations in room (I did not know that we were obliged to have them in our room) \u0026amp; 5 for falling out of ranks at drill. The way I came to fall out was thus. For the last two or three weeks we have been double‐quicked nearly to death \u0026amp; the evening on which I fell out I was very unwell \u0026amp; double‐quicked until I could go no further. So I fell out \u0026amp; came to my room. I told Maj. Shipp how it was but he refused to take it off. I don't think I will get any more for some time. There are very few who have as few demerits as me. Thomas Henderson had 40 3 weeks ago. I don't know how many he has now about 60 I suppose \u0026amp; he has only been here 10 days longer than me. He will be dismissed for neglect of studies unless he alters a great deal. He is the most good‐for‐nothing fellow I ever came across. Has not as much sense as his sister Julia.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI have learned so rapidly lately that they have put me in Company drill, which I am very glad of for it is nothing like as hard as Squad drill.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI asked Gen. Smith this morning about the cloth. He said he did not know when he would get cloth so you had better send mine up. He has given some boys furloughs to go home to provide their winter clothing. He says if I get the gray like you have his will be something like it and I will not want another uniform. Please send it on a Friday so that I can go down \u0026amp; get it on Saturday. You know how much to send for uniform \u0026amp; overcoat. The uniform of Brown's \u0026amp; the overcoat of Flannagan's I wrote you some time ago how much it took to make them. I reckon you had better wait till Ma comes back before you send it but be sure to send it on a Friday. Bundle it up good and write me when you sent it so I will know when to look out for it. I must close with love to all,\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI remain,\u003cbr\u003e\nYour affectionate son, J. Henry Reid.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eP.S. We have not begun to drill Artillery yet, perhaps not at all. Please write me what Bro is doing, what his position, \u0026amp;.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I. Sept 27 1862\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Pa\u003cbr\u003e\nI recd your letter day before yesterday, but did not know what to make of its contents. It ran thus, \"I do not think Henry has yet acknowledged the receipt of a package sent him about two weeks ago in the care of a Cadet going to the V.M.I. Capt. Wilkinson was off the line and at the moment of starting the Capt. of the boat was so occupied and I so hurried in getting ashore that I left the package with the Cadet and handed him 25 to pay freight on it. It contained 2 blankets and something else perhaps buttons.\"\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIt seems the letter is not addressed to me but to somebody else. I recd the package safely, blankets \u0026amp; buttons and thought I had written you so. I am very much obliged to you for the blankets are a great deal of use these cold nights, for we nearly freeze.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI can either get $4 for my buttons or get 3 doz cadets buttons for them. Please when you send my cloth send my cap cover. It belonged to the cap I sold Boyd Smith. Ma knows where it is she put it away, also my skates, they are in the barrel. Let me know when you send the cloth. Please send it on a Friday so I can go down \u0026amp; get it on Saturday.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI have been very sick in the last week and got the report \"not studious\" which Dr. Madison will excuse me from. I made very poor marks \u0026amp; got some 10 or 12 demerits for absent from roll call \u0026amp;. Maj. Shipp assures me Dr. Madison will excuse me from all my demerits so I will be free once more from demerit. I have 20 so far but will write my excuses Monday and send them in\nto Gen Smith's office. In intend to try next week to make up in my studies also. The eating does not improve \u0026amp; I am nearly starved. Much as I can do to keep up. I nearly froze on guard last night \u0026amp; expect to freeze tonight. I think when I get off from my demerit I can easily keep from them.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI must close. Write me the news about Bro with love to all. I remain,\u003cbr\u003e\nYour affectionate son\u003cbr\u003e\nJ. Henry Reid.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV .M.I. Sept 30 1862\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Pa\u003cbr\u003e\nI recd your letter yesterday morning after I had written you in answer to a letter recd several days ago. I am very glad to hear that the cloth will be here so soon, as it is very cold late at night and early in the morning with my white uniform, and besides I nearly freeze when I go on guard at night (every 4th night). Since I recd the blankets I have been very comfortable at\nnight.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSpeaking of the fare I could not get milk or bread, the only thing you can buy up here is apples, and you have to live on them. At breakfast this morning I took a small piece of bread for my dinner (I did not intend to go to dinner), and was reported for \"carrying provisions from Hall.\" Don't you think that is hard.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI have been sick now for nearly two weeks \u0026amp; have fallen off about 25 pounds. Dr. Madison has been giving me quinine and some kind of acid, which does me a little good but about 4 oclock every evening I have a very high fever which lasts till after bed time. I have had it regularly every evening for two weeks. I understand Dr. Madison said this morning that the fare here\nwas calculated to give any body the Typhoid fever. I hope they will change it, for the milk affects me just as it does you. I don't know what you call the disease but think it is the \"dyspepsia\". I have attended to nearly all my duty since I have been sick, but I will go into the Hospital if it continues much longer.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI have gotten off from all my demerits except \"noise after taps,\" 5 demerits which I think when Maj. Shipp returns I will get off from. I got a report yesterday for grabbing provisions which I intend to deny for I can prove by 3 or 4 that I did not do it. The Sergeant who reported me says himself he may have been mistaken in the person. I cannot get off until Maj. Shipp returns (report says he has gone off to be married.) I have another report for \"allowing visiting whilst on Post on 25th\". I was not on post on that day, but a rat by the name of Reed T. from Winchester was. I will refer that to him, also a report loitering on post. I think I can get off from all but the 5 for \"noise after Taps.\"\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI have been made Section marcher to the 8th section, 4th class math (the duty of a Section Marcher is to call the roll of his section every time it goes into recite, also to march the section in, report all absentees \u0026amp; is responsible for all trifling \u0026amp; talking in ranks \u0026amp;c. Frank Smith is in my section, he is on furlough at present.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWhat is the news? Our army had gone into Maryland \u0026amp; returned before I knew they were really in Maryland. Have you heard from Charlottesville lately? How is Miss McPherson \u0026amp; all our friends. I must close. With love to all, I remain\u003cbr\u003e\nYour affectionate son\u003cbr\u003e\nJ. Henry Reid\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003ePlease don't forget the cap cover \u0026amp; skates. A young fellow by the name of Waller came here from Lynchburg \u0026amp; was shipped in 5 days. Mrs. Brown knows him very well. I have moved over on the side of barracks towards Gen. Smith's, No. 75 with Henderson, Wright from N.C., White from this place, Griffin from Roanoke \u0026amp; myself. Very pleasant roommates so far except Henderson, but we keep him under. Tell Ma to write me all the news of her trip \u0026amp;c. Every boy in barracks has remarked how poor I am \u0026amp; you know how poor I was when I left Lynchburg.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I. Oct 5 1862\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Ma\u003cbr\u003e\nI recd your letter yesterday morning and would have answered it yesterday (Saturday) but I had a great deal to do before going on Battalion Inspection (the first time I have been on). I recd the cloth safely, also skates, cap cover \u0026amp; apples for which I am very much obliged. Gen. Smith told me yesterday morning that he thought he could get cloth in 2 or 3 weeks, but he\nwould not have enough to give the cadets overcoats, only jackets \u0026amp; pants. If so I will keep the fine and only use the coarse for an overcoat \u0026amp; if he gives me jacket \u0026amp; pants I will send the other back. You say in your letter you send both cap covers. I recd only one. Please send the other for this one does not suit the cap \u0026amp; I can easily sell it.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003ePa says in his letter \"as to your freezing on post at night, it seems to me the woollen clothes you carried ought to protect you.\" I never brought any woollen clothes with me. The only woollen thing I brought was my cloth coat \u0026amp; that I put in the arsenal soon after I came here \u0026amp; there were about 75 trunks on top of mine but I went in yesterday \u0026amp; got some boys to help me \u0026amp; got my coat out. White, one of my roommates, has bought a very good overcoat which I can wear at night. It keeps me quite comfortable. I think I can get along as far as clothes are concerned. You need not trouble yourself about sending me anything to eat as probably in a box of cakes I would get 2 or 3 to eat (you need not send my file). I will see a servt. about getting me some thing to eat or apply to change my seat which I think I can easily do.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMaj. Shipp has not returned yet, when he does I will see about my demerits. About 30 cadets are going to be shipped for having over 100 demerits in six months, 5 were sent off yesterday. Adie from Leesburg, Helm from Warrn., Grant \u0026amp; 2 Williams from Richmond. Patton nephew of Geo. A Smith \u0026amp; Gilham son of Col. Gilham are amongst the number. Old cadets say they are more stringent now than they have ever been before. As soon as a cadet gets 100 he is sent home \u0026amp; somebody else comes in to fill his place. There is not one in the Institute who has not over 25. Tom Henderson has about 60 \u0026amp; if he don't get off from some he will be shipped.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI must close as I have to go to Bible class, which recites in a few moments. With love to all I remain.\u003cbr\u003e\nYour affectionate son\u003cbr\u003e\nJ. Henry Reid.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I. Oct 12 1862. Sunday.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Pa \u0026amp; Ma\u003cbr\u003e\nI recd your letter day before yesterday, also the box \u0026amp; letter yesterday, for which I am very much obliged. I was very hungry when the box came \u0026amp; I certainly enjoyed the sweet potatoes, bread \u0026amp; jelly \u0026amp;. But I am afraid I cannot eat any more because I have a rising in my ear which Dr. Madison cut yesterday. It is swollen up so much this evening that I can hardly open my\nmouth much less eat. I intend to try \u0026amp; keep my things until it gets so I can eat. The bread is the best thing as I can buy some butter \u0026amp; have very good eating.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIf I had recd your letter about a week ago when I was sick I should certainly have applied for a furlough, but I have so far recovered that I think I can get along here, especially as it takes all the studying I can do to keep up with my class. If I go home I will be thrown back \u0026amp; will probably never catch up again. I would like very much to go but would rather wait till Christmas when we have 2 weeks vacation.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYou need not be afraid of my being shipped for demerits as I have only 10. 5 for noise after taps, 3 for being late at Dress Parade (I had to go to the Surgeon's Office and as I came back stopped at the Tailor shop to be measured, the drum beat \u0026amp; before I could get to my room \u0026amp; get my gun my company had fallen in), \u0026amp; 2 for throwing water on stoop. One of my roommates\nthrew the water on but denied it. I, as orderly, had to take the report. It has been some time since I got a report \u0026amp; I don't think I will get any more demerit.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWm Gordon's son arrived yesterday. He is the greenest rat I ever saw--has no sense at all. I must close with love to all. I remain,\u003cbr\u003e\nYour affectionate son\u003cbr\u003e\nJ. Henry Reid.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I. Oct. 18, 1862\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Pa\u003cbr\u003e\nI recd your letter this evening and according to your request I answer immediately.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAs well as I remember the report for Oct \u0026amp; Nov 1861 were put up in envelopes in bundles \u0026amp; were in the little box on the right hand side of the closet as you go in. They were mixed up with other months I think, but I am not sure. I know how troublesome it will be to find them. Undo the bundles and you will see marked on the backs of the envelopes the month \u0026amp; dates.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy ear has nearly gotton well but it pained me a great deal. The rising went up into my head \u0026amp; stopped up the opening so that Dr. Madison had to cut through the lower part, which gave me a great deal of pain. It is however now nearly well.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI have had my uniform made which makes me feel quite comfortable. Gen. Smith expected to get some cloth from near Winchester, but Gen. Lee pressed it for his army and Gen. Smith will have to do without it. I don't know what the Rats will do.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI went up town to day \u0026amp; had the pleasure of seeing Miss Cassy Reeder from Waynesboro. She says all were well when she left. I have gotten off from all my demerits \u0026amp; will try not to get any more. I must close. With love to all I remain,\u003cbr\u003e\nYour affectionate son\u003cbr\u003e\nJ. Henry Reid\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eP.S. Please send me my old cadet pants, old gray ones, some Friday. Ma knows which ones.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I. Oct 26 1862\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Ma\u003cbr\u003e\nI recd your letters and also the box day before yesterday, for which I am very much obliged. I enjoyed the bread very much and will have the potatoes cooked today. I enjoyed the bread very much. It rained very hard \u0026amp; I did not go to dinner so I came up to my room and eat nearly all of my rolls. I intend to get to the Old Judge (an old negro man who cooks all our Beef) to cook them this evening.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYou may sell my Jacket \u0026amp; Overcoat if you want to, but don't you think my overcoat will make me a good coat or vest when cloth gets scarce, but you can dojust as you please. It is in the largest box at the office with my gun. My winter coat vest \u0026amp; pants will fit me a year, hence do not sell them. I have gotten entirely well and have to study hard to catch up \u0026amp; keep up with my section. I have had another rising in my ear but hope it will soon be well.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI have gotton off from all my demerits but 8, 5 for allowing visiting \u0026amp; 3 for loitering on post. The way I got the first was in this way. I was on Post no3 when the Inspector visited. I made all the rooms on my post report just before the Inspector visited. They all reported \"all right\" but the Inspector caught someone visiting \u0026amp; reported me as sentinel for allowing visiting. I told Capt. Semmes (who was acting commandant in Maj. Ship's absence) how it was but he would not let me off. Maj. Ship would have taken it off I am sure about loitering on post. I know nothing about it and will get off I think.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI have an opportunity of buying a first rate pair of high top shoes made something like the gaiters Pa got in Washington (which were the best shoes I ever had) for $15. Mr. White the father of one of my roommates who has a store up town had them before the war and offers them to me as a special favor (they do not fit his son). They are the finest calf-skin double soles worth $25 or $30 in Richmond or Lynchburg. I will need them this winter as my English shoes have proved a failure and have worn out already. If Pa thinks I had better take them he can send me a check or if he thinks not I will not get them. It is certainly a bargain \u0026amp; I am sure I will need them.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThey have not commenced to heat up barracks yet. Some say they will not commence till Christmas. Gen. Smith has succeeded in getting cloth so I will have 2 uniforms. I have done without an overcoat \u0026amp; if I get a cadet overcoat I will send my cloth back home. It is very cold getting up at 5 oclk without any fire \u0026amp; going out \u0026amp; drilling an hour.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eHow do you get along with your envelopes. Write \u0026amp; tell me. I must close. Please excuse this hastily written eltter as I am writing in a cold room without any fire. With love to all I remain.\u003cbr\u003e\nYour affectionate son\u003cbr\u003e\nJ. Henry Reid\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eP.S. I wish you could take a trip over here but it will cost a great deal I suppose and would hardly be worth while if I go home Christmas.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I. Saturday 9 o'Clock a.m.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Pa\u003cbr\u003e\nI recd your very kind letter on Monday evening and would have answered it before, but that I wanted to write you a long letter \u0026amp; thought I would wait till today (Saturday) because I had not time to write you but a very short one in a week day especially when we have so much to do.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eGen. Smith seems determined to pick math into our heads. He gives some 20 or 30 pages of Algebra every day and you may know how much I have studied when I tell you, that all the time I went to Mr. Kirk's, Mr. Smith's \u0026amp; Mr. Scott's, I only went through my Arithmetic and very little Algebra, whereas I have been here only three months and have gone through my Algebra and will go into Geometry in a few weeks or perhaps sooner.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI had worked my way up to the 2nd section math, but when I was sick I fell so far back that I could not keep up with it, and I was transfered to the 8th section. I make only tolerably good marks because whilst I was sick the class went over a great deal that I did not understand \u0026amp; I have to study hard to understand it. I however make good marks in French and make the max\nin Geography nearly every week. The way Geo. is taught is a very good one. When we go into the Section room, Colonel Williamson sends one of us to the Blackboard and tells us to draw the map of such a country or state with all of its rivers towns \u0026amp;. It was very hard to me at first but I can draw a pretty good map now. In French I have gone through the Grammars and will\nbegin to read Gil Blas on Monday. I make the max or within a few tenths of it every week (you may not understand me when I say tenths. The way they mark us is this, if you make a perfect recitation they mark you thirty tenths or three whole ones \u0026amp; skin you by tenths according as you recite. On compostion they have not commenced to mark us.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI know the fare we get is not sufficient for this season. I have therefore made an arrangement with a servant to supply me with some chicken some butter and some good bread every five days in a week at $1.25. I intend to try and get him down to $1. If he furnishes it to me in Mess Hall they will report me for private dish. I therefore stay away from dinner and he brings it to me in my room. He has furnished me now for four days and I will owe him after today $1.25 and I have only 50cts left. I will get him to trust me and pay him at the end of the month.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI have made my money hold out right well. I brought $8 here with me, you sent me $10 which made $18. I paid $7 for a bed, 75 cts for a chair, 75cts for a broom, $1 for a water bucket, $1 to get my gun cleaned (It was so rusty I could do nothing with it and I was obliged to have it cleaned or I would have been reported every time I went on drill), $1 loaned to Tom Henderson and 50cts to the Soldiers Aid Society up town, which left me about $4.50 with which I have bought apples, cakes \u0026amp; at different times when I was very hungry. I have made my money go as far as I possibly could because I knew you had no money to waste.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI do not think I could have stood the fare much longer if it had not have been for your kind offer. I began to feel weak about the legs, a dizziness about the eyes, violent head-ache and a feeling of emptyness about the stomach. I had this feeling nearly all the time and still have it slightly, but I feel a great deal better since I have been buying from the old negro. But I have not regained my my weight by 15 lbs. By the time I eat some more of my dinners I think I will feel right well. There is a report amongst the boys that Gen Smith is going to give us coffee \u0026amp; ham, if so I will buy no more dinners. It may be only a rumour for all I know but I think it very\nprobable for Gen. Smith certainly can have more feeling than to feed us on Bread \u0026amp; milk all the winter.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWe get up every morning at 5 o'clock to Rev (before day), go on Squad drill at 5½ \u0026amp; drill til 6½ (You may imagine how cold is is especially our hands which rests against the butt of the stock which is covered with Iron), after we come off to find no fire in our room which is considered the coldest in Barracks (It is heated by steam through pipes). We intend to apply for another room or apply to Gen. Smith to have the pipes fixed so some steam will come up.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e(3 o'clock p.m.). Your most welcome letter of the 29th is just recd (It ought to have gotten here yesterday) containing a check for $15 for which I am very much obliged. I will get my shoes this evening and make them last as long as possible. I have also recd the seven Examiners \u0026amp; will have a treat in reading them.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDr. Madison says the risings in my ear were caused by the old cadets pulling them, he put some laudanum \u0026amp; sweet oil in them which casued them to run and they feel a great deal better. I still keep wood in them \u0026amp; will continue to do so until they are entirely well. May hearing is as good as ever when I take the wool out.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eGen. Smith's cloth was expected today. I will then have two uniforms. I will take care of the one made out of his cloth and wear my own every day because his will be much prettier. He will not let me have an overcoat because the cloth will hardly furnish all with uniforms. I cannot take an overcoat \u0026amp; no uniform because all are obliged to have uniforms alike to wear on drills, dress parade \u0026amp; so I will be obliged to use my cloth, besides an overcoat out of my cloth will not cost near as much as one out of his.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI am sorry to hear you are sick with the Jaundice (I do not know what it is but suppose it is something concerning the stomach). I hope it is not serious enough to make you lie down and hope you will soon recover. I know you are in good hands \u0026amp; wish I could have been as lucky when I was sick. I have a very poor opinion of Dr. Madison as a physician.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThere is a disease in Barracks which I do not like. It breaks out on the hands \u0026amp; resembles the \"Itch\". You need say nothing about it as I am not sure of its being the \"Itch.\"\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI do not wish to disappoint you but I do not think the chances are very good for my getting a furlough Christmas. I intend to try very hard to get one \u0026amp; am almost sure I can with a recommendation from you.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI recd a letter today from Tom McRoberts. He is keeping books for a firm in Raymond, Hinds Co., Miss and is doing very well. He has been discharged from the army. Please let me know where Bro is \u0026amp; what he is doing. With love to all I remain.\u003cbr\u003e\nYour affectionate son\u003cbr\u003e\nJ Henry Reid.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eP.S. Ask Ma to look \u0026amp; see if I left my buck skin gloves with her. If I brought them with me they have disappeared in some way, altho I am more carefull of my clothes than any one in Barracks. If you have them please send them to me. What did hte cloth you bought from Flannagan cost per yard?\u003cbr\u003e\nHenry\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eCamp Carter's Station\u003cbr\u003e\nMarch 7th 1864\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Pa\u003cbr\u003e\nHaving received no answer to my last which contained an account of my hardships in coming out and entering camp, I suppose you must be in Richmond and I having an opportunity write again.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWe have had some very fine weather since I last wrote, but it is raining today which makes camp life very unpleasant. We have been expecting to move ever since last Tuesday, but the cars are without an engine and consequently we cannot go until one does come, which I hope will not be shortly as it is a great deal of trouble moving and making bunks etc. Although I like this life very well I am sure it it not as pleasant as in the Engineer service. We get wet one day, dry the next, get wet the next and so on. In the Engineer Corps we can always get to some house out of the rain and mud.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eBesides the people out here are all Yankees and it is very hard to get anything to eat. They are the most ignorant set of people I ever saw. I have been for miles around and have not come across the first respectable looking man yet. The ladies call us Rebels, abuse us \u0026amp;. You seldom find that elegance and taste which belongs to a Virginia lady and especially Lynchburgers. Get the Detail if you possibly can and write me as soon as you hear.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI must close as I am lying on my side in a crowded bunk with my feet poking out in the rain writing this. With love to Ma, Miss Emma, Miss Annie, Miss Millie and all the ladies, I remain,\u003cbr\u003e\nYour affectionate son\u003cbr\u003e\nJ. Henry Reid.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eP.S. I wish if you can possibly do it to purchase me a large knife \u0026amp; send it by the first opportunity . It is one of the most useful articles to a soldier. What must I do with my large Confederate notes. I cannot pass them out here. I expect we will go to the front for Maj. King wants his battalion to do something for him to get promoted.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDirect Otey Battery, 13th Battalion Va Artillery, Longstreet's Corps.\u003c/p\u003e"],"odd_heading_ssm":["Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription"],"odd_tesim":["V.M.I. \nAug 10, 1862","Dear Pa \nHaving nothing else to do this evening I thought I would write to you although I had just seen you yesterday morning. After I left you I went up to Barracks \u0026 staid in my room all the morning. After dinner I had a very bad headache so I laid down \u0026 went to sleep whilst Henderson, Lee \u0026 Read went to town.","After supper the Corporal of the Guard came for me to go on guard at an outer post \u0026 was very particular in telling me to let no one pass without the countersign, but he would give me no load to put in my gun. After he left about 25 cadets came down \u0026 wanted to take my gun but I stuck one of them with my bayonet not very hard (for I knew it was all a trick to frighten me) \u0026 drove them off but they came back with guns \u0026 got my gun away. The Corporal came \u0026 made a big fuss saying he would have to be responsible for my neglect of duty, but I told him how 25 with guns could easily take one man but he said I must be court martialed \u0026 sent me to\nthe guard house but in fact Sub Profs. Wise \u0026 Semmes room, kept me in there some time \u0026 saw I was not to be fooled so let me go. That ended yesterday.","I went up town to the Church, I don't know what kind of church but think it was Presbyterian. Came back went to dinner \u0026 am now in my room No.76. Tell Ma to send my box about a foot or less any size about six inches high, I think she has one with my 2 shirts with the 2 collars, as soon as possible if she don't I will have watch money or nothing in a few days. I must close.\nPlease excuse writing as my fingers have all been put out of joint today \u0026 I can hardly write. \nWith love to all I remain.","Your affectionate son \nJ. Henry Reid","P.S. Tell Mrs. Holcombe Tommy is getting on very well, is very studious \u0026 and fat as a pig. Remember me to Mrs. Brown, Mr. Brown, \u0026 every body who think enough of me to inquire after me. Tell Mac he ought to be here the bucking would not hurt him. Please send me some stamps. Henry.","VMI Aug 14, 1862","Dear Pa \nI received your letter about two hours ago just after dinner \u0026 was very glad to hear from you. I hope you have got me a box large enough to hold my collars hank \u0026, not a writing desk it is rather too small but perhaps I can make it do. The Staff Va buttons I would rather have than the V.M.I. Please send me a dozen.","I have bought a mattress for $7 whereas I would have to pay the quartermaster $14, but it should come out of the money which Gen. Smith holds \u0026 I consider I have saved $7. I borrowed it from Thomas Henderson because I did not want to use my small notes. I paid also 75 cts for a chair. Please send me $10. I may want to buy some thing else. I have spent 25 cts since I have been here.","Our studies are math \u0026 French. I am in the 8th section, 4th class math; 4th section, 4th class French. We will have more studies after the first of September. Geo., composition \u0026 some one or two other things. I will make 13 in French this week \u0026 14 in math. 15 is the highest \u0026 none have made 15 since I have been here.","I got 11 demerits the first day, 7 the second, 5 the third, 3 the fourth, 1 the fifth, \u0026 none since. I got off from all of them \u0026 all say I have got less demerits than any Rat that has come here this year. We get up at 5 to Rev, eat at 7 also at 1, squad drill at 5, dress parade at 6 \u0026 supper at\n7, Tattoo at 9½, \u0026 taps at 10. I have been on guard twice since I have been here.","I like the V.M.I very much \u0026 do not dislike the fare. Have fattened about 10 lbs. I have my white uniform \u0026 I think it improves me very much. All I want are the buttons. I don't understand you about the vest. I don't want one it will be no use. How do you do in the office with Mr. Jamieson. Please write me. Tell Mac McLean I am going to write to him as soon as I get things\nstraightened up.","I have three very nice room mates. F. Lee, S. Read \u0026 T. Henderson, all from Lynchburg, very kind \u0026 accomodating fellows. I have heard no news for I don't know how long, not since you left. Don't know where Jackson, Pope or any of our armies are. Please send me a paper with a great deal of news in it, for I want to hear something about military affairs.","Our clothes come in every Wednesday \u0026 Saturday evening. Last Wednesday evening they all came in \u0026 an old cadet by the name of Exall ordered me to carry his box of clothes up. It was more than I could stand so I pitched in I thrashed him pretty badly. The other cadets did not blame me but he collected some of his friends of the same feather \u0026 caught me, at least\njumped upon me suddenly Monday night as I was coming off guard with my gun lying carelessly across my shoulder, tied me \u0026 hung me over the door until I had no life in me \u0026 they had to throw water in my face, bathe my head \u0026c to bring me to. Yesterday I met two of them, the old cadets said they would see fair play so I beat one at a time all to pieces, knocked one's teeth down his throat, at least 2 of them in which I got one eye pretty black. Since then an order has been read out dismissing them for impudence to Major Shipp. None of the Subs found out about the fight though they saw there had been a fight some where. Please write often \u0026 long. \nYour affectionate son \nJ. Henry Reid","P.S. Remember me to Mr. \u0026 Mrs. Brown \u0026 every body else. Tell Mrs. Holcombe Tommy is well \u0026 sends his love. Henry.","V.M.I. Aug 18 1862","Dear Pa \nThe desk \u0026 was recd safely Saturday morning. I walked down to the landing \u0026 got it myself, had to pay 50cts on it. All the things were in good order. Your letter \u0026 Ma's were safely recd., stamps, $2, buttons, shirts \u0026. Very much obliged for the apples \u0026 sugar, do not know what to do with the sugar unless I eat it so, No I will not do that, I will take it down to Mess Hall tonight \u0026 sweeten my milk with it and have a sort of Ice Cream.","One of my roommates Read S has gone to Lynchburg (you have probably seen him before this) on furlough. Please send by him some undershirts for it is very cold up here. I was on guard about 2'oclock last night \u0026 had nothing but my white clothes on, I very near froze. I would write for my thick winter coat but Gen. Smith recd a letter yesterday from Charleston saying the cloth had run the blockade \u0026 arrived safely. It will be here in a few days, so I will try \u0026 stand it as my order for Jacket, pants \u0026 overcoat is 3rd in the list \u0026 Mr. Vanderslice will soon make it. Gen. Smith says he has $30,000 worth of cloth about 15,000 yards or more because it did not cost $2 per yard in Europe.","Don't forget my buttons, send them by Read. Also $10 for mattress, chair \u0026. Send my other blanket as soon as you can, but do not pay a big price for me. I would rather wait a while.","My left little finger has been broke, but I am in hopes it will soon be well. My eye is well but some of the old cadets who have been on furlough \u0026 returned are very hard on Rats \u0026 I heard a cadet say this morning \"I pity the Rats now.\"","I will answer Ma's letter before long. I have now written four letters in a week so you must make them last for sometime. Write often, \nYour affectionate son \nJ. Henry Reid","Remember me to all my friends \u0026 write me about Mr. Brown's boarders \u0026. My pillow is a great deal of use.","V.M.I. Aug 26 1862","Dear Pa \nHaving just recd your letter of the 21st I proceed to answer it at once.","In regard to my maltreatment I went next morning at sick roll call to see Dr. Madison who examined my neck \u0026 finger. He said my finger was right badly hurt and bound it up with two little boards, but my neck was not injured. My finger is nearly well but still swollen. If I had known in Lynchburg how I was to be treated I never would have consented to come, but since I have passed through it I don't think I will be molested any more, especially as Gen. Smith allowed the same fellows that maltreated me to resign for nearly killing a rat named Cocke, a son of Philip St. George Cocke, \u0026 all of them have gone home some days ago.","I have been right sick for several days. Had a chill Saturday \u0026 Sunday but went to the Dr. yesterday morning who gave me some white stuff something like chalk, which entirely relieved me except that it gave me a severe head ache.","We Rats have not any studying to do this week because of the examination which is progressing. The 1, 2, 3, 4, \u0026 5 sections, 4th Class expect to enter the 3rd Class, so then I will be in the 3 section, 4th Class whereas I am now in the 8th. Perhaps I may go in the 2nd or 1st. I made 15, the highest mark to be made, on Math last week \u0026 14 6/10 on French, which is also a very high mark as none in the class made higher.","In place of studying this week they try to drill us to death. We get up to Rev at 5, go to squad drill at 5½, \u0026 drill till 6½, go to breakfast parade at 7, go on guard mounting at 8, squad drill from 11 to 12, Dinner parade at 1, squad drill again at 5 to 6, dress parade from 6¼ to ¼7, evening parade at 7, \u0026 tattoo at 9½. Besides we are on guard twice in every week, stand one\nhour in the night each time.","I have no demerits so fair, will try \u0026 keep from getting them. I was very much surprised to see in an old Lynchburg paper the notice of Clem's departure. Write me about it \u0026 if he carried off any thing belonging to the Co. or your key, for you always gave it to him at night \u0026 I suppose he left in the night. I must close as it is very near 5 clk. Tell Ma to write to me with love to all, \nYour affectionate son\nJ. Henry Reid","It takes 6 years single width of cloth to make me a uniform. Please send also 4 yards double width of Flannagan cloth to make me an overcoat. I want Browns cloth for my uniform \u0026 Flannagans for my overcoat. 6 yards single \u0026 4 yards double width. Be sure to put it up so it will not look like cloth, as any thing of that kind is stolen directly.","V.M.I. Aug 28 1862","Dear Pa \u0026 Ma \nI recd my box safely this morning and enjoyed the contents very much, but was disappointed at not finding the small Va. buttons as I had plenty of large V.M.I. buttons \u0026 did not want any large Va. The shirts, collars, cakes \u0026 apples all recd safe \u0026 sound. You need not have troubled yourselves about the apples as we get the best even nicer than you sent for 5 cts per doz \u0026\nsometimes cheaper. Peaches are considered high at 10 \u0026 15 cts, plenty of pears, plums \u0026.","I have not heard from Bro yet, expect a letter today. Write me about Clem's departure. I think Mr. Jamieson treated you very badly after he had accepted the place. You ought to get some body to take the place as you cannot do every thing.","My finger is a great deal better tho still swollen and a little crooked. It will get straight in the course of time. I have not been maltreated much lately. I must close with love to all, I remain, \nYour affectionate son \nJ. Henry Reid","P.S. Please send my cloth as soon as possible, 6½ yards of Brown's \u0026 4 yards of Flannagan's as I wrote you in my last for my uniform \u0026 overcoat. 6½ single width for uniform, 4 double width overcoat \u0026 small Va staff buttons.","V.M.I. Sep 14 1862","Dear Pa \nYour letter was recd several days ago for which I am very much obliged as it has relieved me of a great deal of twisting \u0026.","Gen. Smith has gone to Gen. Jackson's army with his son (who you saw, he was adjutant of the V.M.I.) who has the position of first Lieutenant in the C.S.A. (Artillery). He will return in a few days, when he does I will ask him about the cloth \u0026 write you immediately.","Since the first of Sept I have been getting up at 5 oclk to Rev., squad drill from 5½ to 6½, breakfast at 7, go in to recite math at 8, Geography at 11, drawing, composition and French till 4, squad drill at 5, \u0026 Dress Parade at 6, supper at 7, \u0026 Tattoo at 9½.","The last week I made 15 on French (max 15) \u0026 14 6/10 on Math. They did not mark us on the other studies as we have just commenced. The reason I make such good marks in Math is because we are in the first part of Algebra \u0026 I have been over it before. If I could make 13 every week on math I would stand near the top of my class, but when we get over in the middle of the book I don't expect to average 11. Very few will make more. I am i the 7th section in alphabetical order. In French I will stand about 7 in the class.","Over 100 cadets were found deficient at the last examination \u0026 of course a great many of them will stand above me on Math. Frank Smith was so sure of being found deficient that he went home on furlough \u0026 did not even run for the 3rd class.","I have 5 demerits. It happened in this way. I was orderly of the room (an orderly is a cadet who is detailed every Sunday morning. He sweeps out the room, brings water \u0026 is responsible for noises \u0026). Some of the boys made a noise. I as orderly was reported for \"noise after Taps\" (after Taps is after the lights have been put out). All of them denied making any noise \u0026 I\nas orderly had to take the report. I don't think I will get any more for some time.","I am getting very tired of the V.M.I. \u0026 would a great deal rather be with you in the office than here, especially as you have no one to assist you. I know you have a great deal to do.","If our army goes into Alexandria I would like very much to go also. Write \u0026 let me know because if the army goes in it will not stay any length of time.","Ten cadets deserted the other day \u0026 10 or 12 more are making preparations to leave also. There is a rumor that all cadets over 18 will be taken as conscripts. I don't know how true it is, if so the Institute will be broken up unless they are exempted by Congress. I think by studying Gilham a little I might get an office in the army for I have learned a great deal about it. With love to Ma \u0026 all my friends.","I remain \nYour affectionate son \nJ. Henry Reid.","V.M.I. Sep 20, 1862","Dear Pa \nYour letter written from Richmond was recd several days ago, and your letter of the 18th recd today.","When I first entered the Institute I liked it very well, but in the last two or three weeks I have become very much dissatisfied. Amongst other things I do not get enough to eat. My seat is in the middle of a long table. At breakfast a pitcher of milk is put at both ends \u0026 by the time it passes down to me there is no milk left so I have to eat dry bread, same at supper. Today at dinner I was so hungry that I ate a piece of rotten beef although it smelled very badly, \u0026 a small piece of bread. Since then I have thrown up several times and still feel very badly in my stomach. My only resource is to buy some apples \u0026 fill up with them. (Capt. Whitwell the Commissary says the fare will be better in a week or so). I felt so badly last Thursday night that I could not prepare any lessons and made zero which reduced my mark a great deal for the week. I am also inclined to some kind of disease in my stomach, my food constantly coming up in my mouth \u0026 my throat hurting me but perhaps that may wear off. I had a cold sweat last night which I don't like very much. I intend going to morrow to see Dr. Madison about it.","I have 13 demerits, 5 for noise after taps, 3 for no regulations in room (I did not know that we were obliged to have them in our room) \u0026 5 for falling out of ranks at drill. The way I came to fall out was thus. For the last two or three weeks we have been double‐quicked nearly to death \u0026 the evening on which I fell out I was very unwell \u0026 double‐quicked until I could go no further. So I fell out \u0026 came to my room. I told Maj. Shipp how it was but he refused to take it off. I don't think I will get any more for some time. There are very few who have as few demerits as me. Thomas Henderson had 40 3 weeks ago. I don't know how many he has now about 60 I suppose \u0026 he has only been here 10 days longer than me. He will be dismissed for neglect of studies unless he alters a great deal. He is the most good‐for‐nothing fellow I ever came across. Has not as much sense as his sister Julia.","I have learned so rapidly lately that they have put me in Company drill, which I am very glad of for it is nothing like as hard as Squad drill.","I asked Gen. Smith this morning about the cloth. He said he did not know when he would get cloth so you had better send mine up. He has given some boys furloughs to go home to provide their winter clothing. He says if I get the gray like you have his will be something like it and I will not want another uniform. Please send it on a Friday so that I can go down \u0026 get it on Saturday. You know how much to send for uniform \u0026 overcoat. The uniform of Brown's \u0026 the overcoat of Flannagan's I wrote you some time ago how much it took to make them. I reckon you had better wait till Ma comes back before you send it but be sure to send it on a Friday. Bundle it up good and write me when you sent it so I will know when to look out for it. I must close with love to all,","I remain, \nYour affectionate son, J. Henry Reid.","P.S. We have not begun to drill Artillery yet, perhaps not at all. Please write me what Bro is doing, what his position, \u0026.","V.M.I. Sept 27 1862","Dear Pa \nI recd your letter day before yesterday, but did not know what to make of its contents. It ran thus, \"I do not think Henry has yet acknowledged the receipt of a package sent him about two weeks ago in the care of a Cadet going to the V.M.I. Capt. Wilkinson was off the line and at the moment of starting the Capt. of the boat was so occupied and I so hurried in getting ashore that I left the package with the Cadet and handed him 25 to pay freight on it. It contained 2 blankets and something else perhaps buttons.\"","It seems the letter is not addressed to me but to somebody else. I recd the package safely, blankets \u0026 buttons and thought I had written you so. I am very much obliged to you for the blankets are a great deal of use these cold nights, for we nearly freeze.","I can either get $4 for my buttons or get 3 doz cadets buttons for them. Please when you send my cloth send my cap cover. It belonged to the cap I sold Boyd Smith. Ma knows where it is she put it away, also my skates, they are in the barrel. Let me know when you send the cloth. Please send it on a Friday so I can go down \u0026 get it on Saturday.","I have been very sick in the last week and got the report \"not studious\" which Dr. Madison will excuse me from. I made very poor marks \u0026 got some 10 or 12 demerits for absent from roll call \u0026. Maj. Shipp assures me Dr. Madison will excuse me from all my demerits so I will be free once more from demerit. I have 20 so far but will write my excuses Monday and send them in\nto Gen Smith's office. In intend to try next week to make up in my studies also. The eating does not improve \u0026 I am nearly starved. Much as I can do to keep up. I nearly froze on guard last night \u0026 expect to freeze tonight. I think when I get off from my demerit I can easily keep from them.","I must close. Write me the news about Bro with love to all. I remain, \nYour affectionate son \nJ. Henry Reid.","V .M.I. Sept 30 1862","Dear Pa \nI recd your letter yesterday morning after I had written you in answer to a letter recd several days ago. I am very glad to hear that the cloth will be here so soon, as it is very cold late at night and early in the morning with my white uniform, and besides I nearly freeze when I go on guard at night (every 4th night). Since I recd the blankets I have been very comfortable at\nnight.","Speaking of the fare I could not get milk or bread, the only thing you can buy up here is apples, and you have to live on them. At breakfast this morning I took a small piece of bread for my dinner (I did not intend to go to dinner), and was reported for \"carrying provisions from Hall.\" Don't you think that is hard.","I have been sick now for nearly two weeks \u0026 have fallen off about 25 pounds. Dr. Madison has been giving me quinine and some kind of acid, which does me a little good but about 4 oclock every evening I have a very high fever which lasts till after bed time. I have had it regularly every evening for two weeks. I understand Dr. Madison said this morning that the fare here\nwas calculated to give any body the Typhoid fever. I hope they will change it, for the milk affects me just as it does you. I don't know what you call the disease but think it is the \"dyspepsia\". I have attended to nearly all my duty since I have been sick, but I will go into the Hospital if it continues much longer.","I have gotten off from all my demerits except \"noise after taps,\" 5 demerits which I think when Maj. Shipp returns I will get off from. I got a report yesterday for grabbing provisions which I intend to deny for I can prove by 3 or 4 that I did not do it. The Sergeant who reported me says himself he may have been mistaken in the person. I cannot get off until Maj. Shipp returns (report says he has gone off to be married.) I have another report for \"allowing visiting whilst on Post on 25th\". I was not on post on that day, but a rat by the name of Reed T. from Winchester was. I will refer that to him, also a report loitering on post. I think I can get off from all but the 5 for \"noise after Taps.\"","I have been made Section marcher to the 8th section, 4th class math (the duty of a Section Marcher is to call the roll of his section every time it goes into recite, also to march the section in, report all absentees \u0026 is responsible for all trifling \u0026 talking in ranks \u0026c. Frank Smith is in my section, he is on furlough at present.","What is the news? Our army had gone into Maryland \u0026 returned before I knew they were really in Maryland. Have you heard from Charlottesville lately? How is Miss McPherson \u0026 all our friends. I must close. With love to all, I remain \nYour affectionate son \nJ. Henry Reid","Please don't forget the cap cover \u0026 skates. A young fellow by the name of Waller came here from Lynchburg \u0026 was shipped in 5 days. Mrs. Brown knows him very well. I have moved over on the side of barracks towards Gen. Smith's, No. 75 with Henderson, Wright from N.C., White from this place, Griffin from Roanoke \u0026 myself. Very pleasant roommates so far except Henderson, but we keep him under. Tell Ma to write me all the news of her trip \u0026c. Every boy in barracks has remarked how poor I am \u0026 you know how poor I was when I left Lynchburg.","V.M.I. Oct 5 1862","Dear Ma \nI recd your letter yesterday morning and would have answered it yesterday (Saturday) but I had a great deal to do before going on Battalion Inspection (the first time I have been on). I recd the cloth safely, also skates, cap cover \u0026 apples for which I am very much obliged. Gen. Smith told me yesterday morning that he thought he could get cloth in 2 or 3 weeks, but he\nwould not have enough to give the cadets overcoats, only jackets \u0026 pants. If so I will keep the fine and only use the coarse for an overcoat \u0026 if he gives me jacket \u0026 pants I will send the other back. You say in your letter you send both cap covers. I recd only one. Please send the other for this one does not suit the cap \u0026 I can easily sell it.","Pa says in his letter \"as to your freezing on post at night, it seems to me the woollen clothes you carried ought to protect you.\" I never brought any woollen clothes with me. The only woollen thing I brought was my cloth coat \u0026 that I put in the arsenal soon after I came here \u0026 there were about 75 trunks on top of mine but I went in yesterday \u0026 got some boys to help me \u0026 got my coat out. White, one of my roommates, has bought a very good overcoat which I can wear at night. It keeps me quite comfortable. I think I can get along as far as clothes are concerned. You need not trouble yourself about sending me anything to eat as probably in a box of cakes I would get 2 or 3 to eat (you need not send my file). I will see a servt. about getting me some thing to eat or apply to change my seat which I think I can easily do.","Maj. Shipp has not returned yet, when he does I will see about my demerits. About 30 cadets are going to be shipped for having over 100 demerits in six months, 5 were sent off yesterday. Adie from Leesburg, Helm from Warrn., Grant \u0026 2 Williams from Richmond. Patton nephew of Geo. A Smith \u0026 Gilham son of Col. Gilham are amongst the number. Old cadets say they are more stringent now than they have ever been before. As soon as a cadet gets 100 he is sent home \u0026 somebody else comes in to fill his place. There is not one in the Institute who has not over 25. Tom Henderson has about 60 \u0026 if he don't get off from some he will be shipped.","I must close as I have to go to Bible class, which recites in a few moments. With love to all I remain. \nYour affectionate son \nJ. Henry Reid.","V.M.I. Oct 12 1862. Sunday.","Dear Pa \u0026 Ma \nI recd your letter day before yesterday, also the box \u0026 letter yesterday, for which I am very much obliged. I was very hungry when the box came \u0026 I certainly enjoyed the sweet potatoes, bread \u0026 jelly \u0026. But I am afraid I cannot eat any more because I have a rising in my ear which Dr. Madison cut yesterday. It is swollen up so much this evening that I can hardly open my\nmouth much less eat. I intend to try \u0026 keep my things until it gets so I can eat. The bread is the best thing as I can buy some butter \u0026 have very good eating.","If I had recd your letter about a week ago when I was sick I should certainly have applied for a furlough, but I have so far recovered that I think I can get along here, especially as it takes all the studying I can do to keep up with my class. If I go home I will be thrown back \u0026 will probably never catch up again. I would like very much to go but would rather wait till Christmas when we have 2 weeks vacation.","You need not be afraid of my being shipped for demerits as I have only 10. 5 for noise after taps, 3 for being late at Dress Parade (I had to go to the Surgeon's Office and as I came back stopped at the Tailor shop to be measured, the drum beat \u0026 before I could get to my room \u0026 get my gun my company had fallen in), \u0026 2 for throwing water on stoop. One of my roommates\nthrew the water on but denied it. I, as orderly, had to take the report. It has been some time since I got a report \u0026 I don't think I will get any more demerit.","Wm Gordon's son arrived yesterday. He is the greenest rat I ever saw--has no sense at all. I must close with love to all. I remain, \nYour affectionate son \nJ. Henry Reid.","V.M.I. Oct. 18, 1862","Dear Pa \nI recd your letter this evening and according to your request I answer immediately.","As well as I remember the report for Oct \u0026 Nov 1861 were put up in envelopes in bundles \u0026 were in the little box on the right hand side of the closet as you go in. They were mixed up with other months I think, but I am not sure. I know how troublesome it will be to find them. Undo the bundles and you will see marked on the backs of the envelopes the month \u0026 dates.","My ear has nearly gotton well but it pained me a great deal. The rising went up into my head \u0026 stopped up the opening so that Dr. Madison had to cut through the lower part, which gave me a great deal of pain. It is however now nearly well.","I have had my uniform made which makes me feel quite comfortable. Gen. Smith expected to get some cloth from near Winchester, but Gen. Lee pressed it for his army and Gen. Smith will have to do without it. I don't know what the Rats will do.","I went up town to day \u0026 had the pleasure of seeing Miss Cassy Reeder from Waynesboro. She says all were well when she left. I have gotten off from all my demerits \u0026 will try not to get any more. I must close. With love to all I remain, \nYour affectionate son \nJ. Henry Reid","P.S. Please send me my old cadet pants, old gray ones, some Friday. Ma knows which ones.","V.M.I. Oct 26 1862","Dear Ma \nI recd your letters and also the box day before yesterday, for which I am very much obliged. I enjoyed the bread very much and will have the potatoes cooked today. I enjoyed the bread very much. It rained very hard \u0026 I did not go to dinner so I came up to my room and eat nearly all of my rolls. I intend to get to the Old Judge (an old negro man who cooks all our Beef) to cook them this evening.","You may sell my Jacket \u0026 Overcoat if you want to, but don't you think my overcoat will make me a good coat or vest when cloth gets scarce, but you can dojust as you please. It is in the largest box at the office with my gun. My winter coat vest \u0026 pants will fit me a year, hence do not sell them. I have gotten entirely well and have to study hard to catch up \u0026 keep up with my section. I have had another rising in my ear but hope it will soon be well.","I have gotton off from all my demerits but 8, 5 for allowing visiting \u0026 3 for loitering on post. The way I got the first was in this way. I was on Post no3 when the Inspector visited. I made all the rooms on my post report just before the Inspector visited. They all reported \"all right\" but the Inspector caught someone visiting \u0026 reported me as sentinel for allowing visiting. I told Capt. Semmes (who was acting commandant in Maj. Ship's absence) how it was but he would not let me off. Maj. Ship would have taken it off I am sure about loitering on post. I know nothing about it and will get off I think.","I have an opportunity of buying a first rate pair of high top shoes made something like the gaiters Pa got in Washington (which were the best shoes I ever had) for $15. Mr. White the father of one of my roommates who has a store up town had them before the war and offers them to me as a special favor (they do not fit his son). They are the finest calf-skin double soles worth $25 or $30 in Richmond or Lynchburg. I will need them this winter as my English shoes have proved a failure and have worn out already. If Pa thinks I had better take them he can send me a check or if he thinks not I will not get them. It is certainly a bargain \u0026 I am sure I will need them.","They have not commenced to heat up barracks yet. Some say they will not commence till Christmas. Gen. Smith has succeeded in getting cloth so I will have 2 uniforms. I have done without an overcoat \u0026 if I get a cadet overcoat I will send my cloth back home. It is very cold getting up at 5 oclk without any fire \u0026 going out \u0026 drilling an hour.","How do you get along with your envelopes. Write \u0026 tell me. I must close. Please excuse this hastily written eltter as I am writing in a cold room without any fire. With love to all I remain. \nYour affectionate son \nJ. Henry Reid","P.S. I wish you could take a trip over here but it will cost a great deal I suppose and would hardly be worth while if I go home Christmas.","V.M.I. Saturday 9 o'Clock a.m.","Dear Pa \nI recd your very kind letter on Monday evening and would have answered it before, but that I wanted to write you a long letter \u0026 thought I would wait till today (Saturday) because I had not time to write you but a very short one in a week day especially when we have so much to do.","Gen. Smith seems determined to pick math into our heads. He gives some 20 or 30 pages of Algebra every day and you may know how much I have studied when I tell you, that all the time I went to Mr. Kirk's, Mr. Smith's \u0026 Mr. Scott's, I only went through my Arithmetic and very little Algebra, whereas I have been here only three months and have gone through my Algebra and will go into Geometry in a few weeks or perhaps sooner.","I had worked my way up to the 2nd section math, but when I was sick I fell so far back that I could not keep up with it, and I was transfered to the 8th section. I make only tolerably good marks because whilst I was sick the class went over a great deal that I did not understand \u0026 I have to study hard to understand it. I however make good marks in French and make the max\nin Geography nearly every week. The way Geo. is taught is a very good one. When we go into the Section room, Colonel Williamson sends one of us to the Blackboard and tells us to draw the map of such a country or state with all of its rivers towns \u0026. It was very hard to me at first but I can draw a pretty good map now. In French I have gone through the Grammars and will\nbegin to read Gil Blas on Monday. I make the max or within a few tenths of it every week (you may not understand me when I say tenths. The way they mark us is this, if you make a perfect recitation they mark you thirty tenths or three whole ones \u0026 skin you by tenths according as you recite. On compostion they have not commenced to mark us.","I know the fare we get is not sufficient for this season. I have therefore made an arrangement with a servant to supply me with some chicken some butter and some good bread every five days in a week at $1.25. I intend to try and get him down to $1. If he furnishes it to me in Mess Hall they will report me for private dish. I therefore stay away from dinner and he brings it to me in my room. He has furnished me now for four days and I will owe him after today $1.25 and I have only 50cts left. I will get him to trust me and pay him at the end of the month.","I have made my money hold out right well. I brought $8 here with me, you sent me $10 which made $18. I paid $7 for a bed, 75 cts for a chair, 75cts for a broom, $1 for a water bucket, $1 to get my gun cleaned (It was so rusty I could do nothing with it and I was obliged to have it cleaned or I would have been reported every time I went on drill), $1 loaned to Tom Henderson and 50cts to the Soldiers Aid Society up town, which left me about $4.50 with which I have bought apples, cakes \u0026 at different times when I was very hungry. I have made my money go as far as I possibly could because I knew you had no money to waste.","I do not think I could have stood the fare much longer if it had not have been for your kind offer. I began to feel weak about the legs, a dizziness about the eyes, violent head-ache and a feeling of emptyness about the stomach. I had this feeling nearly all the time and still have it slightly, but I feel a great deal better since I have been buying from the old negro. But I have not regained my my weight by 15 lbs. By the time I eat some more of my dinners I think I will feel right well. There is a report amongst the boys that Gen Smith is going to give us coffee \u0026 ham, if so I will buy no more dinners. It may be only a rumour for all I know but I think it very\nprobable for Gen. Smith certainly can have more feeling than to feed us on Bread \u0026 milk all the winter.","We get up every morning at 5 o'clock to Rev (before day), go on Squad drill at 5½ \u0026 drill til 6½ (You may imagine how cold is is especially our hands which rests against the butt of the stock which is covered with Iron), after we come off to find no fire in our room which is considered the coldest in Barracks (It is heated by steam through pipes). We intend to apply for another room or apply to Gen. Smith to have the pipes fixed so some steam will come up.","(3 o'clock p.m.). Your most welcome letter of the 29th is just recd (It ought to have gotten here yesterday) containing a check for $15 for which I am very much obliged. I will get my shoes this evening and make them last as long as possible. I have also recd the seven Examiners \u0026 will have a treat in reading them.","Dr. Madison says the risings in my ear were caused by the old cadets pulling them, he put some laudanum \u0026 sweet oil in them which casued them to run and they feel a great deal better. I still keep wood in them \u0026 will continue to do so until they are entirely well. May hearing is as good as ever when I take the wool out.","Gen. Smith's cloth was expected today. I will then have two uniforms. I will take care of the one made out of his cloth and wear my own every day because his will be much prettier. He will not let me have an overcoat because the cloth will hardly furnish all with uniforms. I cannot take an overcoat \u0026 no uniform because all are obliged to have uniforms alike to wear on drills, dress parade \u0026 so I will be obliged to use my cloth, besides an overcoat out of my cloth will not cost near as much as one out of his.","I am sorry to hear you are sick with the Jaundice (I do not know what it is but suppose it is something concerning the stomach). I hope it is not serious enough to make you lie down and hope you will soon recover. I know you are in good hands \u0026 wish I could have been as lucky when I was sick. I have a very poor opinion of Dr. Madison as a physician.","There is a disease in Barracks which I do not like. It breaks out on the hands \u0026 resembles the \"Itch\". You need say nothing about it as I am not sure of its being the \"Itch.\"","I do not wish to disappoint you but I do not think the chances are very good for my getting a furlough Christmas. I intend to try very hard to get one \u0026 am almost sure I can with a recommendation from you.","I recd a letter today from Tom McRoberts. He is keeping books for a firm in Raymond, Hinds Co., Miss and is doing very well. He has been discharged from the army. Please let me know where Bro is \u0026 what he is doing. With love to all I remain. \nYour affectionate son \nJ Henry Reid.","P.S. Ask Ma to look \u0026 see if I left my buck skin gloves with her. If I brought them with me they have disappeared in some way, altho I am more carefull of my clothes than any one in Barracks. If you have them please send them to me. What did hte cloth you bought from Flannagan cost per yard? \nHenry","Camp Carter's Station \nMarch 7th 1864","Dear Pa \nHaving received no answer to my last which contained an account of my hardships in coming out and entering camp, I suppose you must be in Richmond and I having an opportunity write again.","We have had some very fine weather since I last wrote, but it is raining today which makes camp life very unpleasant. We have been expecting to move ever since last Tuesday, but the cars are without an engine and consequently we cannot go until one does come, which I hope will not be shortly as it is a great deal of trouble moving and making bunks etc. Although I like this life very well I am sure it it not as pleasant as in the Engineer service. We get wet one day, dry the next, get wet the next and so on. In the Engineer Corps we can always get to some house out of the rain and mud.","Besides the people out here are all Yankees and it is very hard to get anything to eat. They are the most ignorant set of people I ever saw. I have been for miles around and have not come across the first respectable looking man yet. The ladies call us Rebels, abuse us \u0026. You seldom find that elegance and taste which belongs to a Virginia lady and especially Lynchburgers. Get the Detail if you possibly can and write me as soon as you hear.","I must close as I am lying on my side in a crowded bunk with my feet poking out in the rain writing this. With love to Ma, Miss Emma, Miss Annie, Miss Millie and all the ladies, I remain, \nYour affectionate son \nJ. Henry Reid.","P.S. I wish if you can possibly do it to purchase me a large knife \u0026 send it by the first opportunity . It is one of the most useful articles to a soldier. What must I do with my large Confederate notes. I cannot pass them out here. I expect we will go to the front for Maj. King wants his battalion to do something for him to get promoted.","Direct Otey Battery, 13th Battalion Va Artillery, Longstreet's Corps."],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eJames H. Reid papers, 1862-1867. MS 0222. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["James H. Reid papers, 1862-1867. MS 0222. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia."],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe James H. Reid papers consist of the Civil War correspondence (18 items) of Reid. Included are 14 letters (dated August-November 1862) from Reid to his parents written while he was a fourth classman at VMI. This correspondence contains many references to wartime cadet life, including the use of the term \"rat\" as a name for new cadets, hazing, uniforms, food, guard duty, and other aspects of life at VMI.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe papers also contain one letter (dated March 7 1864) written while Reid was serving with the 13th Virginia Light Artillery Regiment, Confederate States of America, and four letters that date between 1865 and 1867.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards cadet life.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards cadet life, mentioning the cirriculum and the slang term \"rat.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards cadet life.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards cadet life.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards cadet life.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards cadet life.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards cadet life.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards cadet life.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards cadet life.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards cadet life.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards cadet life.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards cadet life.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards cadet life.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards cadet life.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Camp at Carter's Station. Letter regards life at camp.\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents"],"scopecontent_tesim":["The James H. Reid papers consist of the Civil War correspondence (18 items) of Reid. Included are 14 letters (dated August-November 1862) from Reid to his parents written while he was a fourth classman at VMI. This correspondence contains many references to wartime cadet life, including the use of the term \"rat\" as a name for new cadets, hazing, uniforms, food, guard duty, and other aspects of life at VMI.","The papers also contain one letter (dated March 7 1864) written while Reid was serving with the 13th Virginia Light Artillery Regiment, Confederate States of America, and four letters that date between 1865 and 1867.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards cadet life.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards cadet life, mentioning the cirriculum and the slang term \"rat.\"","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards cadet life.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards cadet life.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards cadet life.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards cadet life.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards cadet life.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards cadet life.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards cadet life.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards cadet life.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards cadet life.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards cadet life.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards cadet life.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards cadet life.","Written from Camp at Carter's Station. Letter regards life at camp."],"userestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eManuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information.\u003c/p\u003e"],"userestrict_heading_ssm":["Conditions Governing Use"],"userestrict_tesim":["Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information."],"physloc_html_tesm":["\u003cphysloc id=\"aspace_b7b56d7445b436a790a7777302cc9008\"\u003eManuscripts stacks\u003c/physloc\u003e"],"physloc_tesim":["Manuscripts stacks"],"names_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives","Reid, James H. (James Henry), 1845-1921","Williamson, Thomas H. (Thomas Hoomes), 1813-1888","Madison, Robert L. (Robert Lewis), 1828-1878","Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","Shipp, Scott, 1839-1917","Jackson, Stonewall, 1824-1863"],"corpname_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"names_coll_ssim":["Williamson, Thomas H. (Thomas Hoomes), 1813-1888","Madison, Robert L. (Robert Lewis), 1828-1878"],"persname_ssim":["Reid, James H. (James Henry), 1845-1921","Williamson, Thomas H. (Thomas Hoomes), 1813-1888","Madison, Robert L. (Robert Lewis), 1828-1878","Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","Shipp, Scott, 1839-1917","Jackson, Stonewall, 1824-1863"],"language_ssim":["English \n.    "],"total_component_count_is":19,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-05-21T00:09:24.880Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vilxv_repositories_3_resources_613_c01"}},{"id":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_599_c01","type":"Series","attributes":{"title":"Correspondence","breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vilxv_repositories_3_resources_599_c01#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"ref_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_599_c01","ref_ssm":["vilxv_repositories_3_resources_599_c01"],"id":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_599_c01","ead_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_599","_root_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_599","_nest_parent_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_599","parent_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_599","parent_ssim":["vilxv_repositories_3_resources_599"],"parent_ids_ssim":["vilxv_repositories_3_resources_599"],"parent_unittitles_ssm":["John E. Roller papers"],"parent_unittitles_tesim":["John E. Roller papers"],"text":["John E. Roller papers","Correspondence","Roller, John E. (John Edwin), 1844-1917","Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889","Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","Flannagan, William W. (William Walker), 1843-1923","Prince, Joseph B. (Joseph Brown), 1844-1903","Royster, Lawrence, 1841-1914","Pizzini, Andrew, Jr., 1846-1913","Chaffin, Richard B. (Richard Booker), 1844-1902","Grigg, Wesley P. (Wesley Peyton), 1846-1865","Steptoe, Charles Y. (Charles Yancey), 1838-1877","Overton, Archibald W. (Archibald Waller), 1845-1920","Shipp, Scott, 1839-1917","English ."],"title_filing_ssi":"Correspondence","title_ssm":["Correspondence"],"title_tesim":["Correspondence"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1862-1876"],"normalized_date_ssm":["1862/1876"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Correspondence"],"component_level_isim":[1],"repository_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"collection_ssim":["John E. Roller papers"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"child_component_count_isi":3,"level_ssm":["Series"],"level_ssim":["Series"],"sort_isi":1,"parent_access_restrict_tesm":["There are no restrictions."],"parent_access_terms_tesm":["Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information."],"date_range_isim":[1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867,1868,1869,1870,1871,1872,1873,1874,1875,1876],"names_ssim":["Roller, John E. (John Edwin), 1844-1917","Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889","Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","Flannagan, William W. (William Walker), 1843-1923","Prince, Joseph B. (Joseph Brown), 1844-1903","Royster, Lawrence, 1841-1914","Pizzini, Andrew, Jr., 1846-1913","Chaffin, Richard B. (Richard Booker), 1844-1902","Grigg, Wesley P. (Wesley Peyton), 1846-1865","Steptoe, Charles Y. (Charles Yancey), 1838-1877","Overton, Archibald W. (Archibald Waller), 1845-1920","Shipp, Scott, 1839-1917"],"persname_ssim":["Roller, John E. (John Edwin), 1844-1917","Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889","Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","Roller, John E. (John Edwin), 1844-1917","Roller, John E. (John Edwin), 1844-1917","Flannagan, William W. (William Walker), 1843-1923","Prince, Joseph B. (Joseph Brown), 1844-1903","Roller, John E. (John Edwin), 1844-1917","Royster, Lawrence, 1841-1914","Pizzini, Andrew, Jr., 1846-1913","Chaffin, Richard B. (Richard Booker), 1844-1902","Roller, John E. (John Edwin), 1844-1917","Royster, Lawrence, 1841-1914","Pizzini, Andrew, Jr., 1846-1913","Roller, John E. (John Edwin), 1844-1917","Royster, Lawrence, 1841-1914","Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","Prince, Joseph B. (Joseph Brown), 1844-1903","Grigg, Wesley P. (Wesley Peyton), 1846-1865","Steptoe, Charles Y. (Charles Yancey), 1838-1877","Roller, John E. (John Edwin), 1844-1917","Overton, Archibald W. (Archibald Waller), 1845-1920","Prince, Joseph B. (Joseph Brown), 1844-1903","Roller, John E. (John Edwin), 1844-1917","Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","Royster, Lawrence, 1841-1914","Roller, John E. (John Edwin), 1844-1917","Shipp, Scott, 1839-1917","Prince, Joseph B. (Joseph Brown), 1844-1903","Roller, John E. (John Edwin), 1844-1917","Roller, John E. (John Edwin), 1844-1917","Royster, Lawrence, 1841-1914","Overton, Archibald W. (Archibald Waller), 1845-1920","Roller, John E. (John Edwin), 1844-1917","Royster, Lawrence, 1841-1914","Roller, John E. (John Edwin), 1844-1917"],"language_ssim":["English ."],"_nest_path_":"/components#0","timestamp":"2026-05-21T00:10:56.008Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_599","ead_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_599","_root_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_599","_nest_parent_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_599","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/VMI/repositories_3_resources_599.xml","title_ssm":["John E. Roller papers"],"title_tesim":["John E. Roller papers"],"unitdate_ssm":["1862-1910"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1862-1910"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["MS.0171","/repositories/3/resources/599"],"text":["MS.0171","/repositories/3/resources/599","John E. Roller papers","New Market Cadets","Virginia Military Institute—Civil War, 1861-1865","Virginia Military Institute—Cadet debating societies","Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1863","Confederate States of America. Army—Corps of Engineers","Virginia—History—Civil War, 1861-1865","United States—History—Civil War, 1861-1865","Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1860-1869","United States—History—Civil War, 1861-1865—Personal narratives—Confederate","Correspondence","Dispatches","Scrapbooks","Telegrams","Speeches, Addresses, etc.","Photographs","There are no restrictions.","A portion of the John E. Roller personal papers are avaliable \n online .","Letter regards a meeting.","John Edwin Roller was born in Rockingham County, Virginia on October 5, 1844 to Peter Samuel Roller and Frances Allebach. In the summer of 1861, although underage for service, he briefly served with Company I of the First Virginia Cavalry, Confederate States of America. On December 31, 1861, Roller entered VMI as a second classman and graduated in July 1863. He subsequently taught mathematics at VMI for a few months, and then was appointed as a 2nd Lieutenant, Company G, 2nd Confederate States Engineers in October 1863. He served as an engineer officer in the Army of Northern Virginia until the end of the Civil War, and was paroled at Appomattox, Virginia.","After the War, Roller he studied law at the University of Virginia and practiced law in Harrisonburg, Virginia. He also served in the Virginia State Legislature and was a Brigadier General in the state militia. Roller was widely known in the Harrisonburg community as \"General Roller.\" He died in Harrisonburg on August 10, 1918.","No. 28 V.M.I. Jan 24th 1862","Dear Parents, \nAs I could not finish on a half sheet I concluded I would commence on this as I had several things to write about yet. You enquired in your last about bedding. I have obtained a mattress and have plenty of cover. I put two of my blankets in my trunk in the arsenal because I did not need them. Only one trunk is allowed to a room and I had to send mine to the arsenal. I wish you had the big one at home, for I have not a thing in it. We are not allowed to go to town only on Saturday, when I will see about those slippers, though I think I can do without them very well. I wish I had kept a pair of citizens pants here as I could save my cadet pants very much by wearing them. But it is not worth while to try to send them to me now.","I will try and make out with what I have now. Tell John Carpenter I still think of his promise. I wonder if George would not like to come here, there are several fellows here from the 1st regiment, who got off to come here and if George will come, I will try and get him an appointment. I should like it very much to have him here with me.","You want to know what arrangements they have that cadets are not allowed to come home in two years, I will try and send you a catalogue, so that you may see how it is. I have to study very hard but I like the place better every day. I made a \"perfect\" today. Remember me to Cousin A.B. and all my friends. I hope he will succeed well with his school. R.A. Crawford says I must remember him to A.B. and ask him if he received his \"Phonography.\" I wish you'd send me the Register every week. I do not get to see a paper here hardly and the Register would seem so familiar to me. If you see something really good in the Dispatch, I wish you would send that sometimes too. I wish you would send some soap, whenever you send me that studying gown. A piece or two of that old \"homemade\" would save some little money for soap is high here. But I must close this letter, as the mail box will soon be shut. Excuse it if you please, for it is badly connected, but that could not be helped for I had to write it whenever I had the chance. Write soon to me and give me the news. Much love to all and a kiss for \"brother.\"","Your affectionate son, J.E. Roller","I can't think of any name for brother yet. Tell me in your next what you think of calling him. I [seem] to have forgotten to mention to you that that it is rumored that the Cadets will be invited to Richmond the 22nd of Feb. to see Jeff Davis inaugurated, but it is not generally believed. I wish they would for it will be a grand sight and a great honor to witness the inauguration of what will be one of the greatest powers in the world. \nJ.E.Roller","Staunton, Va. \nStaunton Aug. 25th 1862","My Dear Son \nYour letter to your ma was duly received. In reply to your inquiry about negroes for Genl. Smith, I know of none that can be hired or none that could be bought at this time. If I should hear of any I will write again. Had I known it a week earlier I think I could have gotten several men for him belonging to a party in Loudoun County.","I have not been to Harrisonburg since you wrote about the goods for Pantaloons, and as the season is so far advanced and as you have a prospect of getting other clothing for winter I have concluded not to buy it unless you think you shall need it.","The Mt. Crawford company has been exchanged and I understand that Mr. Blackford has succeeded in getting quite a number of them to join his company. If you have a desire to join his company as first Lieutenant perhaps it would be the best thing you could do. I think it will be best for you to consult Genl. Smith about it. He knows best what your chances would be for a situation after [you graduate]. If you have to enter the service [missing word] it would be better to go into it [now] and get hardened to the service before the cold weather sets in. However, if Genl. Smith thinks you had better stay until you graduate, I shall say to Mr. Blackford as soon as I see him, I will say to him if he will have you appointed that you shall have the privilege of accepting it. I will write again as soon as I see him and let you know what the prospects are of you getting an appointment. George Carpenter could not get out of the army he being a conscript and no provisions being made by Congress for young men wishing to go to the Military Institution. I am though with the Dam and have the Mill running again. \nYours in haste, P.S. Roller","V.M. Institute \nMarch 18th 1863","The following is a true statement of the facts with regard to my tour of O.D. on the 16th inst. and in connection with the removal of reports from the Commandant's office. I marched on O.D. at the usual time on Monday morning, and from that time until the recreation drum at 4 PM, I was either in Mr. Grigg's room, the Commandant's office, or in front of the Barracks (several hours spent either in section room, Mess Hall, or my own room), with the exceptions of the following times, viz.-- from 8-9 in Col. Williamson's section room, from 10-11 in Col. Preston's, from 12 to 1 in Col. Gilham's, and from 1-2 spent partly in Mess Hall and partly in room. I attended all C.P.s and looked up absentees and went in the Commandant's office frequently during the day","Sometime in the morning, I cannot state positively the precise time, though I think between 9 and 10 o'clock AM, upon entering the Commandant's office, I saw one of the fatigue sentinels standing at the desk, with a key in the keyhole. I did not see him have the desk open, nor did I see him have any reports. I remarked to him, \"What are you doing? Do you not know that you are responsible for those reports.\" He replied that he was not stealing reports, but that he just wanted to see if his key would fit the lock. I said nothing more, but turned around immediately and went out.","From 4 o'clock until E.P., I was in my room and went from there to Supper in the Mess Hall, after which I returned to my room (where I remained) until the Study Drum was beaten, when I went down to Mr. Grigg's room and remained there until 11 o'clock. And after spending 10 or 15 minutes in quieting noise, receiving reports of inspectors, seeing the sentinels challenge properly, I went to my room and retired for the night.","I arose about 5 minutes to 7 o' clock and left my room about 15 minutes after and proceeded to Mr. Beckham's room to see some Engineering plates which he had, and from there went to Mess Hall to breakfast, being just in time to meet the corps as it was leaving the Hall. After B. I marched of O.D. and on enquiring of Mr. Shaw for the Guard Book was told that Major Ship had it and also that the reports had been removed, which was the first intimation I had rec'd of the fact. I know not even the slightest circumstance upon which to ground even a suspicion, except the above circumstance, but in justice I feel bound to say, that I could not give any positive evidence that the desk had been opened by him or whether his key fit the lock, and can conscientiously express the belief that he was not the one who removed the reports after E.P., or before E.P. \u0026 [?]. Hoping the\nabove may [prove] \u0026.","J.E. Roller","I forgot to mention that about ten o'clock, seeing the Orderlies Delinquencies laying outside the desk, and knowing that I was responsible for them, I got Mr. Grigg's key and placed them in the desk. Mr. Shaw and two of sentinels were present at the time. I am unable to say how the books came there, and according to the best of my recollection. I saw them there after I saw Mr. Turner at the desk. I do not pretend to say that he placed them there, or that there were left there by the Com't. I merely make the statement and leave the inferences to be drawn.","Richmond, Va. \nNov. 8th/63","Dear Roller, \nAllow me to congratulate you upon your success in obtaining a commission. I want to follow your example. A commission is something I have been seeking, ever since we graduated, but all my efforts are unavailing. Will you inform me by what \"slight of hand\" you were so successful. Let me know all the minutiae, the letters you had \u0026 from whom \u0026 to whom they were addressed \u0026\nthe political or rather military friends you employed. Present my kindest regards to Prince, with many wishes for your success \u0026 the hope you may do honor to my class (which you can do)","I am Truly Yr. Friend \u0026 classmate \nW.W. Flannagan \nBox 610","\"V.M.I\" Jan. 6th '64","Dear Roller, \nYour letter was a pleasant surprise. I did not expect it for some time to come, it was received however too late for me to reply by Thursday's mail, the mail is now always a day too late.","Well sir, I enter upon the deep and stormy waters of the Rubicon on tomorrow. I have labored up to this time as diligently as I could, but I never was now fearful of shipwreck before. I leave the result to fate, wherever she casts my lot, I will have to remain satisfied. I will write you the result however immediately it is known, if I should be thrown I will see you a short time after.","Many thanks to you for your kind invitation to visit you as well as the ladies, it would afford me great pleasure, and if possible, I will accept it. Pizzini and myself are just enjoying the contents of two boxes, which \"that confounded packet\" has at last brought to hand, we wish so much that you were here to share it with us. Prince was out frolicking last night until 12 o'clock, so that I could not attend to your messages. This morning I gave him the letter and told him that I intended writing to you and would send any message he might desire, but he said nothing at all. I have delivered your message to Blum and Perkinson. Beckham left last Saturday for Staunton and carried your trunk with him as you directed, I suppose you have received it by this. Smith F. has not written the letter to his brother yet, as soon as he does, I will forward to you if he does not do so himself. I have heard nothing of Crawford since you left. Dick Chaffin was severely wounded in the recent fight near Covington, 'tis thought his leg will have to be amputated. I wish I could have received your letter in time to reply by Thursday's mail as I know you will expect an answer then. I have attended to your little affairs, no trouble I can assure you. If you have other business in this section, let me hear and I will also attend to that. Overton as well as all the occupants of No. 23 send their kindest regards. You will hear from me again by Monday or Tuesday next.","Your sincere friend \nLawrence Royster","V.M.I. Jan. 9th 1864","My dear Roller, \nThe Rubicon I think is crossed though I did not pass as good an examination as I desired, and have had the misfortune to be thrown in the third section, which is terrible, as you know that section is almost always deficient, though I am through yet I am disheartened at the idea of being that low. I stand only 37, which you know is very low, twenty-six were found deficient. I should like very much to join you and go to Charleston, but you know getting through is better than any thing else. If I should not stand a very good chance as June approaches, I shall resign and join you wherever you at all hazards. The idea of going into the last section has made me feel almost as badly as a deficiency, I can assure you. I hope that you will continue to write me after you leave for the army. I will take great pleasure in replying to you whenever it is in my power. I shall always be happy to hear from you. Sally Crawford has arrived. Pizzini passed a very good examination, made 3 on subject, was not questioned. The thought of being in that deficient section and thrown in June, takes away all the pleasure of getting through. I must close. Let me hear from you.","Your sincere friend \nLawrence Royster","V.M.Institute \nMonday Feb. 22nd 1864","My dear Roller, \nThis is the first holyday that has not found me on fatigue guard for some time past so I will take advantage of it by replying to your letter which was received on yesterday morning. The last account I had of you was that you were in Richmond, applying for an office in the Ordnance Department. I am glad to hear that you are busily engaged in your new department. Allow me to thank you most kindly for your wishes for my success here as well as the desire you expressed of having me with you in your new home. Your letter inspired me with an ardent desire to join you. Since you left I have been several times on the eve of resigning and going to Charleston. I was fortunate enough in January to pass an examination, while many others were thrown and had to resign or be sent home. But at the same time I was so unfortunate as to be thrown into the third section. Since then I have labored with unceasing fidelity, but it seems the harder I work, the worse marks I make. I thought Analytical Geometry was hard enough, but Description certainly surpasses it by far, on that subject I am totally in the dark. My low mark and imperfect recitation have discouraged me so much that I have lost all taste for study. I wrote home for advise on resigning, but they wrote back earnestly entreating me to remain until July. However I have no idea that I will take that advice, I may leave at any time. I may leave am\nexceedingly anxious to be with you, and I now promise, if I leave at any time, will join you. It is a struggle between life and death with me now, if I leave, I give up all hope of ever obtaining an education, and seeing you do so well, inspires me with new desire of finishing my education at the \"V.M.I.\" At the same time I am anxious to be with you. If I enter the service at all I shall not even think of applying for an office of any kind, I expect to be a private wherever I go. At the same time accept my most sincere thanks for your kindness in offering me the office of O.S. if you could get it and I would accept it. I would accept it with great pleasure. I\nsometimes give up all hope of passing, and then again think of remaining and taking my chances in June, so I do not know what to be at. I shall consult Spex in a day or two and will be guided very much by what he says; though very little confidence can be put in anything that he says on such a subject as that, I do not suppose he would tell me even what he thought, however I shall try him.","Prince left here about one month ago, I heard since then that he was a Sergeant in the Engineers Corps, you seem to be the only successful one in your class. Grigg I hear is walking around loose in Petersburg. I am sure no one at the \"V.M.I.\" was glad at your leaving, indeed I heard some express their regret at it. Your old room is vacant. Sally Crawford and Lieut. Steptoe (new Sub) occupy No. 20 together, the former remains very quiet, is swelling on his bars and escorting the ladies home from church, etc. I do not know his qualifications as professor. The occupants of 23 all send their kindest regards. Pat Shafer has just come from the Hospital where he had been confined for several weeks with a severe attack of pneumonia, we thought at one time that he intended leaving us. Blum has been reinstated, but Spex refused to let him go on with the 2nd Class, so he has resigned, he\nsays he will accept a Sergeancy if you will give it to him. Capt. Whitwell\nhas recently returned from furlough accompanied by his lady, they are boarding at the Lexington Hotel. Miss Logan and Mr. Davidson were recently married also, the former I expect you know, a refugee from Winchester. What do you think of the recent law of Congress in regard to the Currency, taxes, etc? I am extremely glad that it will reduce the price of goods. The Steamer which has been as long on the way from Europe has recently arrived, but was destroyed for the goods falling into yankee hands, there were on board all the goods which we needed, the finest english gray cloth, etc. but unfortunately all were lost so I have given up on the idea of wearing a fine suit again.","Spex is still shipping indiscriminately, sometimes twelve or fifteen daily, rats are also reporting in numbers.","Patsy says he will accept an Orderly Sergeant's place if you will give it him, but he adds \"if he can do no better.\" Ross desires his kindest regards to you. I must close, though it is the 22nd, my time is limited. If I do leave, which I confidently expect to do, will write you immediately. I am anxious to be with you. I hope you will write me as often as possible, your letters will always be agreeable.","I am, as ever, \nYour Sincere friend \nLawrence Royster","Va. Mil. Institute \nApril 10th 1864","Dear Roller, \nYour last letter was received several days since and wishing to keep up a more regular correspondence between us, I answer your letter at the first opportunity and hope you will not delay writing a reply to this as long as you did my previous one, although your excuse for doing so was a good as well as a sufficient one. No news worthy of notice has taken place since last writing to you, but the old V.M.I still keeps up her notoriety for rumors and there are a thousand and one afloat about going on marches etc., which I would not like to enumerate, and were I so disposed, I think time and paper would fail me before I accomplished that end. But there is one which if true will wreck all the hopes I have been sustaining for the last six months and before which the pleasure of a long vacation will go \"glimmering like all things that were\": it is that no furloughs will be granted this summer and that our usual vacation of two months will either be spent in Gen. Lee's or Gen. Imboden's camp. This rumor is said to have good foundation, for those who were most interested were watching her with an eagle's eye and after having poised herself above the V.M.I. for some time during which many feathers were plucked from her wing, she was seen to direct her course toward Col. Preston's where she rested from his labors. There was another last week that we were going on a march and this one came from the direction of Gen. Smith's and with such force against barracks that some of her feathers are still visible on the stoops. Numerous others are afloat but as I said before to enumerate them would take more time than I have at my disposal.","With regard to your inquiry about Prince, I have not heard from him since he left nor have I seen any one who has; but I reckon he is having a good time wherever he is as he always takes things easy. Crawford resigned a few weeks since and has again entered the army as a private; Col. John Ross has been appointed to fill his vacancy. Old Max studies as hard as ever and talks\nas much about being found [deficient], but I believe they would put him through even if he were deficient on account of his good conduct. He received a letter from you a few days since and says he will answer it soon. I am very glad you like my uncle as I expected you would. I think you estimate his services too highly when you say that he deserves more of the credit for the defense of Charleston tho' he has done a great deal towards it. I hardly ever hear from him except though you and therefore your letters\nare doubly acceptable. Give my best to him when you next see him. With best wishes for your future prosperity I remain,","Yours truly, A.W. Overton","\"V.M.I.\" April 21st 1864","My Dear Roller, \nYour kind and interesting letter should have had a more speedy reply, but as the examination approaches, I am more and more busy every day. The Class has lost a great deal of time and consequently will not have so much to review in. We are now in the field surveying, have not yet finished Shades and Shadows. The weather has been during the past month colder than I have felt\nfor eight years even in the depth of winter. The mountains in sight are still covered with snow, and today is the only mild and clear day that we have had for over one month, and notwithstanding this we have not had fire since Christmas, and during the deep snows we had suspension of all duties for several days at a time. The cold was so severe that it was impossible to study, a great many went to bed in order to keep warm. This together with Col. Massie's sickness has thrown the 3rd class back very much, so now the hard work comes.","Since you left quite a change has taken place in the Faculty. Lt. Col. Ross has been appointed assistant Prof. Math 4th Class in your place; Sal Crawford received a commission in his old regiment and resigned about a month ago. Dr. Ross is Asst. prof French as well as Asst. Surgeon.","Spex is still very fond of his \"reviews and parades.\" Not long since Gen. Rosser's Cavalry Brigade came through here and encamped about ten or twelve miles beyond Lexington, by Spex's invitation he reviewed the Corps and inspected the barracks. Several days afterwards, he presented the Corps with a flag captured in battle from 164th New York Regiment as a trophy; the\npresentation speech was very fine indeed, it took place under guard tree before a very large crowd. Scott Shipp received it and replied; his was also very good but he was very much excited though, however it was his first speech in public. After the ceremony was over the Cavalry made a charge in field in front of barracks to give us an idea of it. But the idea, Roller, of the Corps of Cadets receiving a trophy taken by our troops in the field from the yankees; it looked like saying, \"Well, you are too weak and afraid to do any thing of this yourselves, so we will make you a present of one,\" I feel that it is a disgrace to the Corps. The speaker alluded in such a touching manner to the precious blood which was spilt in taking it, and of the Col. falling in the charge. That night he invited the officers of the Institute and the 1st Class to attend a party at the house where he was staying, but as all could not attend, Spex allowed only the four Captains and Adjt. to go. Several days afterwards he invited Spex to review his\nbrigade, and the officers and 1st Class again to dine with him, which as many as could conveniently do so, very readily accepted of.","I should like very much to enjoy those nice vegetables and fish you were speaking of, it certainly would be a great treat, especially when everything is so high and scarce, we are nearer starving here than ever before, a piece of beef frequently comes on the table for nine men which candidly speaking I could easily cover with one hand. If the school cannot be maintained on a better scale, I think they had as well close it. It is rumored and I partly believe it that instead of giving the Corps furlough next summer,\nwe are to be sent in a body to Gen. Lee's army. We have not had a march since December last, which I think I gave you an account of. Err this reaches you I imagine you will have received some news from the two grand armies on the Potomac, we are of opinion that it will be the greatest of the war up to this time. May Heaven give us the victory! Many thanks to you for your kind offer, it will be very acceptable. I will inform you immediately of the result of the examination after I know my fate, should I be unsuccessful will go directly from here to Charleston, so in your next letter write me what to equip myself with before leaving and what articles I can procure in Charleston as I do not want to carry more than is necessary.","There are now about fifty odd in the third class and I do not think Massie will pass more than twenty. I know he intends making a most \"awful rake.\" I must not neglect to tell you of the marriage of Miss Sanders (I suppose you remember her) to Capt. Contri an Italian on Gen. Morgan's staff. They say he is a very accomplished and gallant man, fought fourteen pitched battles in Europe, was in Crimean war etc., that is all I know however. They were here today. The Commandant's Office is now a reception room for all visitors, they are not allowed to come into barracks during study hours under any pretence whatever.","How are you progressing with the ladies now or do you visit them at all? As for myself, I have long since abandoned all thoughts of them, scarcely even look at them, you know how fatal they are. I have many things to write, but it is almost 11 o'clock PM and this is the last chance I will have to write for sometime to come. Finished my day's survey in[--] rather earlier today or would not have had this [missing word]. Write me as often as you can.","Your sincere friend, \nLawrence Royster","Sam Hopkins who was here last year, after being confined in some Yankee prison for several months returned home and died two days after.","Camp Stevens- Richmond \nMay 3, 1864","Dear Roller, \nYour esteemed favor did not reach me as soon as it would, had I not been absent on duty when it reached Camp. I hope you will pardon the delay on that account.","I must confess, I have been sadly disappointed in my calculations. When I resigned at the Institute, I was confident of a position in the Engineers. Alas! For the uncertainty of human expectations! I had thought very seriously of joining the Infantry, as a private, \u0026 but for the remonstrances of my parents, think I would have. There is little, well, I see none, chance of promotion in this service unless specially favored, which I have no right to expect. But I am not murmuring. I will be contented, if I only get through this struggle safe. It would afford you little interest, \u0026 cause me more mortification, to detail to you the many ways in which I have been\ndeceived. If I could only forget the many apparently bright prospects which have been offered me, I should feel at least condoled, but memory still sings out \"he, who tries to better a good condition, often renders it worse.\"","Your very kind offers in my behalf, I can assure you, are highly appreciated, \u0026 nothing would give me more pleasure than to be with you, I hope it may be so.","We are anxiously awaiting the result of the impending issue in Northern Virginia. I may say, in truth, never was so much anxiety manifested in any one battle. That we shall be victorious is my confident belief. We had some little excitement in this immediate locality last week, occasioned by the appearance of the enemy in some force at our positions [?] on the Pamunky. It turned out, however, to be a slight demonstration. Nothing else of special interest. Beckham \u0026 Boyd send their regards. Crawford has left the\nInstitute, he failed to get a detail. Write soon \u0026 let me know all.","Your sincere friend, \nJ.B. Prince","Grassy Dale Va., May 17th 1864","My Dear Son, \nIt has now been two weeks since we heard from you, but we suppose you have written but owing to the Raiders destroying the Rail Roads around Richmond we have no mail communication with the South. Since I wrote to you from Charlottesville we have had an exciting time in the Valley. I heard at Charlottesville that the Yankee Genl. Sigel was advancing up the Valley. When I returned to Staunton I found Genl. John C. Breckinridge at that point with two Brigade of Infantry and 12 pieces of Artillery. They left Staunton on Friday last and encamped at Mt. Crawford that night and left early the next morning and encamped that night at Lacy Springs and commenced their march next (Sunday) morning at one o'clock and halted a little below Tenth Legion and remained in that position until Gen. Breckinridge had news from the front.","To get you to understand the situation of things I will go back several days and give you a History of Gen. Imboden's doings. Gen. Imboden found out that the yankees were advancing in three columns, one up the Page, one up the Hardy \u0026 Pendleton Valley, and the main force up our valley. Gen. Imboden by forced marches fell upon the column (all Cavalry) near Moorefield very\nunexpectedly, routed them completely, and pursued them within 6 or 7 miles of Romney, in this time capturing all their train which he had to destroy, having no horses to bring out the wagon.","He then returned to the Valley traveling day \u0026 night, and only stopping long enough to graze his horses, and returned to the Valley in time to attack the column coming up the Page valley. Before Sigel's forces got up to New Market he attacked the column and utterly routed it, scattering it in the mountains and captured on Friday about 100 of them with about 200 fine cavalry horses. He attacked them on Friday night and on Saturday picked up the prisoners and would have gotten more but Sigel advanced and our forces had to fall back on this side of New Market, our men making a very stubborn resistance but was forced to fall back about 8 o'clock on Saturday night to a point 3 miles this side [of] New Market, the yankees having possession of the town during the night. This now gives you to understand the position of things and I will now commence where I left off with Gen. Breckinridge's troops.","Gen. Breckinridge advanced with his troops a little after day light and not wishing to be tedious he maneuvered his forces from one point to another until about 12 O'clock, when he attacked the enemy with his artillery. Having gotten the [heights] back of the town and after an artillery duel of perhaps one hour, the Cadets from Lexington with the 62 Regiment (Col. Smith's Regiment) charged one of the yank's Batteries. They captured it, but lost heavily, the cadets lost 5 killed and 39 wounded, some of them seriously, your friend Cary Watson Adjutant of the Battalion with Col. Shipp leading the Charge, they both came out safe except Col. Shipp had a slight scratch; Royster also came out unhurt. I give you a list of the killed. Cabell, W.H. McDowell, Crockett, C., Stanard, Jones H. It is said that Col. Gilham and Capt. Sims [Semmes] stayed in the rear where there was no danger.","It was at this time that Gen. Breckinridge commenced pressing the enemy at every point and although they had two to our one we drove them from the field capturing five pieces of their Artillery, 111 prisoners and leaving nearly all of their killed and wounded upon the field and in order to make good their retreat burned the bridge over the river. An Officer reports to me today that Sigel is retreating to Winchester in great haste, reporting that we have 30,000 men while we had not more than 4,000 in the fight, our\nreserve having never been brought into action. Gen. Breckinridge's forces are [returning?] up the Valley, whether they go to reinforce Gen. Lee or go to some other point. I went down the Valley with General Breckinridge having gone down with him at his request and was with him most of the time during the fight. I came home last night having left New Market about 1 o'clock\nyesterday. We have had and will continue to have heavy fighting in Virginia, but of the final result no one doubts but we will be successful. We have driven them and at least [repulsed?] them at every point. We are all well. Write soon and often.","Your father","Josie sends her love, so do all the rest. I hope when I write again to be able to give you the glorious news that we have driven the yanks from Virginia soil.","Richmond July 28 1864","My Dear Roller, \nYour letter sent by Overton was duly received and contents noted. I have inquired of the Express Company in regard to your trunk, they tell me that it will be safe to send the blankets in it. In regard to your jacket and vest, you merely told me to order them without saying how I was to send them or whether I was to pay for them. I have seen Doherty in regard to them and he can make them out of excellent cloth for $250 so they will be ready in a few days. I will wait until I hear from you before I ship any of the things, if you say so I can put both blankets \u0026 clothes in the trunk, let me hear immediately and I will attend to all with great pleasure. I should like very much to go over to see you, but cannot possibly do so, though I do not intend to remain here idle longer than the first of August. I am ashamed of it, will return to Lexington and remain there in camp first.","I have not seen Overton since the school closed. About two dozen of the boys are staying here. Speaking of the appointments, a good many of them surprised me, though I am very well satisfied with what I got, I don't care much however, you know kissing goes by favor. There are eight privates now in the first class, but it is my private belief that the Institute will not be in operation again until the was is over, although they have made arrangements to carry it on, books cloth and provisions an all wanting.","I am glad your Father did not suffer by the yankees. Mother lost absolutely every thing she had, and is now a refugee here, sick too, they not only stole all provision, and stock she had, but went about the house breaking up what they could find and then had the assurance to ask my sister if she could not furnish them with a snack of ham. Roller, if I am ever spared to get into yankee land, I will respect nothing but a woman's person, I'll break, pillage and plunder. My Mother, from living in luxury at home, is now\nforced to the necessity of borrowing a wagon to get home in, and I don't know what she is going to live on after she gets there.","Speaking of old \"23,\" she did [ro__] this time, if the appointments are permanent (which I doubt) but I am afraid Pat will not stand first, I think Davis will get him. Pat has been thinking too much of Miss Mollie, she will ruin him I am afraid, or rather has done so. I will write you a letter in a few days.","Sincerely, Your friend \nLawrence Royster \nAddress \nCare, Purcell, Ladd \u0026 Co.","Corps Cadets Camp on Intermediate Line \nNear Richmond Dec. 7th 1864","My Dear Roller, \nI am really ashamed at the idea of neglecting your letter for so long a time, but out here even I scarcely have time to write a letter, so busily are we occupied drilling and having dress parades. Soon after you were at Camp Lee, we moved to this place and it seems impossible, although we have procured the Almshouse for us to get away, we are anxiously expecting a furlough of two weeks to prepare etc. When we will be relieved from duty here I cannot say, we are daily expecting a fight on this line, certainly\nbefore the end of this week. They are making such a stir about our getting the building that I do not expect we will be able to study in peace after we do get there. The provisions and \"we officers\" have all been moved down ready for work but the much persecuted Corps has not been released from the Confederate Authorities yet. Not long since a foreign battalion was raised under Col. Tucker to be stationed in Columbia \u0026 Aiken SC as a garrison. A good many of our boys have accepted positions as Captains and Lieutenants, among them, several of the old class, also Duncan, Brockenbrough, James F., Dinwiddie, Barton, Penn and Tunstall. I came near going myself but concluded not to do so, and now I congratulate myself upon not going. I believe we intend to occupy the Alms House until the spring and then move to Lexington again. I am sure I cannot study much in Richmond, and now I have my fears concerning Calculus etc. as it would be more disgraceful than ever should I fail in that, oh! I do want that diploma so much. I have studied hard for two long years and now do not want to fail. We are to room by company, consequently our old room will greatly, to the regret of all parties, be broken up, Pizzini, Davis and myself being in different companies. With that\nexception I have as pleasant a room as I could desire. Stuart, Echols, Etheredge, Royster, Ridley R., James J., Jarratt \u0026 Peirce, the officers and non-commissioned of \"B\" Co. The house is an elegant building, much more than old barracks. We will also have to study on Saturday which I do not like much. That fine breakfast on Saturday will be knocked in the head then.","Ross \u0026 Echols desire to be remembered to you.","The John E. Roller papers include:\n Civil War era letters from cadet friends concerning life at VMI Civil War dispatches and telegrams that date from Roller's service with the Confederate States of America engineers, including one document signed by General Robert E. Lee One scrapbook (circa 1910) that contains clippings about Civil War battles, veterans, unit reunions, monument dedications, and other related information Two photographs, one of Confederate soldier Lieutenant Colonel Samuel T. Walker (10th Virginia Infantry Regiment) and one of the Virginia Legislature Centennial Committee (1871) Holograph text of a cadet literary-debating society speech delivered by Cadet Norwood B. Randolph in 1870 Other items","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards cadet life and the upcoming inauguration of Jefferson Davis.","Written from Staunton, Virginia. Letter regards Peter S. Roller's inability to supply General Francis H. Smith with hired or slave labor. Letter also includes a discussion of when John E. Roller should join the Army.","Written from VMI, Lexington, VIrginia. In the letter, John E. Roller submits a report concerning the theft of Commandant records.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter congratulates John E. Roller on his Army commission.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter discusses examinations and mutual friends at VMI.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards results of examinations and that Lawrence Royster is considering leaving VMI.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards academic problems, uncertainty about staying at VMI, and mentions several recent graduates and cadets.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter discusses rumors about deployment of cadets and cadets who have left VMI.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards academics, changes in faculty, and cadet life.","Written from Camp Stephens, Richmond, Virginia. Joseph B. Prince recently resigned from a teaching job at VMI to join the Army, but is disappointed in his Army position.","Written from Grassy Dale, Virginia. Letter reports news of fighting in the Shenandoah Valley between forces of General Breckinridge and General Sigel. The letter also mentions the Battle of New Market.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards Hunter's Raid and family news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards travel to VMI's temporary headquarters at the Alms House in Richmond.","Correspondents include Richard L. Gray, Nannie Lewis, G. W. Berlin, and C. L. Hammond.","Includes dispatches, notes, and telegrams.","Letter regards receipt of recommendations.","Certifies Thomas Hubbard, born in Caswell County, North Carolina.","Dispatch reports on enemy strength.","Document requests for officer to be assigned at Weldon.","Written near Drewry's Bluff, Virginia. Regards enemy naval forces.","\"I have telegraphed Hampton to return to Richmond. Send for him. Young's brigade under Col. Wright cannot be far in advance of Richmond. Get your Cavalry together, aid it with the Infantry, and drive back enemy.\"","Scouting report.","Dispatch regards transportation for officer.","Dispatch regards a matter pending before the War Department.","Dispatch regards a personnel request.","Dispatch regards a request for ammunition.","Dispatch directs W. Brown to send forge to Dunlap's Crossing, Georgia.","Dispatch requests map of Dinwiddie, Virginia.","Dispatch requests \"all amputating sets on hand.\"","\"If you should receive an unintelligible signal dispatch from Gen. Beauregard tonight or in morning take no notice of it- it is sent for a purpose.\"","Dispatch explains that Mayo is too sick to attend court.","Dispatch conveys instructions and reprimand.","Dispatch regards troop movements.","Dispatch requests five dollar notes.","Scrapbook contains clippings about Civil War battles, veterans, unit reunions, monument dedications, and related information.","Samuel T. Walker (1830-1863) served with the 10th Virginia Infantry Regiment and was killed in action at the Battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia in May 1863.","Includes holograph text of a cadet literary-debating society speech delivered by Norwood B. Randolph in 1870, and other items.","Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information.","Manuscripts stacks","Virginia Military Institute Archives","Roller, John E. (John Edwin), 1844-1917","Royster, Lawrence, 1841-1914","Overton, Archibald W. (Archibald Waller), 1845-1920","Prince, Joseph B. (Joseph Brown), 1844-1903","Randolph, Norwood B. (Norwood Beverley), 1849-1874","Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward), 1807-1870","Flannagan, William W. (William Walker), 1843-1923","Walker, Samuel T., 1830-1863","Baldwin, Briscoe G. (Briscoe Gerard), 1828-1898","Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889","Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","Pizzini, Andrew, Jr., 1846-1913","Chaffin, Richard B. (Richard Booker), 1844-1902","Grigg, Wesley P. (Wesley Peyton), 1846-1865","Steptoe, Charles Y. (Charles Yancey), 1838-1877","Shipp, Scott, 1839-1917","Taylor, Walter H. (Walter Herron), 1838-1916","English \n.    "],"unitid_tesim":["MS.0171","/repositories/3/resources/599"],"normalized_title_ssm":["John E. Roller papers"],"collection_title_tesim":["John E. Roller papers"],"collection_ssim":["John E. Roller papers"],"repository_ssm":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"repository_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"creator_ssm":["Roller, John E. (John Edwin), 1844-1917","Royster, Lawrence, 1841-1914","Overton, Archibald W. (Archibald Waller), 1845-1920","Prince, Joseph B. (Joseph Brown), 1844-1903","Randolph, Norwood B. (Norwood Beverley), 1849-1874","Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward), 1807-1870","Flannagan, William W. (William Walker), 1843-1923","Walker, Samuel T., 1830-1863","Baldwin, Briscoe G. (Briscoe Gerard), 1828-1898"],"creator_ssim":["Roller, John E. (John Edwin), 1844-1917","Royster, Lawrence, 1841-1914","Overton, Archibald W. (Archibald Waller), 1845-1920","Prince, Joseph B. (Joseph Brown), 1844-1903","Randolph, Norwood B. (Norwood Beverley), 1849-1874","Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward), 1807-1870","Flannagan, William W. (William Walker), 1843-1923","Walker, Samuel T., 1830-1863","Baldwin, Briscoe G. (Briscoe Gerard), 1828-1898"],"creator_persname_ssim":["Roller, John E. (John Edwin), 1844-1917","Royster, Lawrence, 1841-1914","Overton, Archibald W. (Archibald Waller), 1845-1920","Prince, Joseph B. (Joseph Brown), 1844-1903","Randolph, Norwood B. (Norwood Beverley), 1849-1874","Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward), 1807-1870","Flannagan, William W. (William Walker), 1843-1923","Walker, Samuel T., 1830-1863","Baldwin, Briscoe G. (Briscoe Gerard), 1828-1898"],"creators_ssim":["Roller, John E. (John Edwin), 1844-1917","Royster, Lawrence, 1841-1914","Overton, Archibald W. (Archibald Waller), 1845-1920","Prince, Joseph B. (Joseph Brown), 1844-1903","Randolph, Norwood B. (Norwood Beverley), 1849-1874","Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward), 1807-1870","Flannagan, William W. (William Walker), 1843-1923","Walker, Samuel T., 1830-1863","Baldwin, Briscoe G. (Briscoe Gerard), 1828-1898"],"access_terms_ssm":["Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information."],"access_subjects_ssim":["New Market Cadets","Virginia Military Institute—Civil War, 1861-1865","Virginia Military Institute—Cadet debating societies","Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1863","Confederate States of America. Army—Corps of Engineers","Virginia—History—Civil War, 1861-1865","United States—History—Civil War, 1861-1865","Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1860-1869","United States—History—Civil War, 1861-1865—Personal narratives—Confederate","Correspondence","Dispatches","Scrapbooks","Telegrams","Speeches, Addresses, etc.","Photographs"],"access_subjects_ssm":["New Market Cadets","Virginia Military Institute—Civil War, 1861-1865","Virginia Military Institute—Cadet debating societies","Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1863","Confederate States of America. Army—Corps of Engineers","Virginia—History—Civil War, 1861-1865","United States—History—Civil War, 1861-1865","Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1860-1869","United States—History—Civil War, 1861-1865—Personal narratives—Confederate","Correspondence","Dispatches","Scrapbooks","Telegrams","Speeches, Addresses, etc.","Photographs"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["0.50 cubic feet approximately 40 items"],"extent_tesim":["0.50 cubic feet approximately 40 items"],"genreform_ssim":["Correspondence","Dispatches","Scrapbooks","Telegrams","Speeches, Addresses, etc.","Photographs"],"date_range_isim":[1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867,1868,1869,1870,1871,1872,1873,1874,1875,1876,1877,1878,1879,1880,1881,1882,1883,1884,1885,1886,1887,1888,1889,1890,1891,1892,1893,1894,1895,1896,1897,1898,1899,1900,1901,1902,1903,1904,1905,1906,1907,1908,1909,1910],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThere are no restrictions.\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Conditions Governing Access"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["There are no restrictions."],"altformavail_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eA portion of the John E. Roller personal papers are avaliable \n\u003ca href=\"https://digitalcollections.vmi.edu/digital/collection/p15821coll11/id/1924\"\u003eonline\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e"],"altformavail_heading_ssm":["Online Access"],"altformavail_tesim":["A portion of the John E. Roller personal papers are avaliable \n online ."],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eLetter regards a meeting.\u003c/p\u003e"],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement"],"arrangement_tesim":["Letter regards a meeting."],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eJohn Edwin Roller was born in Rockingham County, Virginia on October 5, 1844 to Peter Samuel Roller and Frances Allebach. In the summer of 1861, although underage for service, he briefly served with Company I of the First Virginia Cavalry, Confederate States of America. On December 31, 1861, Roller entered VMI as a second classman and graduated in July 1863. He subsequently taught mathematics at VMI for a few months, and then was appointed as a 2nd Lieutenant, Company G, 2nd Confederate States Engineers in October 1863. He served as an engineer officer in the Army of Northern Virginia until the end of the Civil War, and was paroled at Appomattox, Virginia.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAfter the War, Roller he studied law at the University of Virginia and practiced law in Harrisonburg, Virginia. He also served in the Virginia State Legislature and was a Brigadier General in the state militia. Roller was widely known in the Harrisonburg community as \"General Roller.\" He died in Harrisonburg on August 10, 1918.\u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Biographical / Historical"],"bioghist_tesim":["John Edwin Roller was born in Rockingham County, Virginia on October 5, 1844 to Peter Samuel Roller and Frances Allebach. In the summer of 1861, although underage for service, he briefly served with Company I of the First Virginia Cavalry, Confederate States of America. On December 31, 1861, Roller entered VMI as a second classman and graduated in July 1863. He subsequently taught mathematics at VMI for a few months, and then was appointed as a 2nd Lieutenant, Company G, 2nd Confederate States Engineers in October 1863. He served as an engineer officer in the Army of Northern Virginia until the end of the Civil War, and was paroled at Appomattox, Virginia.","After the War, Roller he studied law at the University of Virginia and practiced law in Harrisonburg, Virginia. He also served in the Virginia State Legislature and was a Brigadier General in the state militia. Roller was widely known in the Harrisonburg community as \"General Roller.\" He died in Harrisonburg on August 10, 1918."],"odd_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eNo. 28 V.M.I. Jan 24th 1862\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Parents,\u003cbr\u003e\nAs I could not finish on a half sheet I concluded I would commence on this as I had several things to write about yet. You enquired in your last about bedding. I have obtained a mattress and have plenty of cover. I put two of my blankets in my trunk in the arsenal because I did not need them. Only one trunk is allowed to a room and I had to send mine to the arsenal. I wish you had the big one at home, for I have not a thing in it. We are not allowed to go to town only on Saturday, when I will see about those slippers, though I think I can do without them very well. I wish I had kept a pair of citizens pants here as I could save my cadet pants very much by wearing them. But it is not worth while to try to send them to me now.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI will try and make out with what I have now. Tell John Carpenter I still think of his promise. I wonder if George would not like to come here, there are several fellows here from the 1st regiment, who got off to come here and if George will come, I will try and get him an appointment. I should like it very much to have him here with me.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYou want to know what arrangements they have that cadets are not allowed to come home in two years, I will try and send you a catalogue, so that you may see how it is. I have to study very hard but I like the place better every day. I made a \"perfect\" today. Remember me to Cousin A.B. and all my friends. I hope he will succeed well with his school. R.A. Crawford says I must remember him to A.B. and ask him if he received his \"Phonography.\" I wish you'd send me the Register every week. I do not get to see a paper here hardly and the Register would seem so familiar to me. If you see something really good in the Dispatch, I wish you would send that sometimes too. I wish you would send some soap, whenever you send me that studying gown. A piece or two of that old \"homemade\" would save some little money for soap is high here. But I must close this letter, as the mail box will soon be shut. Excuse it if you please, for it is badly connected, but that could not be helped for I had to write it whenever I had the chance. Write soon to me and give me the news. Much love to all and a kiss for \"brother.\"\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYour affectionate son, J.E. Roller\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI can't think of any name for brother yet. Tell me in your next what you think of calling him. I [seem] to have forgotten to mention to you that that it is rumored that the Cadets will be invited to Richmond the 22nd of Feb. to see Jeff Davis inaugurated, but it is not generally believed. I wish they would for it will be a grand sight and a great honor to witness the inauguration of what will be one of the greatest powers in the world.\u003cbr\u003e\nJ.E.Roller\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eStaunton, Va.\u003cbr\u003e\nStaunton Aug. 25th 1862\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy Dear Son\u003cbr\u003e\nYour letter to your ma was duly received. In reply to your inquiry about negroes for Genl. Smith, I know of none that can be hired or none that could be bought at this time. If I should hear of any I will write again. Had I known it a week earlier I think I could have gotten several men for him belonging to a party in Loudoun County.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI have not been to Harrisonburg since you wrote about the goods for Pantaloons, and as the season is so far advanced and as you have a prospect of getting other clothing for winter I have concluded not to buy it unless you think you shall need it.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe Mt. Crawford company has been exchanged and I understand that Mr. Blackford has succeeded in getting quite a number of them to join his company. If you have a desire to join his company as first Lieutenant perhaps it would be the best thing you could do. I think it will be best for you to consult Genl. Smith about it. He knows best what your chances would be for a situation after [you graduate]. If you have to enter the service [missing word] it would be better to go into it [now] and get hardened to the service before the cold weather sets in. However, if Genl. Smith thinks you had better stay until you graduate, I shall say to Mr. Blackford as soon as I see him, I will say to him if he will have you appointed that you shall have the privilege of accepting it. I will write again as soon as I see him and let you know what the prospects are of you getting an appointment. George Carpenter could not get out of the army he being a conscript and no provisions being made by Congress for young men wishing to go to the Military Institution. I am though with the Dam and have the Mill running again.\u003cbr\u003e\nYours in haste, P.S. Roller\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M. Institute\u003cbr\u003e\nMarch 18th 1863\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe following is a true statement of the facts with regard to my tour of O.D. on the 16th inst. and in connection with the removal of reports from the Commandant's office. I marched on O.D. at the usual time on Monday morning, and from that time until the recreation drum at 4 PM, I was either in Mr. Grigg's room, the Commandant's office, or in front of the Barracks (several hours spent either in section room, Mess Hall, or my own room), with the exceptions of the following times, viz.-- from 8-9 in Col. Williamson's section room, from 10-11 in Col. Preston's, from 12 to 1 in Col. Gilham's, and from 1-2 spent partly in Mess Hall and partly in room. I attended all C.P.s and looked up absentees and went in the Commandant's office frequently during the day\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSometime in the morning, I cannot state positively the precise time, though I think between 9 and 10 o'clock AM, upon entering the Commandant's office, I saw one of the fatigue sentinels standing at the desk, with a key in the keyhole. I did not see him have the desk open, nor did I see him have any reports. I remarked to him, \"What are you doing? Do you not know that you are responsible for those reports.\" He replied that he was not stealing reports, but that he just wanted to see if his key would fit the lock. I said nothing more, but turned around immediately and went out.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eFrom 4 o'clock until E.P., I was in my room and went from there to Supper in the Mess Hall, after which I returned to my room (where I remained) until the Study Drum was beaten, when I went down to Mr. Grigg's room and remained there until 11 o'clock. And after spending 10 or 15 minutes in quieting noise, receiving reports of inspectors, seeing the sentinels challenge properly, I went to my room and retired for the night.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI arose about 5 minutes to 7 o' clock and left my room about 15 minutes after and proceeded to Mr. Beckham's room to see some Engineering plates which he had, and from there went to Mess Hall to breakfast, being just in time to meet the corps as it was leaving the Hall. After B. I marched of O.D. and on enquiring of Mr. Shaw for the Guard Book was told that Major Ship had it and also that the reports had been removed, which was the first intimation I had rec'd of the fact. I know not even the slightest circumstance upon which to ground even a suspicion, except the above circumstance, but in justice I feel bound to say, that I could not give any positive evidence that the desk had been opened by him or whether his key fit the lock, and can conscientiously express the belief that he was not the one who removed the reports after E.P., or before E.P. \u0026amp; [?]. Hoping the\nabove may [prove] \u0026amp;.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eJ.E. Roller\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI forgot to mention that about ten o'clock, seeing the Orderlies Delinquencies laying outside the desk, and knowing that I was responsible for them, I got Mr. Grigg's key and placed them in the desk. Mr. Shaw and two of sentinels were present at the time. I am unable to say how the books came there, and according to the best of my recollection. I saw them there after I saw Mr. Turner at the desk. I do not pretend to say that he placed them there, or that there were left there by the Com't. I merely make the statement and leave the inferences to be drawn.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond, Va.\u003cbr\u003e\nNov. 8th/63\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Roller,\u003cbr\u003e\nAllow me to congratulate you upon your success in obtaining a commission. I want to follow your example. A commission is something I have been seeking, ever since we graduated, but all my efforts are unavailing. Will you inform me by what \"slight of hand\" you were so successful. Let me know all the minutiae, the letters you had \u0026amp; from whom \u0026amp; to whom they were addressed \u0026amp;\nthe political or rather military friends you employed. Present my kindest regards to Prince, with many wishes for your success \u0026amp; the hope you may do honor to my class (which you can do)\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI am Truly Yr. Friend \u0026amp; classmate\u003cbr\u003e\nW.W. Flannagan\u003cbr\u003e\nBox 610\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e\"V.M.I\" Jan. 6th '64\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Roller,\u003cbr\u003e\nYour letter was a pleasant surprise. I did not expect it for some time to come, it was received however too late for me to reply by Thursday's mail, the mail is now always a day too late.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWell sir, I enter upon the deep and stormy waters of the Rubicon on tomorrow. I have labored up to this time as diligently as I could, but I never was now fearful of shipwreck before. I leave the result to fate, wherever she casts my lot, I will have to remain satisfied. I will write you the result however immediately it is known, if I should be thrown I will see you a short time after.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMany thanks to you for your kind invitation to visit you as well as the ladies, it would afford me great pleasure, and if possible, I will accept it. Pizzini and myself are just enjoying the contents of two boxes, which \"that confounded packet\" has at last brought to hand, we wish so much that you were here to share it with us. Prince was out frolicking last night until 12 o'clock, so that I could not attend to your messages. This morning I gave him the letter and told him that I intended writing to you and would send any message he might desire, but he said nothing at all. I have delivered your message to Blum and Perkinson. Beckham left last Saturday for Staunton and carried your trunk with him as you directed, I suppose you have received it by this. Smith F. has not written the letter to his brother yet, as soon as he does, I will forward to you if he does not do so himself. I have heard nothing of Crawford since you left. Dick Chaffin was severely wounded in the recent fight near Covington, 'tis thought his leg will have to be amputated. I wish I could have received your letter in time to reply by Thursday's mail as I know you will expect an answer then. I have attended to your little affairs, no trouble I can assure you. If you have other business in this section, let me hear and I will also attend to that. Overton as well as all the occupants of No. 23 send their kindest regards. You will hear from me again by Monday or Tuesday next.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYour sincere friend\u003cbr\u003e\nLawrence Royster\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I. Jan. 9th 1864\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Roller,\u003cbr\u003e\nThe Rubicon I think is crossed though I did not pass as good an examination as I desired, and have had the misfortune to be thrown in the third section, which is terrible, as you know that section is almost always deficient, though I am through yet I am disheartened at the idea of being that low. I stand only 37, which you know is very low, twenty-six were found deficient. I should like very much to join you and go to Charleston, but you know getting through is better than any thing else. If I should not stand a very good chance as June approaches, I shall resign and join you wherever you at all hazards. The idea of going into the last section has made me feel almost as badly as a deficiency, I can assure you. I hope that you will continue to write me after you leave for the army. I will take great pleasure in replying to you whenever it is in my power. I shall always be happy to hear from you. Sally Crawford has arrived. Pizzini passed a very good examination, made 3 on subject, was not questioned. The thought of being in that deficient section and thrown in June, takes away all the pleasure of getting through. I must close. Let me hear from you.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYour sincere friend\u003cbr\u003e\nLawrence Royster\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.Institute\u003cbr\u003e\nMonday Feb. 22nd 1864\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Roller,\u003cbr\u003e\nThis is the first holyday that has not found me on fatigue guard for some time past so I will take advantage of it by replying to your letter which was received on yesterday morning. The last account I had of you was that you were in Richmond, applying for an office in the Ordnance Department. I am glad to hear that you are busily engaged in your new department. Allow me to thank you most kindly for your wishes for my success here as well as the desire you expressed of having me with you in your new home. Your letter inspired me with an ardent desire to join you. Since you left I have been several times on the eve of resigning and going to Charleston. I was fortunate enough in January to pass an examination, while many others were thrown and had to resign or be sent home. But at the same time I was so unfortunate as to be thrown into the third section. Since then I have labored with unceasing fidelity, but it seems the harder I work, the worse marks I make. I thought Analytical Geometry was hard enough, but Description certainly surpasses it by far, on that subject I am totally in the dark. My low mark and imperfect recitation have discouraged me so much that I have lost all taste for study. I wrote home for advise on resigning, but they wrote back earnestly entreating me to remain until July. However I have no idea that I will take that advice, I may leave at any time. I may leave am\nexceedingly anxious to be with you, and I now promise, if I leave at any time, will join you. It is a struggle between life and death with me now, if I leave, I give up all hope of ever obtaining an education, and seeing you do so well, inspires me with new desire of finishing my education at the \"V.M.I.\" At the same time I am anxious to be with you. If I enter the service at all I shall not even think of applying for an office of any kind, I expect to be a private wherever I go. At the same time accept my most sincere thanks for your kindness in offering me the office of O.S. if you could get it and I would accept it. I would accept it with great pleasure. I\nsometimes give up all hope of passing, and then again think of remaining and taking my chances in June, so I do not know what to be at. I shall consult Spex in a day or two and will be guided very much by what he says; though very little confidence can be put in anything that he says on such a subject as that, I do not suppose he would tell me even what he thought, however I shall try him.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003ePrince left here about one month ago, I heard since then that he was a Sergeant in the Engineers Corps, you seem to be the only successful one in your class. Grigg I hear is walking around loose in Petersburg. I am sure no one at the \"V.M.I.\" was glad at your leaving, indeed I heard some express their regret at it. Your old room is vacant. Sally Crawford and Lieut. Steptoe (new Sub) occupy No. 20 together, the former remains very quiet, is swelling on his bars and escorting the ladies home from church, etc. I do not know his qualifications as professor. The occupants of 23 all send their kindest regards. Pat Shafer has just come from the Hospital where he had been confined for several weeks with a severe attack of pneumonia, we thought at one time that he intended leaving us. Blum has been reinstated, but Spex refused to let him go on with the 2nd Class, so he has resigned, he\nsays he will accept a Sergeancy if you will give it to him. Capt. Whitwell\nhas recently returned from furlough accompanied by his lady, they are boarding at the Lexington Hotel. Miss Logan and Mr. Davidson were recently married also, the former I expect you know, a refugee from Winchester. What do you think of the recent law of Congress in regard to the Currency, taxes, etc? I am extremely glad that it will reduce the price of goods. The Steamer which has been as long on the way from Europe has recently arrived, but was destroyed for the goods falling into yankee hands, there were on board all the goods which we needed, the finest english gray cloth, etc. but unfortunately all were lost so I have given up on the idea of wearing a fine suit again.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSpex is still shipping indiscriminately, sometimes twelve or fifteen daily, rats are also reporting in numbers.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003ePatsy says he will accept an Orderly Sergeant's place if you will give it him, but he adds \"if he can do no better.\" Ross desires his kindest regards to you. I must close, though it is the 22nd, my time is limited. If I do leave, which I confidently expect to do, will write you immediately. I am anxious to be with you. I hope you will write me as often as possible, your letters will always be agreeable.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI am, as ever,\u003cbr\u003e\nYour Sincere friend\u003cbr\u003e\nLawrence Royster\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eVa. Mil. Institute\u003cbr\u003e\nApril 10th 1864\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Roller,\u003cbr\u003e\nYour last letter was received several days since and wishing to keep up a more regular correspondence between us, I answer your letter at the first opportunity and hope you will not delay writing a reply to this as long as you did my previous one, although your excuse for doing so was a good as well as a sufficient one. No news worthy of notice has taken place since last writing to you, but the old V.M.I still keeps up her notoriety for rumors and there are a thousand and one afloat about going on marches etc., which I would not like to enumerate, and were I so disposed, I think time and paper would fail me before I accomplished that end. But there is one which if true will wreck all the hopes I have been sustaining for the last six months and before which the pleasure of a long vacation will go \"glimmering like all things that were\": it is that no furloughs will be granted this summer and that our usual vacation of two months will either be spent in Gen. Lee's or Gen. Imboden's camp. This rumor is said to have good foundation, for those who were most interested were watching her with an eagle's eye and after having poised herself above the V.M.I. for some time during which many feathers were plucked from her wing, she was seen to direct her course toward Col. Preston's where she rested from his labors. There was another last week that we were going on a march and this one came from the direction of Gen. Smith's and with such force against barracks that some of her feathers are still visible on the stoops. Numerous others are afloat but as I said before to enumerate them would take more time than I have at my disposal.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWith regard to your inquiry about Prince, I have not heard from him since he left nor have I seen any one who has; but I reckon he is having a good time wherever he is as he always takes things easy. Crawford resigned a few weeks since and has again entered the army as a private; Col. John Ross has been appointed to fill his vacancy. Old Max studies as hard as ever and talks\nas much about being found [deficient], but I believe they would put him through even if he were deficient on account of his good conduct. He received a letter from you a few days since and says he will answer it soon. I am very glad you like my uncle as I expected you would. I think you estimate his services too highly when you say that he deserves more of the credit for the defense of Charleston tho' he has done a great deal towards it. I hardly ever hear from him except though you and therefore your letters\nare doubly acceptable. Give my best to him when you next see him. With best wishes for your future prosperity I remain,\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYours truly, A.W. Overton\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e\"V.M.I.\" April 21st 1864\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy Dear Roller,\u003cbr\u003e\nYour kind and interesting letter should have had a more speedy reply, but as the examination approaches, I am more and more busy every day. The Class has lost a great deal of time and consequently will not have so much to review in. We are now in the field surveying, have not yet finished Shades and Shadows. The weather has been during the past month colder than I have felt\nfor eight years even in the depth of winter. The mountains in sight are still covered with snow, and today is the only mild and clear day that we have had for over one month, and notwithstanding this we have not had fire since Christmas, and during the deep snows we had suspension of all duties for several days at a time. The cold was so severe that it was impossible to study, a great many went to bed in order to keep warm. This together with Col. Massie's sickness has thrown the 3rd class back very much, so now the hard work comes.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSince you left quite a change has taken place in the Faculty. Lt. Col. Ross has been appointed assistant Prof. Math 4th Class in your place; Sal Crawford received a commission in his old regiment and resigned about a month ago. Dr. Ross is Asst. prof French as well as Asst. Surgeon.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSpex is still very fond of his \"reviews and parades.\" Not long since Gen. Rosser's Cavalry Brigade came through here and encamped about ten or twelve miles beyond Lexington, by Spex's invitation he reviewed the Corps and inspected the barracks. Several days afterwards, he presented the Corps with a flag captured in battle from 164th New York Regiment as a trophy; the\npresentation speech was very fine indeed, it took place under guard tree before a very large crowd. Scott Shipp received it and replied; his was also very good but he was very much excited though, however it was his first speech in public. After the ceremony was over the Cavalry made a charge in field in front of barracks to give us an idea of it. But the idea, Roller, of the Corps of Cadets receiving a trophy taken by our troops in the field from the yankees; it looked like saying, \"Well, you are too weak and afraid to do any thing of this yourselves, so we will make you a present of one,\" I feel that it is a disgrace to the Corps. The speaker alluded in such a touching manner to the precious blood which was spilt in taking it, and of the Col. falling in the charge. That night he invited the officers of the Institute and the 1st Class to attend a party at the house where he was staying, but as all could not attend, Spex allowed only the four Captains and Adjt. to go. Several days afterwards he invited Spex to review his\nbrigade, and the officers and 1st Class again to dine with him, which as many as could conveniently do so, very readily accepted of.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI should like very much to enjoy those nice vegetables and fish you were speaking of, it certainly would be a great treat, especially when everything is so high and scarce, we are nearer starving here than ever before, a piece of beef frequently comes on the table for nine men which candidly speaking I could easily cover with one hand. If the school cannot be maintained on a better scale, I think they had as well close it. It is rumored and I partly believe it that instead of giving the Corps furlough next summer,\nwe are to be sent in a body to Gen. Lee's army. We have not had a march since December last, which I think I gave you an account of. Err this reaches you I imagine you will have received some news from the two grand armies on the Potomac, we are of opinion that it will be the greatest of the war up to this time. May Heaven give us the victory! Many thanks to you for your kind offer, it will be very acceptable. I will inform you immediately of the result of the examination after I know my fate, should I be unsuccessful will go directly from here to Charleston, so in your next letter write me what to equip myself with before leaving and what articles I can procure in Charleston as I do not want to carry more than is necessary.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThere are now about fifty odd in the third class and I do not think Massie will pass more than twenty. I know he intends making a most \"awful rake.\" I must not neglect to tell you of the marriage of Miss Sanders (I suppose you remember her) to Capt. Contri an Italian on Gen. Morgan's staff. They say he is a very accomplished and gallant man, fought fourteen pitched battles in Europe, was in Crimean war etc., that is all I know however. They were here today. The Commandant's Office is now a reception room for all visitors, they are not allowed to come into barracks during study hours under any pretence whatever.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eHow are you progressing with the ladies now or do you visit them at all? As for myself, I have long since abandoned all thoughts of them, scarcely even look at them, you know how fatal they are. I have many things to write, but it is almost 11 o'clock PM and this is the last chance I will have to write for sometime to come. Finished my day's survey in[--] rather earlier today or would not have had this [missing word]. Write me as often as you can.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYour sincere friend,\u003cbr\u003e\nLawrence Royster\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSam Hopkins who was here last year, after being confined in some Yankee prison for several months returned home and died two days after.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eCamp Stevens- Richmond\u003cbr\u003e\nMay 3, 1864\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Roller,\u003cbr\u003e\nYour esteemed favor did not reach me as soon as it would, had I not been absent on duty when it reached Camp. I hope you will pardon the delay on that account.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI must confess, I have been sadly disappointed in my calculations. When I resigned at the Institute, I was confident of a position in the Engineers. Alas! For the uncertainty of human expectations! I had thought very seriously of joining the Infantry, as a private, \u0026amp; but for the remonstrances of my parents, think I would have. There is little, well, I see none, chance of promotion in this service unless specially favored, which I have no right to expect. But I am not murmuring. I will be contented, if I only get through this struggle safe. It would afford you little interest, \u0026amp; cause me more mortification, to detail to you the many ways in which I have been\ndeceived. If I could only forget the many apparently bright prospects which have been offered me, I should feel at least condoled, but memory still sings out \"he, who tries to better a good condition, often renders it worse.\"\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYour very kind offers in my behalf, I can assure you, are highly appreciated, \u0026amp; nothing would give me more pleasure than to be with you, I hope it may be so.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWe are anxiously awaiting the result of the impending issue in Northern Virginia. I may say, in truth, never was so much anxiety manifested in any one battle. That we shall be victorious is my confident belief. We had some little excitement in this immediate locality last week, occasioned by the appearance of the enemy in some force at our positions [?] on the Pamunky. It turned out, however, to be a slight demonstration. Nothing else of special interest. Beckham \u0026amp; Boyd send their regards. Crawford has left the\nInstitute, he failed to get a detail. Write soon \u0026amp; let me know all.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYour sincere friend,\u003cbr\u003e\nJ.B. Prince\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eGrassy Dale Va., May 17th 1864\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy Dear Son,\u003cbr\u003e\nIt has now been two weeks since we heard from you, but we suppose you have written but owing to the Raiders destroying the Rail Roads around Richmond we have no mail communication with the South. Since I wrote to you from Charlottesville we have had an exciting time in the Valley. I heard at Charlottesville that the Yankee Genl. Sigel was advancing up the Valley. When I returned to Staunton I found Genl. John C. Breckinridge at that point with two Brigade of Infantry and 12 pieces of Artillery. They left Staunton on Friday last and encamped at Mt. Crawford that night and left early the next morning and encamped that night at Lacy Springs and commenced their march next (Sunday) morning at one o'clock and halted a little below Tenth Legion and remained in that position until Gen. Breckinridge had news from the front.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eTo get you to understand the situation of things I will go back several days and give you a History of Gen. Imboden's doings. Gen. Imboden found out that the yankees were advancing in three columns, one up the Page, one up the Hardy \u0026amp; Pendleton Valley, and the main force up our valley. Gen. Imboden by forced marches fell upon the column (all Cavalry) near Moorefield very\nunexpectedly, routed them completely, and pursued them within 6 or 7 miles of Romney, in this time capturing all their train which he had to destroy, having no horses to bring out the wagon.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eHe then returned to the Valley traveling day \u0026amp; night, and only stopping long enough to graze his horses, and returned to the Valley in time to attack the column coming up the Page valley. Before Sigel's forces got up to New Market he attacked the column and utterly routed it, scattering it in the mountains and captured on Friday about 100 of them with about 200 fine cavalry horses. He attacked them on Friday night and on Saturday picked up the prisoners and would have gotten more but Sigel advanced and our forces had to fall back on this side of New Market, our men making a very stubborn resistance but was forced to fall back about 8 o'clock on Saturday night to a point 3 miles this side [of] New Market, the yankees having possession of the town during the night. This now gives you to understand the position of things and I will now commence where I left off with Gen. Breckinridge's troops.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eGen. Breckinridge advanced with his troops a little after day light and not wishing to be tedious he maneuvered his forces from one point to another until about 12 O'clock, when he attacked the enemy with his artillery. Having gotten the [heights] back of the town and after an artillery duel of perhaps one hour, the Cadets from Lexington with the 62 Regiment (Col. Smith's Regiment) charged one of the yank's Batteries. They captured it, but lost heavily, the cadets lost 5 killed and 39 wounded, some of them seriously, your friend Cary Watson Adjutant of the Battalion with Col. Shipp leading the Charge, they both came out safe except Col. Shipp had a slight scratch; Royster also came out unhurt. I give you a list of the killed. Cabell, W.H. McDowell, Crockett, C., Stanard, Jones H. It is said that Col. Gilham and Capt. Sims [Semmes] stayed in the rear where there was no danger.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIt was at this time that Gen. Breckinridge commenced pressing the enemy at every point and although they had two to our one we drove them from the field capturing five pieces of their Artillery, 111 prisoners and leaving nearly all of their killed and wounded upon the field and in order to make good their retreat burned the bridge over the river. An Officer reports to me today that Sigel is retreating to Winchester in great haste, reporting that we have 30,000 men while we had not more than 4,000 in the fight, our\nreserve having never been brought into action. Gen. Breckinridge's forces are [returning?] up the Valley, whether they go to reinforce Gen. Lee or go to some other point. I went down the Valley with General Breckinridge having gone down with him at his request and was with him most of the time during the fight. I came home last night having left New Market about 1 o'clock\nyesterday. We have had and will continue to have heavy fighting in Virginia, but of the final result no one doubts but we will be successful. We have driven them and at least [repulsed?] them at every point. We are all well. Write soon and often.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYour father\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eJosie sends her love, so do all the rest. I hope when I write again to be able to give you the glorious news that we have driven the yanks from Virginia soil.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond July 28 1864\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy Dear Roller,\u003cbr\u003e\nYour letter sent by Overton was duly received and contents noted. I have inquired of the Express Company in regard to your trunk, they tell me that it will be safe to send the blankets in it. In regard to your jacket and vest, you merely told me to order them without saying how I was to send them or whether I was to pay for them. I have seen Doherty in regard to them and he can make them out of excellent cloth for $250 so they will be ready in a few days. I will wait until I hear from you before I ship any of the things, if you say so I can put both blankets \u0026amp; clothes in the trunk, let me hear immediately and I will attend to all with great pleasure. I should like very much to go over to see you, but cannot possibly do so, though I do not intend to remain here idle longer than the first of August. I am ashamed of it, will return to Lexington and remain there in camp first.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI have not seen Overton since the school closed. About two dozen of the boys are staying here. Speaking of the appointments, a good many of them surprised me, though I am very well satisfied with what I got, I don't care much however, you know kissing goes by favor. There are eight privates now in the first class, but it is my private belief that the Institute will not be in operation again until the was is over, although they have made arrangements to carry it on, books cloth and provisions an all wanting.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI am glad your Father did not suffer by the yankees. Mother lost absolutely every thing she had, and is now a refugee here, sick too, they not only stole all provision, and stock she had, but went about the house breaking up what they could find and then had the assurance to ask my sister if she could not furnish them with a snack of ham. Roller, if I am ever spared to get into yankee land, I will respect nothing but a woman's person, I'll break, pillage and plunder. My Mother, from living in luxury at home, is now\nforced to the necessity of borrowing a wagon to get home in, and I don't know what she is going to live on after she gets there.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSpeaking of old \"23,\" she did [ro__] this time, if the appointments are permanent (which I doubt) but I am afraid Pat will not stand first, I think Davis will get him. Pat has been thinking too much of Miss Mollie, she will ruin him I am afraid, or rather has done so. I will write you a letter in a few days.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSincerely, Your friend\u003cbr\u003e\nLawrence Royster\u003cbr\u003e\nAddress\u003cbr\u003e\nCare, Purcell, Ladd \u0026amp; Co.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eCorps Cadets Camp on Intermediate Line\u003cbr\u003e\nNear Richmond Dec. 7th 1864\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy Dear Roller,\u003cbr\u003e\nI am really ashamed at the idea of neglecting your letter for so long a time, but out here even I scarcely have time to write a letter, so busily are we occupied drilling and having dress parades. Soon after you were at Camp Lee, we moved to this place and it seems impossible, although we have procured the Almshouse for us to get away, we are anxiously expecting a furlough of two weeks to prepare etc. When we will be relieved from duty here I cannot say, we are daily expecting a fight on this line, certainly\nbefore the end of this week. They are making such a stir about our getting the building that I do not expect we will be able to study in peace after we do get there. The provisions and \"we officers\" have all been moved down ready for work but the much persecuted Corps has not been released from the Confederate Authorities yet. Not long since a foreign battalion was raised under Col. Tucker to be stationed in Columbia \u0026amp; Aiken SC as a garrison. A good many of our boys have accepted positions as Captains and Lieutenants, among them, several of the old class, also Duncan, Brockenbrough, James F., Dinwiddie, Barton, Penn and Tunstall. I came near going myself but concluded not to do so, and now I congratulate myself upon not going. I believe we intend to occupy the Alms House until the spring and then move to Lexington again. I am sure I cannot study much in Richmond, and now I have my fears concerning Calculus etc. as it would be more disgraceful than ever should I fail in that, oh! I do want that diploma so much. I have studied hard for two long years and now do not want to fail. We are to room by company, consequently our old room will greatly, to the regret of all parties, be broken up, Pizzini, Davis and myself being in different companies. With that\nexception I have as pleasant a room as I could desire. Stuart, Echols, Etheredge, Royster, Ridley R., James J., Jarratt \u0026amp; Peirce, the officers and non-commissioned of \"B\" Co. The house is an elegant building, much more than old barracks. We will also have to study on Saturday which I do not like much. That fine breakfast on Saturday will be knocked in the head then.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eRoss \u0026amp; Echols desire to be remembered to you.\u003c/p\u003e"],"odd_heading_ssm":["Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription"],"odd_tesim":["No. 28 V.M.I. Jan 24th 1862","Dear Parents, \nAs I could not finish on a half sheet I concluded I would commence on this as I had several things to write about yet. You enquired in your last about bedding. I have obtained a mattress and have plenty of cover. I put two of my blankets in my trunk in the arsenal because I did not need them. Only one trunk is allowed to a room and I had to send mine to the arsenal. I wish you had the big one at home, for I have not a thing in it. We are not allowed to go to town only on Saturday, when I will see about those slippers, though I think I can do without them very well. I wish I had kept a pair of citizens pants here as I could save my cadet pants very much by wearing them. But it is not worth while to try to send them to me now.","I will try and make out with what I have now. Tell John Carpenter I still think of his promise. I wonder if George would not like to come here, there are several fellows here from the 1st regiment, who got off to come here and if George will come, I will try and get him an appointment. I should like it very much to have him here with me.","You want to know what arrangements they have that cadets are not allowed to come home in two years, I will try and send you a catalogue, so that you may see how it is. I have to study very hard but I like the place better every day. I made a \"perfect\" today. Remember me to Cousin A.B. and all my friends. I hope he will succeed well with his school. R.A. Crawford says I must remember him to A.B. and ask him if he received his \"Phonography.\" I wish you'd send me the Register every week. I do not get to see a paper here hardly and the Register would seem so familiar to me. If you see something really good in the Dispatch, I wish you would send that sometimes too. I wish you would send some soap, whenever you send me that studying gown. A piece or two of that old \"homemade\" would save some little money for soap is high here. But I must close this letter, as the mail box will soon be shut. Excuse it if you please, for it is badly connected, but that could not be helped for I had to write it whenever I had the chance. Write soon to me and give me the news. Much love to all and a kiss for \"brother.\"","Your affectionate son, J.E. Roller","I can't think of any name for brother yet. Tell me in your next what you think of calling him. I [seem] to have forgotten to mention to you that that it is rumored that the Cadets will be invited to Richmond the 22nd of Feb. to see Jeff Davis inaugurated, but it is not generally believed. I wish they would for it will be a grand sight and a great honor to witness the inauguration of what will be one of the greatest powers in the world. \nJ.E.Roller","Staunton, Va. \nStaunton Aug. 25th 1862","My Dear Son \nYour letter to your ma was duly received. In reply to your inquiry about negroes for Genl. Smith, I know of none that can be hired or none that could be bought at this time. If I should hear of any I will write again. Had I known it a week earlier I think I could have gotten several men for him belonging to a party in Loudoun County.","I have not been to Harrisonburg since you wrote about the goods for Pantaloons, and as the season is so far advanced and as you have a prospect of getting other clothing for winter I have concluded not to buy it unless you think you shall need it.","The Mt. Crawford company has been exchanged and I understand that Mr. Blackford has succeeded in getting quite a number of them to join his company. If you have a desire to join his company as first Lieutenant perhaps it would be the best thing you could do. I think it will be best for you to consult Genl. Smith about it. He knows best what your chances would be for a situation after [you graduate]. If you have to enter the service [missing word] it would be better to go into it [now] and get hardened to the service before the cold weather sets in. However, if Genl. Smith thinks you had better stay until you graduate, I shall say to Mr. Blackford as soon as I see him, I will say to him if he will have you appointed that you shall have the privilege of accepting it. I will write again as soon as I see him and let you know what the prospects are of you getting an appointment. George Carpenter could not get out of the army he being a conscript and no provisions being made by Congress for young men wishing to go to the Military Institution. I am though with the Dam and have the Mill running again. \nYours in haste, P.S. Roller","V.M. Institute \nMarch 18th 1863","The following is a true statement of the facts with regard to my tour of O.D. on the 16th inst. and in connection with the removal of reports from the Commandant's office. I marched on O.D. at the usual time on Monday morning, and from that time until the recreation drum at 4 PM, I was either in Mr. Grigg's room, the Commandant's office, or in front of the Barracks (several hours spent either in section room, Mess Hall, or my own room), with the exceptions of the following times, viz.-- from 8-9 in Col. Williamson's section room, from 10-11 in Col. Preston's, from 12 to 1 in Col. Gilham's, and from 1-2 spent partly in Mess Hall and partly in room. I attended all C.P.s and looked up absentees and went in the Commandant's office frequently during the day","Sometime in the morning, I cannot state positively the precise time, though I think between 9 and 10 o'clock AM, upon entering the Commandant's office, I saw one of the fatigue sentinels standing at the desk, with a key in the keyhole. I did not see him have the desk open, nor did I see him have any reports. I remarked to him, \"What are you doing? Do you not know that you are responsible for those reports.\" He replied that he was not stealing reports, but that he just wanted to see if his key would fit the lock. I said nothing more, but turned around immediately and went out.","From 4 o'clock until E.P., I was in my room and went from there to Supper in the Mess Hall, after which I returned to my room (where I remained) until the Study Drum was beaten, when I went down to Mr. Grigg's room and remained there until 11 o'clock. And after spending 10 or 15 minutes in quieting noise, receiving reports of inspectors, seeing the sentinels challenge properly, I went to my room and retired for the night.","I arose about 5 minutes to 7 o' clock and left my room about 15 minutes after and proceeded to Mr. Beckham's room to see some Engineering plates which he had, and from there went to Mess Hall to breakfast, being just in time to meet the corps as it was leaving the Hall. After B. I marched of O.D. and on enquiring of Mr. Shaw for the Guard Book was told that Major Ship had it and also that the reports had been removed, which was the first intimation I had rec'd of the fact. I know not even the slightest circumstance upon which to ground even a suspicion, except the above circumstance, but in justice I feel bound to say, that I could not give any positive evidence that the desk had been opened by him or whether his key fit the lock, and can conscientiously express the belief that he was not the one who removed the reports after E.P., or before E.P. \u0026 [?]. Hoping the\nabove may [prove] \u0026.","J.E. Roller","I forgot to mention that about ten o'clock, seeing the Orderlies Delinquencies laying outside the desk, and knowing that I was responsible for them, I got Mr. Grigg's key and placed them in the desk. Mr. Shaw and two of sentinels were present at the time. I am unable to say how the books came there, and according to the best of my recollection. I saw them there after I saw Mr. Turner at the desk. I do not pretend to say that he placed them there, or that there were left there by the Com't. I merely make the statement and leave the inferences to be drawn.","Richmond, Va. \nNov. 8th/63","Dear Roller, \nAllow me to congratulate you upon your success in obtaining a commission. I want to follow your example. A commission is something I have been seeking, ever since we graduated, but all my efforts are unavailing. Will you inform me by what \"slight of hand\" you were so successful. Let me know all the minutiae, the letters you had \u0026 from whom \u0026 to whom they were addressed \u0026\nthe political or rather military friends you employed. Present my kindest regards to Prince, with many wishes for your success \u0026 the hope you may do honor to my class (which you can do)","I am Truly Yr. Friend \u0026 classmate \nW.W. Flannagan \nBox 610","\"V.M.I\" Jan. 6th '64","Dear Roller, \nYour letter was a pleasant surprise. I did not expect it for some time to come, it was received however too late for me to reply by Thursday's mail, the mail is now always a day too late.","Well sir, I enter upon the deep and stormy waters of the Rubicon on tomorrow. I have labored up to this time as diligently as I could, but I never was now fearful of shipwreck before. I leave the result to fate, wherever she casts my lot, I will have to remain satisfied. I will write you the result however immediately it is known, if I should be thrown I will see you a short time after.","Many thanks to you for your kind invitation to visit you as well as the ladies, it would afford me great pleasure, and if possible, I will accept it. Pizzini and myself are just enjoying the contents of two boxes, which \"that confounded packet\" has at last brought to hand, we wish so much that you were here to share it with us. Prince was out frolicking last night until 12 o'clock, so that I could not attend to your messages. This morning I gave him the letter and told him that I intended writing to you and would send any message he might desire, but he said nothing at all. I have delivered your message to Blum and Perkinson. Beckham left last Saturday for Staunton and carried your trunk with him as you directed, I suppose you have received it by this. Smith F. has not written the letter to his brother yet, as soon as he does, I will forward to you if he does not do so himself. I have heard nothing of Crawford since you left. Dick Chaffin was severely wounded in the recent fight near Covington, 'tis thought his leg will have to be amputated. I wish I could have received your letter in time to reply by Thursday's mail as I know you will expect an answer then. I have attended to your little affairs, no trouble I can assure you. If you have other business in this section, let me hear and I will also attend to that. Overton as well as all the occupants of No. 23 send their kindest regards. You will hear from me again by Monday or Tuesday next.","Your sincere friend \nLawrence Royster","V.M.I. Jan. 9th 1864","My dear Roller, \nThe Rubicon I think is crossed though I did not pass as good an examination as I desired, and have had the misfortune to be thrown in the third section, which is terrible, as you know that section is almost always deficient, though I am through yet I am disheartened at the idea of being that low. I stand only 37, which you know is very low, twenty-six were found deficient. I should like very much to join you and go to Charleston, but you know getting through is better than any thing else. If I should not stand a very good chance as June approaches, I shall resign and join you wherever you at all hazards. The idea of going into the last section has made me feel almost as badly as a deficiency, I can assure you. I hope that you will continue to write me after you leave for the army. I will take great pleasure in replying to you whenever it is in my power. I shall always be happy to hear from you. Sally Crawford has arrived. Pizzini passed a very good examination, made 3 on subject, was not questioned. The thought of being in that deficient section and thrown in June, takes away all the pleasure of getting through. I must close. Let me hear from you.","Your sincere friend \nLawrence Royster","V.M.Institute \nMonday Feb. 22nd 1864","My dear Roller, \nThis is the first holyday that has not found me on fatigue guard for some time past so I will take advantage of it by replying to your letter which was received on yesterday morning. The last account I had of you was that you were in Richmond, applying for an office in the Ordnance Department. I am glad to hear that you are busily engaged in your new department. Allow me to thank you most kindly for your wishes for my success here as well as the desire you expressed of having me with you in your new home. Your letter inspired me with an ardent desire to join you. Since you left I have been several times on the eve of resigning and going to Charleston. I was fortunate enough in January to pass an examination, while many others were thrown and had to resign or be sent home. But at the same time I was so unfortunate as to be thrown into the third section. Since then I have labored with unceasing fidelity, but it seems the harder I work, the worse marks I make. I thought Analytical Geometry was hard enough, but Description certainly surpasses it by far, on that subject I am totally in the dark. My low mark and imperfect recitation have discouraged me so much that I have lost all taste for study. I wrote home for advise on resigning, but they wrote back earnestly entreating me to remain until July. However I have no idea that I will take that advice, I may leave at any time. I may leave am\nexceedingly anxious to be with you, and I now promise, if I leave at any time, will join you. It is a struggle between life and death with me now, if I leave, I give up all hope of ever obtaining an education, and seeing you do so well, inspires me with new desire of finishing my education at the \"V.M.I.\" At the same time I am anxious to be with you. If I enter the service at all I shall not even think of applying for an office of any kind, I expect to be a private wherever I go. At the same time accept my most sincere thanks for your kindness in offering me the office of O.S. if you could get it and I would accept it. I would accept it with great pleasure. I\nsometimes give up all hope of passing, and then again think of remaining and taking my chances in June, so I do not know what to be at. I shall consult Spex in a day or two and will be guided very much by what he says; though very little confidence can be put in anything that he says on such a subject as that, I do not suppose he would tell me even what he thought, however I shall try him.","Prince left here about one month ago, I heard since then that he was a Sergeant in the Engineers Corps, you seem to be the only successful one in your class. Grigg I hear is walking around loose in Petersburg. I am sure no one at the \"V.M.I.\" was glad at your leaving, indeed I heard some express their regret at it. Your old room is vacant. Sally Crawford and Lieut. Steptoe (new Sub) occupy No. 20 together, the former remains very quiet, is swelling on his bars and escorting the ladies home from church, etc. I do not know his qualifications as professor. The occupants of 23 all send their kindest regards. Pat Shafer has just come from the Hospital where he had been confined for several weeks with a severe attack of pneumonia, we thought at one time that he intended leaving us. Blum has been reinstated, but Spex refused to let him go on with the 2nd Class, so he has resigned, he\nsays he will accept a Sergeancy if you will give it to him. Capt. Whitwell\nhas recently returned from furlough accompanied by his lady, they are boarding at the Lexington Hotel. Miss Logan and Mr. Davidson were recently married also, the former I expect you know, a refugee from Winchester. What do you think of the recent law of Congress in regard to the Currency, taxes, etc? I am extremely glad that it will reduce the price of goods. The Steamer which has been as long on the way from Europe has recently arrived, but was destroyed for the goods falling into yankee hands, there were on board all the goods which we needed, the finest english gray cloth, etc. but unfortunately all were lost so I have given up on the idea of wearing a fine suit again.","Spex is still shipping indiscriminately, sometimes twelve or fifteen daily, rats are also reporting in numbers.","Patsy says he will accept an Orderly Sergeant's place if you will give it him, but he adds \"if he can do no better.\" Ross desires his kindest regards to you. I must close, though it is the 22nd, my time is limited. If I do leave, which I confidently expect to do, will write you immediately. I am anxious to be with you. I hope you will write me as often as possible, your letters will always be agreeable.","I am, as ever, \nYour Sincere friend \nLawrence Royster","Va. Mil. Institute \nApril 10th 1864","Dear Roller, \nYour last letter was received several days since and wishing to keep up a more regular correspondence between us, I answer your letter at the first opportunity and hope you will not delay writing a reply to this as long as you did my previous one, although your excuse for doing so was a good as well as a sufficient one. No news worthy of notice has taken place since last writing to you, but the old V.M.I still keeps up her notoriety for rumors and there are a thousand and one afloat about going on marches etc., which I would not like to enumerate, and were I so disposed, I think time and paper would fail me before I accomplished that end. But there is one which if true will wreck all the hopes I have been sustaining for the last six months and before which the pleasure of a long vacation will go \"glimmering like all things that were\": it is that no furloughs will be granted this summer and that our usual vacation of two months will either be spent in Gen. Lee's or Gen. Imboden's camp. This rumor is said to have good foundation, for those who were most interested were watching her with an eagle's eye and after having poised herself above the V.M.I. for some time during which many feathers were plucked from her wing, she was seen to direct her course toward Col. Preston's where she rested from his labors. There was another last week that we were going on a march and this one came from the direction of Gen. Smith's and with such force against barracks that some of her feathers are still visible on the stoops. Numerous others are afloat but as I said before to enumerate them would take more time than I have at my disposal.","With regard to your inquiry about Prince, I have not heard from him since he left nor have I seen any one who has; but I reckon he is having a good time wherever he is as he always takes things easy. Crawford resigned a few weeks since and has again entered the army as a private; Col. John Ross has been appointed to fill his vacancy. Old Max studies as hard as ever and talks\nas much about being found [deficient], but I believe they would put him through even if he were deficient on account of his good conduct. He received a letter from you a few days since and says he will answer it soon. I am very glad you like my uncle as I expected you would. I think you estimate his services too highly when you say that he deserves more of the credit for the defense of Charleston tho' he has done a great deal towards it. I hardly ever hear from him except though you and therefore your letters\nare doubly acceptable. Give my best to him when you next see him. With best wishes for your future prosperity I remain,","Yours truly, A.W. Overton","\"V.M.I.\" April 21st 1864","My Dear Roller, \nYour kind and interesting letter should have had a more speedy reply, but as the examination approaches, I am more and more busy every day. The Class has lost a great deal of time and consequently will not have so much to review in. We are now in the field surveying, have not yet finished Shades and Shadows. The weather has been during the past month colder than I have felt\nfor eight years even in the depth of winter. The mountains in sight are still covered with snow, and today is the only mild and clear day that we have had for over one month, and notwithstanding this we have not had fire since Christmas, and during the deep snows we had suspension of all duties for several days at a time. The cold was so severe that it was impossible to study, a great many went to bed in order to keep warm. This together with Col. Massie's sickness has thrown the 3rd class back very much, so now the hard work comes.","Since you left quite a change has taken place in the Faculty. Lt. Col. Ross has been appointed assistant Prof. Math 4th Class in your place; Sal Crawford received a commission in his old regiment and resigned about a month ago. Dr. Ross is Asst. prof French as well as Asst. Surgeon.","Spex is still very fond of his \"reviews and parades.\" Not long since Gen. Rosser's Cavalry Brigade came through here and encamped about ten or twelve miles beyond Lexington, by Spex's invitation he reviewed the Corps and inspected the barracks. Several days afterwards, he presented the Corps with a flag captured in battle from 164th New York Regiment as a trophy; the\npresentation speech was very fine indeed, it took place under guard tree before a very large crowd. Scott Shipp received it and replied; his was also very good but he was very much excited though, however it was his first speech in public. After the ceremony was over the Cavalry made a charge in field in front of barracks to give us an idea of it. But the idea, Roller, of the Corps of Cadets receiving a trophy taken by our troops in the field from the yankees; it looked like saying, \"Well, you are too weak and afraid to do any thing of this yourselves, so we will make you a present of one,\" I feel that it is a disgrace to the Corps. The speaker alluded in such a touching manner to the precious blood which was spilt in taking it, and of the Col. falling in the charge. That night he invited the officers of the Institute and the 1st Class to attend a party at the house where he was staying, but as all could not attend, Spex allowed only the four Captains and Adjt. to go. Several days afterwards he invited Spex to review his\nbrigade, and the officers and 1st Class again to dine with him, which as many as could conveniently do so, very readily accepted of.","I should like very much to enjoy those nice vegetables and fish you were speaking of, it certainly would be a great treat, especially when everything is so high and scarce, we are nearer starving here than ever before, a piece of beef frequently comes on the table for nine men which candidly speaking I could easily cover with one hand. If the school cannot be maintained on a better scale, I think they had as well close it. It is rumored and I partly believe it that instead of giving the Corps furlough next summer,\nwe are to be sent in a body to Gen. Lee's army. We have not had a march since December last, which I think I gave you an account of. Err this reaches you I imagine you will have received some news from the two grand armies on the Potomac, we are of opinion that it will be the greatest of the war up to this time. May Heaven give us the victory! Many thanks to you for your kind offer, it will be very acceptable. I will inform you immediately of the result of the examination after I know my fate, should I be unsuccessful will go directly from here to Charleston, so in your next letter write me what to equip myself with before leaving and what articles I can procure in Charleston as I do not want to carry more than is necessary.","There are now about fifty odd in the third class and I do not think Massie will pass more than twenty. I know he intends making a most \"awful rake.\" I must not neglect to tell you of the marriage of Miss Sanders (I suppose you remember her) to Capt. Contri an Italian on Gen. Morgan's staff. They say he is a very accomplished and gallant man, fought fourteen pitched battles in Europe, was in Crimean war etc., that is all I know however. They were here today. The Commandant's Office is now a reception room for all visitors, they are not allowed to come into barracks during study hours under any pretence whatever.","How are you progressing with the ladies now or do you visit them at all? As for myself, I have long since abandoned all thoughts of them, scarcely even look at them, you know how fatal they are. I have many things to write, but it is almost 11 o'clock PM and this is the last chance I will have to write for sometime to come. Finished my day's survey in[--] rather earlier today or would not have had this [missing word]. Write me as often as you can.","Your sincere friend, \nLawrence Royster","Sam Hopkins who was here last year, after being confined in some Yankee prison for several months returned home and died two days after.","Camp Stevens- Richmond \nMay 3, 1864","Dear Roller, \nYour esteemed favor did not reach me as soon as it would, had I not been absent on duty when it reached Camp. I hope you will pardon the delay on that account.","I must confess, I have been sadly disappointed in my calculations. When I resigned at the Institute, I was confident of a position in the Engineers. Alas! For the uncertainty of human expectations! I had thought very seriously of joining the Infantry, as a private, \u0026 but for the remonstrances of my parents, think I would have. There is little, well, I see none, chance of promotion in this service unless specially favored, which I have no right to expect. But I am not murmuring. I will be contented, if I only get through this struggle safe. It would afford you little interest, \u0026 cause me more mortification, to detail to you the many ways in which I have been\ndeceived. If I could only forget the many apparently bright prospects which have been offered me, I should feel at least condoled, but memory still sings out \"he, who tries to better a good condition, often renders it worse.\"","Your very kind offers in my behalf, I can assure you, are highly appreciated, \u0026 nothing would give me more pleasure than to be with you, I hope it may be so.","We are anxiously awaiting the result of the impending issue in Northern Virginia. I may say, in truth, never was so much anxiety manifested in any one battle. That we shall be victorious is my confident belief. We had some little excitement in this immediate locality last week, occasioned by the appearance of the enemy in some force at our positions [?] on the Pamunky. It turned out, however, to be a slight demonstration. Nothing else of special interest. Beckham \u0026 Boyd send their regards. Crawford has left the\nInstitute, he failed to get a detail. Write soon \u0026 let me know all.","Your sincere friend, \nJ.B. Prince","Grassy Dale Va., May 17th 1864","My Dear Son, \nIt has now been two weeks since we heard from you, but we suppose you have written but owing to the Raiders destroying the Rail Roads around Richmond we have no mail communication with the South. Since I wrote to you from Charlottesville we have had an exciting time in the Valley. I heard at Charlottesville that the Yankee Genl. Sigel was advancing up the Valley. When I returned to Staunton I found Genl. John C. Breckinridge at that point with two Brigade of Infantry and 12 pieces of Artillery. They left Staunton on Friday last and encamped at Mt. Crawford that night and left early the next morning and encamped that night at Lacy Springs and commenced their march next (Sunday) morning at one o'clock and halted a little below Tenth Legion and remained in that position until Gen. Breckinridge had news from the front.","To get you to understand the situation of things I will go back several days and give you a History of Gen. Imboden's doings. Gen. Imboden found out that the yankees were advancing in three columns, one up the Page, one up the Hardy \u0026 Pendleton Valley, and the main force up our valley. Gen. Imboden by forced marches fell upon the column (all Cavalry) near Moorefield very\nunexpectedly, routed them completely, and pursued them within 6 or 7 miles of Romney, in this time capturing all their train which he had to destroy, having no horses to bring out the wagon.","He then returned to the Valley traveling day \u0026 night, and only stopping long enough to graze his horses, and returned to the Valley in time to attack the column coming up the Page valley. Before Sigel's forces got up to New Market he attacked the column and utterly routed it, scattering it in the mountains and captured on Friday about 100 of them with about 200 fine cavalry horses. He attacked them on Friday night and on Saturday picked up the prisoners and would have gotten more but Sigel advanced and our forces had to fall back on this side of New Market, our men making a very stubborn resistance but was forced to fall back about 8 o'clock on Saturday night to a point 3 miles this side [of] New Market, the yankees having possession of the town during the night. This now gives you to understand the position of things and I will now commence where I left off with Gen. Breckinridge's troops.","Gen. Breckinridge advanced with his troops a little after day light and not wishing to be tedious he maneuvered his forces from one point to another until about 12 O'clock, when he attacked the enemy with his artillery. Having gotten the [heights] back of the town and after an artillery duel of perhaps one hour, the Cadets from Lexington with the 62 Regiment (Col. Smith's Regiment) charged one of the yank's Batteries. They captured it, but lost heavily, the cadets lost 5 killed and 39 wounded, some of them seriously, your friend Cary Watson Adjutant of the Battalion with Col. Shipp leading the Charge, they both came out safe except Col. Shipp had a slight scratch; Royster also came out unhurt. I give you a list of the killed. Cabell, W.H. McDowell, Crockett, C., Stanard, Jones H. It is said that Col. Gilham and Capt. Sims [Semmes] stayed in the rear where there was no danger.","It was at this time that Gen. Breckinridge commenced pressing the enemy at every point and although they had two to our one we drove them from the field capturing five pieces of their Artillery, 111 prisoners and leaving nearly all of their killed and wounded upon the field and in order to make good their retreat burned the bridge over the river. An Officer reports to me today that Sigel is retreating to Winchester in great haste, reporting that we have 30,000 men while we had not more than 4,000 in the fight, our\nreserve having never been brought into action. Gen. Breckinridge's forces are [returning?] up the Valley, whether they go to reinforce Gen. Lee or go to some other point. I went down the Valley with General Breckinridge having gone down with him at his request and was with him most of the time during the fight. I came home last night having left New Market about 1 o'clock\nyesterday. We have had and will continue to have heavy fighting in Virginia, but of the final result no one doubts but we will be successful. We have driven them and at least [repulsed?] them at every point. We are all well. Write soon and often.","Your father","Josie sends her love, so do all the rest. I hope when I write again to be able to give you the glorious news that we have driven the yanks from Virginia soil.","Richmond July 28 1864","My Dear Roller, \nYour letter sent by Overton was duly received and contents noted. I have inquired of the Express Company in regard to your trunk, they tell me that it will be safe to send the blankets in it. In regard to your jacket and vest, you merely told me to order them without saying how I was to send them or whether I was to pay for them. I have seen Doherty in regard to them and he can make them out of excellent cloth for $250 so they will be ready in a few days. I will wait until I hear from you before I ship any of the things, if you say so I can put both blankets \u0026 clothes in the trunk, let me hear immediately and I will attend to all with great pleasure. I should like very much to go over to see you, but cannot possibly do so, though I do not intend to remain here idle longer than the first of August. I am ashamed of it, will return to Lexington and remain there in camp first.","I have not seen Overton since the school closed. About two dozen of the boys are staying here. Speaking of the appointments, a good many of them surprised me, though I am very well satisfied with what I got, I don't care much however, you know kissing goes by favor. There are eight privates now in the first class, but it is my private belief that the Institute will not be in operation again until the was is over, although they have made arrangements to carry it on, books cloth and provisions an all wanting.","I am glad your Father did not suffer by the yankees. Mother lost absolutely every thing she had, and is now a refugee here, sick too, they not only stole all provision, and stock she had, but went about the house breaking up what they could find and then had the assurance to ask my sister if she could not furnish them with a snack of ham. Roller, if I am ever spared to get into yankee land, I will respect nothing but a woman's person, I'll break, pillage and plunder. My Mother, from living in luxury at home, is now\nforced to the necessity of borrowing a wagon to get home in, and I don't know what she is going to live on after she gets there.","Speaking of old \"23,\" she did [ro__] this time, if the appointments are permanent (which I doubt) but I am afraid Pat will not stand first, I think Davis will get him. Pat has been thinking too much of Miss Mollie, she will ruin him I am afraid, or rather has done so. I will write you a letter in a few days.","Sincerely, Your friend \nLawrence Royster \nAddress \nCare, Purcell, Ladd \u0026 Co.","Corps Cadets Camp on Intermediate Line \nNear Richmond Dec. 7th 1864","My Dear Roller, \nI am really ashamed at the idea of neglecting your letter for so long a time, but out here even I scarcely have time to write a letter, so busily are we occupied drilling and having dress parades. Soon after you were at Camp Lee, we moved to this place and it seems impossible, although we have procured the Almshouse for us to get away, we are anxiously expecting a furlough of two weeks to prepare etc. When we will be relieved from duty here I cannot say, we are daily expecting a fight on this line, certainly\nbefore the end of this week. They are making such a stir about our getting the building that I do not expect we will be able to study in peace after we do get there. The provisions and \"we officers\" have all been moved down ready for work but the much persecuted Corps has not been released from the Confederate Authorities yet. Not long since a foreign battalion was raised under Col. Tucker to be stationed in Columbia \u0026 Aiken SC as a garrison. A good many of our boys have accepted positions as Captains and Lieutenants, among them, several of the old class, also Duncan, Brockenbrough, James F., Dinwiddie, Barton, Penn and Tunstall. I came near going myself but concluded not to do so, and now I congratulate myself upon not going. I believe we intend to occupy the Alms House until the spring and then move to Lexington again. I am sure I cannot study much in Richmond, and now I have my fears concerning Calculus etc. as it would be more disgraceful than ever should I fail in that, oh! I do want that diploma so much. I have studied hard for two long years and now do not want to fail. We are to room by company, consequently our old room will greatly, to the regret of all parties, be broken up, Pizzini, Davis and myself being in different companies. With that\nexception I have as pleasant a room as I could desire. Stuart, Echols, Etheredge, Royster, Ridley R., James J., Jarratt \u0026 Peirce, the officers and non-commissioned of \"B\" Co. The house is an elegant building, much more than old barracks. We will also have to study on Saturday which I do not like much. That fine breakfast on Saturday will be knocked in the head then.","Ross \u0026 Echols desire to be remembered to you."],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eJohn E. Roller personal papers, 1862-1910. MS 0171. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["John E. Roller personal papers, 1862-1910. MS 0171. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia."],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe John E. Roller papers include:\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCivil War era letters from cadet friends concerning life at VMI\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCivil War dispatches and telegrams that date from Roller's service with the Confederate States of America engineers, including one document signed by General Robert E. Lee\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOne scrapbook (circa 1910) that contains clippings about Civil War battles, veterans, unit reunions, monument dedications, and other related information\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTwo photographs, one of Confederate soldier Lieutenant Colonel Samuel T. Walker (10th Virginia Infantry Regiment) and one of the Virginia Legislature Centennial Committee (1871)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHolograph text of a cadet literary-debating society speech delivered by Cadet Norwood B. Randolph in 1870\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOther items\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards cadet life and the upcoming inauguration of Jefferson Davis.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Staunton, Virginia. Letter regards Peter S. Roller's inability to supply General Francis H. Smith with hired or slave labor. Letter also includes a discussion of when John E. Roller should join the Army.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, VIrginia. In the letter, John E. Roller submits a report concerning the theft of Commandant records.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter congratulates John E. Roller on his Army commission.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter discusses examinations and mutual friends at VMI.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards results of examinations and that Lawrence Royster is considering leaving VMI.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards academic problems, uncertainty about staying at VMI, and mentions several recent graduates and cadets.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter discusses rumors about deployment of cadets and cadets who have left VMI.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards academics, changes in faculty, and cadet life.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Camp Stephens, Richmond, Virginia. Joseph B. Prince recently resigned from a teaching job at VMI to join the Army, but is disappointed in his Army position.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Grassy Dale, Virginia. Letter reports news of fighting in the Shenandoah Valley between forces of General Breckinridge and General Sigel. The letter also mentions the Battle of New Market.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards Hunter's Raid and family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards travel to VMI's temporary headquarters at the Alms House in Richmond.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eCorrespondents include Richard L. Gray, Nannie Lewis, G. W. Berlin, and C. L. Hammond.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIncludes dispatches, notes, and telegrams.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eLetter regards receipt of recommendations.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eCertifies Thomas Hubbard, born in Caswell County, North Carolina.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDispatch reports on enemy strength.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDocument requests for officer to be assigned at Weldon.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten near Drewry's Bluff, Virginia. Regards enemy naval forces.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e\"I have telegraphed Hampton to return to Richmond. Send for him. Young's brigade under Col. Wright cannot be far in advance of Richmond. Get your Cavalry together, aid it with the Infantry, and drive back enemy.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eScouting report.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDispatch regards transportation for officer.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDispatch regards a matter pending before the War Department.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDispatch regards a personnel request.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDispatch regards a request for ammunition.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDispatch directs W. Brown to send forge to Dunlap's Crossing, Georgia.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDispatch requests map of Dinwiddie, Virginia.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDispatch requests \"all amputating sets on hand.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e\"If you should receive an unintelligible signal dispatch from Gen. Beauregard tonight or in morning take no notice of it- it is sent for a purpose.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDispatch explains that Mayo is too sick to attend court.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDispatch conveys instructions and reprimand.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDispatch regards troop movements.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDispatch requests five dollar notes.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eScrapbook contains clippings about Civil War battles, veterans, unit reunions, monument dedications, and related information.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSamuel T. Walker (1830-1863) served with the 10th Virginia Infantry Regiment and was killed in action at the Battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia in May 1863.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIncludes holograph text of a cadet literary-debating society speech delivered by Norwood B. Randolph in 1870, and other items.\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents"],"scopecontent_tesim":["The John E. Roller papers include:\n Civil War era letters from cadet friends concerning life at VMI Civil War dispatches and telegrams that date from Roller's service with the Confederate States of America engineers, including one document signed by General Robert E. Lee One scrapbook (circa 1910) that contains clippings about Civil War battles, veterans, unit reunions, monument dedications, and other related information Two photographs, one of Confederate soldier Lieutenant Colonel Samuel T. Walker (10th Virginia Infantry Regiment) and one of the Virginia Legislature Centennial Committee (1871) Holograph text of a cadet literary-debating society speech delivered by Cadet Norwood B. Randolph in 1870 Other items","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards cadet life and the upcoming inauguration of Jefferson Davis.","Written from Staunton, Virginia. Letter regards Peter S. Roller's inability to supply General Francis H. Smith with hired or slave labor. Letter also includes a discussion of when John E. Roller should join the Army.","Written from VMI, Lexington, VIrginia. In the letter, John E. Roller submits a report concerning the theft of Commandant records.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter congratulates John E. Roller on his Army commission.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter discusses examinations and mutual friends at VMI.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards results of examinations and that Lawrence Royster is considering leaving VMI.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards academic problems, uncertainty about staying at VMI, and mentions several recent graduates and cadets.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter discusses rumors about deployment of cadets and cadets who have left VMI.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards academics, changes in faculty, and cadet life.","Written from Camp Stephens, Richmond, Virginia. Joseph B. Prince recently resigned from a teaching job at VMI to join the Army, but is disappointed in his Army position.","Written from Grassy Dale, Virginia. Letter reports news of fighting in the Shenandoah Valley between forces of General Breckinridge and General Sigel. The letter also mentions the Battle of New Market.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards Hunter's Raid and family news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards travel to VMI's temporary headquarters at the Alms House in Richmond.","Correspondents include Richard L. Gray, Nannie Lewis, G. W. Berlin, and C. L. Hammond.","Includes dispatches, notes, and telegrams.","Letter regards receipt of recommendations.","Certifies Thomas Hubbard, born in Caswell County, North Carolina.","Dispatch reports on enemy strength.","Document requests for officer to be assigned at Weldon.","Written near Drewry's Bluff, Virginia. Regards enemy naval forces.","\"I have telegraphed Hampton to return to Richmond. Send for him. Young's brigade under Col. Wright cannot be far in advance of Richmond. Get your Cavalry together, aid it with the Infantry, and drive back enemy.\"","Scouting report.","Dispatch regards transportation for officer.","Dispatch regards a matter pending before the War Department.","Dispatch regards a personnel request.","Dispatch regards a request for ammunition.","Dispatch directs W. Brown to send forge to Dunlap's Crossing, Georgia.","Dispatch requests map of Dinwiddie, Virginia.","Dispatch requests \"all amputating sets on hand.\"","\"If you should receive an unintelligible signal dispatch from Gen. Beauregard tonight or in morning take no notice of it- it is sent for a purpose.\"","Dispatch explains that Mayo is too sick to attend court.","Dispatch conveys instructions and reprimand.","Dispatch regards troop movements.","Dispatch requests five dollar notes.","Scrapbook contains clippings about Civil War battles, veterans, unit reunions, monument dedications, and related information.","Samuel T. Walker (1830-1863) served with the 10th Virginia Infantry Regiment and was killed in action at the Battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia in May 1863.","Includes holograph text of a cadet literary-debating society speech delivered by Norwood B. Randolph in 1870, and other items."],"userestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eManuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information.\u003c/p\u003e"],"userestrict_heading_ssm":["Conditions Governing Use"],"userestrict_tesim":["Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information."],"physloc_html_tesm":["\u003cphysloc id=\"aspace_f2f300e6a65eb15ef679809bd4051c3f\"\u003eManuscripts stacks\u003c/physloc\u003e"],"physloc_tesim":["Manuscripts stacks"],"names_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives","Roller, John E. (John Edwin), 1844-1917","Royster, Lawrence, 1841-1914","Overton, Archibald W. (Archibald Waller), 1845-1920","Prince, Joseph B. (Joseph Brown), 1844-1903","Randolph, Norwood B. (Norwood Beverley), 1849-1874","Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward), 1807-1870","Flannagan, William W. (William Walker), 1843-1923","Walker, Samuel T., 1830-1863","Baldwin, Briscoe G. (Briscoe Gerard), 1828-1898","Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889","Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","Pizzini, Andrew, Jr., 1846-1913","Chaffin, Richard B. (Richard Booker), 1844-1902","Grigg, Wesley P. (Wesley Peyton), 1846-1865","Steptoe, Charles Y. (Charles Yancey), 1838-1877","Shipp, Scott, 1839-1917","Taylor, Walter H. (Walter Herron), 1838-1916"],"corpname_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"persname_ssim":["Roller, John E. (John Edwin), 1844-1917","Royster, Lawrence, 1841-1914","Overton, Archibald W. (Archibald Waller), 1845-1920","Prince, Joseph B. (Joseph Brown), 1844-1903","Randolph, Norwood B. (Norwood Beverley), 1849-1874","Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward), 1807-1870","Flannagan, William W. (William Walker), 1843-1923","Walker, Samuel T., 1830-1863","Baldwin, Briscoe G. (Briscoe Gerard), 1828-1898","Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889","Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","Pizzini, Andrew, Jr., 1846-1913","Chaffin, Richard B. (Richard Booker), 1844-1902","Grigg, Wesley P. (Wesley Peyton), 1846-1865","Steptoe, Charles Y. (Charles Yancey), 1838-1877","Shipp, Scott, 1839-1917","Taylor, Walter H. (Walter Herron), 1838-1916"],"language_ssim":["English \n.    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Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection."],"parent_access_terms_tesm":["The copyright interests in this collection have been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collection Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu)."],"date_range_isim":[1852,1853,1854,1855,1856,1857,1858,1859,1860,1861,1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867,1868,1869,1870,1871,1872,1873,1874,1875,1876,1877,1878,1879,1880,1881,1882,1883,1884,1885,1886,1887,1888,1889,1890,1891,1892,1893,1894,1895,1896,1897,1898,1899,1900,1901,1902,1903,1904,1905,1906,1907,1908,1909,1910,1911,1912,1913,1914,1915,1916,1917,1918,1919,1920,1921,1922,1923,1924,1925,1926,1927,1928,1929,1930,1931,1932,1933,1934,1935,1936,1937,1938,1939,1940,1941,1942,1943,1944,1945,1946,1947,1948,1949,1950,1951,1952,1953,1954,1955,1956,1957,1958,1959,1960,1961,1962,1963,1964,1965,1966,1967],"_nest_path_":"/components#1","timestamp":"2026-05-21T00:18:27.342Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vihart_repositories_4_resources_320","ead_ssi":"vihart_repositories_4_resources_320","_root_":"vihart_repositories_4_resources_320","_nest_parent_":"vihart_repositories_4_resources_320","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/JMU/repositories_4_resources_320.xml","title_ssm":["Liskey Collection of Heavner Family Papers"],"title_tesim":["Liskey Collection of Heavner Family Papers"],"unitdate_ssm":["1788-1967"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1788-1967"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["SC 0184","/repositories/4/resources/320"],"text":["SC 0184","/repositories/4/resources/320","Liskey Collection of Heavner Family Papers","Rockingham County (Va.) -- History","Rockingham County (Va.) -- Social life and customs","Rockingham County (Va.) -- Genealogy","Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- History","Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- Social life and customs","Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- Genealogy","Virginia -- History","Virginia -- Social life and customs","Virginia -- Genealogy","Farmers -- Virginia -- Biography","Indentured servants -- Virginia","Agriculture -- Virginia -- History","Farm life -- Virginia -- History","Farm management -- Sources","Trust indentures -- Virginia","Real property -- Virginia -- Rockingham County","Estates (Law) -- Virginia -- Sources","Wills -- Virginia -- Rockingham County","Letters (correspondence)","Receipts (financial records)","Financial Records","Estate records","Family papers","Hairwork","Collection is open for research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.","This collection is arranged in four series:","Richard Hughes Estate Papers, 1788-1837 Correspondence, 1852-1967 Financial Papers, 1820-1947 General Miscellany, 1864-1925","Brock, Robert L.  47 Pioneer Families of Rockingham County, Virginia.  Baltimore: Gateway Press, 1997.","\"Harrisonburg Rockingham Historical Society, Rockingham County Tombstones by Cemetery, Woodbine Cemetery.\" http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~varockin/HRHS/cem/woodbine09_2.htm.","Liskey, Judy Ruleman.  Brocks Gap Missives: Personal Letters to a Young Lady in the Nineteenth Century, 1878 \u0026 1879, 1880.  Fulks Run (Va.): Judy Ruleman Liskey, [19--?]","Liskey, Judy Ruleman.  Brocks Gap Missives: Personal Letters to a Young Lady in the Nineteenth Century, 1881, 1882.  Fulks Run (Va.): Judy Ruleman Liskey, [19--?]","Liskey, Judy Ruleman.  My Sweet Valley Home: Rockingham County, Virginia, Personal Correspondence from October 16, 1876 to January 16, 1888.  [Fulks Run Va.: J. R. Liskey], 1991.","Liskey, Judy Ruleman.  When This You See, Think of Me!  [S.I.:s.n.], c1990.","Liskey, Judy Ruleman.  With Pen in Hand: Buttons and Beaux.  [S.I.]:Judy Ruleman Liskey, c2006.","\"Virginia General Assembly.\" virginiageneralassembly.gov","The Heavner family has a long and rich history in the Shenandoah Valley. William Heavner (1787-1866) was born in present day Pendleton County, West Virginia to Joseph and Elizabeth Hevinor. William married Joanna Custer (1792-1862) in 1814, and shortly thereafter purchased 650 acres in the area now known as Fulks Run. The couple raised seven children: Wells, Delilah, Elizabeth, William Jr., Harvey, Julian (Julie Anne), and Evaline. In addition to farming, William operated a blacksmith shop on the family property. Heavner also served as executor of the estate of Richard Hughes, of whom little is known. Why Heavner was acting as executor on behalf of Hughes is unclear. Nonetheless, papers relating to Richard Hughes' estate remained in the custody of Heavner after Hughes' death. ","Of the Heavner children, only three lived past the age of fifty: Wells (78), Julian (53) and Evaline (84). Wells (1815-1893) married Elizabeth Hess (1822-1875) around 1851, and with Elizabeth's mother Catherine, moved to Champaign County, Ohio, where Elizabeth's siblings had settled. They maintained contact with the Heavner family through correspondence, as over the years they moved further west. Julian (1824-1877) married Michael Brake in 1853 and settled in Hardy County. Evaline (1830-1914), the youngest daughter of William and Joanna, would become the matriarch of the Heavner estate. ","Evaline married George W. Aubrey of Luney's Creek in what is now Hardy County, West Virginia in 1859. During the Civil War, George Aubrey joined the Union Army. He was captured in September 1861 and was incarcerated at Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia, where he died in 1862. During that time, Evaline and her infant son, William Casper, moved back to the family home in Brocks Gap, where she gave birth to their daughter Dorcas. Evaline suffered several other losses that year: her brother, William Jr., died serving in the Confederate Army; her son, William Casper, died shortly thereafter of complications from croup; and she then suffered the loss of her mother. With her father in his seventies, Evaline thus took charge of the family farm, where she spent the remainder of her life with Dorcas and her family. ","Dorcas Aubrey (1861-1946) married Jacob R. Breneman (1872-1953) in 1896. Following their honeymoon they moved into the Heavner family home to take over operations for Evaline. Breneman also was active in politics as a Democrat and served in the Virginia House of Delegates: 1926-1927, 1930-1931, and 1940-1945. Their daughter Mae (1903-1984)later married Robert D. Liskey (1903-1967). They were the parents of Mr. Leon Liskey, one of the donors of this collection, and are buried, as are the Brenemans, in Woodbine Cemetery in Harrisonburg, Virginia. ","For a more detailed genealogical account see Judy Ruleman Liskey's  When This You See, Think of Me!  and  With Pen in Hand: Buttons and Beaux.  Both texts provide a history of the Heavner family, photographs, and correspondence that supplement this collection.","The collection was found in the eighteenth century home of the donors.","Documents cited in publications not extant in this collection may have been retained by the donor.","In order to streamline the process of applying collection numbers, Special Collections staff completed a large-scale renumbering campaign in 2017-2018.  This collection was previously cataloged as SC 5006 .","The Liskey Collection of Heavner Family Papers, 1788-1967, consists of one box (.4 cubic feet) of personal correspondence, business and personal financial records and various other items pertaining to the Heavner family. The documents were passed down through the matrilineal side of the Heavner family, much like the original Heavner home, where these documents were found. Documents were thus passed from William Heavner to his daughter Evaline (Heavner) Aubrey, to her daughter Dorcas (Aubrey) Breneman, to her daughter Mae (Breneman) Liskey, then to her son, Leon Liskey and his wife Judy. The collection remained in the possession of the Liskey family until the bulk of the papers were donated to Special Collections in November 2007. Family names of note that are seen throughout the collection are Brake, Dove, Hess, and Trumbo, among others. The collection is arranged chronologically in four series: Richard Hughes Estate Papers, Correspondence, Financial Papers, and General Miscellany. ","Series One, Richard Hughes Estate Papers, 1788-1837, consists of three folders of documents regarding Hughes' personal business matters and legal transactions involving his estate. William Heavner, acting as executor, retained these documents after the estate was settled. Personal papers include the appraisal and bill of sale of household possessions, powers of attorney, and court summonses. A folder of Hughes' receipts includes general and tax receipts directly related to Hughes' estate. A folder of miscellaneous material from Hughes' estate includes agreements and papers concerning land and property, as well as various promissory notes and receipts from other individuals such as George Dove, Conrad Custer, Solomon Jones, and Henry Overley. ","Series Two, Correspondence, 1852-1967, is arranged into four subseries, then chronologically. Letters to Evaline Aubrey, the Brenemans (also spelled Brenneman) and other members of the Heavner family figure most prominently; the remainder are miscellaneous letters, some with unknown senders and recipients. Hair clippings and hair art are present.","Letters to Evaline Aubrey span from 1868 until 1913. In addition to correspondence from family and friends, many of the letters addressed to her are from M.P. Trumbo and concern family property in Illinois, where her brother Wells had settled. Legal and estate issues are also represented. ","Letters to and from J.R. Breneman, et al, date from 1904 until 1967, and primarily concern business interests; although family letters are also present. Several post cards are addressed to his daughter Mae from a trip Breneman took out West. Letters to his wife Dorcas are also filed here. ","Correspondence of the Heavner family, 1852-1896, includes letters to William Heavner Sr., as well as a small number to and from Wells Heavner. Correspondence relating to Well's mother in law Catherine Hess, brother in law Nathan Hess, and others are also filed here chronologically. ","Miscellaneous correspondence, 1861-1937, is a small series of letters from individuals who are either not directly related to the Heavners, or the letters are unsigned. ","Series Three, Financial Papers, 1820-1947, are arranged topically as promissory notes, property documents, general receipts, tax receipts, and other financial documents, then chronologically. Promissory notes are small sheets or slips of paper that clearly state \"I Promise to Pay\" or \"I bind myself to\" for a specific amount of money to a specific person. Property documents pertain to ownership, transfer, and inheritance of property. These include land agreements, notice of land for sale, and the estate division of William Heavner Sr., to the Brake and Aubrey families. General receipts cover a wide range of household purchases and expenditures. Tax receipts largely represent personal property taxes paid for the family property in Rockingham County, as well as property owned in La Salle County, Illinois, which had passed to Evaline from her brother Wells' family. Of particular interest are receipts for taxes paid during the Civil War. Miscellaneous financial documents range in content from a note regarding a young boy's indentured service in 1847, an 1852 toll road account, and a 1907 probate inventory of Michael S. Wine's estate, with Breneman acting as administrator. ","Series Four, General Miscellany, 1864-1925, consists of a wide array of items, such as greeting cards and ephemera, print material, recipes and home remedies, weaving patterns and fabric squares. Items of note are Mae Breneman's 1925 Shenandoah College graduation announcement, and undated obituaries for Lizzie E. Wittig and Ruby Heavner.","An item-level description is available here:  https://www.lib.jmu.edu/special/manuscripts/5006Liskey_Detail.pdf","Includes example of braided lock of hair sewn to a letter.","The copyright interests in this collection have been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collection Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).","The Liskey Collection of Heavner Family Papers, 1788-1967, consists of one box (.4 cubic feet) of personal correspondence, business and personal financial records, and various other items pertaining to the William Heavner family, documented through the maternal side: William Heavner, Evaline Heavner Aubrey, Dorcas Aubrey Breneman (also spelled Brenneman), and Mae Breneman Liskey. Other names represented are Hughes, Brake, Dove, Hess, and Trumbo, among others. The collection is arranged chronologically in four series: Richard Hughes Estate Papers, Correspondence, Financial Papers, and General Miscellany.","James Madison University Libraries Special Collections","Heavner family","Brenneman family","Liskey, Leon","Liskey, Judy","English"],"unitid_tesim":["SC 0184","/repositories/4/resources/320"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Liskey Collection of Heavner Family Papers"],"collection_title_tesim":["Liskey Collection of Heavner Family Papers"],"collection_ssim":["Liskey Collection of Heavner Family Papers"],"repository_ssm":["James Madison University"],"repository_ssim":["James Madison University"],"geogname_ssm":["Rockingham County (Va.) -- History","Rockingham County (Va.) -- Social life and customs","Rockingham County (Va.) -- Genealogy","Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- History","Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- Social life and customs","Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- Genealogy","Virginia -- History","Virginia -- Social life and customs","Virginia -- Genealogy"],"geogname_ssim":["Rockingham County (Va.) -- History","Rockingham County (Va.) -- Social life and customs","Rockingham County (Va.) -- Genealogy","Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- History","Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- Social life and customs","Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- Genealogy","Virginia -- History","Virginia -- Social life and customs","Virginia -- Genealogy"],"creator_ssm":["Liskey, Leon","Liskey, Judy","Heavner family"],"creator_ssim":["Liskey, Leon","Liskey, Judy","Heavner family"],"creator_persname_ssim":["Liskey, Leon","Liskey, Judy"],"creator_famname_ssim":["Heavner family"],"creators_ssim":["Liskey, Leon","Liskey, Judy","Heavner family"],"places_ssim":["Rockingham County (Va.) -- History","Rockingham County (Va.) -- Social life and customs","Rockingham County (Va.) -- Genealogy","Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- History","Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- Social life and customs","Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- Genealogy","Virginia -- History","Virginia -- Social life and customs","Virginia -- Genealogy"],"access_terms_ssm":["The copyright interests in this collection have been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collection Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu)."],"acqinfo_ssim":["Gift of Leon and Judy Liskey in November 2007."],"access_subjects_ssim":["Farmers -- Virginia -- Biography","Indentured servants -- Virginia","Agriculture -- Virginia -- History","Farm life -- Virginia -- History","Farm management -- Sources","Trust indentures -- Virginia","Real property -- Virginia -- Rockingham County","Estates (Law) -- Virginia -- Sources","Wills -- Virginia -- Rockingham County","Letters (correspondence)","Receipts (financial records)","Financial Records","Estate records","Family papers","Hairwork"],"access_subjects_ssm":["Farmers -- Virginia -- Biography","Indentured servants -- Virginia","Agriculture -- Virginia -- History","Farm life -- Virginia -- History","Farm management -- Sources","Trust indentures -- Virginia","Real property -- Virginia -- Rockingham County","Estates (Law) -- Virginia -- Sources","Wills -- Virginia -- Rockingham County","Letters (correspondence)","Receipts (financial records)","Financial Records","Estate records","Family papers","Hairwork"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["0.4 cubic feet 1 box"],"extent_tesim":["0.4 cubic feet 1 box"],"genreform_ssim":["Letters (correspondence)","Receipts (financial records)","Financial Records","Estate records","Family papers","Hairwork"],"date_range_isim":[1788,1789,1790,1791,1792,1793,1794,1795,1796,1797,1798,1799,1800,1801,1802,1803,1804,1805,1806,1807,1808,1809,1810,1811,1812,1813,1814,1815,1816,1817,1818,1819,1820,1821,1822,1823,1824,1825,1826,1827,1828,1829,1830,1831,1832,1833,1834,1835,1836,1837,1838,1839,1840,1841,1842,1843,1844,1845,1846,1847,1848,1849,1850,1851,1852,1853,1854,1855,1856,1857,1858,1859,1860,1861,1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867,1868,1869,1870,1871,1872,1873,1874,1875,1876,1877,1878,1879,1880,1881,1882,1883,1884,1885,1886,1887,1888,1889,1890,1891,1892,1893,1894,1895,1896,1897,1898,1899,1900,1901,1902,1903,1904,1905,1906,1907,1908,1909,1910,1911,1912,1913,1914,1915,1916,1917,1918,1919,1920,1921,1922,1923,1924,1925,1926,1927,1928,1929,1930,1931,1932,1933,1934,1935,1936,1937,1938,1939,1940,1941,1942,1943,1944,1945,1946,1947,1948,1949,1950,1951,1952,1953,1954,1955,1956,1957,1958,1959,1960,1961,1962,1963,1964,1965,1966,1967],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eCollection is open for research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Access Restrictions"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["Collection is open for research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection."],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection is arranged in four series:\u003c/p\u003e","\u003clist numeration=\"arabic\" type=\"ordered\"\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eRichard Hughes Estate Papers, 1788-1837\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eCorrespondence, 1852-1967\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eFinancial Papers, 1820-1947\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eGeneral Miscellany, 1864-1925\u003c/item\u003e\n    \u003c/list\u003e"],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement"],"arrangement_tesim":["This collection is arranged in four series:","Richard Hughes Estate Papers, 1788-1837 Correspondence, 1852-1967 Financial Papers, 1820-1947 General Miscellany, 1864-1925"],"bibliography_html_tesm":["\u003cbibref\u003eBrock, Robert L. \u003cemph render=\"italic\"\u003e47 Pioneer Families of Rockingham County, Virginia.\u003c/emph\u003e Baltimore: Gateway Press, 1997.\u003c/bibref\u003e","\u003cbibref\u003e\"Harrisonburg Rockingham Historical Society, Rockingham County Tombstones by Cemetery, Woodbine Cemetery.\" http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~varockin/HRHS/cem/woodbine09_2.htm.\u003c/bibref\u003e","\u003cbibref\u003eLiskey, Judy Ruleman. \u003cemph render=\"italic\"\u003eBrocks Gap Missives: Personal Letters to a Young Lady in the Nineteenth Century, 1878 \u0026amp; 1879, 1880.\u003c/emph\u003e Fulks Run (Va.): Judy Ruleman Liskey, [19--?]\u003c/bibref\u003e","\u003cbibref\u003eLiskey, Judy Ruleman. \u003cemph render=\"italic\"\u003eBrocks Gap Missives: Personal Letters to a Young Lady in the Nineteenth Century, 1881, 1882.\u003c/emph\u003e Fulks Run (Va.): Judy Ruleman Liskey, [19--?]\u003c/bibref\u003e","\u003cbibref\u003eLiskey, Judy Ruleman. \u003cemph render=\"italic\"\u003eMy Sweet Valley Home: Rockingham County, Virginia, Personal Correspondence from October 16, 1876 to January 16, 1888.\u003c/emph\u003e [Fulks Run Va.: J. R. Liskey], 1991.\u003c/bibref\u003e","\u003cbibref\u003eLiskey, Judy Ruleman. \u003cemph render=\"italic\"\u003eWhen This You See, Think of Me!\u003c/emph\u003e [S.I.:s.n.], c1990.\u003c/bibref\u003e","\u003cbibref\u003eLiskey, Judy Ruleman. \u003cemph render=\"italic\"\u003eWith Pen in Hand: Buttons and Beaux.\u003c/emph\u003e [S.I.]:Judy Ruleman Liskey, c2006.\u003c/bibref\u003e","\u003cbibref\u003e\"Virginia General Assembly.\" virginiageneralassembly.gov\u003c/bibref\u003e"],"bibliography_heading_ssm":["Bibliography"],"bibliography_tesim":["Brock, Robert L.  47 Pioneer Families of Rockingham County, Virginia.  Baltimore: Gateway Press, 1997.","\"Harrisonburg Rockingham Historical Society, Rockingham County Tombstones by Cemetery, Woodbine Cemetery.\" http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~varockin/HRHS/cem/woodbine09_2.htm.","Liskey, Judy Ruleman.  Brocks Gap Missives: Personal Letters to a Young Lady in the Nineteenth Century, 1878 \u0026 1879, 1880.  Fulks Run (Va.): Judy Ruleman Liskey, [19--?]","Liskey, Judy Ruleman.  Brocks Gap Missives: Personal Letters to a Young Lady in the Nineteenth Century, 1881, 1882.  Fulks Run (Va.): Judy Ruleman Liskey, [19--?]","Liskey, Judy Ruleman.  My Sweet Valley Home: Rockingham County, Virginia, Personal Correspondence from October 16, 1876 to January 16, 1888.  [Fulks Run Va.: J. R. Liskey], 1991.","Liskey, Judy Ruleman.  When This You See, Think of Me!  [S.I.:s.n.], c1990.","Liskey, Judy Ruleman.  With Pen in Hand: Buttons and Beaux.  [S.I.]:Judy Ruleman Liskey, c2006.","\"Virginia General Assembly.\" virginiageneralassembly.gov"],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe Heavner family has a long and rich history in the Shenandoah Valley. William Heavner (1787-1866) was born in present day Pendleton County, West Virginia to Joseph and Elizabeth Hevinor. William married Joanna Custer (1792-1862) in 1814, and shortly thereafter purchased 650 acres in the area now known as Fulks Run. The couple raised seven children: Wells, Delilah, Elizabeth, William Jr., Harvey, Julian (Julie Anne), and Evaline. In addition to farming, William operated a blacksmith shop on the family property. Heavner also served as executor of the estate of Richard Hughes, of whom little is known. Why Heavner was acting as executor on behalf of Hughes is unclear. Nonetheless, papers relating to Richard Hughes' estate remained in the custody of Heavner after Hughes' death. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eOf the Heavner children, only three lived past the age of fifty: Wells (78), Julian (53) and Evaline (84). Wells (1815-1893) married Elizabeth Hess (1822-1875) around 1851, and with Elizabeth's mother Catherine, moved to Champaign County, Ohio, where Elizabeth's siblings had settled. They maintained contact with the Heavner family through correspondence, as over the years they moved further west. Julian (1824-1877) married Michael Brake in 1853 and settled in Hardy County. Evaline (1830-1914), the youngest daughter of William and Joanna, would become the matriarch of the Heavner estate. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eEvaline married George W. Aubrey of Luney's Creek in what is now Hardy County, West Virginia in 1859. During the Civil War, George Aubrey joined the Union Army. He was captured in September 1861 and was incarcerated at Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia, where he died in 1862. During that time, Evaline and her infant son, William Casper, moved back to the family home in Brocks Gap, where she gave birth to their daughter Dorcas. Evaline suffered several other losses that year: her brother, William Jr., died serving in the Confederate Army; her son, William Casper, died shortly thereafter of complications from croup; and she then suffered the loss of her mother. With her father in his seventies, Evaline thus took charge of the family farm, where she spent the remainder of her life with Dorcas and her family. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDorcas Aubrey (1861-1946) married Jacob R. Breneman (1872-1953) in 1896. Following their honeymoon they moved into the Heavner family home to take over operations for Evaline. Breneman also was active in politics as a Democrat and served in the Virginia House of Delegates: 1926-1927, 1930-1931, and 1940-1945. Their daughter Mae (1903-1984)later married Robert D. Liskey (1903-1967). They were the parents of Mr. Leon Liskey, one of the donors of this collection, and are buried, as are the Brenemans, in Woodbine Cemetery in Harrisonburg, Virginia. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eFor a more detailed genealogical account see Judy Ruleman Liskey's \u003cemph render=\"italic\"\u003eWhen This You See, Think of Me!\u003c/emph\u003e and \u003cemph render=\"italic\"\u003eWith Pen in Hand: Buttons and Beaux.\u003c/emph\u003e Both texts provide a history of the Heavner family, photographs, and correspondence that supplement this collection.\u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Bio/Historical Information"],"bioghist_tesim":["The Heavner family has a long and rich history in the Shenandoah Valley. William Heavner (1787-1866) was born in present day Pendleton County, West Virginia to Joseph and Elizabeth Hevinor. William married Joanna Custer (1792-1862) in 1814, and shortly thereafter purchased 650 acres in the area now known as Fulks Run. The couple raised seven children: Wells, Delilah, Elizabeth, William Jr., Harvey, Julian (Julie Anne), and Evaline. In addition to farming, William operated a blacksmith shop on the family property. Heavner also served as executor of the estate of Richard Hughes, of whom little is known. Why Heavner was acting as executor on behalf of Hughes is unclear. Nonetheless, papers relating to Richard Hughes' estate remained in the custody of Heavner after Hughes' death. ","Of the Heavner children, only three lived past the age of fifty: Wells (78), Julian (53) and Evaline (84). Wells (1815-1893) married Elizabeth Hess (1822-1875) around 1851, and with Elizabeth's mother Catherine, moved to Champaign County, Ohio, where Elizabeth's siblings had settled. They maintained contact with the Heavner family through correspondence, as over the years they moved further west. Julian (1824-1877) married Michael Brake in 1853 and settled in Hardy County. Evaline (1830-1914), the youngest daughter of William and Joanna, would become the matriarch of the Heavner estate. ","Evaline married George W. Aubrey of Luney's Creek in what is now Hardy County, West Virginia in 1859. During the Civil War, George Aubrey joined the Union Army. He was captured in September 1861 and was incarcerated at Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia, where he died in 1862. During that time, Evaline and her infant son, William Casper, moved back to the family home in Brocks Gap, where she gave birth to their daughter Dorcas. Evaline suffered several other losses that year: her brother, William Jr., died serving in the Confederate Army; her son, William Casper, died shortly thereafter of complications from croup; and she then suffered the loss of her mother. With her father in his seventies, Evaline thus took charge of the family farm, where she spent the remainder of her life with Dorcas and her family. ","Dorcas Aubrey (1861-1946) married Jacob R. Breneman (1872-1953) in 1896. Following their honeymoon they moved into the Heavner family home to take over operations for Evaline. Breneman also was active in politics as a Democrat and served in the Virginia House of Delegates: 1926-1927, 1930-1931, and 1940-1945. Their daughter Mae (1903-1984)later married Robert D. Liskey (1903-1967). They were the parents of Mr. Leon Liskey, one of the donors of this collection, and are buried, as are the Brenemans, in Woodbine Cemetery in Harrisonburg, Virginia. ","For a more detailed genealogical account see Judy Ruleman Liskey's  When This You See, Think of Me!  and  With Pen in Hand: Buttons and Beaux.  Both texts provide a history of the Heavner family, photographs, and correspondence that supplement this collection."],"custodhist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe collection was found in the eighteenth century home of the donors.\u003c/p\u003e"],"custodhist_heading_ssm":["Provenance"],"custodhist_tesim":["The collection was found in the eighteenth century home of the donors."],"originalsloc_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eDocuments cited in publications not extant in this collection may have been retained by the donor.\u003c/p\u003e"],"originalsloc_heading_ssm":["Location of Originals"],"originalsloc_tesim":["Documents cited in publications not extant in this collection may have been retained by the donor."],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e[Identification of Item], [box #, folder #], Liskey Collection of Heavner Family Papers, 1788-1967, SC 0184, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["[Identification of Item], [box #, folder #], Liskey Collection of Heavner Family Papers, 1788-1967, SC 0184, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA."],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eIn order to streamline the process of applying collection numbers, Special Collections staff completed a large-scale renumbering campaign in 2017-2018. \u003cemph render=\"bold\"\u003eThis collection was previously cataloged as SC 5006\u003c/emph\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e"],"processinfo_heading_ssm":["Processing Information"],"processinfo_tesim":["In order to streamline the process of applying collection numbers, Special Collections staff completed a large-scale renumbering campaign in 2017-2018.  This collection was previously cataloged as SC 5006 ."],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe Liskey Collection of Heavner Family Papers, 1788-1967, consists of one box (.4 cubic feet) of personal correspondence, business and personal financial records and various other items pertaining to the Heavner family. The documents were passed down through the matrilineal side of the Heavner family, much like the original Heavner home, where these documents were found. Documents were thus passed from William Heavner to his daughter Evaline (Heavner) Aubrey, to her daughter Dorcas (Aubrey) Breneman, to her daughter Mae (Breneman) Liskey, then to her son, Leon Liskey and his wife Judy. The collection remained in the possession of the Liskey family until the bulk of the papers were donated to Special Collections in November 2007. Family names of note that are seen throughout the collection are Brake, Dove, Hess, and Trumbo, among others. The collection is arranged chronologically in four series: Richard Hughes Estate Papers, Correspondence, Financial Papers, and General Miscellany. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSeries One, Richard Hughes Estate Papers, 1788-1837, consists of three folders of documents regarding Hughes' personal business matters and legal transactions involving his estate. William Heavner, acting as executor, retained these documents after the estate was settled. Personal papers include the appraisal and bill of sale of household possessions, powers of attorney, and court summonses. A folder of Hughes' receipts includes general and tax receipts directly related to Hughes' estate. A folder of miscellaneous material from Hughes' estate includes agreements and papers concerning land and property, as well as various promissory notes and receipts from other individuals such as George Dove, Conrad Custer, Solomon Jones, and Henry Overley. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSeries Two, Correspondence, 1852-1967, is arranged into four subseries, then chronologically. Letters to Evaline Aubrey, the Brenemans (also spelled Brenneman) and other members of the Heavner family figure most prominently; the remainder are miscellaneous letters, some with unknown senders and recipients. Hair clippings and hair art are present.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eLetters to Evaline Aubrey span from 1868 until 1913. In addition to correspondence from family and friends, many of the letters addressed to her are from M.P. Trumbo and concern family property in Illinois, where her brother Wells had settled. Legal and estate issues are also represented. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eLetters to and from J.R. Breneman, et al, date from 1904 until 1967, and primarily concern business interests; although family letters are also present. Several post cards are addressed to his daughter Mae from a trip Breneman took out West. Letters to his wife Dorcas are also filed here. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eCorrespondence of the Heavner family, 1852-1896, includes letters to William Heavner Sr., as well as a small number to and from Wells Heavner. Correspondence relating to Well's mother in law Catherine Hess, brother in law Nathan Hess, and others are also filed here chronologically. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMiscellaneous correspondence, 1861-1937, is a small series of letters from individuals who are either not directly related to the Heavners, or the letters are unsigned. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSeries Three, Financial Papers, 1820-1947, are arranged topically as promissory notes, property documents, general receipts, tax receipts, and other financial documents, then chronologically. Promissory notes are small sheets or slips of paper that clearly state \"I Promise to Pay\" or \"I bind myself to\" for a specific amount of money to a specific person. Property documents pertain to ownership, transfer, and inheritance of property. These include land agreements, notice of land for sale, and the estate division of William Heavner Sr., to the Brake and Aubrey families. General receipts cover a wide range of household purchases and expenditures. Tax receipts largely represent personal property taxes paid for the family property in Rockingham County, as well as property owned in La Salle County, Illinois, which had passed to Evaline from her brother Wells' family. Of particular interest are receipts for taxes paid during the Civil War. Miscellaneous financial documents range in content from a note regarding a young boy's indentured service in 1847, an 1852 toll road account, and a 1907 probate inventory of Michael S. Wine's estate, with Breneman acting as administrator. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSeries Four, General Miscellany, 1864-1925, consists of a wide array of items, such as greeting cards and ephemera, print material, recipes and home remedies, weaving patterns and fabric squares. Items of note are Mae Breneman's 1925 Shenandoah College graduation announcement, and undated obituaries for Lizzie E. Wittig and Ruby Heavner.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAn item-level description is available here: \u003cextref type=\"simple\" actuate=\"onRequest\" show=\"new\" href=\"https://www.lib.jmu.edu/special/manuscripts/5006Liskey_Detail.pdf\"\u003ehttps://www.lib.jmu.edu/special/manuscripts/5006Liskey_Detail.pdf\u003c/extref\u003e \u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIncludes example of braided lock of hair sewn to a letter.\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content","Scope and Contents"],"scopecontent_tesim":["The Liskey Collection of Heavner Family Papers, 1788-1967, consists of one box (.4 cubic feet) of personal correspondence, business and personal financial records and various other items pertaining to the Heavner family. The documents were passed down through the matrilineal side of the Heavner family, much like the original Heavner home, where these documents were found. Documents were thus passed from William Heavner to his daughter Evaline (Heavner) Aubrey, to her daughter Dorcas (Aubrey) Breneman, to her daughter Mae (Breneman) Liskey, then to her son, Leon Liskey and his wife Judy. The collection remained in the possession of the Liskey family until the bulk of the papers were donated to Special Collections in November 2007. Family names of note that are seen throughout the collection are Brake, Dove, Hess, and Trumbo, among others. The collection is arranged chronologically in four series: Richard Hughes Estate Papers, Correspondence, Financial Papers, and General Miscellany. ","Series One, Richard Hughes Estate Papers, 1788-1837, consists of three folders of documents regarding Hughes' personal business matters and legal transactions involving his estate. William Heavner, acting as executor, retained these documents after the estate was settled. Personal papers include the appraisal and bill of sale of household possessions, powers of attorney, and court summonses. A folder of Hughes' receipts includes general and tax receipts directly related to Hughes' estate. A folder of miscellaneous material from Hughes' estate includes agreements and papers concerning land and property, as well as various promissory notes and receipts from other individuals such as George Dove, Conrad Custer, Solomon Jones, and Henry Overley. ","Series Two, Correspondence, 1852-1967, is arranged into four subseries, then chronologically. Letters to Evaline Aubrey, the Brenemans (also spelled Brenneman) and other members of the Heavner family figure most prominently; the remainder are miscellaneous letters, some with unknown senders and recipients. Hair clippings and hair art are present.","Letters to Evaline Aubrey span from 1868 until 1913. In addition to correspondence from family and friends, many of the letters addressed to her are from M.P. Trumbo and concern family property in Illinois, where her brother Wells had settled. Legal and estate issues are also represented. ","Letters to and from J.R. Breneman, et al, date from 1904 until 1967, and primarily concern business interests; although family letters are also present. Several post cards are addressed to his daughter Mae from a trip Breneman took out West. Letters to his wife Dorcas are also filed here. ","Correspondence of the Heavner family, 1852-1896, includes letters to William Heavner Sr., as well as a small number to and from Wells Heavner. Correspondence relating to Well's mother in law Catherine Hess, brother in law Nathan Hess, and others are also filed here chronologically. ","Miscellaneous correspondence, 1861-1937, is a small series of letters from individuals who are either not directly related to the Heavners, or the letters are unsigned. ","Series Three, Financial Papers, 1820-1947, are arranged topically as promissory notes, property documents, general receipts, tax receipts, and other financial documents, then chronologically. Promissory notes are small sheets or slips of paper that clearly state \"I Promise to Pay\" or \"I bind myself to\" for a specific amount of money to a specific person. Property documents pertain to ownership, transfer, and inheritance of property. These include land agreements, notice of land for sale, and the estate division of William Heavner Sr., to the Brake and Aubrey families. General receipts cover a wide range of household purchases and expenditures. Tax receipts largely represent personal property taxes paid for the family property in Rockingham County, as well as property owned in La Salle County, Illinois, which had passed to Evaline from her brother Wells' family. Of particular interest are receipts for taxes paid during the Civil War. Miscellaneous financial documents range in content from a note regarding a young boy's indentured service in 1847, an 1852 toll road account, and a 1907 probate inventory of Michael S. Wine's estate, with Breneman acting as administrator. ","Series Four, General Miscellany, 1864-1925, consists of a wide array of items, such as greeting cards and ephemera, print material, recipes and home remedies, weaving patterns and fabric squares. Items of note are Mae Breneman's 1925 Shenandoah College graduation announcement, and undated obituaries for Lizzie E. Wittig and Ruby Heavner.","An item-level description is available here:  https://www.lib.jmu.edu/special/manuscripts/5006Liskey_Detail.pdf","Includes example of braided lock of hair sewn to a letter."],"userestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe copyright interests in this collection have been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collection Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).\u003c/p\u003e"],"userestrict_heading_ssm":["Use Restrictions"],"userestrict_tesim":["The copyright interests in this collection have been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collection Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu)."],"abstract_html_tesm":["\u003cabstract id=\"aspace_31d822af7eb29cfa160a0bdcbd90866d\"\u003eThe Liskey Collection of Heavner Family Papers, 1788-1967, consists of one box (.4 cubic feet) of personal correspondence, business and personal financial records, and various other items pertaining to the William Heavner family, documented through the maternal side: William Heavner, Evaline Heavner Aubrey, Dorcas Aubrey Breneman (also spelled Brenneman), and Mae Breneman Liskey. Other names represented are Hughes, Brake, Dove, Hess, and Trumbo, among others. The collection is arranged chronologically in four series: Richard Hughes Estate Papers, Correspondence, Financial Papers, and General Miscellany.\u003c/abstract\u003e"],"abstract_tesim":["The Liskey Collection of Heavner Family Papers, 1788-1967, consists of one box (.4 cubic feet) of personal correspondence, business and personal financial records, and various other items pertaining to the William Heavner family, documented through the maternal side: William Heavner, Evaline Heavner Aubrey, Dorcas Aubrey Breneman (also spelled Brenneman), and Mae Breneman Liskey. Other names represented are Hughes, Brake, Dove, Hess, and Trumbo, among others. The collection is arranged chronologically in four series: Richard Hughes Estate Papers, Correspondence, Financial Papers, and General Miscellany."],"names_ssim":["James Madison University Libraries Special Collections","Heavner family","Brenneman family","Liskey, Leon","Liskey, Judy"],"corpname_ssim":["James Madison University Libraries Special Collections"],"names_coll_ssim":["Brenneman family","Liskey, Leon","Liskey, Judy"],"famname_ssim":["Heavner family","Brenneman family"],"persname_ssim":["Liskey, Leon","Liskey, Judy"],"language_ssim":["English"],"descrules_ssm":["Describing Archives: A Content Standard"],"total_component_count_is":21,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-05-21T00:18:27.342Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vihart_repositories_4_resources_320_c02"}},{"id":"vihart_repositories_4_resources_423_c02","type":"Series","attributes":{"title":"Correspondence","abstract_or_scope":{"id":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vihart_repositories_4_resources_423_c02#abstract_or_scope","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"\u003cp\u003eSeries 2: Correspondence, 1857-1931, 1991, contains letters to and from several members of the Stephens and Yount families. Corresponding envelopes are included as are envelopes with no corresponding letter.\u003c/p\u003e","label":"Abstract Or Scope"}},"breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vihart_repositories_4_resources_423_c02#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"ref_ssi":"vihart_repositories_4_resources_423_c02","ref_ssm":["vihart_repositories_4_resources_423_c02"],"id":"vihart_repositories_4_resources_423_c02","ead_ssi":"vihart_repositories_4_resources_423","_root_":"vihart_repositories_4_resources_423","_nest_parent_":"vihart_repositories_4_resources_423","parent_ssi":"vihart_repositories_4_resources_423","parent_ssim":["vihart_repositories_4_resources_423"],"parent_ids_ssim":["vihart_repositories_4_resources_423"],"parent_unittitles_ssm":["Stephens and Yount Family Papers"],"parent_unittitles_tesim":["Stephens and Yount Family Papers"],"text":["Stephens and Yount Family Papers","Correspondence","Series 2: Correspondence, 1857-1931, 1991, contains letters to and from several members of the Stephens and Yount families. Corresponding envelopes are included as are envelopes with no corresponding letter.","A significant portion of the collection comprises the correspondence of Myrtie Stephens Yount, daughter of Richard and Mary E. Stephens. The correspondence is largely comprised of letters addressed to Myrtie with many of the letters from her future husband and cousin Joseph Byron Yount. Generally, the subject matter of the correspondence is newsy, providing updates on family and community members. While most of the correspondence between the couple dates prior to their marriage, a few letters date to after their September 1891 marriage. Of interest is a hastily written letter dated July 10, 1899 from Myrtie to Yount in which she delivers the news that her sister Josie has passed away. In the letter, Myrtie requests her husband bring her mourning clothes to her as soon as is possible. Another notable letter is dated June 14, 1899 to Myrtie Yount in which the correspondent recounts going to Harrisonburg for the unveiling of the Turner Ashby monument. Much of Myrtie's correspondence also discusses her and her colleague's teaching careers. One particular letter dated November 6, 1890 is written to Myrtie by a fellow teacher. He writes about his experiences teaching children in Brocks Gap.","A limited selection of correspondence addressed to or written by Richard Stephens, Mary E. Stephens, Josie Stephens, Sallie Stephens, and Laura Stephens is also included. Of note is a letter from Henry T. Garnett, Chief Collector of the Confederate States War Tax for Virginia, to Richard Stephens, dated November 6, 1861, appointing Stephens Collector of the Confederate States War Tax for the 3rd District of Rockingham County. A handwritten note by Garnett on the back of the letter reads: \"The owners of slaves are to give me the value and pay the tax upon all their negroes, whether said negroes are hired out or in their service.\" Stephens' November 1887 letter and certificate of reappointment as director of the Valley Turnpike Company is also included."],"title_filing_ssi":"Correspondence","title_ssm":["Correspondence"],"title_tesim":["Correspondence"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1857-1931"],"unitdate_other_ssim":["1991"],"normalized_date_ssm":["1857/1931"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Correspondence"],"component_level_isim":[1],"repository_ssim":["James Madison University"],"collection_ssim":["Stephens and Yount Family Papers"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"child_component_count_isi":26,"level_ssm":["Series"],"level_ssim":["Series"],"sort_isi":33,"parent_access_restrict_tesm":["Collection open to research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection."],"parent_access_terms_tesm":["The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu)."],"date_range_isim":[1857,1858,1859,1860,1861,1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867,1868,1869,1870,1871,1872,1873,1874,1875,1876,1877,1878,1879,1880,1881,1882,1883,1884,1885,1886,1887,1888,1889,1890,1891,1892,1893,1894,1895,1896,1897,1898,1899,1900,1901,1902,1903,1904,1905,1906,1907,1908,1909,1910,1911,1912,1913,1914,1915,1916,1917,1918,1919,1920,1921,1922,1923,1924,1925,1926,1927,1928,1929,1930,1931,1991],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eSeries 2: Correspondence, 1857-1931, 1991, contains letters to and from several members of the Stephens and Yount families. Corresponding envelopes are included as are envelopes with no corresponding letter.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eA significant portion of the collection comprises the correspondence of Myrtie Stephens Yount, daughter of Richard and Mary E. Stephens. The correspondence is largely comprised of letters addressed to Myrtie with many of the letters from her future husband and cousin Joseph Byron Yount. Generally, the subject matter of the correspondence is newsy, providing updates on family and community members. While most of the correspondence between the couple dates prior to their marriage, a few letters date to after their September 1891 marriage. Of interest is a hastily written letter dated July 10, 1899 from Myrtie to Yount in which she delivers the news that her sister Josie has passed away. In the letter, Myrtie requests her husband bring her mourning clothes to her as soon as is possible. Another notable letter is dated June 14, 1899 to Myrtie Yount in which the correspondent recounts going to Harrisonburg for the unveiling of the Turner Ashby monument. Much of Myrtie's correspondence also discusses her and her colleague's teaching careers. One particular letter dated November 6, 1890 is written to Myrtie by a fellow teacher. He writes about his experiences teaching children in Brocks Gap.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eA limited selection of correspondence addressed to or written by Richard Stephens, Mary E. Stephens, Josie Stephens, Sallie Stephens, and Laura Stephens is also included. Of note is a letter from Henry T. Garnett, Chief Collector of the Confederate States War Tax for Virginia, to Richard Stephens, dated November 6, 1861, appointing Stephens Collector of the Confederate States War Tax for the 3rd District of Rockingham County. A handwritten note by Garnett on the back of the letter reads: \"The owners of slaves are to give me the value and pay the tax upon all their negroes, whether said negroes are hired out or in their service.\" Stephens' November 1887 letter and certificate of reappointment as director of the Valley Turnpike Company is also included.\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content"],"scopecontent_tesim":["Series 2: Correspondence, 1857-1931, 1991, contains letters to and from several members of the Stephens and Yount families. Corresponding envelopes are included as are envelopes with no corresponding letter.","A significant portion of the collection comprises the correspondence of Myrtie Stephens Yount, daughter of Richard and Mary E. Stephens. The correspondence is largely comprised of letters addressed to Myrtie with many of the letters from her future husband and cousin Joseph Byron Yount. Generally, the subject matter of the correspondence is newsy, providing updates on family and community members. While most of the correspondence between the couple dates prior to their marriage, a few letters date to after their September 1891 marriage. Of interest is a hastily written letter dated July 10, 1899 from Myrtie to Yount in which she delivers the news that her sister Josie has passed away. In the letter, Myrtie requests her husband bring her mourning clothes to her as soon as is possible. Another notable letter is dated June 14, 1899 to Myrtie Yount in which the correspondent recounts going to Harrisonburg for the unveiling of the Turner Ashby monument. Much of Myrtie's correspondence also discusses her and her colleague's teaching careers. One particular letter dated November 6, 1890 is written to Myrtie by a fellow teacher. He writes about his experiences teaching children in Brocks Gap.","A limited selection of correspondence addressed to or written by Richard Stephens, Mary E. Stephens, Josie Stephens, Sallie Stephens, and Laura Stephens is also included. Of note is a letter from Henry T. Garnett, Chief Collector of the Confederate States War Tax for Virginia, to Richard Stephens, dated November 6, 1861, appointing Stephens Collector of the Confederate States War Tax for the 3rd District of Rockingham County. A handwritten note by Garnett on the back of the letter reads: \"The owners of slaves are to give me the value and pay the tax upon all their negroes, whether said negroes are hired out or in their service.\" Stephens' November 1887 letter and certificate of reappointment as director of the Valley Turnpike Company is also included."],"_nest_path_":"/components#1","timestamp":"2026-05-21T00:19:11.086Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vihart_repositories_4_resources_423","ead_ssi":"vihart_repositories_4_resources_423","_root_":"vihart_repositories_4_resources_423","_nest_parent_":"vihart_repositories_4_resources_423","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/JMU/repositories_4_resources_423.xml","title_ssm":["Stephens and Yount Family Papers"],"title_tesim":["Stephens and Yount Family Papers"],"unitdate_ssm":["1812-1995"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1812-1995"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["SC 0251","/repositories/4/resources/423"],"text":["SC 0251","/repositories/4/resources/423","Stephens and Yount Family Papers","Confederate States of America -- History","Confederate States of America -- History, Military","Rockingham County (Va.) -- History","Rockingham County (Va.) -- Social life and customs","Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- History","Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- Social life and customs","Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865","Rockingham County (Va.) -- Genealogy","Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- Genealogy","Slavery -- Virginia -- Rockingham County","Taxation -- Confederate States of America","Tax collection -- Confederate States of America","Greeting cards","Valentines","Sexism","Racism in cartoons","Race discrimination","Letters (correspondence)","Personal papers","Love letters","Estate inventories","Financial Records","Caricatures","Printed Ephemera","Genealogies (histories)","Photographs","Postcards","Newspaper clippings","Family papers","Vinegar valentines","Photograph albums","Diaries","Collection open to research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.","Out of scope materials and materials with negligible research value including assorted newspaper clippings and obituaries, Christmas cards, large quantities of empty envelopes without correspondence, real estate listings, and assorted printed ephemera were heavily weeded from the 2018-0430 accrual.","The collections is arranged in five series:","Personal Papers, 1813-1938 Correspondence, 1857-1931, 1991 Ephemera, 1916-1957 Genealogical Materials, 1812 2018 accessions, 1867-1995","Find a Grave . Myrtie Alice Stephens Yount, Memorial # 40849297. (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/40849297) Accessed October 18, 2017.","Find a Grave . Richard A. Stephens, Memorial # 76255269. (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/76255269) Accessed October 18, 2017.","\"United States Census, 1870,\" database with images,  FamilySearch  (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFGC-MP2 : 12 April 2016), Richard Stephens, Virginia, United States; citing p. 69, family 485, NARA microfilm publication M593 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 553,175.","Yount, J. B. III. \"Fifty-seven quilts from four generations,\"  Augusta County Historical Bulletin  50 (2014): 155-165.","\"Yount-Stephens.\"  The Rockingham Register , September 25, 1891.","Richard Anderson Stephens, variously spelled Stevens, Steven, and Stephen, was born January 6, 1831 to John Stephens (1804-1848) and Martha Burnsides Stephens Cowan (1806-1895) of Melrose, Rockingham County, Virginia. He is the grandson of Ludwig/Lewis Stephens (1747-1817) and Elizabeth Wolf Stephens (1775-1836). Documentary evidence contained within this collection confirms that John Stephens owned enslaved persons and Richard Stephens was involved in financial transactions concerning said enslaved persons after the death of his father and prior to the end of the Civil War.","Stephens married Mary Dovel Stephens and together they had nine children, six of whom lived into adulthood – Martha Josephine \"Josie\" (1856-1899), Laura Belle (1862-1934), Myrtie Alice (1867-1946), Sallie Georgiana (1870-1938), Bettie Lee, and John W. All of the aforementioned children are documented in this collection, with some to a lesser degree than others.","Documentary evidence suggests Stephens likely did not serve during the Civil War. As early as June 19, 1861, he was deemed medically unfit from serving during the Civil War. His exemption was due to a chronic \"disease of stomach and bowels of long standing.\"","According to the U. S. Census, Stephen's occupation was that of a farmer though he also held other positions in the community. He acted as the administrator of the estate of Reuben Holt Humbert of Augusta County and also served as the guardian for his younger siblings William L. Stephens and Fannie Stephens. In November 1861, Stephens was appointed Collector of the Confederate States War Tax for the 3rd District of Rockingham County. As early as 1887 he was appointed director of the Valley Turnpike Company. Richard Stephens died November 5, 1890 and is buried in Woodbine Cemetery in Harrisonburg alongside much of his family.","A large portion of this collection also documents Myrtie Stephens (1867-1946), daughter of Richard and Mary Dovel Stephens. Myrtie married Joseph Byron \"J. B.\" Yount (1848-1934) of Augusta County on September 23, 1891. The wedding was held at the home of Mary Stephens, near Melrose. The courtship between Myrtie and J. B. is chronicled in this collection with dozens of letters written between the two. It is likely that Myrtie and J. B. were semi-distant cousins as J. B. often refers to his future wife as \"Cousin\" in his letters to her. Additionally, Myrtie's maternal grandmother was named Barbara Yount Dovel (1797-1863), and it is through this family line that the couple was likely related. Myrtie was a school teacher for at least part of her life. This collection documents her career with lesson books, teaching contracts, and correspondence. The children of Myrtie and J.B. Yount are documented in the 2018 accession materials.","The materials that comprise this collection descended through the Stephens and Yount families of Rockingham and Augusta counties. After the October 2, 2016 death of Joseph Byron \"J. B.\" Yount III, much of the Yount estate was sold by Green Valley Auctions in Mt. Crawford, Virginia on June 9, 2017.","The materials in this series share provenance with the rest of the collection in that they were part of the June 9, 2017 Green Valley Auctions sale of the J.B. Yount estate.","Given the age and condition of the collection, select items underwent preservation treatment for stabilization, including flattening. Particularly fragile documents are housed in Mylar sleeves. The materials in this collection were largely received piecemeal, in addition to one large acquisition. There was no particular arrangement to the materials and as a result, the archivist imposed an arrangement based on material type, creator, and date. Photographs related to presumed genealogical research trips were removed from their paper backing and foldered in their original order. All corresponding captions were written on the backs of the photographs.","The Stephens and Yount Family Papers, 1812-1995, primarily document the Richard Stephens family of Rockingham County, Virginia and his descendants. Materials include correspondence, receipts, financial documents, indentures, deeds, and ephemera. Documents of particular interest relate to the sale, purchase, and hire of enslaved persons, and Richard Stephens' medical exemption from military service during the Civil War.","Series 1: Personal Papers, 1813-1938, is generally comprised of tax receipts, financial documents, agreements, promissory notes, deeds, indentures, insurance policies, wills, and other miscellaneous papers documenting Richard Stephens primarily, and also other immediate Stephens family members.","Of particular interest are the papers documenting the buying, selling, and hiring of enslaved persons between the Stephens family and other community members. Many of the enslaved persons were purchased or inherited from the estate of John Stephens, Richard Stephens' father. The enslaved persons are only referred to by name in three documents and are otherwise described as \"negro\" or \"slave.\" They are identified as Ellen, Hester, Hannah, and five children named Henry, Isaiah, Margaret, John, and George.","A folder of papers documenting Richard Stephens' medical exemption from military service during the Civil War is also included. The papers include surgeons' and doctors' description of Stephens' maladies, certifying that he is incapable of military duty. Additional documents mention his substitute, Benjamin Barr. Stephens' amnesty oath, dated June 20, 1865, is also included and is foldered chronologically with his papers.","A sizable portion of this series documents Richard Stephens acting in the capacity of estate administrator, particularly for Reuben Holt Humbert, and guardian to his younger siblings, Phebe Francis \"Fannie\" Stephens and William L. Stephens. These documents are primarily receipts with additional materials documenting the estates of the aforementioned persons, particularly Reuben Humbert. Humbert's personal property inventories are included as is a Confederate States of America registered bond.","The wills of Richard Stephens and his daughter Sallie Stephens are included. Sallie's will is notable in that she directs her executor to move \"all of my dead relatives that are buried in the family lot [Dovel-Stephens Family Cemetery]\" to her \"lot in Woodbine Cemetery, and there placed along with sister Laura and I, at the expense of my estate.\" Sallie died in 1938 and all of her deceased family members were removed to Woodbine Cemetery in 1940.","Materials related to Myrtie Stephens Yount's career as a teacher include two teaching contracts, printed examinations, and handwritten school material. Though many of these are not identified, it is presumed that they were used by Myrtie in her teaching.","Three military furloughs dated 1862 and 1863 and signed by Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Rodman Drake DeKay (1836-1886) are also included, but have no apparent connection to the Stephens family.","Oversize materials include an 1813 land indenture between Valentine and Nancy Wolf and Jacob Wolf. Valentine Wolf was Lewis Stephens' father-in-law. Lewis Stephens was Richard Stephens' grandfather and is also mentioned in several documents pertaining to Stephens' father, John Stephens. Also housed in oversize is a January 8, 1891 broadside advertising the public sale of Richard Stephens' personal property. The broadside describes 26 head of stock cattle, 100 tons of prime timothy hay, 300 bushels of wheat, and various farm implements.","Series 2: Correspondence, 1857-1931, 1991, contains letters to and from several members of the Stephens and Yount families. Corresponding envelopes are included as are envelopes with no corresponding letter.","A significant portion of the collection comprises the correspondence of Myrtie Stephens Yount, daughter of Richard and Mary E. Stephens. The correspondence is largely comprised of letters addressed to Myrtie with many of the letters from her future husband and cousin Joseph Byron Yount. Generally, the subject matter of the correspondence is newsy, providing updates on family and community members. While most of the correspondence between the couple dates prior to their marriage, a few letters date to after their September 1891 marriage. Of interest is a hastily written letter dated July 10, 1899 from Myrtie to Yount in which she delivers the news that her sister Josie has passed away. In the letter, Myrtie requests her husband bring her mourning clothes to her as soon as is possible. Another notable letter is dated June 14, 1899 to Myrtie Yount in which the correspondent recounts going to Harrisonburg for the unveiling of the Turner Ashby monument. Much of Myrtie's correspondence also discusses her and her colleague's teaching careers. One particular letter dated November 6, 1890 is written to Myrtie by a fellow teacher. He writes about his experiences teaching children in Brocks Gap.","A limited selection of correspondence addressed to or written by Richard Stephens, Mary E. Stephens, Josie Stephens, Sallie Stephens, and Laura Stephens is also included. Of note is a letter from Henry T. Garnett, Chief Collector of the Confederate States War Tax for Virginia, to Richard Stephens, dated November 6, 1861, appointing Stephens Collector of the Confederate States War Tax for the 3rd District of Rockingham County. A handwritten note by Garnett on the back of the letter reads: \"The owners of slaves are to give me the value and pay the tax upon all their negroes, whether said negroes are hired out or in their service.\" Stephens' November 1887 letter and certificate of reappointment as director of the Valley Turnpike Company is also included.","Series 3: Ephemera, 1916-1957, includes newspaper clippings, photographs, postcards, and a few miscellaneous items including a half stick of chewing gum dating to 1916. Noteworthy items include a folder of seven vinegar valentines featuring color illustrations and corresponding poems. These lithographs likely date to the late nineteenth or early twentieth century and feature racist sentiments or are otherwise insulting in tone. Two of the lithographs evoke Jim Crow era values and depict African Americans with stereotypical physical characteristics.","Series 4: Genealogical Materials, 1812, were presumably collected by Joseph Byron Yount III, the last private owner of the Stephens and Yount Family Papers, as part of his genealogical research into his family. The subject files include undated photographs and facsimiles of primary source material relating to the Yount family in Pennsylvania. Of interest is a handwritten genealogical note relating to Ludwig/Lewis Stephens, the grandfather of Richard Stephens.","Series 5: 2018 Accessions, 1867-1995, comprises materials acquired in two separate accessions in 2018. Personal papers, research and genealogical materials, and photographs relate directly to immediate and extended Yount family members, specifically the children of Myrtie Stephens Yount and J.B. Yount.","Spotswood Hall, Turner Ashby Monument, New Hope Garage, Goshen, New Hope High School, South River, Matthew Fontaine Maury Memorial at Goshen Pass, Marine's Camp at Ft. Defiance, Harriston, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, U.S. Capitol, assorted Washington DC sights and buildings, Hightown, Monterey, Towers School, pet fawn, Natural Chimneys/Cyclopean Towers and jousting tournament, Langley Field, Naval Base, Jamestown, Yorktown, Richmond, Virginia Beach, Mt. Solon Dam, Stonewall Cottage (Melrose), North River Dam, Blacksburg, Castle Hill, University of Virginia, Kanawha River, Chicago World's Fair, Handley High School, Apple Blossom Festival, Skyline Drive, etc.","(Accession 2018-0315)","Inscribed: \"Presented to C.E. Koiner by J. Yount. May 1867\"","Includes a young J.B. Yount III while a cadet at Fishburne Military School.","The May 16, 1844 issue of  The Sentinel of the Shenandoah Valley  and a copy of  A Choice Selection of Hymns: From Various Authors, Recommended for the Worship of God…  have been removed from the collection and cataloged as part of Special Collections rare book collection. The right edge of the newspaper has been trimmed and, as a result, the issue is incomplete.","The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).","The Stephens and Yount Family Papers, 1812-1995, primarily document the Richard Stephens family of Rockingham County, Virginia and his descendants. Materials include correspondence, receipts, financial documents, indentures, deeds, photographs, and ephemera.","James Madison University Libraries Special Collections","eBay (Firm)","Tim Abbott Americana","Rolling Hills Antique Mall","Stephens family","Yount family","Stephens, Richard A., 1831-1890","English"],"unitid_tesim":["SC 0251","/repositories/4/resources/423"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Stephens and Yount Family Papers"],"collection_title_tesim":["Stephens and Yount Family Papers"],"collection_ssim":["Stephens and Yount Family Papers"],"repository_ssm":["James Madison University"],"repository_ssim":["James Madison University"],"geogname_ssm":["Confederate States of America -- History","Confederate States of America -- History, Military","Rockingham County (Va.) -- History","Rockingham County (Va.) -- Social life and customs","Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- History","Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- Social life and customs","Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865","Rockingham County (Va.) -- Genealogy","Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- Genealogy"],"geogname_ssim":["Confederate States of America -- History","Confederate States of America -- History, Military","Rockingham County (Va.) -- History","Rockingham County (Va.) -- Social life and customs","Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- History","Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- Social life and customs","Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865","Rockingham County (Va.) -- Genealogy","Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- Genealogy"],"creator_ssm":["Stephens, Richard A., 1831-1890","Stephens family","Yount family","eBay (Firm)","Tim Abbott Americana","Rolling Hills Antique Mall"],"creator_ssim":["Stephens, Richard A., 1831-1890","Stephens family","Yount family","eBay (Firm)","Tim Abbott Americana","Rolling Hills Antique Mall"],"creator_persname_ssim":["Stephens, Richard A., 1831-1890"],"creator_corpname_ssim":["eBay (Firm)","Tim Abbott Americana","Rolling Hills Antique Mall"],"creator_famname_ssim":["Stephens family","Yount family"],"creators_ssim":["Stephens, Richard A., 1831-1890","eBay (Firm)","Tim Abbott Americana","Rolling Hills Antique Mall","Stephens family","Yount family"],"places_ssim":["Confederate States of America -- History","Confederate States of America -- History, Military","Rockingham County (Va.) -- History","Rockingham County (Va.) -- Social life and customs","Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- History","Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- Social life and customs","Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865","Rockingham County (Va.) -- Genealogy","Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- Genealogy"],"access_terms_ssm":["The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu)."],"acqinfo_ssim":["Acquired in many parts from eBay auctions and directly from the seller, Tim Abbott. Two additions were acquired in 2018 from Black Swan Books and Rolling Hills Antique Mall."],"access_subjects_ssim":["Slavery -- Virginia -- Rockingham County","Taxation -- Confederate States of America","Tax collection -- Confederate States of America","Greeting cards","Valentines","Sexism","Racism in cartoons","Race discrimination","Letters (correspondence)","Personal papers","Love letters","Estate inventories","Financial Records","Caricatures","Printed Ephemera","Genealogies (histories)","Photographs","Postcards","Newspaper clippings","Family papers","Vinegar valentines","Photograph albums","Diaries"],"access_subjects_ssm":["Slavery -- Virginia -- Rockingham County","Taxation -- Confederate States of America","Tax collection -- Confederate States of America","Greeting cards","Valentines","Sexism","Racism in cartoons","Race discrimination","Letters (correspondence)","Personal papers","Love letters","Estate inventories","Financial Records","Caricatures","Printed Ephemera","Genealogies (histories)","Photographs","Postcards","Newspaper clippings","Family papers","Vinegar valentines","Photograph albums","Diaries"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["2.4 cubic feet 7 boxes"],"extent_tesim":["2.4 cubic feet 7 boxes"],"genreform_ssim":["Letters (correspondence)","Personal papers","Love letters","Estate inventories","Financial Records","Caricatures","Printed Ephemera","Genealogies (histories)","Photographs","Postcards","Newspaper clippings","Family papers","Vinegar valentines","Photograph albums","Diaries"],"date_range_isim":[1812,1813,1814,1815,1816,1817,1818,1819,1820,1821,1822,1823,1824,1825,1826,1827,1828,1829,1830,1831,1832,1833,1834,1835,1836,1837,1838,1839,1840,1841,1842,1843,1844,1845,1846,1847,1848,1849,1850,1851,1852,1853,1854,1855,1856,1857,1858,1859,1860,1861,1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867,1868,1869,1870,1871,1872,1873,1874,1875,1876,1877,1878,1879,1880,1881,1882,1883,1884,1885,1886,1887,1888,1889,1890,1891,1892,1893,1894,1895,1896,1897,1898,1899,1900,1901,1902,1903,1904,1905,1906,1907,1908,1909,1910,1911,1912,1913,1914,1915,1916,1917,1918,1919,1920,1921,1922,1923,1924,1925,1926,1927,1928,1929,1930,1931,1932,1933,1934,1935,1936,1937,1938,1939,1940,1941,1942,1943,1944,1945,1946,1947,1948,1949,1950,1951,1952,1953,1954,1955,1956,1957,1958,1959,1960,1961,1962,1963,1964,1965,1966,1967,1968,1969,1970,1971,1972,1973,1974,1975,1976,1977,1978,1979,1980,1981,1982,1983,1984,1985,1986,1987,1988,1989,1990,1991,1992,1993,1994,1995],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eCollection open to research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Access Restrictions"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["Collection open to research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection."],"appraisal_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eOut of scope materials and materials with negligible research value including assorted newspaper clippings and obituaries, Christmas cards, large quantities of empty envelopes without correspondence, real estate listings, and assorted printed ephemera were heavily weeded from the 2018-0430 accrual.\u003c/p\u003e"],"appraisal_heading_ssm":["Appraisal"],"appraisal_tesim":["Out of scope materials and materials with negligible research value including assorted newspaper clippings and obituaries, Christmas cards, large quantities of empty envelopes without correspondence, real estate listings, and assorted printed ephemera were heavily weeded from the 2018-0430 accrual."],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe collections is arranged in five series:\u003c/p\u003e","\u003clist numeration=\"arabic\" type=\"ordered\"\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003ePersonal Papers, 1813-1938\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eCorrespondence, 1857-1931, 1991\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eEphemera, 1916-1957\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eGenealogical Materials, 1812\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003e2018 accessions, 1867-1995\u003c/item\u003e\n    \u003c/list\u003e"],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement"],"arrangement_tesim":["The collections is arranged in five series:","Personal Papers, 1813-1938 Correspondence, 1857-1931, 1991 Ephemera, 1916-1957 Genealogical Materials, 1812 2018 accessions, 1867-1995"],"bibliography_html_tesm":["\u003cbibref\u003e\u003cemph render=\"italic\"\u003eFind a Grave\u003c/emph\u003e. Myrtie Alice Stephens Yount, Memorial # 40849297. (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/40849297) Accessed October 18, 2017.\u003c/bibref\u003e","\u003cbibref\u003e\u003cemph render=\"italic\"\u003eFind a Grave\u003c/emph\u003e. Richard A. Stephens, Memorial # 76255269. (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/76255269) Accessed October 18, 2017.\u003c/bibref\u003e","\u003cbibref\u003e\"United States Census, 1870,\" database with images, \u003cemph render=\"italic\"\u003eFamilySearch\u003c/emph\u003e (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFGC-MP2 : 12 April 2016), Richard Stephens, Virginia, United States; citing p. 69, family 485, NARA microfilm publication M593 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 553,175.\u003c/bibref\u003e","\u003cbibref\u003eYount, J. B. III. \"Fifty-seven quilts from four generations,\" \u003cemph render=\"italic\"\u003eAugusta County Historical Bulletin\u003c/emph\u003e 50 (2014): 155-165.\u003c/bibref\u003e","\u003cbibref\u003e\"Yount-Stephens.\" \u003cemph render=\"italic\"\u003eThe Rockingham Register\u003c/emph\u003e, September 25, 1891.\u003c/bibref\u003e"],"bibliography_heading_ssm":["Bibliography"],"bibliography_tesim":["Find a Grave . Myrtie Alice Stephens Yount, Memorial # 40849297. (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/40849297) Accessed October 18, 2017.","Find a Grave . Richard A. Stephens, Memorial # 76255269. (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/76255269) Accessed October 18, 2017.","\"United States Census, 1870,\" database with images,  FamilySearch  (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFGC-MP2 : 12 April 2016), Richard Stephens, Virginia, United States; citing p. 69, family 485, NARA microfilm publication M593 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 553,175.","Yount, J. B. III. \"Fifty-seven quilts from four generations,\"  Augusta County Historical Bulletin  50 (2014): 155-165.","\"Yount-Stephens.\"  The Rockingham Register , September 25, 1891."],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eRichard Anderson Stephens, variously spelled Stevens, Steven, and Stephen, was born January 6, 1831 to John Stephens (1804-1848) and Martha Burnsides Stephens Cowan (1806-1895) of Melrose, Rockingham County, Virginia. He is the grandson of Ludwig/Lewis Stephens (1747-1817) and Elizabeth Wolf Stephens (1775-1836). Documentary evidence contained within this collection confirms that John Stephens owned enslaved persons and Richard Stephens was involved in financial transactions concerning said enslaved persons after the death of his father and prior to the end of the Civil War.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eStephens married Mary Dovel Stephens and together they had nine children, six of whom lived into adulthood – Martha Josephine \"Josie\" (1856-1899), Laura Belle (1862-1934), Myrtie Alice (1867-1946), Sallie Georgiana (1870-1938), Bettie Lee, and John W. All of the aforementioned children are documented in this collection, with some to a lesser degree than others.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDocumentary evidence suggests Stephens likely did not serve during the Civil War. As early as June 19, 1861, he was deemed medically unfit from serving during the Civil War. His exemption was due to a chronic \"disease of stomach and bowels of long standing.\"\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAccording to the U. S. Census, Stephen's occupation was that of a farmer though he also held other positions in the community. He acted as the administrator of the estate of Reuben Holt Humbert of Augusta County and also served as the guardian for his younger siblings William L. Stephens and Fannie Stephens. In November 1861, Stephens was appointed Collector of the Confederate States War Tax for the 3rd District of Rockingham County. As early as 1887 he was appointed director of the Valley Turnpike Company. Richard Stephens died November 5, 1890 and is buried in Woodbine Cemetery in Harrisonburg alongside much of his family.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eA large portion of this collection also documents Myrtie Stephens (1867-1946), daughter of Richard and Mary Dovel Stephens. Myrtie married Joseph Byron \"J. B.\" Yount (1848-1934) of Augusta County on September 23, 1891. The wedding was held at the home of Mary Stephens, near Melrose. The courtship between Myrtie and J. B. is chronicled in this collection with dozens of letters written between the two. It is likely that Myrtie and J. B. were semi-distant cousins as J. B. often refers to his future wife as \"Cousin\" in his letters to her. Additionally, Myrtie's maternal grandmother was named Barbara Yount Dovel (1797-1863), and it is through this family line that the couple was likely related. Myrtie was a school teacher for at least part of her life. This collection documents her career with lesson books, teaching contracts, and correspondence. The children of Myrtie and J.B. Yount are documented in the 2018 accession materials.\u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Bio/Historical Note"],"bioghist_tesim":["Richard Anderson Stephens, variously spelled Stevens, Steven, and Stephen, was born January 6, 1831 to John Stephens (1804-1848) and Martha Burnsides Stephens Cowan (1806-1895) of Melrose, Rockingham County, Virginia. He is the grandson of Ludwig/Lewis Stephens (1747-1817) and Elizabeth Wolf Stephens (1775-1836). Documentary evidence contained within this collection confirms that John Stephens owned enslaved persons and Richard Stephens was involved in financial transactions concerning said enslaved persons after the death of his father and prior to the end of the Civil War.","Stephens married Mary Dovel Stephens and together they had nine children, six of whom lived into adulthood – Martha Josephine \"Josie\" (1856-1899), Laura Belle (1862-1934), Myrtie Alice (1867-1946), Sallie Georgiana (1870-1938), Bettie Lee, and John W. All of the aforementioned children are documented in this collection, with some to a lesser degree than others.","Documentary evidence suggests Stephens likely did not serve during the Civil War. As early as June 19, 1861, he was deemed medically unfit from serving during the Civil War. His exemption was due to a chronic \"disease of stomach and bowels of long standing.\"","According to the U. S. Census, Stephen's occupation was that of a farmer though he also held other positions in the community. He acted as the administrator of the estate of Reuben Holt Humbert of Augusta County and also served as the guardian for his younger siblings William L. Stephens and Fannie Stephens. In November 1861, Stephens was appointed Collector of the Confederate States War Tax for the 3rd District of Rockingham County. As early as 1887 he was appointed director of the Valley Turnpike Company. Richard Stephens died November 5, 1890 and is buried in Woodbine Cemetery in Harrisonburg alongside much of his family.","A large portion of this collection also documents Myrtie Stephens (1867-1946), daughter of Richard and Mary Dovel Stephens. Myrtie married Joseph Byron \"J. B.\" Yount (1848-1934) of Augusta County on September 23, 1891. The wedding was held at the home of Mary Stephens, near Melrose. The courtship between Myrtie and J. B. is chronicled in this collection with dozens of letters written between the two. It is likely that Myrtie and J. B. were semi-distant cousins as J. B. often refers to his future wife as \"Cousin\" in his letters to her. Additionally, Myrtie's maternal grandmother was named Barbara Yount Dovel (1797-1863), and it is through this family line that the couple was likely related. Myrtie was a school teacher for at least part of her life. This collection documents her career with lesson books, teaching contracts, and correspondence. The children of Myrtie and J.B. Yount are documented in the 2018 accession materials."],"custodhist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe materials that comprise this collection descended through the Stephens and Yount families of Rockingham and Augusta counties. After the October 2, 2016 death of Joseph Byron \"J. B.\" Yount III, much of the Yount estate was sold by Green Valley Auctions in Mt. Crawford, Virginia on June 9, 2017.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThe materials in this series share provenance with the rest of the collection in that they were part of the June 9, 2017 Green Valley Auctions sale of the J.B. Yount estate.\u003c/p\u003e"],"custodhist_heading_ssm":["Provenance","Provenance"],"custodhist_tesim":["The materials that comprise this collection descended through the Stephens and Yount families of Rockingham and Augusta counties. After the October 2, 2016 death of Joseph Byron \"J. B.\" Yount III, much of the Yount estate was sold by Green Valley Auctions in Mt. Crawford, Virginia on June 9, 2017.","The materials in this series share provenance with the rest of the collection in that they were part of the June 9, 2017 Green Valley Auctions sale of the J.B. Yount estate."],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Stephens and Yount Family Papers, 1812-1995, SC 0251, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Stephens and Yount Family Papers, 1812-1995, SC 0251, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA."],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eGiven the age and condition of the collection, select items underwent preservation treatment for stabilization, including flattening. Particularly fragile documents are housed in Mylar sleeves. The materials in this collection were largely received piecemeal, in addition to one large acquisition. There was no particular arrangement to the materials and as a result, the archivist imposed an arrangement based on material type, creator, and date. Photographs related to presumed genealogical research trips were removed from their paper backing and foldered in their original order. All corresponding captions were written on the backs of the photographs.\u003c/p\u003e"],"processinfo_heading_ssm":["Processing Information"],"processinfo_tesim":["Given the age and condition of the collection, select items underwent preservation treatment for stabilization, including flattening. Particularly fragile documents are housed in Mylar sleeves. The materials in this collection were largely received piecemeal, in addition to one large acquisition. There was no particular arrangement to the materials and as a result, the archivist imposed an arrangement based on material type, creator, and date. Photographs related to presumed genealogical research trips were removed from their paper backing and foldered in their original order. All corresponding captions were written on the backs of the photographs."],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe Stephens and Yount Family Papers, 1812-1995, primarily document the Richard Stephens family of Rockingham County, Virginia and his descendants. Materials include correspondence, receipts, financial documents, indentures, deeds, and ephemera. Documents of particular interest relate to the sale, purchase, and hire of enslaved persons, and Richard Stephens' medical exemption from military service during the Civil War.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 1: Personal Papers, 1813-1938, is generally comprised of tax receipts, financial documents, agreements, promissory notes, deeds, indentures, insurance policies, wills, and other miscellaneous papers documenting Richard Stephens primarily, and also other immediate Stephens family members.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eOf particular interest are the papers documenting the buying, selling, and hiring of enslaved persons between the Stephens family and other community members. Many of the enslaved persons were purchased or inherited from the estate of John Stephens, Richard Stephens' father. The enslaved persons are only referred to by name in three documents and are otherwise described as \"negro\" or \"slave.\" They are identified as Ellen, Hester, Hannah, and five children named Henry, Isaiah, Margaret, John, and George.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eA folder of papers documenting Richard Stephens' medical exemption from military service during the Civil War is also included. The papers include surgeons' and doctors' description of Stephens' maladies, certifying that he is incapable of military duty. Additional documents mention his substitute, Benjamin Barr. Stephens' amnesty oath, dated June 20, 1865, is also included and is foldered chronologically with his papers.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eA sizable portion of this series documents Richard Stephens acting in the capacity of estate administrator, particularly for Reuben Holt Humbert, and guardian to his younger siblings, Phebe Francis \"Fannie\" Stephens and William L. Stephens. These documents are primarily receipts with additional materials documenting the estates of the aforementioned persons, particularly Reuben Humbert. Humbert's personal property inventories are included as is a Confederate States of America registered bond.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe wills of Richard Stephens and his daughter Sallie Stephens are included. Sallie's will is notable in that she directs her executor to move \"all of my dead relatives that are buried in the family lot [Dovel-Stephens Family Cemetery]\" to her \"lot in Woodbine Cemetery, and there placed along with sister Laura and I, at the expense of my estate.\" Sallie died in 1938 and all of her deceased family members were removed to Woodbine Cemetery in 1940.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMaterials related to Myrtie Stephens Yount's career as a teacher include two teaching contracts, printed examinations, and handwritten school material. Though many of these are not identified, it is presumed that they were used by Myrtie in her teaching.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThree military furloughs dated 1862 and 1863 and signed by Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Rodman Drake DeKay (1836-1886) are also included, but have no apparent connection to the Stephens family.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eOversize materials include an 1813 land indenture between Valentine and Nancy Wolf and Jacob Wolf. Valentine Wolf was Lewis Stephens' father-in-law. Lewis Stephens was Richard Stephens' grandfather and is also mentioned in several documents pertaining to Stephens' father, John Stephens. Also housed in oversize is a January 8, 1891 broadside advertising the public sale of Richard Stephens' personal property. The broadside describes 26 head of stock cattle, 100 tons of prime timothy hay, 300 bushels of wheat, and various farm implements.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 2: Correspondence, 1857-1931, 1991, contains letters to and from several members of the Stephens and Yount families. Corresponding envelopes are included as are envelopes with no corresponding letter.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eA significant portion of the collection comprises the correspondence of Myrtie Stephens Yount, daughter of Richard and Mary E. Stephens. The correspondence is largely comprised of letters addressed to Myrtie with many of the letters from her future husband and cousin Joseph Byron Yount. Generally, the subject matter of the correspondence is newsy, providing updates on family and community members. While most of the correspondence between the couple dates prior to their marriage, a few letters date to after their September 1891 marriage. Of interest is a hastily written letter dated July 10, 1899 from Myrtie to Yount in which she delivers the news that her sister Josie has passed away. In the letter, Myrtie requests her husband bring her mourning clothes to her as soon as is possible. Another notable letter is dated June 14, 1899 to Myrtie Yount in which the correspondent recounts going to Harrisonburg for the unveiling of the Turner Ashby monument. Much of Myrtie's correspondence also discusses her and her colleague's teaching careers. One particular letter dated November 6, 1890 is written to Myrtie by a fellow teacher. He writes about his experiences teaching children in Brocks Gap.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eA limited selection of correspondence addressed to or written by Richard Stephens, Mary E. Stephens, Josie Stephens, Sallie Stephens, and Laura Stephens is also included. Of note is a letter from Henry T. Garnett, Chief Collector of the Confederate States War Tax for Virginia, to Richard Stephens, dated November 6, 1861, appointing Stephens Collector of the Confederate States War Tax for the 3rd District of Rockingham County. A handwritten note by Garnett on the back of the letter reads: \"The owners of slaves are to give me the value and pay the tax upon all their negroes, whether said negroes are hired out or in their service.\" Stephens' November 1887 letter and certificate of reappointment as director of the Valley Turnpike Company is also included.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 3: Ephemera, 1916-1957, includes newspaper clippings, photographs, postcards, and a few miscellaneous items including a half stick of chewing gum dating to 1916. Noteworthy items include a folder of seven vinegar valentines featuring color illustrations and corresponding poems. These lithographs likely date to the late nineteenth or early twentieth century and feature racist sentiments or are otherwise insulting in tone. Two of the lithographs evoke Jim Crow era values and depict African Americans with stereotypical physical characteristics.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 4: Genealogical Materials, 1812, were presumably collected by Joseph Byron Yount III, the last private owner of the Stephens and Yount Family Papers, as part of his genealogical research into his family. The subject files include undated photographs and facsimiles of primary source material relating to the Yount family in Pennsylvania. Of interest is a handwritten genealogical note relating to Ludwig/Lewis Stephens, the grandfather of Richard Stephens.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 5: 2018 Accessions, 1867-1995, comprises materials acquired in two separate accessions in 2018. Personal papers, research and genealogical materials, and photographs relate directly to immediate and extended Yount family members, specifically the children of Myrtie Stephens Yount and J.B. Yount.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSpotswood Hall, Turner Ashby Monument, New Hope Garage, Goshen, New Hope High School, South River, Matthew Fontaine Maury Memorial at Goshen Pass, Marine's Camp at Ft. Defiance, Harriston, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, U.S. Capitol, assorted Washington DC sights and buildings, Hightown, Monterey, Towers School, pet fawn, Natural Chimneys/Cyclopean Towers and jousting tournament, Langley Field, Naval Base, Jamestown, Yorktown, Richmond, Virginia Beach, Mt. Solon Dam, Stonewall Cottage (Melrose), North River Dam, Blacksburg, Castle Hill, University of Virginia, Kanawha River, Chicago World's Fair, Handley High School, Apple Blossom Festival, Skyline Drive, etc.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e(Accession 2018-0315)\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eInscribed: \"Presented to C.E. Koiner by J. Yount. May 1867\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIncludes a young J.B. Yount III while a cadet at Fishburne Military School.\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content","Scope and Content","Scope and Content","Scope and Content","Scope and Content","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents"],"scopecontent_tesim":["The Stephens and Yount Family Papers, 1812-1995, primarily document the Richard Stephens family of Rockingham County, Virginia and his descendants. Materials include correspondence, receipts, financial documents, indentures, deeds, and ephemera. Documents of particular interest relate to the sale, purchase, and hire of enslaved persons, and Richard Stephens' medical exemption from military service during the Civil War.","Series 1: Personal Papers, 1813-1938, is generally comprised of tax receipts, financial documents, agreements, promissory notes, deeds, indentures, insurance policies, wills, and other miscellaneous papers documenting Richard Stephens primarily, and also other immediate Stephens family members.","Of particular interest are the papers documenting the buying, selling, and hiring of enslaved persons between the Stephens family and other community members. Many of the enslaved persons were purchased or inherited from the estate of John Stephens, Richard Stephens' father. The enslaved persons are only referred to by name in three documents and are otherwise described as \"negro\" or \"slave.\" They are identified as Ellen, Hester, Hannah, and five children named Henry, Isaiah, Margaret, John, and George.","A folder of papers documenting Richard Stephens' medical exemption from military service during the Civil War is also included. The papers include surgeons' and doctors' description of Stephens' maladies, certifying that he is incapable of military duty. Additional documents mention his substitute, Benjamin Barr. Stephens' amnesty oath, dated June 20, 1865, is also included and is foldered chronologically with his papers.","A sizable portion of this series documents Richard Stephens acting in the capacity of estate administrator, particularly for Reuben Holt Humbert, and guardian to his younger siblings, Phebe Francis \"Fannie\" Stephens and William L. Stephens. These documents are primarily receipts with additional materials documenting the estates of the aforementioned persons, particularly Reuben Humbert. Humbert's personal property inventories are included as is a Confederate States of America registered bond.","The wills of Richard Stephens and his daughter Sallie Stephens are included. Sallie's will is notable in that she directs her executor to move \"all of my dead relatives that are buried in the family lot [Dovel-Stephens Family Cemetery]\" to her \"lot in Woodbine Cemetery, and there placed along with sister Laura and I, at the expense of my estate.\" Sallie died in 1938 and all of her deceased family members were removed to Woodbine Cemetery in 1940.","Materials related to Myrtie Stephens Yount's career as a teacher include two teaching contracts, printed examinations, and handwritten school material. Though many of these are not identified, it is presumed that they were used by Myrtie in her teaching.","Three military furloughs dated 1862 and 1863 and signed by Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Rodman Drake DeKay (1836-1886) are also included, but have no apparent connection to the Stephens family.","Oversize materials include an 1813 land indenture between Valentine and Nancy Wolf and Jacob Wolf. Valentine Wolf was Lewis Stephens' father-in-law. Lewis Stephens was Richard Stephens' grandfather and is also mentioned in several documents pertaining to Stephens' father, John Stephens. Also housed in oversize is a January 8, 1891 broadside advertising the public sale of Richard Stephens' personal property. The broadside describes 26 head of stock cattle, 100 tons of prime timothy hay, 300 bushels of wheat, and various farm implements.","Series 2: Correspondence, 1857-1931, 1991, contains letters to and from several members of the Stephens and Yount families. Corresponding envelopes are included as are envelopes with no corresponding letter.","A significant portion of the collection comprises the correspondence of Myrtie Stephens Yount, daughter of Richard and Mary E. Stephens. The correspondence is largely comprised of letters addressed to Myrtie with many of the letters from her future husband and cousin Joseph Byron Yount. Generally, the subject matter of the correspondence is newsy, providing updates on family and community members. While most of the correspondence between the couple dates prior to their marriage, a few letters date to after their September 1891 marriage. Of interest is a hastily written letter dated July 10, 1899 from Myrtie to Yount in which she delivers the news that her sister Josie has passed away. In the letter, Myrtie requests her husband bring her mourning clothes to her as soon as is possible. Another notable letter is dated June 14, 1899 to Myrtie Yount in which the correspondent recounts going to Harrisonburg for the unveiling of the Turner Ashby monument. Much of Myrtie's correspondence also discusses her and her colleague's teaching careers. One particular letter dated November 6, 1890 is written to Myrtie by a fellow teacher. He writes about his experiences teaching children in Brocks Gap.","A limited selection of correspondence addressed to or written by Richard Stephens, Mary E. Stephens, Josie Stephens, Sallie Stephens, and Laura Stephens is also included. Of note is a letter from Henry T. Garnett, Chief Collector of the Confederate States War Tax for Virginia, to Richard Stephens, dated November 6, 1861, appointing Stephens Collector of the Confederate States War Tax for the 3rd District of Rockingham County. A handwritten note by Garnett on the back of the letter reads: \"The owners of slaves are to give me the value and pay the tax upon all their negroes, whether said negroes are hired out or in their service.\" Stephens' November 1887 letter and certificate of reappointment as director of the Valley Turnpike Company is also included.","Series 3: Ephemera, 1916-1957, includes newspaper clippings, photographs, postcards, and a few miscellaneous items including a half stick of chewing gum dating to 1916. Noteworthy items include a folder of seven vinegar valentines featuring color illustrations and corresponding poems. These lithographs likely date to the late nineteenth or early twentieth century and feature racist sentiments or are otherwise insulting in tone. Two of the lithographs evoke Jim Crow era values and depict African Americans with stereotypical physical characteristics.","Series 4: Genealogical Materials, 1812, were presumably collected by Joseph Byron Yount III, the last private owner of the Stephens and Yount Family Papers, as part of his genealogical research into his family. The subject files include undated photographs and facsimiles of primary source material relating to the Yount family in Pennsylvania. Of interest is a handwritten genealogical note relating to Ludwig/Lewis Stephens, the grandfather of Richard Stephens.","Series 5: 2018 Accessions, 1867-1995, comprises materials acquired in two separate accessions in 2018. Personal papers, research and genealogical materials, and photographs relate directly to immediate and extended Yount family members, specifically the children of Myrtie Stephens Yount and J.B. Yount.","Spotswood Hall, Turner Ashby Monument, New Hope Garage, Goshen, New Hope High School, South River, Matthew Fontaine Maury Memorial at Goshen Pass, Marine's Camp at Ft. Defiance, Harriston, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, U.S. Capitol, assorted Washington DC sights and buildings, Hightown, Monterey, Towers School, pet fawn, Natural Chimneys/Cyclopean Towers and jousting tournament, Langley Field, Naval Base, Jamestown, Yorktown, Richmond, Virginia Beach, Mt. Solon Dam, Stonewall Cottage (Melrose), North River Dam, Blacksburg, Castle Hill, University of Virginia, Kanawha River, Chicago World's Fair, Handley High School, Apple Blossom Festival, Skyline Drive, etc.","(Accession 2018-0315)","Inscribed: \"Presented to C.E. Koiner by J. Yount. May 1867\"","Includes a young J.B. Yount III while a cadet at Fishburne Military School."],"separatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe May 16, 1844 issue of \u003cemph render=\"italic\"\u003eThe Sentinel of the Shenandoah Valley\u003c/emph\u003e and a copy of \u003cemph render=\"italic\"\u003eA Choice Selection of Hymns: From Various Authors, Recommended for the Worship of God…\u003c/emph\u003e have been removed from the collection and cataloged as part of Special Collections rare book collection. The right edge of the newspaper has been trimmed and, as a result, the issue is incomplete.\u003c/p\u003e"],"separatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Separated Material"],"separatedmaterial_tesim":["The May 16, 1844 issue of  The Sentinel of the Shenandoah Valley  and a copy of  A Choice Selection of Hymns: From Various Authors, Recommended for the Worship of God…  have been removed from the collection and cataloged as part of Special Collections rare book collection. The right edge of the newspaper has been trimmed and, as a result, the issue is incomplete."],"userestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).\u003c/p\u003e"],"userestrict_heading_ssm":["Use Restrictions"],"userestrict_tesim":["The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu)."],"abstract_html_tesm":["\u003cabstract id=\"aspace_ba57889d7ff83f0fcf341190658eb73b\"\u003eThe Stephens and Yount Family Papers, 1812-1995, primarily document the Richard Stephens family of Rockingham County, Virginia and his descendants. Materials include correspondence, receipts, financial documents, indentures, deeds, photographs, and ephemera.\u003c/abstract\u003e"],"abstract_tesim":["The Stephens and Yount Family Papers, 1812-1995, primarily document the Richard Stephens family of Rockingham County, Virginia and his descendants. Materials include correspondence, receipts, financial documents, indentures, deeds, photographs, and ephemera."],"names_coll_ssim":["eBay (Firm)","Tim Abbott Americana","Rolling Hills Antique Mall"],"names_ssim":["James Madison University Libraries Special Collections","eBay (Firm)","Tim Abbott Americana","Rolling Hills Antique Mall","Stephens family","Yount family","Stephens, Richard A., 1831-1890"],"corpname_ssim":["James Madison University Libraries Special Collections","eBay (Firm)","Tim Abbott Americana","Rolling Hills Antique Mall"],"famname_ssim":["Stephens family","Yount family"],"persname_ssim":["Stephens, Richard A., 1831-1890"],"language_ssim":["English"],"descrules_ssm":["Describing Archives: A Content Standard"],"total_component_count_is":87,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-05-21T00:19:11.086Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vihart_repositories_4_resources_423_c02"}},{"id":"vihart_repositories_4_resources_429_c01","type":"Series","attributes":{"title":"Correspondence","abstract_or_scope":{"id":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vihart_repositories_4_resources_429_c01#abstract_or_scope","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"\u003cp\u003eSeries 1: Correspondence, 1827-1913, chiefly contains letters written to Siram P. Henkel with correspondents including members of the Koiner/Coiner family of Augusta County, the Miller family of Winchester, and the Rupert family of Augusta County. The correspondents report on family and community news, marriages, health and illnesses, deaths, weather, harvest and planting updates, crop yields, and include fellow merchants requesting advice on the market of certain goods and numerous requests for Dr. Henkel's pills. Of particular interest are the letters written to Siram by his sons Lewis and Luther while serving in the American Civil War. The sons, and Luther in particular, write about camp life and general updates related to the war. In a December 21, 1861 letter to his father, Lewis P. Henkel writes from Winchester and mentions General Stonewall Jackson. He also refers to General Gilbert S. Meem as \"Genl. Drunk.\"\u003c/p\u003e","label":"Abstract Or Scope"}},"breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vihart_repositories_4_resources_429_c01#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"ref_ssi":"vihart_repositories_4_resources_429_c01","ref_ssm":["vihart_repositories_4_resources_429_c01"],"id":"vihart_repositories_4_resources_429_c01","ead_ssi":"vihart_repositories_4_resources_429","_root_":"vihart_repositories_4_resources_429","_nest_parent_":"vihart_repositories_4_resources_429","parent_ssi":"vihart_repositories_4_resources_429","parent_ssim":["vihart_repositories_4_resources_429"],"parent_ids_ssim":["vihart_repositories_4_resources_429"],"parent_unittitles_ssm":["Henkel Family Papers"],"parent_unittitles_tesim":["Henkel Family Papers"],"text":["Henkel Family Papers","Correspondence","Series 1: Correspondence, 1827-1913, chiefly contains letters written to Siram P. Henkel with correspondents including members of the Koiner/Coiner family of Augusta County, the Miller family of Winchester, and the Rupert family of Augusta County. The correspondents report on family and community news, marriages, health and illnesses, deaths, weather, harvest and planting updates, crop yields, and include fellow merchants requesting advice on the market of certain goods and numerous requests for Dr. Henkel's pills. Of particular interest are the letters written to Siram by his sons Lewis and Luther while serving in the American Civil War. The sons, and Luther in particular, write about camp life and general updates related to the war. In a December 21, 1861 letter to his father, Lewis P. Henkel writes from Winchester and mentions General Stonewall Jackson. He also refers to General Gilbert S. Meem as \"Genl. Drunk.\"","This series also contains correspondence to/from other Henkel family members including Dr. Solomon Henkel, Samuel G. Henkel, Solomon D. Henkel, Maggie Henkel Renalds, Lillian Henkel, and Margaret Koiner Henkel.","The documentary record confirms that Margaret Koiner Henkel's family were enslavers and given the date of much of the correspondence, a portion relates to slavery and enslaved persons. Delia Koiner Overholt wrote to her sister Margaret Henkel on May 28, 1847 relaying the news of their grandfather's death. She goes on to write that \"eleven or twelve blacks are to be sold and a great deal of property.\" In a January 24, 1857 letter to Siram Henkel, Delia Koiner Overholt writes again to describe in detail describes the sale of enslaved persons from her grandfather's estate. A similarly noteworthy letter, dated August 13, 1835, was penned by Siram Henkel to his wife Margaret in which he describes a large \"drove\" of enslaved persons that passed through the Valley. He describes the scene as follows: \"There were eighty-four chained together to one long chain; there were also a great many women and children that were also in company; the whole number of men, women \u0026 children was two hundred and forty.\" There are two original copies of this letter in the collection.","All correspondence addressed to Dr. Solomon Henkel and/or Solomon Henkel P.M. is filed with Solomon Henkel (1777-1847), who was a practicing physician and served as Shenandoah County's first postmaster. A concerted effort was made on behalf of the archivist to not confuse his papers with those of his son Solomon David Henkel (1815-1872).","Much of the correspondence includes envelopes or address leaves. The correspondence is arranged primarily by recipient, but in cases where the recipient is unknown (e.g. non-specific salutations and greetings or lack of return address), the correspondence is filed with miscellaneous correspondence. Some of the letters have non-original annotations on the address leaves relating to content or the correspondents."],"title_filing_ssi":"Correspondence","title_ssm":["Correspondence"],"title_tesim":["Correspondence"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1827-1913"],"normalized_date_ssm":["1827/1913"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Correspondence"],"component_level_isim":[1],"repository_ssim":["James Madison University"],"collection_ssim":["Henkel Family Papers"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"child_component_count_isi":48,"level_ssm":["Series"],"level_ssim":["Series"],"sort_isi":1,"parent_access_restrict_tesm":["Collection open to research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection."],"parent_access_terms_tesm":["The copyright interests in this collection have been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu)."],"date_range_isim":[1827,1828,1829,1830,1831,1832,1833,1834,1835,1836,1837,1838,1839,1840,1841,1842,1843,1844,1845,1846,1847,1848,1849,1850,1851,1852,1853,1854,1855,1856,1857,1858,1859,1860,1861,1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867,1868,1869,1870,1871,1872,1873,1874,1875,1876,1877,1878,1879,1880,1881,1882,1883,1884,1885,1886,1887,1888,1889,1890,1891,1892,1893,1894,1895,1896,1897,1898,1899,1900,1901,1902,1903,1904,1905,1906,1907,1908,1909,1910,1911,1912,1913],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eSeries 1: Correspondence, 1827-1913, chiefly contains letters written to Siram P. Henkel with correspondents including members of the Koiner/Coiner family of Augusta County, the Miller family of Winchester, and the Rupert family of Augusta County. The correspondents report on family and community news, marriages, health and illnesses, deaths, weather, harvest and planting updates, crop yields, and include fellow merchants requesting advice on the market of certain goods and numerous requests for Dr. Henkel's pills. Of particular interest are the letters written to Siram by his sons Lewis and Luther while serving in the American Civil War. The sons, and Luther in particular, write about camp life and general updates related to the war. In a December 21, 1861 letter to his father, Lewis P. Henkel writes from Winchester and mentions General Stonewall Jackson. He also refers to General Gilbert S. Meem as \"Genl. Drunk.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis series also contains correspondence to/from other Henkel family members including Dr. Solomon Henkel, Samuel G. Henkel, Solomon D. Henkel, Maggie Henkel Renalds, Lillian Henkel, and Margaret Koiner Henkel.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThe documentary record confirms that Margaret Koiner Henkel's family were enslavers and given the date of much of the correspondence, a portion relates to slavery and enslaved persons. Delia Koiner Overholt wrote to her sister Margaret Henkel on May 28, 1847 relaying the news of their grandfather's death. She goes on to write that \"eleven or twelve blacks are to be sold and a great deal of property.\" In a January 24, 1857 letter to Siram Henkel, Delia Koiner Overholt writes again to describe in detail describes the sale of enslaved persons from her grandfather's estate. A similarly noteworthy letter, dated August 13, 1835, was penned by Siram Henkel to his wife Margaret in which he describes a large \"drove\" of enslaved persons that passed through the Valley. He describes the scene as follows: \"There were eighty-four chained together to one long chain; there were also a great many women and children that were also in company; the whole number of men, women \u0026amp; children was two hundred and forty.\" There are two original copies of this letter in the collection.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAll correspondence addressed to Dr. Solomon Henkel and/or Solomon Henkel P.M. is filed with Solomon Henkel (1777-1847), who was a practicing physician and served as Shenandoah County's first postmaster. A concerted effort was made on behalf of the archivist to not confuse his papers with those of his son Solomon David Henkel (1815-1872).\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eMuch of the correspondence includes envelopes or address leaves. The correspondence is arranged primarily by recipient, but in cases where the recipient is unknown (e.g. non-specific salutations and greetings or lack of return address), the correspondence is filed with miscellaneous correspondence. Some of the letters have non-original annotations on the address leaves relating to content or the correspondents.\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content"],"scopecontent_tesim":["Series 1: Correspondence, 1827-1913, chiefly contains letters written to Siram P. Henkel with correspondents including members of the Koiner/Coiner family of Augusta County, the Miller family of Winchester, and the Rupert family of Augusta County. The correspondents report on family and community news, marriages, health and illnesses, deaths, weather, harvest and planting updates, crop yields, and include fellow merchants requesting advice on the market of certain goods and numerous requests for Dr. Henkel's pills. Of particular interest are the letters written to Siram by his sons Lewis and Luther while serving in the American Civil War. The sons, and Luther in particular, write about camp life and general updates related to the war. In a December 21, 1861 letter to his father, Lewis P. Henkel writes from Winchester and mentions General Stonewall Jackson. He also refers to General Gilbert S. Meem as \"Genl. Drunk.\"","This series also contains correspondence to/from other Henkel family members including Dr. Solomon Henkel, Samuel G. Henkel, Solomon D. Henkel, Maggie Henkel Renalds, Lillian Henkel, and Margaret Koiner Henkel.","The documentary record confirms that Margaret Koiner Henkel's family were enslavers and given the date of much of the correspondence, a portion relates to slavery and enslaved persons. Delia Koiner Overholt wrote to her sister Margaret Henkel on May 28, 1847 relaying the news of their grandfather's death. She goes on to write that \"eleven or twelve blacks are to be sold and a great deal of property.\" In a January 24, 1857 letter to Siram Henkel, Delia Koiner Overholt writes again to describe in detail describes the sale of enslaved persons from her grandfather's estate. A similarly noteworthy letter, dated August 13, 1835, was penned by Siram Henkel to his wife Margaret in which he describes a large \"drove\" of enslaved persons that passed through the Valley. He describes the scene as follows: \"There were eighty-four chained together to one long chain; there were also a great many women and children that were also in company; the whole number of men, women \u0026 children was two hundred and forty.\" There are two original copies of this letter in the collection.","All correspondence addressed to Dr. Solomon Henkel and/or Solomon Henkel P.M. is filed with Solomon Henkel (1777-1847), who was a practicing physician and served as Shenandoah County's first postmaster. A concerted effort was made on behalf of the archivist to not confuse his papers with those of his son Solomon David Henkel (1815-1872).","Much of the correspondence includes envelopes or address leaves. The correspondence is arranged primarily by recipient, but in cases where the recipient is unknown (e.g. non-specific salutations and greetings or lack of return address), the correspondence is filed with miscellaneous correspondence. Some of the letters have non-original annotations on the address leaves relating to content or the correspondents."],"_nest_path_":"/components#0","timestamp":"2026-05-21T00:19:36.409Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vihart_repositories_4_resources_429","ead_ssi":"vihart_repositories_4_resources_429","_root_":"vihart_repositories_4_resources_429","_nest_parent_":"vihart_repositories_4_resources_429","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/JMU/repositories_4_resources_429.xml","title_ssm":["Henkel Family Papers"],"title_tesim":["Henkel Family Papers"],"unitdate_ssm":["1801-2008"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1801-2008"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["SC 0253","/repositories/4/resources/429"],"text":["SC 0253","/repositories/4/resources/429","Henkel Family Papers","New Market (Va.) -- History","Rockingham County (Va.) -- History","Rockingham County (Va.) -- Genealogy","Rockingham County (Va.) -- Social life and customs","Shenandoah County (Va.) -- History","Shenandoah County (Va.) -- Genealogy","Shenandoah County (Va.) -- Social life and customs","Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- History","Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- Genealogy","Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- Social life and customs","Virginia -- History","Virginia -- History, Local"," United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865","Slavery -- Virginia -- 19th century","Sawmills -- Virginia","Letters (correspondence)","Songbooks","Copybooks (instructional materials)","Personal papers","Financial Records","Promissory notes","Receipts (financial records)","Daybooks","Account books","Genealogies (histories)","Research notes","Photographs","Postcards","Family papers","School records","Report Cards","Collection open to research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.","A representative sample of course materials, comprising parctice invoices, checks, ledgers, day books, cash books, etc., created by Lillian Henkel and Harry S. Henkel were retained. Excessive duplicates, brittle and highly acidic documents, and materials with negligible research value were weeded from the 2023-0329 accession.","The collection is arranged in five series:","Correspondence, 1827-1913 Personal Papers, 1801-1881 Financial Files, 1832-1894 Genealogy and Research Files, 1890-2008 2023-0329 Accession, 1864-1923","United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service.  Plains Mill, VDHR File No. 082-5403, National Register of Historic Places Registration Form . 2014.","Wittig, Mildred Renalds.  Henkel – Renalds Connection: with Ancestral Scripts and Collections . Harrisonburg, Va.: Custom Printing, 2014.","Several complete and thorough genealogies have been written about the Henkel family and their contributions as doctors, printers, entrepreneurs, millers, and religious leaders. As such, this biographical note does not serve as an exhaustive rehashing of previous scholarship. Researchers are encouraged to review published secondary sources for additional information on the Henkel family.","The Henkel Family of Virginia's Shenandoah Valley descends from Rev. Paul Henkel (1754-1825) and Elizabeth Henkel (d. 1843). Siram Peter Henkel, who along with his immediate family is primarily documented in this collection, was the fifth child of Dr. Solomon Henkel (1777-1847) and Rebecca Miller Henkel (1780-1854) and grandson of Rev. Paul Henkel.","Siram was born March 16, 1809 in New Market, Virginia. In an attempt to follow in his father's footsteps, Siram attended, but did not complete, medical school at the University of Pennsylvania. He married Margaret Koiner (variously spelled Coiner) Henkel (1820-1899) of Augusta County, Virginia on June 30, 1835. The couple settled at \"The Plains\" – located between New Market and Timberville – in September 1835 and their thirteen children, many of whom are also documented in this collection, were born and raised there. Siram farmed various crops and also operated a store and mill at The Plains. The Plains Mill was erected between 1847 and 1849 under the direction of Siram and his father Solomon, prior to his death in August 1847.","During the American Civil War, two of Siram and Margeret's sons served for the Confederacy. Lewis Philip (1837-1904) served in the Ordance Department of the Confederate Army. Around 1863, Lewis became a member of Co. H (Valley Rangers) of the 10th Virginia Cavalry. Luther Melanchton (1841-1919) was also a member of the Confederate Army and wrote home to his father from various camps. Lewis and Luther's brother Samuel Augustus (1840-1885) was exempt from military duty due to medical reasons. He became epileptic after sustaining injuries from run-away horses in 1855.","In 1878, one year prior to Siram's death, he sketched the plans for a new house at Plains Mill. The house was built in 1882 and served as the residence for Siram's widow, Margaret, until her death in 1899. The aforementioned sketch and photographs of the completed house are found in this collection.","Heleah Margaret Henkel, daughter of Siram and Margaret Henkel, married William M. Renalds in 1893. Their family is heavily documented in the 2023 accession materials.","Material was property of a Henkel family descendant, presumably Mildred Renalds Wittig, great-granddaughter of Siram and Margaret Koiner Henkel.","Materials in the 2023-0329 accession, purchased from ZH Books, share provenance with the rest of the collection in that they descended through the Henkel family to Mildred Renalds Wittig before being sold at Jeffrey S. Evans \u0026 Associates' March 2, 2022 Winter Americana sale.","The materials in this series share provenance with the rest of the collection in that they descended through the Henkel family to Mildred Renalds Wittig before being sold at Jeffrey S. Evans \u0026 Associates' March 2, 2022 Winter Americana sale.","Much of the collection was received in three-ring binders with the manuscripts in plastic sleeves. The correspondence was generally arranged in chronological order. The documents were removed from the binders and plastic sleeves and placed in Mylar when necessary.","Henkel Family Papers, 1783-1916, SC 0099, Special Collections, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.","Henkel Family Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book \u0026 Manuscript Library, Duke University.","Henkel family records, 1838-1903. Business records collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond.","Henkel-Miller Family Papers, 1793-1910, #14434, Special Collections, University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, Va.","Henkel Plain Mills Store Daybook, 1835-1849, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.","Multiple collections under the accession number 8653, Special Collections Department, University of Virginia Library.","Many of the documents in this collection are copied and transcribed in Mildred Renalds Wittig's  Henkel – Renalds Connection  (2014).","The Henkel Family Papers, 1801-2008, document the influential Henkel family of Shenandoah and Rockingham counties in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. The collection, chiefly documenting the Siram and Margaret Koiner Henkel line of the family, is comprised primarily of correspondence written to Siram P. Henkel and includes letters from his sons Lewis and Luther during their service in the American Civil War. The collection also includes personal and financial papers of various Henkel family members including Siram's children and genealogical research materials, much of which was used to inform Mildred Renalds Wittig's  Henkel – Renalds Connection: with Ancestral Scripts and Collections  (2014).","Series 1: Correspondence, 1827-1913, chiefly contains letters written to Siram P. Henkel with correspondents including members of the Koiner/Coiner family of Augusta County, the Miller family of Winchester, and the Rupert family of Augusta County. The correspondents report on family and community news, marriages, health and illnesses, deaths, weather, harvest and planting updates, crop yields, and include fellow merchants requesting advice on the market of certain goods and numerous requests for Dr. Henkel's pills. Of particular interest are the letters written to Siram by his sons Lewis and Luther while serving in the American Civil War. The sons, and Luther in particular, write about camp life and general updates related to the war. In a December 21, 1861 letter to his father, Lewis P. Henkel writes from Winchester and mentions General Stonewall Jackson. He also refers to General Gilbert S. Meem as \"Genl. Drunk.\"","This series also contains correspondence to/from other Henkel family members including Dr. Solomon Henkel, Samuel G. Henkel, Solomon D. Henkel, Maggie Henkel Renalds, Lillian Henkel, and Margaret Koiner Henkel.","The documentary record confirms that Margaret Koiner Henkel's family were enslavers and given the date of much of the correspondence, a portion relates to slavery and enslaved persons. Delia Koiner Overholt wrote to her sister Margaret Henkel on May 28, 1847 relaying the news of their grandfather's death. She goes on to write that \"eleven or twelve blacks are to be sold and a great deal of property.\" In a January 24, 1857 letter to Siram Henkel, Delia Koiner Overholt writes again to describe in detail describes the sale of enslaved persons from her grandfather's estate. A similarly noteworthy letter, dated August 13, 1835, was penned by Siram Henkel to his wife Margaret in which he describes a large \"drove\" of enslaved persons that passed through the Valley. He describes the scene as follows: \"There were eighty-four chained together to one long chain; there were also a great many women and children that were also in company; the whole number of men, women \u0026 children was two hundred and forty.\" There are two original copies of this letter in the collection.","All correspondence addressed to Dr. Solomon Henkel and/or Solomon Henkel P.M. is filed with Solomon Henkel (1777-1847), who was a practicing physician and served as Shenandoah County's first postmaster. A concerted effort was made on behalf of the archivist to not confuse his papers with those of his son Solomon David Henkel (1815-1872).","Much of the correspondence includes envelopes or address leaves. The correspondence is arranged primarily by recipient, but in cases where the recipient is unknown (e.g. non-specific salutations and greetings or lack of return address), the correspondence is filed with miscellaneous correspondence. Some of the letters have non-original annotations on the address leaves relating to content or the correspondents.","Series 2: Personal Papers, 1801-1881, includes miscellaneous papers from the immediate family of Siram Henkel. School papers and writing assignements from Siram and Margaret Henkel's children, Lewis, Samuel, Julia, Martin, and Maggie are included. The documents include a January 17, 1881 essay on politeness written by Maggie Henkel.","The series also includes a manuscript music book penned by Siram's mother, Rebecca Miller Henkel, a grammar copybook belonging to Siram's brother Slyvanus Henkel, and Siram's 1878 plans for his family's new home place at Plains Mill.","Series 3: Financial Files, 1832-1894, contains receipts, ledger pages, and promissory notes. Included in Siram Henkel's financial papers is a form of the estimate and assessment of agricultural products to be taxed by the government of the Confederate States. Of particular interest is Paul P. Henkel's 1844-1872 daybook entitled \"Sawmill Book No. 3\" documenting the sawmill owned by Solomon Henkel. The daybook records prices for sawing and details sawing activities. Elizabeth Garber Renalds' account book and journal documents egg business and other farming and day-to-day activities while the family was living at the Lincoln Homestead on Linville Creek south of Broadway.","Series 4: Genealogy and Research Files, 1890-2008, is comprised of research material, much of which was used to inform Mildred Renalds Wittig's  Henkel – Renalds Connection: with Ancestral Scripts and Collections  (2014). Documents include family trees, facsimiles of correspondence and manuscript material not otherwise found in this collection, photographs of Henkel family members and properties including Plains Mill and the Plains School, newspaper clippings, Henkel family reunion materials, and blank postcards. An oversize reproduction of a blank family register printed by Ambrose Henkel \u0026 Comp. is included.","Series 5: 2023-0329 Accession, 1864-1923, includes Henkel family correspondence, Renalds family correspondence, and letters written to Ray Renalds while he was admitted to Rockingham Memorial Hospital in 1923 for an undisclosed illness.","School materials were created by Lillian Henkel while a student at the Shenandoah Institute in Dayton and Harry S. Henkel while a student at Dunsmore Business College in Staunton. Coursework created by Ray Renalds while a student at Shenandoah Luthern Institute is included.","Front covers of bound volumes are inscribed \"Lillian M. Henkel, Shenandoah Institute, Sept. 20, 1900\"","Tuition for Ray and Richard Renalds.","Several issues of serials including the  Lutheran Church Visitor  and the  Southern Churchman  have been removed from the collection and cataloged as part of Special Collections' rare book collection. Additionally, the facsimile publication of the  Day Book for Solomon Henkel at the Plains Mills, Rockingham County, Virginia  (2013) and Mildred Renalds Wittig's  Henkel – Renalds Connection: with Ancestral Scripts and Collections  (2nd ed., 2014) were removed from the collection and cataloged separately. Additional books and a broadside from the 2019 accession were cataloged separately. Two issues of  Shenandoah Valley  (1900), a New Market newspaper, were separated from the 2023-0329 accession and added to existing holdings in Special Collections.","The copyright interests in this collection have been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).","The Henkel Family Papers, 1801-2008, document the influential Henkel family of Rockingham and Shenandoah counties in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. The collection, primarily documenting the Siram and Margaret Koiner Henkel line of the family, is comprised of correspondence, personal and financial papers, and genealogical research materials. The Renalds family is heavily documented in the 2023 accession materials.","James Madison University Libraries Special Collections","Jeffrey S. Evans \u0026 Associates","ZH Books","Dunsmore Business College (Staunton, Va.)","Henkel family","Henkel family -- Correspondence","Henkel, Siram Peter, 1809-1879","English, German"],"unitid_tesim":["SC 0253","/repositories/4/resources/429"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Henkel Family Papers"],"collection_title_tesim":["Henkel Family Papers"],"collection_ssim":["Henkel Family Papers"],"repository_ssm":["James Madison University"],"repository_ssim":["James Madison University"],"geogname_ssm":["New Market (Va.) -- History","Rockingham County (Va.) -- History","Rockingham County (Va.) -- Genealogy","Rockingham County (Va.) -- Social life and customs","Shenandoah County (Va.) -- History","Shenandoah County (Va.) -- Genealogy","Shenandoah County (Va.) -- Social life and customs","Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- History","Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- Genealogy","Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- Social life and customs","Virginia -- History","Virginia -- History, Local"," United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865"],"geogname_ssim":["New Market (Va.) -- History","Rockingham County (Va.) -- History","Rockingham County (Va.) -- Genealogy","Rockingham County (Va.) -- Social life and customs","Shenandoah County (Va.) -- History","Shenandoah County (Va.) -- Genealogy","Shenandoah County (Va.) -- Social life and customs","Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- History","Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- Genealogy","Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- Social life and customs","Virginia -- History","Virginia -- History, Local"," United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865"],"creator_ssm":["Henkel family","Jeffrey S. Evans \u0026 Associates","ZH Books"],"creator_ssim":["Henkel family","Jeffrey S. Evans \u0026 Associates","ZH Books"],"creator_corpname_ssim":["Jeffrey S. Evans \u0026 Associates","ZH Books"],"creator_famname_ssim":["Henkel family"],"creators_ssim":["Jeffrey S. Evans \u0026 Associates","ZH Books","Henkel family"],"places_ssim":["New Market (Va.) -- History","Rockingham County (Va.) -- History","Rockingham County (Va.) -- Genealogy","Rockingham County (Va.) -- Social life and customs","Shenandoah County (Va.) -- History","Shenandoah County (Va.) -- Genealogy","Shenandoah County (Va.) -- Social life and customs","Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- History","Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- Genealogy","Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- Social life and customs","Virginia -- History","Virginia -- History, Local"," United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865"],"access_terms_ssm":["The copyright interests in this collection have been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu)."],"acqinfo_ssim":["Acquired from Jeffrey S. Evans \u0026 Associates' November 10, 2017 Americana \u0026 Fine Antiques Auction, Featuring Virginia and the South auction. A second accrual to this collection was acquired directly from Mildred Renalds Wittig in May 2019. This accession comprised mostly books from the family's collection and were cataloged separately. A second copy of the August 1835 letter from Siram Henkel to Margaret Henkel regarding a large group of enslaved persons being marched through the Shenandoah Valley was included and interfiled. An arithmetic book belonging to Samuel A. Henkel, 1854, was also interfiled. Materials that comprise the 2023-0329 accession were purchased from ZH Books in March 2023."],"access_subjects_ssim":["Slavery -- Virginia -- 19th century","Sawmills -- Virginia","Letters (correspondence)","Songbooks","Copybooks (instructional materials)","Personal papers","Financial Records","Promissory notes","Receipts (financial records)","Daybooks","Account books","Genealogies (histories)","Research notes","Photographs","Postcards","Family papers","School records","Report Cards"],"access_subjects_ssm":["Slavery -- Virginia -- 19th century","Sawmills -- Virginia","Letters (correspondence)","Songbooks","Copybooks (instructional materials)","Personal papers","Financial Records","Promissory notes","Receipts (financial records)","Daybooks","Account books","Genealogies (histories)","Research notes","Photographs","Postcards","Family papers","School records","Report Cards"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["2.08 cubic feet 6 boxes"],"extent_tesim":["2.08 cubic feet 6 boxes"],"genreform_ssim":["Letters (correspondence)","Songbooks","Copybooks (instructional materials)","Personal papers","Financial Records","Promissory notes","Receipts (financial records)","Daybooks","Account books","Genealogies (histories)","Research notes","Photographs","Postcards","Family papers","School records","Report Cards"],"date_range_isim":[1801,1802,1803,1804,1805,1806,1807,1808,1809,1810,1811,1812,1813,1814,1815,1816,1817,1818,1819,1820,1821,1822,1823,1824,1825,1826,1827,1828,1829,1830,1831,1832,1833,1834,1835,1836,1837,1838,1839,1840,1841,1842,1843,1844,1845,1846,1847,1848,1849,1850,1851,1852,1853,1854,1855,1856,1857,1858,1859,1860,1861,1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867,1868,1869,1870,1871,1872,1873,1874,1875,1876,1877,1878,1879,1880,1881,1882,1883,1884,1885,1886,1887,1888,1889,1890,1891,1892,1893,1894,1895,1896,1897,1898,1899,1900,1901,1902,1903,1904,1905,1906,1907,1908,1909,1910,1911,1912,1913,1914,1915,1916,1917,1918,1919,1920,1921,1922,1923,1924,1925,1926,1927,1928,1929,1930,1931,1932,1933,1934,1935,1936,1937,1938,1939,1940,1941,1942,1943,1944,1945,1946,1947,1948,1949,1950,1951,1952,1953,1954,1955,1956,1957,1958,1959,1960,1961,1962,1963,1964,1965,1966,1967,1968,1969,1970,1971,1972,1973,1974,1975,1976,1977,1978,1979,1980,1981,1982,1983,1984,1985,1986,1987,1988,1989,1990,1991,1992,1993,1994,1995,1996,1997,1998,1999,2000,2001,2002,2003,2004,2005,2006,2007,2008],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eCollection open to research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Access Restrictions"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["Collection open to research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection."],"appraisal_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eA representative sample of course materials, comprising parctice invoices, checks, ledgers, day books, cash books, etc., created by Lillian Henkel and Harry S. Henkel were retained. Excessive duplicates, brittle and highly acidic documents, and materials with negligible research value were weeded from the 2023-0329 accession.\u003c/p\u003e"],"appraisal_heading_ssm":["Appraisal"],"appraisal_tesim":["A representative sample of course materials, comprising parctice invoices, checks, ledgers, day books, cash books, etc., created by Lillian Henkel and Harry S. Henkel were retained. Excessive duplicates, brittle and highly acidic documents, and materials with negligible research value were weeded from the 2023-0329 accession."],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe collection is arranged in five series:\u003c/p\u003e","\u003clist numeration=\"arabic\" type=\"ordered\"\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eCorrespondence, 1827-1913\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003ePersonal Papers, 1801-1881\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eFinancial Files, 1832-1894\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eGenealogy and Research Files, 1890-2008\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003e2023-0329 Accession, 1864-1923\u003c/item\u003e\n    \u003c/list\u003e"],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement"],"arrangement_tesim":["The collection is arranged in five series:","Correspondence, 1827-1913 Personal Papers, 1801-1881 Financial Files, 1832-1894 Genealogy and Research Files, 1890-2008 2023-0329 Accession, 1864-1923"],"bibliography_html_tesm":["\u003cbibref\u003eUnited States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. \u003cemph render=\"italic\"\u003ePlains Mill, VDHR File No. 082-5403, National Register of Historic Places Registration Form\u003c/emph\u003e. 2014.\u003c/bibref\u003e","\u003cbibref\u003eWittig, Mildred Renalds. \u003cemph render=\"italic\"\u003eHenkel – Renalds Connection: with Ancestral Scripts and Collections\u003c/emph\u003e. Harrisonburg, Va.: Custom Printing, 2014.\u003c/bibref\u003e"],"bibliography_heading_ssm":["Bibliography"],"bibliography_tesim":["United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service.  Plains Mill, VDHR File No. 082-5403, National Register of Historic Places Registration Form . 2014.","Wittig, Mildred Renalds.  Henkel – Renalds Connection: with Ancestral Scripts and Collections . Harrisonburg, Va.: Custom Printing, 2014."],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eSeveral complete and thorough genealogies have been written about the Henkel family and their contributions as doctors, printers, entrepreneurs, millers, and religious leaders. As such, this biographical note does not serve as an exhaustive rehashing of previous scholarship. Researchers are encouraged to review published secondary sources for additional information on the Henkel family.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe Henkel Family of Virginia's Shenandoah Valley descends from Rev. Paul Henkel (1754-1825) and Elizabeth Henkel (d. 1843). Siram Peter Henkel, who along with his immediate family is primarily documented in this collection, was the fifth child of Dr. Solomon Henkel (1777-1847) and Rebecca Miller Henkel (1780-1854) and grandson of Rev. Paul Henkel.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSiram was born March 16, 1809 in New Market, Virginia. In an attempt to follow in his father's footsteps, Siram attended, but did not complete, medical school at the University of Pennsylvania. He married Margaret Koiner (variously spelled Coiner) Henkel (1820-1899) of Augusta County, Virginia on June 30, 1835. The couple settled at \"The Plains\" – located between New Market and Timberville – in September 1835 and their thirteen children, many of whom are also documented in this collection, were born and raised there. Siram farmed various crops and also operated a store and mill at The Plains. The Plains Mill was erected between 1847 and 1849 under the direction of Siram and his father Solomon, prior to his death in August 1847.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDuring the American Civil War, two of Siram and Margeret's sons served for the Confederacy. Lewis Philip (1837-1904) served in the Ordance Department of the Confederate Army. Around 1863, Lewis became a member of Co. H (Valley Rangers) of the 10th Virginia Cavalry. Luther Melanchton (1841-1919) was also a member of the Confederate Army and wrote home to his father from various camps. Lewis and Luther's brother Samuel Augustus (1840-1885) was exempt from military duty due to medical reasons. He became epileptic after sustaining injuries from run-away horses in 1855.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIn 1878, one year prior to Siram's death, he sketched the plans for a new house at Plains Mill. The house was built in 1882 and served as the residence for Siram's widow, Margaret, until her death in 1899. The aforementioned sketch and photographs of the completed house are found in this collection.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eHeleah Margaret Henkel, daughter of Siram and Margaret Henkel, married William M. Renalds in 1893. Their family is heavily documented in the 2023 accession materials.\u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Bio/Historical Note"],"bioghist_tesim":["Several complete and thorough genealogies have been written about the Henkel family and their contributions as doctors, printers, entrepreneurs, millers, and religious leaders. As such, this biographical note does not serve as an exhaustive rehashing of previous scholarship. Researchers are encouraged to review published secondary sources for additional information on the Henkel family.","The Henkel Family of Virginia's Shenandoah Valley descends from Rev. Paul Henkel (1754-1825) and Elizabeth Henkel (d. 1843). Siram Peter Henkel, who along with his immediate family is primarily documented in this collection, was the fifth child of Dr. Solomon Henkel (1777-1847) and Rebecca Miller Henkel (1780-1854) and grandson of Rev. Paul Henkel.","Siram was born March 16, 1809 in New Market, Virginia. In an attempt to follow in his father's footsteps, Siram attended, but did not complete, medical school at the University of Pennsylvania. He married Margaret Koiner (variously spelled Coiner) Henkel (1820-1899) of Augusta County, Virginia on June 30, 1835. The couple settled at \"The Plains\" – located between New Market and Timberville – in September 1835 and their thirteen children, many of whom are also documented in this collection, were born and raised there. Siram farmed various crops and also operated a store and mill at The Plains. The Plains Mill was erected between 1847 and 1849 under the direction of Siram and his father Solomon, prior to his death in August 1847.","During the American Civil War, two of Siram and Margeret's sons served for the Confederacy. Lewis Philip (1837-1904) served in the Ordance Department of the Confederate Army. Around 1863, Lewis became a member of Co. H (Valley Rangers) of the 10th Virginia Cavalry. Luther Melanchton (1841-1919) was also a member of the Confederate Army and wrote home to his father from various camps. Lewis and Luther's brother Samuel Augustus (1840-1885) was exempt from military duty due to medical reasons. He became epileptic after sustaining injuries from run-away horses in 1855.","In 1878, one year prior to Siram's death, he sketched the plans for a new house at Plains Mill. The house was built in 1882 and served as the residence for Siram's widow, Margaret, until her death in 1899. The aforementioned sketch and photographs of the completed house are found in this collection.","Heleah Margaret Henkel, daughter of Siram and Margaret Henkel, married William M. Renalds in 1893. Their family is heavily documented in the 2023 accession materials."],"custodhist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eMaterial was property of a Henkel family descendant, presumably Mildred Renalds Wittig, great-granddaughter of Siram and Margaret Koiner Henkel.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMaterials in the 2023-0329 accession, purchased from ZH Books, share provenance with the rest of the collection in that they descended through the Henkel family to Mildred Renalds Wittig before being sold at Jeffrey S. Evans \u0026amp; Associates' March 2, 2022 Winter Americana sale.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThe materials in this series share provenance with the rest of the collection in that they descended through the Henkel family to Mildred Renalds Wittig before being sold at Jeffrey S. Evans \u0026amp; Associates' March 2, 2022 Winter Americana sale.\u003c/p\u003e"],"custodhist_heading_ssm":["Provenance","Provenance"],"custodhist_tesim":["Material was property of a Henkel family descendant, presumably Mildred Renalds Wittig, great-granddaughter of Siram and Margaret Koiner Henkel.","Materials in the 2023-0329 accession, purchased from ZH Books, share provenance with the rest of the collection in that they descended through the Henkel family to Mildred Renalds Wittig before being sold at Jeffrey S. Evans \u0026 Associates' March 2, 2022 Winter Americana sale.","The materials in this series share provenance with the rest of the collection in that they descended through the Henkel family to Mildred Renalds Wittig before being sold at Jeffrey S. Evans \u0026 Associates' March 2, 2022 Winter Americana sale."],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Henkel Family Papers, 1801-2008, SC 0253, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Henkel Family Papers, 1801-2008, SC 0253, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA."],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eMuch of the collection was received in three-ring binders with the manuscripts in plastic sleeves. The correspondence was generally arranged in chronological order. The documents were removed from the binders and plastic sleeves and placed in Mylar when necessary.\u003c/p\u003e"],"processinfo_heading_ssm":["Processing Information"],"processinfo_tesim":["Much of the collection was received in three-ring binders with the manuscripts in plastic sleeves. The correspondence was generally arranged in chronological order. The documents were removed from the binders and plastic sleeves and placed in Mylar when necessary."],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eHenkel Family Papers, 1783-1916, SC 0099, Special Collections, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eHenkel Family Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book \u0026amp; Manuscript Library, Duke University.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eHenkel family records, 1838-1903. Business records collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eHenkel-Miller Family Papers, 1793-1910, #14434, Special Collections, University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, Va.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eHenkel Plain Mills Store Daybook, 1835-1849, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eMultiple collections under the accession number 8653, Special Collections Department, University of Virginia Library.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eMany of the documents in this collection are copied and transcribed in Mildred Renalds Wittig's \u003cemph render=\"italic\"\u003eHenkel – Renalds Connection\u003c/emph\u003e (2014).\u003c/p\u003e"],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Material"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["Henkel Family Papers, 1783-1916, SC 0099, Special Collections, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.","Henkel Family Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book \u0026 Manuscript Library, Duke University.","Henkel family records, 1838-1903. Business records collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond.","Henkel-Miller Family Papers, 1793-1910, #14434, Special Collections, University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, Va.","Henkel Plain Mills Store Daybook, 1835-1849, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.","Multiple collections under the accession number 8653, Special Collections Department, University of Virginia Library.","Many of the documents in this collection are copied and transcribed in Mildred Renalds Wittig's  Henkel – Renalds Connection  (2014)."],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe Henkel Family Papers, 1801-2008, document the influential Henkel family of Shenandoah and Rockingham counties in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. The collection, chiefly documenting the Siram and Margaret Koiner Henkel line of the family, is comprised primarily of correspondence written to Siram P. Henkel and includes letters from his sons Lewis and Luther during their service in the American Civil War. The collection also includes personal and financial papers of various Henkel family members including Siram's children and genealogical research materials, much of which was used to inform Mildred Renalds Wittig's \u003cemph render=\"italic\"\u003eHenkel – Renalds Connection: with Ancestral Scripts and Collections\u003c/emph\u003e (2014).\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 1: Correspondence, 1827-1913, chiefly contains letters written to Siram P. Henkel with correspondents including members of the Koiner/Coiner family of Augusta County, the Miller family of Winchester, and the Rupert family of Augusta County. The correspondents report on family and community news, marriages, health and illnesses, deaths, weather, harvest and planting updates, crop yields, and include fellow merchants requesting advice on the market of certain goods and numerous requests for Dr. Henkel's pills. Of particular interest are the letters written to Siram by his sons Lewis and Luther while serving in the American Civil War. The sons, and Luther in particular, write about camp life and general updates related to the war. In a December 21, 1861 letter to his father, Lewis P. Henkel writes from Winchester and mentions General Stonewall Jackson. He also refers to General Gilbert S. Meem as \"Genl. Drunk.\"\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThis series also contains correspondence to/from other Henkel family members including Dr. Solomon Henkel, Samuel G. Henkel, Solomon D. Henkel, Maggie Henkel Renalds, Lillian Henkel, and Margaret Koiner Henkel.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe documentary record confirms that Margaret Koiner Henkel's family were enslavers and given the date of much of the correspondence, a portion relates to slavery and enslaved persons. Delia Koiner Overholt wrote to her sister Margaret Henkel on May 28, 1847 relaying the news of their grandfather's death. She goes on to write that \"eleven or twelve blacks are to be sold and a great deal of property.\" In a January 24, 1857 letter to Siram Henkel, Delia Koiner Overholt writes again to describe in detail describes the sale of enslaved persons from her grandfather's estate. A similarly noteworthy letter, dated August 13, 1835, was penned by Siram Henkel to his wife Margaret in which he describes a large \"drove\" of enslaved persons that passed through the Valley. He describes the scene as follows: \"There were eighty-four chained together to one long chain; there were also a great many women and children that were also in company; the whole number of men, women \u0026amp; children was two hundred and forty.\" There are two original copies of this letter in the collection.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAll correspondence addressed to Dr. Solomon Henkel and/or Solomon Henkel P.M. is filed with Solomon Henkel (1777-1847), who was a practicing physician and served as Shenandoah County's first postmaster. A concerted effort was made on behalf of the archivist to not confuse his papers with those of his son Solomon David Henkel (1815-1872).\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMuch of the correspondence includes envelopes or address leaves. The correspondence is arranged primarily by recipient, but in cases where the recipient is unknown (e.g. non-specific salutations and greetings or lack of return address), the correspondence is filed with miscellaneous correspondence. Some of the letters have non-original annotations on the address leaves relating to content or the correspondents.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 2: Personal Papers, 1801-1881, includes miscellaneous papers from the immediate family of Siram Henkel. School papers and writing assignements from Siram and Margaret Henkel's children, Lewis, Samuel, Julia, Martin, and Maggie are included. The documents include a January 17, 1881 essay on politeness written by Maggie Henkel.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe series also includes a manuscript music book penned by Siram's mother, Rebecca Miller Henkel, a grammar copybook belonging to Siram's brother Slyvanus Henkel, and Siram's 1878 plans for his family's new home place at Plains Mill.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 3: Financial Files, 1832-1894, contains receipts, ledger pages, and promissory notes. Included in Siram Henkel's financial papers is a form of the estimate and assessment of agricultural products to be taxed by the government of the Confederate States. Of particular interest is Paul P. Henkel's 1844-1872 daybook entitled \"Sawmill Book No. 3\" documenting the sawmill owned by Solomon Henkel. The daybook records prices for sawing and details sawing activities. Elizabeth Garber Renalds' account book and journal documents egg business and other farming and day-to-day activities while the family was living at the Lincoln Homestead on Linville Creek south of Broadway.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 4: Genealogy and Research Files, 1890-2008, is comprised of research material, much of which was used to inform Mildred Renalds Wittig's \u003cemph render=\"italic\"\u003eHenkel – Renalds Connection: with Ancestral Scripts and Collections\u003c/emph\u003e (2014). Documents include family trees, facsimiles of correspondence and manuscript material not otherwise found in this collection, photographs of Henkel family members and properties including Plains Mill and the Plains School, newspaper clippings, Henkel family reunion materials, and blank postcards. An oversize reproduction of a blank family register printed by Ambrose Henkel \u0026amp; Comp. is included.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 5: 2023-0329 Accession, 1864-1923, includes Henkel family correspondence, Renalds family correspondence, and letters written to Ray Renalds while he was admitted to Rockingham Memorial Hospital in 1923 for an undisclosed illness.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSchool materials were created by Lillian Henkel while a student at the Shenandoah Institute in Dayton and Harry S. Henkel while a student at Dunsmore Business College in Staunton. Coursework created by Ray Renalds while a student at Shenandoah Luthern Institute is included.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eFront covers of bound volumes are inscribed \"Lillian M. Henkel, Shenandoah Institute, Sept. 20, 1900\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eTuition for Ray and Richard Renalds.\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content","Scope and Content","Scope and Content","Scope and Content","Scope and Content","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents"],"scopecontent_tesim":["The Henkel Family Papers, 1801-2008, document the influential Henkel family of Shenandoah and Rockingham counties in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. The collection, chiefly documenting the Siram and Margaret Koiner Henkel line of the family, is comprised primarily of correspondence written to Siram P. Henkel and includes letters from his sons Lewis and Luther during their service in the American Civil War. The collection also includes personal and financial papers of various Henkel family members including Siram's children and genealogical research materials, much of which was used to inform Mildred Renalds Wittig's  Henkel – Renalds Connection: with Ancestral Scripts and Collections  (2014).","Series 1: Correspondence, 1827-1913, chiefly contains letters written to Siram P. Henkel with correspondents including members of the Koiner/Coiner family of Augusta County, the Miller family of Winchester, and the Rupert family of Augusta County. The correspondents report on family and community news, marriages, health and illnesses, deaths, weather, harvest and planting updates, crop yields, and include fellow merchants requesting advice on the market of certain goods and numerous requests for Dr. Henkel's pills. Of particular interest are the letters written to Siram by his sons Lewis and Luther while serving in the American Civil War. The sons, and Luther in particular, write about camp life and general updates related to the war. In a December 21, 1861 letter to his father, Lewis P. Henkel writes from Winchester and mentions General Stonewall Jackson. He also refers to General Gilbert S. Meem as \"Genl. Drunk.\"","This series also contains correspondence to/from other Henkel family members including Dr. Solomon Henkel, Samuel G. Henkel, Solomon D. Henkel, Maggie Henkel Renalds, Lillian Henkel, and Margaret Koiner Henkel.","The documentary record confirms that Margaret Koiner Henkel's family were enslavers and given the date of much of the correspondence, a portion relates to slavery and enslaved persons. Delia Koiner Overholt wrote to her sister Margaret Henkel on May 28, 1847 relaying the news of their grandfather's death. She goes on to write that \"eleven or twelve blacks are to be sold and a great deal of property.\" In a January 24, 1857 letter to Siram Henkel, Delia Koiner Overholt writes again to describe in detail describes the sale of enslaved persons from her grandfather's estate. A similarly noteworthy letter, dated August 13, 1835, was penned by Siram Henkel to his wife Margaret in which he describes a large \"drove\" of enslaved persons that passed through the Valley. He describes the scene as follows: \"There were eighty-four chained together to one long chain; there were also a great many women and children that were also in company; the whole number of men, women \u0026 children was two hundred and forty.\" There are two original copies of this letter in the collection.","All correspondence addressed to Dr. Solomon Henkel and/or Solomon Henkel P.M. is filed with Solomon Henkel (1777-1847), who was a practicing physician and served as Shenandoah County's first postmaster. A concerted effort was made on behalf of the archivist to not confuse his papers with those of his son Solomon David Henkel (1815-1872).","Much of the correspondence includes envelopes or address leaves. The correspondence is arranged primarily by recipient, but in cases where the recipient is unknown (e.g. non-specific salutations and greetings or lack of return address), the correspondence is filed with miscellaneous correspondence. Some of the letters have non-original annotations on the address leaves relating to content or the correspondents.","Series 2: Personal Papers, 1801-1881, includes miscellaneous papers from the immediate family of Siram Henkel. School papers and writing assignements from Siram and Margaret Henkel's children, Lewis, Samuel, Julia, Martin, and Maggie are included. The documents include a January 17, 1881 essay on politeness written by Maggie Henkel.","The series also includes a manuscript music book penned by Siram's mother, Rebecca Miller Henkel, a grammar copybook belonging to Siram's brother Slyvanus Henkel, and Siram's 1878 plans for his family's new home place at Plains Mill.","Series 3: Financial Files, 1832-1894, contains receipts, ledger pages, and promissory notes. Included in Siram Henkel's financial papers is a form of the estimate and assessment of agricultural products to be taxed by the government of the Confederate States. Of particular interest is Paul P. Henkel's 1844-1872 daybook entitled \"Sawmill Book No. 3\" documenting the sawmill owned by Solomon Henkel. The daybook records prices for sawing and details sawing activities. Elizabeth Garber Renalds' account book and journal documents egg business and other farming and day-to-day activities while the family was living at the Lincoln Homestead on Linville Creek south of Broadway.","Series 4: Genealogy and Research Files, 1890-2008, is comprised of research material, much of which was used to inform Mildred Renalds Wittig's  Henkel – Renalds Connection: with Ancestral Scripts and Collections  (2014). Documents include family trees, facsimiles of correspondence and manuscript material not otherwise found in this collection, photographs of Henkel family members and properties including Plains Mill and the Plains School, newspaper clippings, Henkel family reunion materials, and blank postcards. An oversize reproduction of a blank family register printed by Ambrose Henkel \u0026 Comp. is included.","Series 5: 2023-0329 Accession, 1864-1923, includes Henkel family correspondence, Renalds family correspondence, and letters written to Ray Renalds while he was admitted to Rockingham Memorial Hospital in 1923 for an undisclosed illness.","School materials were created by Lillian Henkel while a student at the Shenandoah Institute in Dayton and Harry S. Henkel while a student at Dunsmore Business College in Staunton. Coursework created by Ray Renalds while a student at Shenandoah Luthern Institute is included.","Front covers of bound volumes are inscribed \"Lillian M. Henkel, Shenandoah Institute, Sept. 20, 1900\"","Tuition for Ray and Richard Renalds."],"separatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eSeveral issues of serials including the \u003cemph render=\"italic\"\u003eLutheran Church Visitor\u003c/emph\u003e and the \u003cemph render=\"italic\"\u003eSouthern Churchman\u003c/emph\u003e have been removed from the collection and cataloged as part of Special Collections' rare book collection. Additionally, the facsimile publication of the \u003cemph render=\"italic\"\u003eDay Book for Solomon Henkel at the Plains Mills, Rockingham County, Virginia\u003c/emph\u003e (2013) and Mildred Renalds Wittig's \u003cemph render=\"italic\"\u003eHenkel – Renalds Connection: with Ancestral Scripts and Collections\u003c/emph\u003e (2nd ed., 2014) were removed from the collection and cataloged separately. Additional books and a broadside from the 2019 accession were cataloged separately. Two issues of \u003cemph render=\"italic\"\u003eShenandoah Valley\u003c/emph\u003e (1900), a New Market newspaper, were separated from the 2023-0329 accession and added to existing holdings in Special Collections.\u003c/p\u003e"],"separatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Separated Material"],"separatedmaterial_tesim":["Several issues of serials including the  Lutheran Church Visitor  and the  Southern Churchman  have been removed from the collection and cataloged as part of Special Collections' rare book collection. Additionally, the facsimile publication of the  Day Book for Solomon Henkel at the Plains Mills, Rockingham County, Virginia  (2013) and Mildred Renalds Wittig's  Henkel – Renalds Connection: with Ancestral Scripts and Collections  (2nd ed., 2014) were removed from the collection and cataloged separately. Additional books and a broadside from the 2019 accession were cataloged separately. Two issues of  Shenandoah Valley  (1900), a New Market newspaper, were separated from the 2023-0329 accession and added to existing holdings in Special Collections."],"userestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe copyright interests in this collection have been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).\u003c/p\u003e"],"userestrict_heading_ssm":["Use Restrictions"],"userestrict_tesim":["The copyright interests in this collection have been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu)."],"abstract_html_tesm":["\u003cabstract id=\"aspace_fe701131976635fcfbf3af795f2aa11a\"\u003eThe Henkel Family Papers, 1801-2008, document the influential Henkel family of Rockingham and Shenandoah counties in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. The collection, primarily documenting the Siram and Margaret Koiner Henkel line of the family, is comprised of correspondence, personal and financial papers, and genealogical research materials. The Renalds family is heavily documented in the 2023 accession materials.\u003c/abstract\u003e"],"abstract_tesim":["The Henkel Family Papers, 1801-2008, document the influential Henkel family of Rockingham and Shenandoah counties in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. The collection, primarily documenting the Siram and Margaret Koiner Henkel line of the family, is comprised of correspondence, personal and financial papers, and genealogical research materials. The Renalds family is heavily documented in the 2023 accession materials."],"names_coll_ssim":["Jeffrey S. Evans \u0026 Associates","ZH Books","Henkel family -- Correspondence","Henkel, Siram Peter, 1809-1879"],"names_ssim":["James Madison University Libraries Special Collections","Jeffrey S. Evans \u0026 Associates","ZH Books","Dunsmore Business College (Staunton, Va.)","Henkel family","Henkel family -- Correspondence","Henkel, Siram Peter, 1809-1879"],"corpname_ssim":["James Madison University Libraries Special Collections","Jeffrey S. Evans \u0026 Associates","ZH Books","Dunsmore Business College (Staunton, Va.)"],"famname_ssim":["Henkel family","Henkel family -- Correspondence"],"persname_ssim":["Henkel, Siram Peter, 1809-1879"],"language_ssim":["English, German"],"descrules_ssm":["Describing Archives: A Content Standard"],"total_component_count_is":108,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-05-21T00:19:36.409Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vihart_repositories_4_resources_429_c01"}},{"id":"vihart_repositories_4_resources_398_c01","type":"Series","attributes":{"title":"Correspondence","breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vihart_repositories_4_resources_398_c01#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"ref_ssi":"vihart_repositories_4_resources_398_c01","ref_ssm":["vihart_repositories_4_resources_398_c01"],"id":"vihart_repositories_4_resources_398_c01","ead_ssi":"vihart_repositories_4_resources_398","_root_":"vihart_repositories_4_resources_398","_nest_parent_":"vihart_repositories_4_resources_398","parent_ssi":"vihart_repositories_4_resources_398","parent_ssim":["vihart_repositories_4_resources_398"],"parent_ids_ssim":["vihart_repositories_4_resources_398"],"parent_unittitles_ssm":["Henkel Family Papers"],"parent_unittitles_tesim":["Henkel Family Papers"],"text":["Henkel Family Papers","Correspondence"],"title_filing_ssi":"Correspondence","title_ssm":["Correspondence"],"title_tesim":["Correspondence"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1806-1892"],"normalized_date_ssm":["1806/1892"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Correspondence"],"component_level_isim":[1],"repository_ssim":["James Madison University"],"collection_ssim":["Henkel Family Papers"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"child_component_count_isi":5,"level_ssm":["Series"],"level_ssim":["Series"],"sort_isi":1,"parent_access_restrict_tesm":["Collection is open to research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection."],"parent_access_terms_tesm":["The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu)."],"date_range_isim":[1806,1807,1808,1809,1810,1811,1812,1813,1814,1815,1816,1817,1818,1819,1820,1821,1822,1823,1824,1825,1826,1827,1828,1829,1830,1831,1832,1833,1834,1835,1836,1837,1838,1839,1840,1841,1842,1843,1844,1845,1846,1847,1848,1849,1850,1851,1852,1853,1854,1855,1856,1857,1858,1859,1860,1861,1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867,1868,1869,1870,1871,1872,1873,1874,1875,1876,1877,1878,1879,1880,1881,1882,1883,1884,1885,1886,1887,1888,1889,1890,1891,1892],"_nest_path_":"/components#0","timestamp":"2026-05-21T00:25:29.210Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vihart_repositories_4_resources_398","ead_ssi":"vihart_repositories_4_resources_398","_root_":"vihart_repositories_4_resources_398","_nest_parent_":"vihart_repositories_4_resources_398","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/JMU/repositories_4_resources_398.xml","title_ssm":["Henkel Family Papers"],"title_tesim":["Henkel Family Papers"],"unitdate_ssm":["1783-1916"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1783-1916"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["SC 0099","/repositories/4/resources/398"],"text":["SC 0099","/repositories/4/resources/398","Henkel Family Papers","Virginia -- History","New Market (Va.) -- History","New Market (Va.) -- Genealogy","New Market (Va.) -- Imprints","Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- Social life and customs","Rockingham County (Va.) -- History","Virginia -- History, Local","Virginia -- Church history -- 19th century","Clergy -- Virginia","Printers -- Virginia","Printers -- Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.)","Printing -- Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- History","German imprints -- Virginia -- New Market","Religious literature -- Publication and distribution -- Virginia","Religious literature, German -- Publication and distribution -- Virginia","Lutheran Church -- Virginia","Family papers","Genealogies (histories)","Advertisements","Newspapers","Publications (documents)","Collection is open to research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.","Excerpts of this collection have been digitized and are made available upon request.","Poem about slavery, written by a slave - Unknown Author, undated (English) Report of the Transactions of the Second Evangelical Lutheran Conference held in Zion's Church, Sulivan County Tennessee, October 22, 1821 (English) Henkel manuscript: Woodstock Virginia, January 26, 1829 (English) Henkel Press Song Book, undated (German) Minutes of the Proceedings of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of the State of Virginia, 1833 (English) Short Excerpt of the Transactions of the Synod of the Lutheran Ministry, held in the state of North Carolina in the year of our Lord, 1817 (German)","Partial organization by a previous researcher was maintained. The collection is arranged in five series:","Correspondence, 1806-1892 Religious Documents, 1783-1897 Secular Documents, 1790-1910 Family History Henkel Press Publications, 1806-1891","Edmonds, Albert Sydney. \"The Henkels, Early Printers in New Market, Virginia,\" William and Mary Quarterly, 2nd series, v. 18, 1938.","Scheer, George F. \"First Printing Press in the Valley of Virginia,\" Publishers' Weekly. Vol. 150, November 23, 1946.","Finck, Rev. William J.  A Chronological Life of Paul Henkel . New Market, 1937. Photocopy of original typescript made by Richard R. Renalds, Timberville, VA., 1986.","The Henkel Press began as a crude printing press in the living room of Paul Henkel's house in New Market, Virginia, in 1806. Eventually, it published more Lutheran material than any other press in the country, and earned fame for its excellent children's books. Although the press began printing in German for the large Shenandoah Valley German community, it also published in English at an early date.","A schoolbook on mathematics was withdrawn by the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society on May 16, 2000. In order to streamline the process of applying collection numbers, Special Collections staff completed a large-scale renumbering campaign in the spring of 2017.  This collection was previously cataloged as SC 2065.","The Henkel Collection consists of two Hollinger boxes and one flat box, and spans a period from 1783 to 1916. The bulk of the collection consists of letters, religious documents, and newspapers and advertisements published by the Henkel Press. Also included are some Henkel family history materials and business documents, and miscellaneous secular materials. ","Many of the older letters in the Letters Series are in German while later ones are primarily in English. They demonstrate the dedication of the Henkel family to their faith as well as their activities within the Synod. ","Also in the collection (Secular Documents Series) are several handwritten school books, some with fraktur.","The Henkel Press Publications Series (including the Oversize Series) contains a large part of the collection, and includes handwritten drafts for advertisements to be printed, pamphlets, issues of Virginische Volksberichterand Westliche Correspondenz, and a formula for the ink used in printing.","Mostly to Paul, Ambrose, and Socrates Henkel in German. Includes 1816 German diary with reference to Pt. Pleasant.","German \u0026 English. Numerous letters from North Carolina","Notes by J. Salyards; 1846 brochure on The New-Market Academy; unsigned poem; 2 copies 1875 Henkel pub. of review of \"Idothea;\" several items relating to Salyards Memorial Association","April 12, 1806 (partial copy); February 6, 1808; September 19, 1812; June 28, August 2, 1822","Prayers, organization of service, responsive readings","Most are titled and dated. Several in German. Includes Henkel list of subscribers for preaching, 1841-1852.","Fragments of religious songbooks, some with notations","Includes Henkel Press Song Book, undated (German).","Words to songs; includes ballad about St. Clair's defeat by Indians. Some probably not printed by Henkel Press","Writings from Bible; writings on religious ideas; treatise to Solomon from David Henkle, Lincolnton, NC, 1826","Rockingham County licenses, some with notes that Ambrose or other Henkels performed ceremony","Includes book of misc. accounts with members of Whitehaven congregation, 1813; mss. on worship services by 4 Valley Lutheran churches, called by Rev. Nischmucker in Woodstock Jan. 1828; minutes of church meeting, 1855; printed proceedings of extra session, Luth. Tennessee Synod, 1864","Four texts, one addressed to \"Fellow Citizens of Shenandoah.\" Subjects are political \u0026 social concerns, include intemperance","Promises to pay, subscription orders, receipts, post office oath, a ledger book","Handwritten horse advertisements, announcements of tannery shops; German and English","St. Martin Luther's kleiner Katechismus. . . 1829 (58 cop.). Verhandlungen, Bericht der Verrichtungen, Auszug, or Report. . . evangelical Luthern Conference (North Carolina). . . 1812; 1814; 1816; 1817 (2 cop.). Verrichtung der Special-Conferenze der Evang. Luth. . . in Virginia. . . 1806; 1807; 1808; 1809; 1815; 1831. Kurze Nachricht, Report, Bericht, or Minutes. . . Evang. Luth. Tennessee Synod. . . 1820, 1821, 1828, 1830, 1833, 1891","Handwritten drafts and printed advertisements","Includes sales and school notices, incl. one for S. Henkel's New Market Female Seminary; broadside advertising a \"living quanacos;\" price-setting resolution of Shenandoah Cty. carpenters, 1816; church raffle tickets","Contains Rooster and Lion Henkel sheets, as well the following non-Henkel publications: 16 July 1782 issue of Philadelphische Correspondenz; unidentified sheet from 16 July 1808 German newspaper; 17 Jan. 1815 issue of Der Volksfreund (Lancaster PA); an 1824 election broadside in German; \u0026 1889 pamphlet Die Vekehrung (Allentown, PA)","December 23, 30, 1807; January 6, 20, 27; February 3, 17; March 2, 9, 16, 30, 1808","April 6, 13, 27 (partial copy); May 4, 11, 18, 25; June 8, 15, 22, 29; July 6, 13, 20, 27; August 10 (partial copy), 17, 31, 1808","September 7; October 5 (1 1/2 copies), 12 (1 1/2 copies), 19 (partial copy), 26; November 2, 16 (2 copies), 23, 30; December 7, 14, 1808","January 4, 11, 18 (partial); February 1, 8 (partial), 15, 22 (2 copies); March 1, 15, 22; April 12, 19, 26; May 10, 24, 31; June 14, 1809","The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).","The Henkel Family Papers consists of two Hollinger boxes and one oversize box, and spans a period from 1783 to 1916. The bulk of the collection consists of letters, religious documents, and newspapers and advertisements published by the Henkel Press of New Market, Virginia. Also included are some Henkel family history materials and business documents, and miscellaneous secular materials.","James Madison University Libraries Special Collections","Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society","Henkel family","Henkel family -- Correspondence","Henkel, Ambrose, 1786-1870 -- Correspondence","Henkel, Paul, 1754-1825 -- Correspondence","Henkel, Socrates, Rev., 1823-1901 -- Correspondence","Salyards, Joseph, 1808-1885 -- Correspondence","English"],"unitid_tesim":["SC 0099","/repositories/4/resources/398"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Henkel Family Papers"],"collection_title_tesim":["Henkel Family Papers"],"collection_ssim":["Henkel Family Papers"],"repository_ssm":["James Madison University"],"repository_ssim":["James Madison University"],"geogname_ssm":["Virginia -- History","New Market (Va.) -- History","New Market (Va.) -- Genealogy","New Market (Va.) -- Imprints","Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- Social life and customs","Rockingham County (Va.) -- History","Virginia -- History, Local","Virginia -- Church history -- 19th century"],"geogname_ssim":["Virginia -- History","New Market (Va.) -- History","New Market (Va.) -- Genealogy","New Market (Va.) -- Imprints","Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- Social life and customs","Rockingham County (Va.) -- History","Virginia -- History, Local","Virginia -- Church history -- 19th century"],"creator_ssm":["Henkel family","Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society"],"creator_ssim":["Henkel family","Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society"],"creator_corpname_ssim":["Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society"],"creator_famname_ssim":["Henkel family"],"creators_ssim":["Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society","Henkel family"],"places_ssim":["Virginia -- History","New Market (Va.) -- History","New Market (Va.) -- Genealogy","New Market (Va.) -- Imprints","Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- Social life and customs","Rockingham County (Va.) -- History","Virginia -- History, Local","Virginia -- Church history -- 19th century"],"access_terms_ssm":["The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu)."],"acqinfo_ssim":["Placed on deposit at Carrier Library through the November 1985 contract with the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society."],"access_subjects_ssim":["Clergy -- Virginia","Printers -- Virginia","Printers -- Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.)","Printing -- Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- History","German imprints -- Virginia -- New Market","Religious literature -- Publication and distribution -- Virginia","Religious literature, German -- Publication and distribution -- Virginia","Lutheran Church -- Virginia","Family papers","Genealogies (histories)","Advertisements","Newspapers","Publications (documents)"],"access_subjects_ssm":["Clergy -- Virginia","Printers -- Virginia","Printers -- Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.)","Printing -- Shenandoah River Valley (Va. and W. Va.) -- History","German imprints -- Virginia -- New Market","Religious literature -- Publication and distribution -- Virginia","Religious literature, German -- Publication and distribution -- Virginia","Lutheran Church -- Virginia","Family papers","Genealogies (histories)","Advertisements","Newspapers","Publications (documents)"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["2.44  cubic feet 3 boxes"],"extent_tesim":["2.44  cubic feet 3 boxes"],"genreform_ssim":["Family papers","Genealogies (histories)","Advertisements","Newspapers","Publications (documents)"],"date_range_isim":[1783,1784,1785,1786,1787,1788,1789,1790,1791,1792,1793,1794,1795,1796,1797,1798,1799,1800,1801,1802,1803,1804,1805,1806,1807,1808,1809,1810,1811,1812,1813,1814,1815,1816,1817,1818,1819,1820,1821,1822,1823,1824,1825,1826,1827,1828,1829,1830,1831,1832,1833,1834,1835,1836,1837,1838,1839,1840,1841,1842,1843,1844,1845,1846,1847,1848,1849,1850,1851,1852,1853,1854,1855,1856,1857,1858,1859,1860,1861,1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867,1868,1869,1870,1871,1872,1873,1874,1875,1876,1877,1878,1879,1880,1881,1882,1883,1884,1885,1886,1887,1888,1889,1890,1891,1892,1893,1894,1895,1896,1897,1898,1899,1900,1901,1902,1903,1904,1905,1906,1907,1908,1909,1910],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eCollection is open to research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Access Restrictions"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["Collection is open to research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection."],"altformavail_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eExcerpts of this collection have been digitized and are made available upon request.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003clist numeration=\"upperalpha\" type=\"ordered\"\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003ePoem about slavery, written by a slave - Unknown Author, undated (English)\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eReport of the Transactions of the Second Evangelical Lutheran Conference held in Zion's Church, Sulivan County Tennessee, October 22, 1821 (English)\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eHenkel manuscript: Woodstock Virginia, January 26, 1829 (English)\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eHenkel Press Song Book, undated (German)\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eMinutes of the Proceedings of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of the State of Virginia, 1833 (English)\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eShort Excerpt of the Transactions of the Synod of the Lutheran Ministry, held in the state of North Carolina in the year of our Lord, 1817 (German)\u003c/item\u003e\n    \u003c/list\u003e"],"altformavail_heading_ssm":["Alternate Formats"],"altformavail_tesim":["Excerpts of this collection have been digitized and are made available upon request.","Poem about slavery, written by a slave - Unknown Author, undated (English) Report of the Transactions of the Second Evangelical Lutheran Conference held in Zion's Church, Sulivan County Tennessee, October 22, 1821 (English) Henkel manuscript: Woodstock Virginia, January 26, 1829 (English) Henkel Press Song Book, undated (German) Minutes of the Proceedings of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of the State of Virginia, 1833 (English) Short Excerpt of the Transactions of the Synod of the Lutheran Ministry, held in the state of North Carolina in the year of our Lord, 1817 (German)"],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003ePartial organization by a previous researcher was maintained. The collection is arranged in five series:\u003c/p\u003e","\u003clist numeration=\"arabic\" type=\"ordered\"\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eCorrespondence, 1806-1892\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eReligious Documents, 1783-1897\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eSecular Documents, 1790-1910\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eFamily History\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eHenkel Press Publications, 1806-1891\u003c/item\u003e\n    \u003c/list\u003e"],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement"],"arrangement_tesim":["Partial organization by a previous researcher was maintained. The collection is arranged in five series:","Correspondence, 1806-1892 Religious Documents, 1783-1897 Secular Documents, 1790-1910 Family History Henkel Press Publications, 1806-1891"],"bibliography_html_tesm":["\u003cbibref\u003eEdmonds, Albert Sydney. \"The Henkels, Early Printers in New Market, Virginia,\" William and Mary Quarterly, 2nd series, v. 18, 1938.\u003c/bibref\u003e","\u003cbibref\u003eScheer, George F. \"First Printing Press in the Valley of Virginia,\" Publishers' Weekly. Vol. 150, November 23, 1946.\u003c/bibref\u003e","\u003cbibref\u003eFinck, Rev. William J. \u003cemph render=\"italic\"\u003eA Chronological Life of Paul Henkel\u003c/emph\u003e. New Market, 1937. Photocopy of original typescript made by Richard R. Renalds, Timberville, VA., 1986.\u003c/bibref\u003e"],"bibliography_heading_ssm":["Bibliography"],"bibliography_tesim":["Edmonds, Albert Sydney. \"The Henkels, Early Printers in New Market, Virginia,\" William and Mary Quarterly, 2nd series, v. 18, 1938.","Scheer, George F. \"First Printing Press in the Valley of Virginia,\" Publishers' Weekly. Vol. 150, November 23, 1946.","Finck, Rev. William J.  A Chronological Life of Paul Henkel . New Market, 1937. Photocopy of original typescript made by Richard R. Renalds, Timberville, VA., 1986."],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe Henkel Press began as a crude printing press in the living room of Paul Henkel's house in New Market, Virginia, in 1806. Eventually, it published more Lutheran material than any other press in the country, and earned fame for its excellent children's books. Although the press began printing in German for the large Shenandoah Valley German community, it also published in English at an early date.\u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Bio/Historical Note"],"bioghist_tesim":["The Henkel Press began as a crude printing press in the living room of Paul Henkel's house in New Market, Virginia, in 1806. Eventually, it published more Lutheran material than any other press in the country, and earned fame for its excellent children's books. Although the press began printing in German for the large Shenandoah Valley German community, it also published in English at an early date."],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Henkel Family Papers, SC 0099, Special Collections, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Henkel Family Papers, SC 0099, Special Collections, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA."],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eA schoolbook on mathematics was withdrawn by the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society on May 16, 2000. In order to streamline the process of applying collection numbers, Special Collections staff completed a large-scale renumbering campaign in the spring of 2017. \u003cemph render=\"bold\"\u003eThis collection was previously cataloged as SC 2065.\u003c/emph\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"],"processinfo_heading_ssm":["Processing Information"],"processinfo_tesim":["A schoolbook on mathematics was withdrawn by the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society on May 16, 2000. In order to streamline the process of applying collection numbers, Special Collections staff completed a large-scale renumbering campaign in the spring of 2017.  This collection was previously cataloged as SC 2065."],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe Henkel Collection consists of two Hollinger boxes and one flat box, and spans a period from 1783 to 1916. The bulk of the collection consists of letters, religious documents, and newspapers and advertisements published by the Henkel Press. Also included are some Henkel family history materials and business documents, and miscellaneous secular materials. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMany of the older letters in the Letters Series are in German while later ones are primarily in English. They demonstrate the dedication of the Henkel family to their faith as well as their activities within the Synod. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAlso in the collection (Secular Documents Series) are several handwritten school books, some with fraktur.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe Henkel Press Publications Series (including the Oversize Series) contains a large part of the collection, and includes handwritten drafts for advertisements to be printed, pamphlets, issues of Virginische Volksberichterand Westliche Correspondenz, and a formula for the ink used in printing.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eMostly to Paul, Ambrose, and Socrates Henkel in German. Includes 1816 German diary with reference to Pt. Pleasant.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eGerman \u0026amp; English. Numerous letters from North Carolina\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eNotes by J. Salyards; 1846 brochure on The New-Market Academy; unsigned poem; 2 copies 1875 Henkel pub. of review of \"Idothea;\" several items relating to Salyards Memorial Association\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eApril 12, 1806 (partial copy); February 6, 1808; September 19, 1812; June 28, August 2, 1822\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePrayers, organization of service, responsive readings\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eMost are titled and dated. Several in German. Includes Henkel list of subscribers for preaching, 1841-1852.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eFragments of religious songbooks, some with notations\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIncludes Henkel Press Song Book, undated (German).\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWords to songs; includes ballad about St. Clair's defeat by Indians. Some probably not printed by Henkel Press\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritings from Bible; writings on religious ideas; treatise to Solomon from David Henkle, Lincolnton, NC, 1826\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRockingham County licenses, some with notes that Ambrose or other Henkels performed ceremony\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIncludes book of misc. accounts with members of Whitehaven congregation, 1813; mss. on worship services by 4 Valley Lutheran churches, called by Rev. Nischmucker in Woodstock Jan. 1828; minutes of church meeting, 1855; printed proceedings of extra session, Luth. Tennessee Synod, 1864\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eFour texts, one addressed to \"Fellow Citizens of Shenandoah.\" Subjects are political \u0026amp; social concerns, include intemperance\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePromises to pay, subscription orders, receipts, post office oath, a ledger book\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eHandwritten horse advertisements, announcements of tannery shops; German and English\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSt. Martin Luther's kleiner Katechismus. . . 1829 (58 cop.). Verhandlungen, Bericht der Verrichtungen, Auszug, or Report. . . evangelical Luthern Conference (North Carolina). . . 1812; 1814; 1816; 1817 (2 cop.). Verrichtung der Special-Conferenze der Evang. Luth. . . in Virginia. . . 1806; 1807; 1808; 1809; 1815; 1831. Kurze Nachricht, Report, Bericht, or Minutes. . . Evang. Luth. Tennessee Synod. . . 1820, 1821, 1828, 1830, 1833, 1891\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eHandwritten drafts and printed advertisements\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIncludes sales and school notices, incl. one for S. Henkel's New Market Female Seminary; broadside advertising a \"living quanacos;\" price-setting resolution of Shenandoah Cty. carpenters, 1816; church raffle tickets\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eContains Rooster and Lion Henkel sheets, as well the following non-Henkel publications: 16 July 1782 issue of Philadelphische Correspondenz; unidentified sheet from 16 July 1808 German newspaper; 17 Jan. 1815 issue of Der Volksfreund (Lancaster PA); an 1824 election broadside in German; \u0026amp; 1889 pamphlet Die Vekehrung (Allentown, PA)\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDecember 23, 30, 1807; January 6, 20, 27; February 3, 17; March 2, 9, 16, 30, 1808\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eApril 6, 13, 27 (partial copy); May 4, 11, 18, 25; June 8, 15, 22, 29; July 6, 13, 20, 27; August 10 (partial copy), 17, 31, 1808\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeptember 7; October 5 (1 1/2 copies), 12 (1 1/2 copies), 19 (partial copy), 26; November 2, 16 (2 copies), 23, 30; December 7, 14, 1808\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eJanuary 4, 11, 18 (partial); February 1, 8 (partial), 15, 22 (2 copies); March 1, 15, 22; April 12, 19, 26; May 10, 24, 31; June 14, 1809\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content","Scope and Content","Scope and Content","Scope and Content","Scope and Content","Scope and Content","Scope and Content","Scope and Content","Scope and Contents","Scope and Content","Scope and Content","Scope and Content","Scope and Content","Scope and Content","Scope and Content","Scope and Content","Scope and Content","Scope and Content","Scope and Content","Scope and Content","Scope and Content","Scope and Content","Scope and Content","Scope and Content"],"scopecontent_tesim":["The Henkel Collection consists of two Hollinger boxes and one flat box, and spans a period from 1783 to 1916. The bulk of the collection consists of letters, religious documents, and newspapers and advertisements published by the Henkel Press. Also included are some Henkel family history materials and business documents, and miscellaneous secular materials. ","Many of the older letters in the Letters Series are in German while later ones are primarily in English. They demonstrate the dedication of the Henkel family to their faith as well as their activities within the Synod. ","Also in the collection (Secular Documents Series) are several handwritten school books, some with fraktur.","The Henkel Press Publications Series (including the Oversize Series) contains a large part of the collection, and includes handwritten drafts for advertisements to be printed, pamphlets, issues of Virginische Volksberichterand Westliche Correspondenz, and a formula for the ink used in printing.","Mostly to Paul, Ambrose, and Socrates Henkel in German. Includes 1816 German diary with reference to Pt. Pleasant.","German \u0026 English. Numerous letters from North Carolina","Notes by J. Salyards; 1846 brochure on The New-Market Academy; unsigned poem; 2 copies 1875 Henkel pub. of review of \"Idothea;\" several items relating to Salyards Memorial Association","April 12, 1806 (partial copy); February 6, 1808; September 19, 1812; June 28, August 2, 1822","Prayers, organization of service, responsive readings","Most are titled and dated. Several in German. Includes Henkel list of subscribers for preaching, 1841-1852.","Fragments of religious songbooks, some with notations","Includes Henkel Press Song Book, undated (German).","Words to songs; includes ballad about St. Clair's defeat by Indians. Some probably not printed by Henkel Press","Writings from Bible; writings on religious ideas; treatise to Solomon from David Henkle, Lincolnton, NC, 1826","Rockingham County licenses, some with notes that Ambrose or other Henkels performed ceremony","Includes book of misc. accounts with members of Whitehaven congregation, 1813; mss. on worship services by 4 Valley Lutheran churches, called by Rev. Nischmucker in Woodstock Jan. 1828; minutes of church meeting, 1855; printed proceedings of extra session, Luth. Tennessee Synod, 1864","Four texts, one addressed to \"Fellow Citizens of Shenandoah.\" Subjects are political \u0026 social concerns, include intemperance","Promises to pay, subscription orders, receipts, post office oath, a ledger book","Handwritten horse advertisements, announcements of tannery shops; German and English","St. Martin Luther's kleiner Katechismus. . . 1829 (58 cop.). Verhandlungen, Bericht der Verrichtungen, Auszug, or Report. . . evangelical Luthern Conference (North Carolina). . . 1812; 1814; 1816; 1817 (2 cop.). Verrichtung der Special-Conferenze der Evang. Luth. . . in Virginia. . . 1806; 1807; 1808; 1809; 1815; 1831. Kurze Nachricht, Report, Bericht, or Minutes. . . Evang. Luth. Tennessee Synod. . . 1820, 1821, 1828, 1830, 1833, 1891","Handwritten drafts and printed advertisements","Includes sales and school notices, incl. one for S. Henkel's New Market Female Seminary; broadside advertising a \"living quanacos;\" price-setting resolution of Shenandoah Cty. carpenters, 1816; church raffle tickets","Contains Rooster and Lion Henkel sheets, as well the following non-Henkel publications: 16 July 1782 issue of Philadelphische Correspondenz; unidentified sheet from 16 July 1808 German newspaper; 17 Jan. 1815 issue of Der Volksfreund (Lancaster PA); an 1824 election broadside in German; \u0026 1889 pamphlet Die Vekehrung (Allentown, PA)","December 23, 30, 1807; January 6, 20, 27; February 3, 17; March 2, 9, 16, 30, 1808","April 6, 13, 27 (partial copy); May 4, 11, 18, 25; June 8, 15, 22, 29; July 6, 13, 20, 27; August 10 (partial copy), 17, 31, 1808","September 7; October 5 (1 1/2 copies), 12 (1 1/2 copies), 19 (partial copy), 26; November 2, 16 (2 copies), 23, 30; December 7, 14, 1808","January 4, 11, 18 (partial); February 1, 8 (partial), 15, 22 (2 copies); March 1, 15, 22; April 12, 19, 26; May 10, 24, 31; June 14, 1809"],"userestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).\u003c/p\u003e"],"userestrict_heading_ssm":["Use Restrictions"],"userestrict_tesim":["The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu)."],"abstract_html_tesm":["\u003cabstract id=\"aspace_6f189c4d73215aa7b681cb65400f2d90\"\u003eThe Henkel Family Papers consists of two Hollinger boxes and one oversize box, and spans a period from 1783 to 1916. The bulk of the collection consists of letters, religious documents, and newspapers and advertisements published by the Henkel Press of New Market, Virginia. Also included are some Henkel family history materials and business documents, and miscellaneous secular materials.\u003c/abstract\u003e"],"abstract_tesim":["The Henkel Family Papers consists of two Hollinger boxes and one oversize box, and spans a period from 1783 to 1916. The bulk of the collection consists of letters, religious documents, and newspapers and advertisements published by the Henkel Press of New Market, Virginia. Also included are some Henkel family history materials and business documents, and miscellaneous secular materials."],"names_coll_ssim":["Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society","Henkel family -- Correspondence","Henkel, Ambrose, 1786-1870 -- Correspondence","Henkel, Paul, 1754-1825 -- Correspondence","Henkel, Socrates, Rev., 1823-1901 -- Correspondence","Salyards, Joseph, 1808-1885 -- Correspondence"],"names_ssim":["James Madison University Libraries Special Collections","Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society","Henkel family","Henkel family -- Correspondence","Henkel, Ambrose, 1786-1870 -- Correspondence","Henkel, Paul, 1754-1825 -- Correspondence","Henkel, Socrates, Rev., 1823-1901 -- Correspondence","Salyards, Joseph, 1808-1885 -- Correspondence"],"corpname_ssim":["James Madison University Libraries Special Collections","Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society"],"famname_ssim":["Henkel family","Henkel family -- Correspondence"],"persname_ssim":["Henkel, Ambrose, 1786-1870 -- Correspondence","Henkel, Paul, 1754-1825 -- Correspondence","Henkel, Socrates, Rev., 1823-1901 -- Correspondence","Salyards, Joseph, 1808-1885 -- Correspondence"],"language_ssim":["English"],"descrules_ssm":["Describing Archives: A Content Standard"],"total_component_count_is":38,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-05-21T00:25:29.210Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vihart_repositories_4_resources_398_c01"}},{"id":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_593_c02","type":"Series","attributes":{"title":"Correspondence","breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vilxv_repositories_3_resources_593_c02#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"ref_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_593_c02","ref_ssm":["vilxv_repositories_3_resources_593_c02"],"id":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_593_c02","ead_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_593","_root_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_593","_nest_parent_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_593","parent_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_593","parent_ssim":["vilxv_repositories_3_resources_593"],"parent_ids_ssim":["vilxv_repositories_3_resources_593"],"parent_unittitles_ssm":["Matthew Fontaine Maury papers"],"parent_unittitles_tesim":["Matthew Fontaine Maury papers"],"text":["Matthew Fontaine Maury papers","Correspondence","English .","box 3"],"title_filing_ssi":"Correspondence","title_ssm":["Correspondence"],"title_tesim":["Correspondence"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1833-1873"],"normalized_date_ssm":["1833/1873"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Correspondence"],"component_level_isim":[1],"repository_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"collection_ssim":["Matthew Fontaine Maury papers"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"child_component_count_isi":0,"level_ssm":["Series"],"level_ssim":["Series"],"sort_isi":148,"parent_access_restrict_tesm":["There are no restrictions"],"parent_access_terms_tesm":["Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information"],"date_range_isim":[1833,1834,1835,1836,1837,1838,1839,1840,1841,1842,1843,1844,1845,1846,1847,1848,1849,1850,1851,1852,1853,1854,1855,1856,1857,1858,1859,1860,1861,1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867,1868,1869,1870,1871,1872,1873],"language_ssim":["English ."],"containers_ssim":["box 3"],"_nest_path_":"/components#1","timestamp":"2026-05-21T00:11:36.434Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_593","ead_ssi":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_593","_root_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_593","_nest_parent_":"vilxv_repositories_3_resources_593","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/VMI/repositories_3_resources_593.xml","aspace_url_ssi":"http://ead.lib.virginia.edu/vivaxtf/view?docId=vmi/vilxv00010.xml","title_ssm":["Matthew Fontaine Maury papers"],"title_tesim":["Matthew Fontaine Maury papers"],"unitdate_ssm":["1833-1873"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1833-1873"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["MS.0103","/repositories/3/resources/593"],"text":["MS.0103","/repositories/3/resources/593","Matthew Fontaine Maury papers","Confederate States of America—International relations","Confederate States of America. Navy—Officers—Correspondence","Virginia Military Institute—Faculty—19th century","Virginia Military Institute—Faculty—Biography","American Confederate voluntary exiles","Mexico—History ","Correspondence","There are no restrictions","The Matthew Fontaine Maury papers are avaliable  online .","Matthew Fontaine Maury (1806-1873) was a naval officer and oceanographer known as the \"Pathfinder of the Seas.\" He was notable for his pioneering scientific work in the fields of navigation, hydrography, and meteorology. ","Maury joined the United States Navy at age 19, and in 1842 was named head of the Navy's Hydrographical Office and of the United State Naval Observatory. ","Beginning in the 1830s, he published a number of significant works on the Gulf Stream, ocean currents, and navigation. He was also involved in research concerning deep-sea sounding and transoceanic cables.","A native of Virginia, Maury resigned his commission as a Commander in the United States Navy at the outbreak of Civil War in April 1861. He entered the Confederate Navy and undertook research into the new technology of torpedo warfare. He was subsequently ordered to England as a special agent with instructions to purchase ships for the Confederate government.","At War's end, he was enroute to the United States with a cargo of torpedo equipment when, upon arriving in port at Havana, Cuba, he learned that the War had ended. Maury then went to Mexico, where he served Emperor Maximilian and later returned to England where he worked until 1868.","The last five years of Maury's life were spent as a Professor of Physics at VMI in Lexington, Virginia. At VMI, Maury did not have regular classroom duties, but instead gave occasional lectures to the cadets and was primarily involved in overseeing an extensive physical survey of Virginia. He died in 1873.","Fredericksburg Va \n10 Nov 1840","My dear Mother, \nI shall devote my spare time this morning to you. I got up earlier than usual for the purpose of showing the cook how to manage the stove. The parlor stove I wrote you about is a great improvement upon the old plan. It sits in the dining room, \u0026 with less coal for the day than it used to take for our fire in the grate, keeps both dining room \u0026 parlor warm. The door between them is thrown open, \u0026 we sit in the parlor. The parlor fireplace\nis on the summer arrangement, fire screen, etc. up so that you see besides the economy of the fixture, we have gained in personal comfort to ourselves, \u0026 in the saving of labor \u0026 trouble to the servants neither do we have any dust to contend with. The cooking stove has not had its trial yet; but I have no doubt that we shall gain as much by that as with the other.","'The boy' comes bravely on; Nannie, tho' not sick, is feeble. `The boy' is to be called Richard L. He is a fine looking fellow; \u0026 is decidedly the pet with his two aunts. I think Kate too is allowing him to divide the place in her affections, where little Annie, your little namesake, reigned supreme before. Since Nannie's illness I have taken to teaching Betty. She begins to read, \u0026 is very fond of entertaining us, by reading aloud at night her\nlittle stories for our amusement. She is docile, though one has to be firm with her and she soon finds out the length she may go with each one. They are both very affectionate children, though unlike in their disposition---I hear Annie's merry little voice saying \"Beakfak is weady, beakfak is weady\".-----Betty is devotedly fond of flowers; Annie cares very little about them--she takes more delight in associating with dogs \u0026 cats than in\narranging plants \u0026 flowers. They both often talk about their grandma, \u0026 grandpa. Annie is sitting in my lap she says I must tell you to send her some toy things. Cousin Ann wrote that they must say what she shall bring them from England. Betty said \"tell her she must bring her whatever she thinks proper. Annie said \"tell her to bring me some candy, \u0026 some sponge cake.\"","Aunt Gatewood did not make a visit to Louisa, as she intended. After she went from here to visit her daughter near Spotsylvania Court House she was taken sick; she had a severe attack there of chills \u0026 fevers, \u0026 after her recovery, she returned home. Uncle Minor writes in good spirits; the same may be said of Aunt Goodwin. Old Mrs. Crutchfield is in town on a visit to her daughter who married a son of Mr. Young who used 2 to keep a tavern here. She always inquires kindly after you. She is a nice old lady. it\nseems as though I am not to find an opportunity for sending Pa the clothes that cousin Ann left here for him. It is a very nice suit of black \u0026 besides tending to make him comfortable, I think he would be pleased with them. I do not perceive any improvement in the leg. If Nannie \u0026 I be well enough in the\nspring, I should like to make you a visit. Ask Betsy if she could make room for us \u0026 `the boy.'","The political excitement which has been great with regard to the presidential election has subsided in a great measure. Pennsylvania \u0026 New York have both cast their votes for General Harrison---of course he then is elected already. I received a letter last night from Washington \u0026 from a Locofoco---he said it was given up there \u0026 that Mr. Van Buren acknowledged his defeat. For [Kemp's] gratification I will not close this letter till I go down town to hear the latest returns from Virginia \u0026 elsewhere.\nWell, I have returned---Maine, New York, \u0026 Pennsylvania have all gone for General Harrison. Virginia---\"Ephraim is joined to his idols, let him alone\"---returns are in from all but eight counties, which last spring gave a Locofoco majority of 45---The Van Buren ticket is 900 ahead.","Nannie, the children \u0026 all hands, send love to both of you, \u0026 to all the kith \u0026 kin. \nYour affectionate son, \nM. F. Maury","Observatory \nWashington \n6 Feb 1857","My dear Sir, \nYour letter was received day before yesterday. I meet you with its frankness which it invites.","The 'failing' to which you allude is a grievous one; it constitutes the chief but not an insuperable objection to the continuation of your visits to my daughter. She is wise and discreet, I defer to her judgment and approve of the answer which she has given you and by which she requires one year to elapse before she shall be pressed for an answer to your suit. She is a dear child.","This will give us time Mr. Corbin to become better acquainted with you.","In the meantime permit me in the indulgence of that solicitude which the relation you are seeking to establish are calculated to excite in your behalf, to express the hope that if you have not, you will lay off and pursue a regular course of reading \u0026 study.","Very truly yrs. \nM.F. Maury","Sir! \nI avail myself with real pleasure of the opportunity given me by your kind offer of the \"Sailing Directions\" to express to you my warm and sincere thanks for it, to tell you how since years I observed with intent interest and admiration your noble and unequalled efforts in order to hasten the improvement of the scientifical part of our profession.","I trust you will accept this little present, as a token of my gratitude towards a man whom all seafaring nations are bound to look upon with respect and thankfulness.","Believe me Sir \nYours truly \nFerdinand Maximilian \nArch Duke of Austria","Milan \nDec the 10 1857","Observatory \n9 May 1858","My Dear Nannie, \nYours was a sweet letter. It and Mr. Corbin‟s did our hearts good. We miss you so much! The flowers look lonesome, and the songs of the birds sound loud. This is little Lucy‟s birthday – seven years old. It will be ten years I reckon before she will be cutting out. Her Ma pitched into her and the \"boy\" i last evening. She found a moss rose in flower this morning. Davy and the boy went fishing in the wagon at the Little Falls yesterday. They were gone all day but didn‟t get a nibble. Molly is rubbing her chin with a lotion. I hope the appliance will drive those bumps away. As near as I can calculate it‟s just about seven years since you went away. I have not\nseen Betty since, and we have heard from Dick but once and Glumii twice. Went to the Capitol with cousin Anne and Mary Friday. Mit and Ellen are with us. Ellen is going this morning to the [_uney‟s] to make a long or short visit as the time may go. Your Ma and I only want a little stirring up to perpetrate a visit to Dabney next Thursday or Friday to stay till Monday.","Our hearts were touched by the conduct of those excellent people who greeted you with so much kindness, consideration and affection on your arrival at Moss Neck. Such a welcome must have gone far towards making you feel comfortably at home right off the reel. Life is made up of trifles, and our greatest happiness often depends upon a word, the glance of an eye, the\ntone of the voice, or what is more expressive but more indescribably still, the manner. What a boon, a pleasure and a blessing are pleasant manners! They give grace and confer happiness. They embellish, set off and adorn character far more than jewels and precious stones. Cultivate day by day pleasantness of manners. Let us analyze it. Of what or in what does pleasantness of manner – that trait which give grace and elegance to woman, comeliness and the power of doing good.","After church Davy, your Ma and I dined alone. The children stayed down to the Sunday School anniversary. But I was speaking of the Christian graces and human virtues and those traits which you should cultivate and which embellish and adorn the character. The one great point which after duty to God you are to keep constantly in view is to identify yourself with your\nhusband, and strive mutually each to make yourselves the companion of the other. There is but one way to do this, and that is by teaching yourself, my dear, to take an intelligent interest in those affairs and occupations which are from time to time engaging his thoughts and time. The husband's affairs are in the married life the \"affairs of state.\" He provides; and to say the least, the wife who seeks to be posted up in everything that concerns him, especially in the everyday affairs of life, does nothing more than render gracefully a grateful homage. Do you my love first set the example and if you do not win back tenfold, I have much mistake the character of the\nman who won your affections. You must learn the servants by name, the cattle and the fields too. You must learn of Wellford in the morning what he is going about for the day and take that lively interest in his occupations which you would do were they your own. The \"farm book\" will help you to do that. And if its dry details be mastered for the first year, they will be dry no longer – for then you can tell him when to sow, how the seasons and the signs are, etc. Then hospitalities and good-neighborhood, a smile of welcome and a gentle voice from mine hostess makes a sauce that is savory for everything. And the poor, I do not mean more especially objects of charity, but those who are in a more humble sphere of life than it has pleased God t place you – never lack, as in your little heart I am sure you never do – in consideration for them. I must not caution you against the bad taste of patronizing for your manner of life and good breeding secure you against that. What I meant to say is merely to caution you against the\nfoolish habit of waiting to be spoken to. Speak to everyone without waiting.","There is no trait perhaps which is more winning than that of a generous confidence. Self examination, constant, close self examinations are indispensable. There are some of them that may be made all the better with the assistance of our husband. Make Them. Confidence begets confidence.","I would have you both bear in mind that this is the time for you to accommodate and adjust yourselves to each other, and with two such comely dispositions to work upon, this may be soon accomplished and that so thoroughly that all your future life will abound in good result.","Then too my dear you must not forget to treat with affection and show solicitude for all of Mr. Corbin's own friends and relations. They are disposed to be kind and good to you, meet them a little more than half way.\nAs for reading, with your good taste you cannot go well amiss. Only in selecting authors, do not select merely for amusement – select for profit also.","I am writing you a very disjointed sort of letter my love, but I have been thinking so much of you, and missing you so much and loving you so tenderly since you went away, and my heart was so full and head so empty that I hardly know what I have said.","Did you plant the yellow jasmine at Farley vale? The \"boy\" will go down on his \"own hook\" Tuesday – Great boy that.","You and Wellford should write every mail to us – Goodbye, God bless you both. Yr. aff. Dad \nM. F. Maury","[The \"boy\" is Matthew F. Maury, Jr.] \n[Glum is Eliza Hall Maury]","Observatory \n31 May 1858","My dear Nannie, \nYou and Mr. Corbin are as still as mice. Even \"the boy\" has fallen into that 'Sleepy Hollow' down there in Carolina - Wake up, you Rips- Don't you know that you've had a terrible hail storm along the river, and that it has made a clean sweep right \u0026 left of your neighbor's crops -? What did it to yours? We should like to know. Then don't you know that your Ma has been afflicted with all sorts of imaginings - that she has been on the [ca\n] several times of being down upon you like a streak of lightening and hauling you up by telegraph to see how sick that [wetting made] you? Don't you know that we have been all married \u0026 [gaining on] marriage and that [we are gone/was our goal] - [Tom] \u0026 [the]\n[park] as - Tennessee [Mat] \u0026 a nice girl \u0026 that Dick Holland is trying to and [can't], that his sister [Dee] is coming to spend the winter with us - that you \u0026 Mr. Corbin are to [matr ] -that there's a courting couple walking round the grounds every evening- that there's no such thing as sunshine nowadays- that the wheat is all turning to straw---- Dear me child, wake up and tell us how you are \u0026 where you are -- the last time we heard of\nyou, you were riding 'long the road side --But where's \"the boy\" \u0026 where's his pen? I can tell you what- if we don't hear from him soon and often we shall be sending after him-","I am turning down a layer of every row in the garden. A slip from every vine \u0026 [conifer] and the [ ] \u0026 the [ ], to be planted next spring at a country place of ours in Virginia. I don't reckon you know where it is. It's down on the North side of the Rappahannock River if you know where that is. It will be a pretty good place for roses.","Your Ma was in bed all last week till Saturday. Totts has been at home for two weeks with a sore foot, and [Davy] missed two or three days from school with winter chills- The sun flowers are coming up \u0026 he has got well. Mit \u0026 Ellen are with us still--The trip to Carlisle is knocked on its head. I hear nothing of N. Carolina these times. The little parson's wife \u0026 son (M.F.M of K'y) are with us. Kiss the \"boy\" \u0026 Mr. Corbin write I am your afft. Dad.","White Sulphur \n15 Aug '58","My dear wife, \nI received yesterday your no. 2 with Nannie's letter. Bless Dick and Davy's heart for the attention and comfort they give you. Great boys are Dick and Dave. Sorry Sr. E. does not mend more rapidly. Sally F. and Nannie Gordon are talking of the Sweet Springs tomorrow.\nThe difficulty is this: both places are crowded. If they give up their rooms here and can't get in there, they can't get back here. Nannie looks thin has a cold but is well in other regards except a bad cough. William I never saw looking half so well. Black Sallie is also enjoying her visit. Dick and your cousin Georgia take to each other. She wants him to escort her back to Washington. Bob and his family are here - \"Sophy\" and\nhers- and many of your last summer acquaintances all of whom inquire after you. Nannie is very pleasantly spoken of and Wm Dick and I will leave Wednesday or Thursday for Ridgeway. Send letters there. Mr. Norwood preaches this morning. I wish I could be of service to Thompson. \nI want to go home. \nLove to Sr E and all the children \nWhere is Betty?","[Sir E is Matthew Fontaine Maury's niece Ellen Herndon, the daughter of William Lewis Herndon]","Observatory \nWashington \n12 Sept 1858","My dear Nannie \nYou and Corbin are as still as mice. If you are coming, why don't you come along?","The General and Sally got home yesterday. [Wrottesly] sends his love. Charles has been in this country. Dabney and Nannie are with us. He has been ordered on a board\nto try prisoners in Washington and he hopes to be ordered on another for Tactics and to tarry for some months yet. Dick Holland appears to be enjoying his visit. Our Dick has also relished it keenly. Dave has set into school, the \"boy\" not, and I am leaving Totts\nand Glum in Dick's hands till I get through with the \"heft\" of my book work when I shall take them up in the old fashioned way, and go back to breakfast lectures. Lucy gathers fruit and flowers and makes herself happy in giving them away. Betty is at Jessie's and after her time is up then she is to make Jno B. a visit at the University and then to Richmond. Bless her heart she is trying to eke out her time as best she may. Your Ma\nwas never looking so well or more beautiful. Fanny is cooking again and we have no dining room suit yet, \"don't [tease]\" Margaret Anderson. I am going to go lecturing up in Ohio from Nov. 22 to Dec. 3 Have not begun to get ready yet. I want to deliver 6 lectures a week for two weeks. ---raise money enough to send Dick to school, pay off bills and leave some \"shots in the locker\". I think I may be able to make out enough to\nfurnish Farley Vale if you will let me do it in a plain way. At least I can buy all the furniture for the estate that you will probably want. Let me know about it, for I do not like the idea of his purchasing any of it and so lay himself liable to be taken hold of by the tongue of slander and malice, and of finding his acts and deeds misinterpreted by mischief makers. Now if you can rough it along upon $500 or $1000 - here's at you.","I have an elegant fight on hand! Bachei has been stealing the M.S. property of the Observatory and trying to forestall me. It's an elegant fight. Bob - bless old Bob- has gone with our band to Church. It's time for him to be back for the white folks - so good by - with love to Corbin. \nYour aff daddy \nM F Maury","[Alexander D. Bache is the Head of the United States Coastal Survey]","Observatory \nWashington \nSunday night 3 Oct 58","My dear Nannie, \nYour last letter announcing that you would be here the last of this week created as great a sensation and as much joy as if old Santa Claus himself had have stepped forward \u0026 announced that he intended to have xmas at the same time- It made glad hearts \u0026 smiling faces I tell you- It was physick to your Ma - regular Doctors truck - She has been asking for some time - has not been to church for two or three weeks- indeed she has been quite poorly- and the sight of you will do her a `monstrous heap of good' so hurry along. Thank Mr. Corbin for his letter; we will talk over matters when you come- Quando-\nO Quando? Name the day.","Betty \u0026 the baby were up Friday-but as cousin Fanny Perry \u0026 Ellen spent the day with us \u0026 your Ma had to go to bed sick, I did not see much of her- I carried her a flower to church. Lucy watches for Dave on the commons \u0026 goes to meet him every P.M. as he comes from school. Totts \u0026 Glum do philosophy at breakfast \u0026 yr Ma thinks the recitations prevents digestion. The boy listens \u0026 takes quite as much interest in the lesson as they do. I am busy with lectures, sailing directions, fights \u0026 correspondence. Your Ma pronounces the 10 first pages of No. 1 Lecture passable. Sr. E is with us, but is\npoorly. She looks badly. Totts is reading to Glum, Dave to himself. Lucy \u0026 the Boy have gone to bed. So too yr Ma. Yours coming will cheer her up, \u0026 help to make her well. Sally F. has not been up for a long time. We have not had any frost yet- How comes on that Farm Journal? I have some nice grape vines in pots for Mr. C. to take back to Farley Vale- The gardener is also preparing Rose layers \u0026 rose cuttings- I am thinking of some pear trees also- But I am afraid the gate will be left open, and that you will let the horses or the cows eat them up- Love to Mr. C.","Goodnight- Hurry along to yr affect. M.F.M.","Rochester New York \n18 Nov 1858","My dear wife, \nHow-dy! I staid all night in Phila. \u0026 in Albany. Arrived in [Auburn] about 3 P.M. yesterday. There, much to my surprise I was met at the cars by a barouche, deputations and soldiers \u0026 with music \u0026 banners escorted to my lodgings. The Rev. Mr. E. H. Creesy D. O. was my host, he had lived in Tennessee - under Bp. (Bishop) Otey. It appears I was civil to the Willard Guards when they were in Washington at the Inauguration. Hence the military\nescort. At night I lectured to a large and attentive audience in the At. Tel. and I reckon gave satisfaction for I only saw one sleepy head \u0026 that one was asleep when I commenced. I slept in the room where Bp. Hobart died- and came off at 7 this morning, arriving here at 11. I lecture here tonight then take the cars at 10 P.M. for Ann Arbor. Lecture there to-morrow night \u0026 so on to Chicago.","Now how are you all getting on? Has Nannie gone- and is Betty with you- \u0026 Totts \u0026 Glum \u0026 Dave \u0026 the Boy \u0026 Lucy How are they all? I must take a little nap if I can. God bless you all yr afft. \nM.F.","Chicago, \n20 Nov. 1858","My dear wife, \nHere I am in the midst of a great snow shower- This is my lecture evening- Tickets 50 cts. Am afraid of empty benches. I am to stop at Col. Graham's, but as I had things to attend to- I will not go till after lecture.","There was a great crowd in Rochester- Had a sick headache- \u0026 when the committee waited on me to escort me to lecture I entertained them by \"cascading\"- However I got through \u0026 left in the cars at 3:45 A.M. Traveled all day- Reached Ann Arbor at 8 P.M. Found an audience waiting for me- hopped out, went straight to lecturing- delighted the audience-rode a [rail] to a party, took a hot supper and on back to the cars at 10- travelled\nall night-in a sleeping car \u0026 reached this place a 9 this morning. So here I am - I have just had dinner- am going to try a nap presently- it is only 2 o'clock.","I told Moore of the [R ] to send you a cheque- write yr name across the back of it, send it to the General and ask him to get the money for you.","Where's my Betty \u0026 where's my Nannie? I hope if the latter visits, the former comes.","Mrs. [Bland] has been [reading] along [here]. I do not know with what success.","I find nothing here from you. My head quarters will be care of B. H. Plixotto, Cleveland, till 30th. On the 22nd I lecture here-23 in Kalamazoo-24 no place fixed-Perhaps Indianapolis-25 Cleveland. 26-La Porte Ind-I reckon 27 here, 29 Cincinnati. \u0026 c.","The weather is very cold- Kiss all my children \u0026 tell me you all are well \u0026 happy- I want to astonish you with a present- Tell Totts \u0026 Lizinka \u0026 Lucy \u0026 the Boy to put their heads together \u0026 tell me what to bring. This is the House, where Dick \u0026 I stopped. This is a furious storm. Give my love to Mary \u0026 Sr. E. I hope they both continue to mend \u0026 [ ] must [that] [ ] [evening] of hers- it has [tormented] her enough.","God bless you. I am mighty tired of staying away from home. \nyr- M.F.","Kalamazoo, Mich. 23 Nov 58","My dear wife, \nI received, yesterday, your letter of 17. That was my Auburn night. It's a great while ago. So Nannie went off and you are all comfortable. That's a blessing - except poor little Glum. What say you to sending her up to Frank Minor's?","I had a time of it in Chicago! Last night it rained worse than it snowed Saturday night, and the attendance was as slim. If it had been good weather I should have made $600 or $800 I reckon, as it was I made a little over $50 only! I stopped at Col Graham's you know. He gave me a party last night nice party- He was a soldier - he would have me waked up in time for the cars at 6. He never got left. He would have breakfast for me at least the cook would. But bless your heart honey not a soul waked up til the knock came -\nso I was up and dressed and off in about ten minutes. When I arrived here Senator Stewart with a committee was at the cars to escort me to the Hotel. He and his wife leave for Washington Saturday. They will stop at the St. Charles. I wish you and Betty would call on her. She is very plain, but I want to invite them up to spend the day when I get back. You have got to make up your mind old lady to turn over a new leaf. I tell you. I shall want friends this winter and you have got to cultivate them for me. So you had\nbetter set to and make calls, renew acquaintances and leave many cards. Get a nice hack and go like a lady, and don't over do the thing by breaking yourself down. Take several days.","Betty is a sweet child. Kiss her for attending to the English [roses].\nI want to write to Nannie, if I can get some paper. Make the Boy, Glum and Totts find Kalamazoo on the map and trace me from place to place. I'll go and look for some paper. Good bye. Think about Lizinka and Ridgeway. \nLove to all yrs \nM.","Chicago \n27 Nov 58","My dear wife, \nSince last I wrote I have lectured in Kalamazoo, Indianapolis, Cleveland, \u0026 La Porte- Make the children find the places- Tonight I lecture here- It is now 10 A.M. \u0026 raining- I go to Col Graham's directly. Hope to find a letter from you. Have had but one yet. Since last I wrote I have not had time to write you. I am very well- a slight cold. I do long to get over this task.","2 P.M. I am at Col. Graham's again- They are very kind. You never did see such gloomy weather- It has been gloomy since here I have been, for I have been in the lake country for more than a week. It is now snowing \u0026 storming furiously. But I do not lecture on my own hook to night, that's one comfort. I have so far not been able to find any letters here. I do not see what the papers say of the lectures generally, for I lecture and am off, and when I get back then the papers are out of date- had a packed house in Cleveland- They had to stop selling tickets- \u0026 turn off- House full.","Here is the summing up- I have travelled since I left home 1844 miles, have been from home 12 days.--10 days on my lecture ground \u0026 have lectured 9 times- and have made $540. and the next 9 days, shall if rails will carry me fast \u0026 far enough shall make $1000 I hope. I am dying to see you all. Kiss my darling Betty for me- Is she with us why don't she write? I suppose Moore sent the check for $60- The truth is I have not had the time to send your acct. I forgot to sign purser's receipt for pay. So if you want money, get Mr. Harrison to fill up the enclosed and get my month's pay for you. Kiss every one of the children. \nyour affectionate. \nM.F. Maury","Chicago Ill \n28 Nov 58","My dear wife, \nThis is Sunday about 2 p.m. I reckon. It has stormed furiously ever since yesterday- as the day before. I go off at 8 p.m. for Cincinnati. Pretty good audience last night, though it was a dreadful night. I enjoyed the whole night's rest mightily. I shan't spend another night in bed, till I get to St. Louis I reckon. They tell me here that I have improved vastly in\nappearance since last Sunday. I wonder how you all are - got letters - Wells and Sr. Ellen, sent from the Observatory. Two more weeks now and I'll be working my way homeward.","I am mightily tired writing - have been at it now since I got here. If I go down stairs a lady will talk me to death. What a blessed thing a little quiet is. Kiss all my children for me and give love to Sr. E Mary and the Gerard's. \nGod bless you \nYour aff \nM F Maury","Cleveland \n1 Dec (1858)","My dear Nannie, \nHave just time to thank you for your nice letter to your Ma, to hurrah for Dec. 15. Send her \u0026 say I hope to be stopping in a day or two after you \u0026 Mr. C. get there --- You see I am choosing the proper time. \nGod bless you \nyr. afft. Daddy","Cleveland \n1 Dec 1858","My dear wife: \nI arrived here yesterday at noon and seem to have bewitched the people last night; as I did those of Cincinnati the evening before.","There was waiting for me here a large package of letters, in it 3 from you, 22, 23, \u0026 26- with one from that smart little witch \"poosy\". Bless her heart, tell me what present to bring her \u0026 all. Nannie's is a charming letter. Am so glad she is coming home the 15th- I shall be turning my way homeward about that time.","Last Monday there was a change of R. Road times, which has played sad havoc with mein consequence of which I can't get to Detroit for a $112 lecture to night but take over at Toledo for $50. I left Chicago at 8 p.m. Sunday for Cincinnati. when I was due at noon Monday. But bridges had been washed away I did not get to Indianapolis till 1 p.m. 112 miles for Cin. I was to lecture there at 7 1/2, and all the trains had gone. So I thought I\nwould see if I could not charter an engine \u0026 go down on it express- I found the Pres of the Road, told him who I was, \u0026 what I wanted. He fitted up an elegant car, sent me down in it, alone, \u0026 would not let me pay a cent- I arrived at 7, and found an immense audience, lectured, got in the car directly after came here, lectured, and had an elegant night's rest.\nI lecture in Chicago again Saturday, \u0026 Monday in St. Louis, on the 11th here \u0026 Buffalo 10 \u0026 13, I reckon.","Betty is elegant for coming to stay with you, wish I was there to help you along with the gals. What does Frank Minor mean by saying 25th \"cousin Ann coming next week\".","I send you some slips. Mr. Murphy promised to send you Cincinnati. papers- God bless you all yr. aft. \nM.F. Maury","[Postscript] \nDon't go out in that wagon any more. When you feel well enough make calls. Take Diana along \u0026 leave my card everywhere.","St. Louis Mo. \n6 Dec. 1858","My dear wife, \nI arrived here two hours ago. I find your letter of 2nd and Scip's. Hurrah for Scip. The mails in this part of the country are all so irregular that I have to go to the Telegraph a good deal. They call for me to lecture presently. I go away Wednesday morning, but where to I don't know- perhaps to Springfield, or Terre Haute, or Vincennes or perhaps- I can't say. But anywhere where the most money is to be made. I am dying to see you all.\ni shall be visiting the kin to-morrow so I shall have no time to write. My movements for this week are very uncertain- All I can say at present, is I expect to be in Cleveland Saturday. What is the name of the Tea I must get? I have seen Dick Ludlow \u0026 Mr. Berkeley. I mean to be at home next week---ain't that elegant.","The good night's rest last night \u0026 the quiet day refreshed me much- But I was heartily tired of being lionized in Cincinnati.","Bless Betty's heart for staying with you. When is Nannie coming up? Hurrah for Davy \u0026 the children, \u0026 the books \u0026 the lessons-","Lecture time- \nGood night, yr, M","Observatory \nFeb 17, 1859","Dear Nannie, \nWe miss you every day, \u0026 invitations for Miss Maury keep a' coming. Frank and Lucy A are coming tomorrow. I bought a pair of shoes, had my hair cut and dined with your Ma at the Gerard's. The \"boy\" has Spanish at breakfast class. I have finished writing Sailing Directions. I sent you the last [Rural].","We have had a time with the gold pin rebus. The first is a [fras] \"From\"- Lt. Myers found out that.-- the three next - in \nhos- spit-(spitbox)-able-(table) (Lt. McCauley-)the next- propose -  (prophouse - Glum) - half soled - beings - in - fidels- (Totts)-  Traducers - ([Tres_____] - me) \u0026 naves - ( [ ]-Mc)-. I fled \nunder (Dave) in-ex-tri-cable(me) em-bar-as(s) -men-ts (me) to- Iowa (Mc)-.","4 - 5 - 16 - \u0026 17- are not satisfactory- Mc reads 4' \n\"gamblers\" -gable-[unders] no good- prop-house - shoe - on i.e. proposition has been suggested for the gaiter on the shoe (5). no go. Manshoeon - mansion. Also no go- Glum says he knows you have solved it, \"From inhospitable\". - hurra!- hurra!!. I've just got it- 4 is house, Latin \"domess\" \u0026 sticks- \"domestics- \"From inhospitable domestics, half soled beings, traducers, infidels \u0026 Knaves I fled under inextricable embarrassments- to Iowa.\"","Half soled may do for 5 - but it's a gaiter boot- Certainly \"To Iowa\" for \"I\" \u0026 A is flat- Find it out \u0026 get the [pun].","The Aubicks \u0026 the Roys invite you \u0026 Mr. Corbin to parties.","Jeff Maury has sent me two boxes of Havanah Sigars! O ho! Dabney is now with Rosethey go back in the morning-Lucy takes cyphering lessons from Dave. Another officer has been ordered to the Observatory- Minnie Mason sent you a note this evening asking for flowers for the [ ] ball - Diana sent them- Mrs. Lanier has come. - Good night-Love to Mr. C. \u0026 you.","Observatory \n16 Mar `59","My dear Nannie, \nYour welcome letter of Monday last came this morning and received much solicitude. We were dying to hear from you. Your Ma has been ailing for 10 days, for the last 3 in bed of a stitch in the right side. We suppose it to be an affair of the muscles. Your letter did a heap of good.","Mr. Watt is busy packing up plants for you. Plant the roses that are wrapped in moss just as they are moss and all. The vines - little twigs - are to be planted under the river bank. They have the purple flowers over the arbor \u0026 will climb the highest trees. Pull the moss away from the stems of the roses - not from the roots. I pay freight on them at least shall tell Mr. Watt to. Betty's going to house-keeping! Davey is going to be a lawyer. The \"boy\" ain't interested now when he hears Shakespeare read by anybody else but Fanny Kemble. Sister E came up for Church Sunday and staid til yesterday. Betty is up to-day. Molly is lonesome. She has been at your Ma to pop down upon you. I reckon she'll take you by surprise some of these days. Tell Brodie he had better visit Lucy \u0026 Betty here. That would be a nice visit. Uncover your jasmine. Love to Mr. C. God bless you, yr aff Father \nMFM","Observatory \n22 March `59","My dear Nannie, \nYour waif of Tuesday last came to hand this morning. I am exceedingly annoyed about the plants. I send you the receipt. Tell Mr. Corbin he must be sure to make the Co. pay. The market value of the plants was, Mr. Watt says about $40. If they can be found soon they will live. But Mr. Corbin unless they are forth coming this week should refuse to receive them. He must make the Co. pay, for it is outrageous carelessness. They were delivered last week Tuesday p.m. just after 5 by Mr. Watts \u0026 'Cap' on board the boat. I\nshall send this evening to inquire about them. In the mean time tell Mr. Corbin to stir up at people at your end of the line. Yr Ma is up again. Mrs. Young of S.C. was here yesterday inquiring kindly for you. Sr. E has been quite sick. Send last batch of copy to the printer today. The new medal came Saturday-But I can't write. I am annoyed about the miscarriage of the plants.","Love to Mr. C. Afft. \nM.F.M.","Observatory \n23 March 59","My dear Nannie \nI went yesterday to the steam boat about the plants - 2 boxes and a bundle - could get no information. They are most likely to be in the Depot at Fredericksburg. I reckon Jno [Shippen] asked for plants or flowers. I send an invoice . They are put down dirt cheap. The roses ought to be put down at 30cts ea. Tell Mr. Corbin he must be sure to the Co. pay or deliver in good order.","Your Aunt E. is quite sick. Sent for the Dr. night before last at 1 A.M. Was better somewhat yesterday. Yr Ma is bright again, she dined yesterday at the General's.","This is Betty's day. Tell Mr. C. to pursue the plants. It's a sad loss to lose them. \nYr M.","Observatory \n12 Apr '59","My dear Wife \nGot your yesterday's letter this morning. All hands were invited to Sallie's to-day. Dave and I went. Mary thought we all would be too many. They are all coming up. Sr. E \u0026 S.F. see Charles to spend the day tomorrow. Dinner ordered - soup, fish and roast beef. Totts will rig up a dessert - ice cream I believe. Morning - 13th Got Nannie's letter just now. Kiss her for it. I am sorry to hear about Dick. But such indulgences will not do and cannot be tolerated in one holding a place of trust like his. It is an affair in which\nfeeling cannot interfere.","Stopped last evening on my way home at took tea at Caldwell's. Began with the Historical plays last night. Certainly I'll send tickets for Nannie. Sr. E \u0026 Sally rode out yesterday. I write this supposing it will be your last before going to Farley Vale. What are to be your mail days? You would like to go down knowing that \"all's well\" - I hope you will be so well and enjoy the visit so much. We are all dying to see you all. Can't you bring Nannie home with you. You may stay with her tell her till 1 May if she will\ncome along home with you.","Kiss her \u0026 Lucy \u0026 love to Mr. C., Charles \u0026 his father, Brodies \u0026 his'n, Jno \u0026 his'n, Saint \u0026 her'n.","Good bye - yr aft. husband \nM.F. Maury","Observatory \nWashington \nAp'l 14, '59","My dear Daughter, \nYour sweet letter came yesterday and to-day another from you Ma. I am mighty glad she is having a jolly time - we are dying to see her, but don't want her to come home before the first of May when you are to come with her. Dabney goes down tomorrow. I thought of you and the violets when he came to take leave, but concluded not to trouble him in the premises. He only came up to dinner yesterday and we only gave him soup, fish and ice cream. We have the rest of the dinner today. Yesterday was damp and Willie was sick which prevented our company. He is better. Rose staid up here last night, \u0026 Mary down there. Betty is not up to day- rainy- Totts got a letter yesterday from Glum. They did not [share it here] \u0026 Mary Herndon has gone off with it to the General's \u0026 I can't send it. She was well- had received the $20-and liked my letters so much- it took such a long time to read them!","My \"Brave\" is very well \u0026 happy. He bought a jug of molasses yesterday. I found my [ ] [powder]. Have not made a pass at the P.G. for schools yet. Save child's letter- Let yr Ma bring it back. Sent a note for you by Dabney-","The Lord [ ] ball did not pay- $1000 short. Had a request this morning to pony up. Can't do it.","Love to Mr. C- Kiss Lucy \u0026 buss yr Ma. [ ] \n[ ] yrs \naff Dad","Observatory, Washington \nApl 16, '59","My dear Wellford, \nI received yesterday your very kind letter of the 14th. It would indeed be a great treat to run down for a week or two, but I do not well see how it can be accomplished. I have heard some things which led me to suppose that there might be a scene made at the next court that would not be pleasant. It throws you the prospect I mean - in a position of great delicacy, as well as into one in which great caution on your part will be required. Caution so prudent and wise that those who would (if there should be such) find fault\nwith you may not have the slightest pretext.","If there is any change in the management of the estate of course you can take some part in bringing about that change. Without knowing much about it, I am clearly of opinion that with your management alone the estate may be relieved of its embarrassments much sooner than it can be by any other kind of managers. I go for the one man power and don't think much of a dual executive. Should any change be made, and should it be proposed that you should take the entire management of both farms, I hope you will not decline.","Dabney went down to King George yesterday. I have been interrupted in the writing of this. It is now time for the mail- so that just cuts me off with love to all.","Yrs sincerely \nM. F. Maury","Observatory \nWashington \n19 Apl '59","My dear wife, \nMr. Watt and I are preparing such a surprise for you and Lucy!. We miss you every day. We miss you in the morning, we miss you in the evening, we miss you at breakfast. I haven't had a flower since she went away! We miss you at dinner, we miss you at tea, we miss you by night and by day, we miss you all the time, but you must stay till you bring Nannie. Sally F., Jack, the boys and the General took us by surprise yesterday. Beef steak, mutton chops, soup and pudding. Betty rather pitched into Mary for so poor a dinner. Bad taste in Betty. Davy is unwilling to take Latin from Jno. Minor. The \"boy's\"\nreply was Solomon-ish - \"Just as you think proper sir\" - What say you? Sent Glum's things down to Kirkwoods' last night for Gilmer - shall send to see if he took them. Totts put some white wax in the bundle, Totts is a great girl. Read 3 Acts in Richard II last night- and sent the `boy' off to bed at 9. The frost has not hurt us yet. Jim Morton called up yesterday. Mr. McCauley has set up in the Grocer's business at St. Paul. Sr. E is so\nso. I wrote to Ann Thomas and begged that she would make Betsy come along. We hear nothing more from Glum. I am now waiting for David and the mail. we expect letters in it from you and her. Here he comes! Now for them. \nA letter from Frank - none from you.","All well and send love \nYr aft [friend] \nM.F.M.","Observatory \nWashington \n22 Apl '59","My dear sweet little Nannie, \nYour \"one-horse\" letter saying that your Ma \u0026 all are well came this morning. It has no date to it- so we infer it was written since hers of 14 \u0026 16- But my dear child I am not a Yankee - why do you set me to guessing? I have sent to have a pair of crutches- I do wonder what has gone with my old ones. The pain has all gone out of my ankle- but I can't walk. But the worst of it is big ankles are so shocking. Totts doctored it up last\nnight with hops - Totts is a great gal.","I finished King Henry IV last night. That \"old Feldspar\" as the boy calls Falstaff gave great satisfaction. \"Feldspar\"! So much for Physical Geography. The breakfast lessons have been quite interesting to Totts- We have got through to Botany. That is not one of my specialties, and I shall glance off from it after a breakfast or two. My \"Brave\" wanted to know this morning if any great men ever studied Latin. \"O yes-\" \"Who?\" \"General\nWashington studied Latin- I studied Latin-\" \"That will do- I just want to be as great as you are\"- The young flatterer! There was no school today. Dave went on. As he came a heavy rain came up \u0026 he got into one of the water pipes on the avenue to keep dry.","Come down for the Crit! I wish I could- I suppose you will be fetching her along up this way about the last of next week- That's about the 1st of May- always stand to your bargains. Was it not said that you were to return with her then? I'll give you tomotto plants- \u0026 egg plants, oh \u0026 every sort o' plants. It's been raining so- Ap'l showers- I have not been able to get the doctor up to say what ails this ankle.","Lucy is a witch- why don't she write a letter to a fellow? Mary has gone to church to day- I have some black Hamburg grape cuttings- If they take you shall have some.","God bless you all \nyrs aft \nDad M","4 July '59","My dear Corbin, \nI returned from a trip over the Balt \u0026 Ohio R.Road Saturday evening. Found all well- Betty still here-The baby improved \u0026 both enjoying the visit very much.","A letter came from Nannie while I was gone. I did not see it- it was torn up. But from what her mother tells me of it, it increases our solicitude to a painful extent. She is morbidly sensitive \u0026 evidently very low spirited. We think the best thing would be for you to bring her to us.","Persons in her situation require to be cared for \u0026 looked after in manners \u0026 ways which no one can do half so well as a mother. It is of great consequence that she should be with her mother now- and we hope that you also will admit the importance of it \u0026 bring her at once. If you do not come as soon as a letter would reach us, write and tell us when to expect you. It is important that you should do this for some of our own arrangements depend on certainty as to Nannie's movements.","From the tone of Nannie's letter her mother does not think that she should be consulted at all- but that you should take her right up \u0026 bring her to us. The gloomy and desponding mood that comes over her now \u0026 then is to be avoided by all means- ugly consequences may be the result- Therefore we are so [honest] in urging you to bring her to us at once. It is of great importance to her.","Give her our most tender love, solicitude \u0026 affection with a thousand kisses. We have letters this morning praising Dick \u0026 making us very proud.","They have established a new chair- Physical Geography \u0026 Agricultural science \u0026 offered it to me. I have not decided to accept. Yrs truly, \nM. F. Maury","Observatory \nWashington \n16 Nov. 1859","My dear Mr. Corbin, \nI was glad to hear as by Nannie's letter I do that the prospects for an early division of the estate seem so favorable. It is clearly to the interest of the parties concerned, and it is gratifying that they are of one mind.","What follows is based upon the supposition that the four of you have agreed to share with you in cancelling the notes which you two have endorsed for your father. This being a fixed fact you are removed from the condition of one having antagonistic interests in the concerns and placed in the category of one whose duties and whose interests are of accord. Both the one and then the other now require the closest scrutiny into the indebtedness of the estate, in order that every claim that is not good in law may be thrown out. And it remains for your consideration whether when the Commissioners report comes up you should not have someone there well posted up, to urge the throwing out of all claims the least doubtful, and especially those for which you are bound. However this can be talked over when you come up which I hope will be long before Xmas. I am wishing somebody near by would invite me to lecture - so I might raise the wind for a visit from Dick and Dave at Xmas. I sent John Minor the Alabama speech in print yesterday with the request that he would hand it over to Nannie when he has done blowing me up about it. Sally Fontaine is not so well. The General got home yesterday - killed no \"bars\" and only brought home two \"old hars\" -Betty had gone for\ndinner yesterday. But we - your Ma and I - could not go - headaches- better today. We are reading Shakespeare o'nights- Letters from Dick \u0026 Dave. Totts \u0026 Betsy go to the [dentist] \u0026 all to school- except Lucy. She studies geography at home. William plays the guitar \u0026 sings. Sr. E. had letters yesterday from Dabney. All well but \"Injuns\" about. All hands sent in love with kisses to Nannie. Good bye- God bless you. \nYr. \nM.F. Maury.","Observatory \nWashington \n5 Feb 1860","My dear Nannie: \nI got Mr. Corbin's letter several days gone. Tell him the 16th is quite convenient to me. I had promised Cip that he might go with us on the 9th - so it was quite a disappointment to him, was the postponement. I shall go down I think by the night train of the 15th and as I will not have time to go down to Farley Vale will have to come up to Fredericksburg. Crit is having a tussle with the head ache - got up with it this morning, went to church and has been wrestling with the thing ever since. Willie has been sick - a - bed for a week. Low fever - getting better. Cip burnt his finger with candy, and the girls didn't go to school but one day last week on accounts of the cold. Betty and Will dined here yesterday. Mary Herndon has been to Memphis. Jones is coming to [illegible] next Thursday. The Farmer\nis very low and the General is still there. The Physical Geography continues to engage and interest me. Lucy is [ ing]. Glum 's bird sings - I call it her owl. Nannie Bill is a \"honey\"? We are invited to Henry's parties. The Aubick's gave an elegant [_mous] party last Friday – Hauled the little Doctor home – Told me he had on his table invitations for every evening in the week and for some two days. Jennie Young and her sister Sallie are\nin Stuttgart studying six hours every day. Where's yr [Bobs \u0026 Tops?] We have not heard anything more of your sister Sue. Maria Newburgh's party comes off about the middle of the month so reports Dave. Everybody sends love to you and Mr. Corbin. It's night, your Ma has gone to bed. Hope she will be well in the morning. \nGood night. Your aft. Dad, \nM. F. Maury.","[Postscript by Ann Hull Maury (Herndon)] \nMorning- am up, and better, but poorly at that. I wish I could come down with your Papa but indeed I am not equal to it. We heard through Mrs. Mason (and she from her son at College) that Mary Minor is coming to see you, but you seem not to have heard of it. Your letter to Molly was so pleasant. Sally E. is quite mistaken about the price of my work stand. It cost $13. I don't think you can yet find one for $8 but you can try. I am so glad\nyou had a pleasant visit to Town. How came you to stay at your Uncle B's again; you must stay at your Uncle C's the next time not that I in the least object to your going to yr. Uncle B's but N. G. said when she was here that you never did go to your Uncle C's and you had been invited there so often. I love our Aunt Lucy dearly for her kindness to my precious child.","Observatory \n14 March 1860","My dear Mr. Corbin, \nI used the word also, but \"repudiation\" is not the word-- Mississippi repudiates her lawful debts. It is not the lawful but the debts that have been made against the estate without the authority of law that I would have rejected it. I am glad to hear that the other parties come so readily into the plan. There is I imagine no time to be lost- and the initiatory steps cannot be taken too soon. I imagine your Uncle William will not come into the plan because he has no right in law to consent to any such arrangement for J. If he consents, he himself will be personally liable to J. for the amounts.","I am not surprised to hear that others would like to have Farley Vale. But I reckon it is the best way to let it go to the highest bidder. It certainly is the fairest.","What does Cip do all day long and why don't he write to a fellow. I am sorry that the Holly berries are all gone. I shall be glad to have any that you can start up- I have written to Tenn. for some beech nuts. I have a fancy for a beech hedge. The beech holds its leaves during winter and the lee of its hedge is almost equal to a green house-","Give my love to Nannie- I write to her mother by this mail. \nAffectionately yrs \nM.F. Maury","Observatory \n17 Apl 1860","My dear Mr. Corbin, \nI still think you should insist on greater dispatch. Suppose you apply before the 19 July for a decree and the court refuses on the ground that K is not of age. Will that lessen your claim when she is of age? I think not. Try now and if you fail- no harm is done to the July effort. It cannot hurt much to try now, and a decree now would be worth money to you.","Lewis Walker in Rives' neighborhood wants to sell his farm so Frank Minor tells me-","I think you would do well as soon as you get Mr. Burton underway to mount yr horse and ride up to Lewis Walker's. Go up to Nelson \u0026 Amherst- also in the lower countrylook at places- let it be known that you want to buy land- and then when you do sell you can have your eyes open.","Think you had better do that at once i.e. as soon as you set Mr. B. to work for the May term. it's an important matter take a month or six weeks for the trip. Nannie can come to us. On horseback the trip can cost you very little. Any idea of duty as a trustee should not interfere with such a trip. Tell Nannie we all go down to the General's today.","Is not yr Father the guardian of K \u0026 J till they come of age? And can the court appoint one without his request?","All well \u0026 good here. In haste. Yrs truly, \nM.F. Maury","Observatory \n12 May 60","My dear Nannie, \nThis morning your Ma and Lucy got a most pressing invitation from Jno. B. to come to the convocation. An omnibus is to run between the church and the university and they are also to have morning and evening services in the Chapel. The \"Crit\" is flirting in bed with the Rappahannock chills - But she has decided to go, and to take you in Lucy's place if you'll join her. She has a free ticket for you there and back. I have written to [Jesse] B. to encourage Mary with the hope that you will come instead of Lucy. Sally F\nand Cousin Ellen are going. Your Ma will join them and go up under Tim's escort Tuesday. Your Aunt Mary will be there with the Lynchburg people - and we will expect you up Monday to dinner.","The children are well of the mumps and will sit in the school Monday again. We hope the plants were safely received. All well and send love to Mr. Corbin.","Yr aft father \nM.F. Maury","Telegraph if you are coming - yes or no - you need not prepay it. It will come to me without that.","Send this to Nannie.","Observatory \nJuly 9, 1860","My dear Nannie, \nBless your heart for that letter. I'd give an eyetooth to see you. Ask your Ma to please have another one pulled and keep you till I come. Am glad to hear of Dick's arrival. I'll send the letter from him by Sr.E. who says she is going Wednesday - Am truly sorry about the chills. Hope your Ma will keep then inside. They have been troubling me also this cold weather. Tell Jno Minor I went to see Bob this morning. He was touched by his kindness and grateful to a degree. I am to try tomorrow to get a clerkship for him in the\nCensus Bureau.","You said never a word about your Uncle Charles' wife- poor bird! N.B. stutters as Dave did.","Next week will be the 19th. I suppose you will be up then to court. Though things look so smooth in favor of paying off and dividing I can but fear something is to thwart it after all.","Betty did not go a - sherry - cobblering last night. Today I read [p] 230 of new ed. P.G. - in the last edition there are 389pp. I do not know how many there will be in this - But 400 at least I reckon.","See a letter I got this morning from my \"Injun\" yr friend Mr S. \nKiss everybody \nyour Dad, in haste -","[Note on verso of letter]\nAll well. Aunt E. expected today must meet her \nin haste \nJHM {?John Herndon Maury MIA 1863}","Observatory \n6 Aug. '60","My dear wife \nGot this morning yrs of 4th. Tell Totts I was reading yesterday that admirable, sweet precious little book. The Household of Sir Thos More and thought of her as my Megg.","Tell Jno \u0026 Brodie \u0026 Lucy, and all the rest of the \"Great Easterners\" of the family that we want to go [to] [ ] Wednesday - day after tomorrow - Leave here at 7 -40 AM. take the steamer in Balt at 10 AM Arrive alongside the Gr. at noon. Stay 2 hours, get back to Balt. in time for the Washington train at 4.20 p.m. Round trip $2.50. I have not seen Betty since I got yr letter and therefore can't make any arrangements as to accommodations. Betty does not know whether she is going. I reckon it would be a nice trip for Dick \u0026 Dave. If you think so, and they too, let them come along. Upon second thought Wednesday will be too soon. Thursday will be the day. I'll write Tom Bold we\nare coming Thursday. I'll bear Nannie's expenses too if she will come along - tell her I want her \u0026 Betty to go and to go myself out of civility to Bold. The trip would knock you up.","Thursday at 7.40 AM we shall go - let me know who will come. Love to all.","Yrs. \nM.F. Maury","If the boys \u0026 Nannie come, they should leave F'b'g Wednesday A.M. What of the trunk I'm to buy?","Observatory \nOct 1, 1860","My dear Mr. Corbin, \nBy the mail of this morning I got yr's of 29th Sept.","You are right not to go security for the parties named. My engagements are such as to prevent my coming down. Nor is that necessary.","I am not quite clear as to the amt. for which you want security. But be that as it may - show the papers to Jno. or Chas. Herndon. Ask them to draw up a deed of trust upon Farley Vale in my favor, and the negroes too if you want me to endorse for them - and have them regularly recorded. Then you can send or bring - better do the latter - the documents.","I leave the city Saturday morning - Can't you bring Nannie along - I think the sight of her would make her mother well - she had been under the weather ever since the trip North - and has not been well enough to be at the table with us more than two or three times since she came up. She is better to day, though in bed. It's a rainy \"nasty\" day you know. She was made quite happy this morning to keep the \"boy\" at home from school on account of the drizzle - about 9 - 10 it had set in for a regular pour - he came over to\nsay she wanted him to go down the City! Somehow the rain does not seem to be as wet that way it is over toward Georgetown.","I understand that there will be a prior lien upon F.V. and on to the estate - That makes no odds - I write in haste to get to night's mail. Love to Nannie. Why doesn't she let us hear from her? to Mary Herndon Sister E. \u0026 all hands","Yrs truly \nM. F. Maury","Observatory \nWashington \n22 Oct 1860","My dear Mr. Corbin, \nWhen I last wrote I was just on the eve of taking wing for Tennessee. I did not have time to write both to Charles \u0026 you, so I wrote him \u0026 sent the letter open through you. Now I write almost in as much haste, for I expect to leave for New York Thursday morning and to embark for England on Saturday.","Political affairs are in a very unsatisfactory state- so much so that shall have the country feeling quite uneasy. The state of your affairs helps to increase this uneasiness. I have had nothing in reply to my letter to Charles, but in the mere matter of endorsation you have given me all the security that I required, and such as under a more settled state of things would be considered by the most cautious timidity as ample. Nevertheless there is talk of disunion and how far property- land \u0026 negroes- in Virginia is to be affected by disunion both acts and deeds, it is simply impossible to foresee. It may not be depreciated at all- or it may be depreciated 1/3, 1/2, or 9/10th nobody can tell. No one you know ever objects to too much security. You are making it a rule of life \u0026 wisely not to go security- you do not wish to hypothecate your property for any new debts and there are many contingencies on the occurrence of which it would be better for you\nNannie \u0026 me if I had a lien also on your negro property as collateral for the land. You understand I have no right to require this. But it can't harm you, may do you or Nannie good, \u0026 will add to my own comfort. Of course, I mean a lien to come in after present obligations for which that negro property may be bound.","If you think well of this proposition, get Charles to attend to it \u0026 let the expenses be mine. Drop me a letter care of Maury Brothers New York in reply \u0026 tell Nannie she shall hear from me before I sail.","Goodbye \nYrs truly \nM.F. Maury","Perhaps it may be as well to state that when I offered to endorse I expected to endorse for both land \u0026 negroes and of course have a lien upon all- This I am still willing to do so as to get the endorsed security.","London \n21 Nov '60","My dear wife, \nYesterday \u0026 the day before I was the happiest man in all London. Your two letters, Sister E's, our -Dick's - [Glum's]-Cip's- Nannie's to you, Mr. Corbin's to me- the latest 5 Nov-all came. Bless your dear hearts every one. I am so glad to hear you are on the mend, and so gratified to those darling precious friends for taking such good care of you. Kiss Sally Fontaine for me. I am just through with book. And have accepted an invitation to return on the New York Nov 28. Tomorrow go to Wrottesley whither I will write.","God bless you, \nM","Steamer New York \nAt Sea, 9 Dec 1860","My dear Nannie \nThis is our eleventh day out. When we left England we expected to arrive at New York tomorrow; but we have had a rough time of it, we are now nearly a 1000 miles off and do not expect to get in before Thursday. This is Sunday 11 a.m. and a beautiful day. I wanted to take them all by surprise by stepping in upon them Tuesday the 11th and as good luck would have it told \"Crit\" not to expect me before the 15 or 16th- so the \"journey up the mountain\" will be prevented by it, for I hoped to be in Wash. before or by\nthe 15th.","Thank Mr. Corbin for his letter. Rutson Maury forwarded with an endorsation reporting \"all well\"- so it brought me the first news from home which was great joy for I was very unhappy about your Ma- It's all right tell him. I was at Wrottesley- Jansen \u0026 I- when your letter came. I delivered your message- he grinned. You can't imagine how cordial they all were- \"40 time\" herself came in the carriage to meet us at Codsall, \u0026 they sent us in their own carriage to the cars in Wolverhampton- the old lady insisting that we had not wrappings enough and fitting us out with hers even to London. She begged us to stay longer- so did they all. Her niece Miss Simpson was there. She took us to [Chiltington]. She hummed \"Nelly Bly\" for us as we went said you taught it to her \u0026 she had given away many copies of it. Davis the Butler has got rich and has set up on his \"own hook.\" Webb the footman has his place- Simpson the gardener is to be married Xmas, and my Lord has built for him just in the edge of the forrest the sweetest little cottage you can\nimagine. While I was there Tom Bold was to see me in London.","If you had been in London this time, you would have thought somebody had come to town I tell you. Rail ways were placed at my service to see sights and engineers to show them \u0026 \" put me thro'.\" The Navy officers there were planning [on] great blow out for me in return for \"you all's\" civilities to the prince, and they are going to send an expedition to the South Pole for me. At least Washington who is the proper person to move on it-pledged me his word so to do, saying he thought he could carry it. I made an address without notes before the Geographical Society. Had a great crowd. Ladies,\nLords, gentlemen. Was breakfasted – dinner-ed \u0026 tea-ed-- oh it was a jolly time! but I would not give one day in my own sweet home with my blessed wife and sweet children for the whole of it.","When will you \u0026 Mr. C. be up- come soon- stay long. I am trying to pull the wires to get New York to send a messenger down south to enquire of the people there what's the matter? asking them to state their grievances- the terms \u0026 c. on which they would be willing to remain in the Union. I may be too late, for my latest date as to things at home is 15 Nov- New York Herald. Things I have no doubt have assumed many new phases since then, but unless good me in each section muster themselves, I fear the Union is gone. I shall write to my Dave today to come home at Xmas. I enjoyed Jansen's visit vastly. I made many charming acquaintances, but none more so than Lady Ashburton \u0026 her Lord. I am to \"come to them\" when I go back. His mother has just had 50,000 trees blown down on her \"plantation\" in Scotland. Isn't it elegant. Our old landlady Miss Everall is just married to Scott Adir the fancy [Wollen] man. I went to the store \u0026 asked for her- there was a titter among the clerks \u0026 confusion with Scott. Jansen said he was jealous- didn't see her . Love to all hands. \nyr Dad.","Richmond \n25 Apl 1861","My dear Wellford, \nYou can best serve the cause by staying at home, planting corn \u0026 potatoes, than you can by coming here. There is a great press here. The people along the river are wanted at home to form police, guard, \u0026 c. \nIn great haste. yrs. \nM.F. Maury","Don't come","Richmond \n27 Apl 1861","My dear wife- \nSaw Lt. Carr this morning. He was Dave's Captain. Dave was a first rate soldier- enjoyed the trip, and got back all safe \u0026 sound.","I look for Dick from Washington this morning. He went for our things. He has an appoint of \"1st Lt. of Volunteers for Services in Council Chamber.\" So you see how he is tied down in Richmond and can't go to the wars - now I do hope that will make you quiet and comfortable. Corbin is back too \u0026 Dave. Why my dear we are as happy as the day is long. Ain't we? Very busy today. Hope for a quiet time tomorrow.","Kiss my Lucy. What is that boy a'doing? Why didn't the girls write - are you going down with Nanny - Had you not better come up next Saturday for church - maybe I'll meet you. \nYr M","Tell Nannie I got all her letters and to thank Mason for all of them.","Richmond \n18 May 1861","My dear Corbin, \nYour letter of 15 came to hand last night. I shall go up to Fredericksburg this evening if nothing unforeseen occurs to prevent. I hope to find you there, but in case I should not go or going should not find you I write this in answer to your many questions now.","You did right to decline Col. [Ruggles] [ ] present offer, for he had no authority of law to make such an appointment.","If you raise a company you will be mustered into the service as volunteers, and will then be furnished with arms.","So far I have not succeeded in giving practical effect to my place of organizing all the remaining white population in the border \u0026 tide water counties into a home guard to act in case of inroads \u0026 marauders as guerrillas. I did hope to bring into this organization all able bodied men \u0026 boys between 15 \u0026 60. The law opposed difficulties in the way of this, and I did hear that Gen'l Lee who highly approved of the plan is going to carry it into effect by calling them out as militia. What the precise details of the militia organization are to be, I cannot say. But I suppose that as its objects are the same it does not in the main differ much from the guerilla plan. I think so highly of this plan that I have sought to have it turned over to us navy officers looking upon it as the most honorable \u0026 useful service that the times offer to us.","This too is I think the best service for you, and for reasons both public \u0026 private. It is highly important service and a double duty to the state--you fight for \u0026 help to raise bread for the people at the same time. Sallying forth with [sword] in hand today--tomorrow with the pruning hook or sickle. The private reasons are: your whole fortune is imperiled, and it will require all the personal attention and the best management of which you are\ncapable to save you from ruin. I myself being a cripple have to conform myself to circumstances and to accept such occupation as those circumstances will allow. So it is with you- you by leaving home to serve the state now, would probably do it at the sacrifice of your entire fortune- and that you are not prepared to do. The true course and the brave course for you is cheerfully to adjust yourself to circumstances \u0026 then do the best you can.","Tom Maury has just called me out with a telegram that his child is dead.  Yrs, M.F. Maury.","Richmond \n20 June `61","Dear Corbin, \nI got your note last night and went the first thing this morning to see the Governor. If he musters you into service, you will fall under the President who can send you where he pleases. Thus the Governor:","I heard a member of the convention from Tidewater complaining yesterday that two companies in one of the lower counties had been mustered into service with the express understanding that they were to remain in their own county and they had been ordered away. They were volunteers. So you will understand that no bargain can be made with you as volunteers, short of 1 year's service to go wherever the President chooses to order you.","As to guerrillas: the convention has that subject up now and he, the Governor can do nothing.","Thus you have a full account of the result of the interview. Thorburn has [gave] up the country- after referring your letter to the Gov. I thought it useless to mention the matter to him. If you conclude to go as volunteers how would Jack Maury do as your Capt.? He is at Gloucester Pt.","I am very sorry to see our guerilla scheme fail, but the connotation is we have both done our best and all that can be done.","Love to Nannie \nyrs M.F. Maury","The Council was abolished yesterday and I am relieved of duties.","Richmond \n18 July 1861","My dear wife, \nI have just learned from the Sec. War that the boys at the university are not to be taken into service. They remain undisturbed. I shall so write Dave this day.","I shall go down to the central cars today at 2 1/2 hoping to meet Dab. He can have his folks at the junction. Come here spend 2 or 3 hours \u0026 join them in the 5 p.m. train for Fredericksburg.","Hollins has charge of the Naval defenses of James River- and will be cavorting about I suppose, \u0026 Dick with him. This will be more agreeable than a stay at one place.","There are many flying rumors about the street this morning such as the landing of 30,000 troops at Norfolk, 20,000 at Aquia Creek \u0026 c- and that they are moving upon Richmond. It is now 12.20 and no official dispatch has been received, so there is nothing in it. But I wish you all would fancy to make a visit to Albemarle until the denouement takes place. I suppose the enemy will run upon us somewhere soon and the sooner the better for us in\nmy poor judgment.","Now you know I don't want to give alarm and I know no more about the enemy's plan than the newspapers tell us. Still our armies cannot remain much longer as they are and I had rather see my people a little further off. God bless you \nM.F.M.","Charlottesville, Va: Ridgway \n18 Sept 1861","My dear Nannie, \nYour two letters came yesterday. The great drawback to what you call \"a celebrity\" is this being called on by friends for `influence' and help, where you are powerless. [?Kennedy's] inquiry I imagine had no such bearing as you seem disposed to give it. I know Mr. Corbin is missed all the time, and you may know that I am not going to permit any opportunity of having him to pass unheeded by. I understand that he did not want a commission at first when he was trying to raise that company - and now I suppose it difficult except in the Confederate Service and there I am powerless. Bless your heart for offering us your house. I have not been able to find - yet - suitable accommodations in Charlottesville. Moreover I am distressed by what they tell me of typhoid fever there - and moreover Fredericksburg is \"powerful sweet\". I am waiting for the word from Richmond to go ahead with the submarines. There is no chance for a Ltcy. in the Navy for Mr. Corbin. I think a good of his affairs. The give us solicitude. Dave and C. Minor went off a'recruiting yesterday. I think you had better come to us. We will take care of you for a year and that will help Mr. C. along with his interest. \nYr. Dad.","Richmond \n20 Nov 1861","My dear wife \nI do not go to the Miss. just yet if at all. The committee has the matter of steam launches up. I shall wait here for the result of their deliberations. I cannot speak positively about you and home Saturday.","Tom left for Manassas Wednesday morning. He took the turkey and all.","Nan and Lewis and the general were here. Now returns to Bowling Green this morning. Lewis went this morning to Norfolk. Jack came up from York River yesterday. He returns tomorrow.","The hoop skirts cost $6.00 -[Bill] waits further orders before giving $12.00 for the two.","Miss Fanny Perkins left the day I arrived. She went down to Norfolk Wednesday morning with the General's check in her corset and the other \"preciouses' behind the photographsin her album.","How are my sick? All still mending I hope. Kisses to everyone.","Yr. affectionate, M.F. Maury","Richmond \n9 Dec `61","Dear Corbin, \nYour leave is extended to the 1st Jan. unless Kennedy should sooner require your services. The leave with his letter to you go up to him this evening. Buchanan grants you the leave. I have seen it. So there is no mistake. K. no doubt will send it you.","Dave is off in the morning.","Love to Nannie, \nYrs. in haste \nM.F. Maury","Send it to C.","For Nannie \nPrivate \u0026 Confidential \nDec. 9.1861","My dear child, \nMilly's death is a sad blow. You will feel it as such and miss her mightily. A law has passed authorizing the appointment of 50 Navy Lts. to serve during the war. I do not know what rules is to be adopted with regard to appointments; but it has occurred to me that Mr. C. might stand a chance if he would like the place. If so, let him file his application with Mr. Mallory and interest his member of Congress on his behalf. If I know that you and he desire the place, that is enough. I'll help it and if I can.","Say to Blackford that the only understanding between us was that I was to stay there until I could find a place to suit us both and that he would live with us - one offsetting the other. That he had better get some of our mutual friends to fix the visit. It had better be by the month, for he may want to sell and I man find a more suitable house. We lack another room or two sadly - We'll will attend to the execution of any papers that are required in the processes. God bless you my daughter \nM.","Richmond \n30 Jan.","My dear wife, \nWill came yesterday and told me that you were poorly and also of the great thinning out. You must feel very quiet if not lonesome. I don't get much from Will about the school. Of course they are done with Mr. J.","I'll leave it entirely to you as to whether one or both shall come home. They should come soon and we should know the day so that Dave may be at the cars. Dave is a precious fellow. He has been a great comfort to me, but he and I do not think that this clerking of his is exactly the thing for him. I think I shall give the place to Bob who returned last night. I have written to Lynch asking him to take Dave with him for a little while. We are waiting\nto hear from him. The answer is daily expected for I wrote about 10 days ago. L's answer will determine the Lad's course, whether it will be back to you, or down to the south - or rather the Sounds of N.C. Tell Nannie I have exhausted myself upon Corbin both with Buchanan and the Inc. What I said seemed to go in one ear and come out of the other - S.C. must muster up his political influences and push them. 25 or 30 of the 50 Lts. that are to be made will come from the \"Old Navy\" including cases like Smith's and from the Masters and Mid of C.N. The rest are I believe to be made out of the resv. C. will come in with them if at all I suppose.","The \"Doc\" got off this morning, much to my relief.","I have got a pair of shoes at last which I can wear when the foot is only 1/2 swollen. I have them on this morning for the first time. I have ordered another and a larger pair, so I have them of three sizes.","I know my brood is doing fine in Latin. How is Lucy and the Musik Glum and the philosophy Totts and the writing. A Kiss to everyone I am dying to see you all but can't tell about coming. \nYr Aft M","Did Jno get the money Dave collected for him?","Richmond \n1 May 1862","Dear Corbin: \nI have this morning yr's of 29th. Wrote you yesterday - nothing from Fredericksburg since Dave went up there this morning hoping to take a peep of an hour or so upon the blessed group. I shall expect him back to-morrow. His appointment will probably be made out by that time. When he will put out west of course he will bring letter which I shall hasten down to you. \nIn haste \nYrs MFM","The examination as I understand it relates only to midshipmen.","Richmond \n4 May `62","Jas. M. Johnson [Hd.] carpenter of Rootes party left sick at Custis' Quarters reports himself for Norfolk today - without money. I lend him $3. which he promises to return to you 1st pay day. Please get it. Dave I expect will be off in the morning.","It is the case of yr[house on fire at night]. Your duties for the moment are and ought to be the all absorbing subjects with you. Not only yr prosperity, but your life and liberty are at stake. And you will be lucky and ought to be happy to escape with the last two.","A letter from Dick - all well.","Yrs. \nM.F.M.","- That's right. Keep your mind occupied. Don't despond or despair. The enemy has the power to possess himself of Richmond - of the Miss River and of all the Tidewater country. Look upon that as more than likely.","Richmond Virginia \n5 May","Dear Corbin: \nI have just time to say this is [the] 3rd or 4th. Have yr's of 2nd. The army came over into Fredericksburg yesterday. Nothing since direct from our folk since Dave was there. He will perhaps go off in the morning.","In haste yrs \nM.F. Maury","Richmond \n24 May","Dear Corbin: \nNothing from Fredericksburg since Brodie's letter of 13th. I have an idea that the place is evacuated. I tried yesterday and the day before to get Totts back with the aim of sending her there- Mr. White wrote to say the Alsop's went last Wednesday and he thought there would be no difficulty about Totts. I am afraid now to bring her down. I may be down to the Bluff tomorrow. Gave Lt Davidson of the [ ] a letter from you yesterday. Jack has\ngone down to take command of the battery below you. \nYrs. in haste","1 June '62","Dear Corbin, \nDick was hit yesterday in the right arm, breaking one of the bones, His wound is very much such as one as Dabney's only not so bad. I went out and brought him in. He was wounded early in the fight, but not until he had resisted the charge and driven back two Yankee regiments. Dick is a gallant fellow and has won the name \"immortal\" for his regiment - so says the Yankee General Hancock. His horse was killed under him and he was struck 4 times. He will be well in about 6 weeks. He is in my room laughing and talking as I write.","My admirable Pettigrew was killed. I write in haste. Send word to Jack about Dick. Nothing from home.","Yrs. \nM.F.M.","Richmond \n5th June 1862","Dear Corbin, \nThis morning brings in yrs of 3rd. Dick is walking about the streets and is doing well. No chance to Fredericksburg and nothing from them. I hope to get off to Albemarle with Dick next week. Jackson gives us a bright spot. In all the directions around the horizon the clouds lower upon us.","Yrs. M.","19th June","Dear Corbin: \nThis will not come to hand in time for you this morning.","Dick and I hope to get off for Ridgeway Saturday. I tried today an order for 3 Irish servants to be sent from New York. Dabney is acting Major General. Price and his staff are loud in his praise of Dab and Cave.","I [?] Nannie's letter for time was short.","July 14 (1862)","Dear Corbin: \nLooked for you yesterday, but your two letters came this morning. George has arrived at Ridgway from Fredericksburg. Dick has sent him back to get his marriage license. Nothing from Nannie or Betty. Yankee pickets are about Bowling Green. Will is home in status quo. Gen Minor has letters from Fredericksburg of 11. [Nannie] [Gardner] was very ill with typhoid fever. Harry Hasbrouck is our prisoner. I have his photograph picked up on the battlefield. I only know the mail does not go to Fredericksburg. I hope to get off this week. A letter from Dave of 3 Oct. Doing well.","Thanks for Nannie's letter. Betty had a letter from Nannie after her arrival in Fbg. I suppose Dick will be married as soon as he gets his license. \nYrs. truly \nM.F.M.","Richmond \n19 July","Dear Corbin: \nI am sorry I did not see [you] again. I am off to Ridgway in the morning. Letter from my wife of 16 - Dick's license had not arrived. It was due that day. Betty is still in Carolina. Don't know when she goes back. My wife will return next week, say the last, I reckon.","I write in haste. Read last night - letters from Dave and Dab of y. Still there, well and rejoicing over Richmond. Let us hear from you at Ridgway. My [ ] for news from home will be mainly thru you and Will. \nYrs. \nM.F.M.","Richmond \nExchange Hotel \nRoom No 12 \n29 July (1862)","Dear Corbin: \nPope's order No 11 - brought me and my wife down to-day. Our people will have to come out of Fredericksburg now. They can't stand that. I want to get authority to-morrow to send up there. So come up to town as soon as you can after the receipt of this \u0026 we will lay our plans. Give my compliments to Lee and say you coming will be a personal favor –","Yrs in haste \nM.F. Maury","Exchange Hotel - No 12 \n30 July","Dear Corbin: \nPope's order to arrest everybody in Fredericksburg that will not swear allegiance makes it necessary to get our people out. I am here for that. Come up to day. I want your help. Get his permission to ask for a leave of 10 days, if you find it necessary, at any rate come up to day.","Yrs. \nM.F. Maury","Bowdon England \n1 May 63","Dear Corbin: \nI was glad to get your letter. It was very satisfactory and interesting.","I now fancy that I see no end to the war, until the Yankees get themselves into trouble with some other nation, or until after the 4th March of `65. John Bull is drifting into war and the public mind here is beginning to chafe under the doings of Wilkes and his [c ]. Still if there is war it will not be through any the least spark of sympathy for us. I think the Government is determined to stop any more Alabamas if it can - and I think the feeling of the country is with the Government in that matter, as it is in all others that touch its conduct towards us.","Can't you find time to find a better place for our folks, as in Lynchburg or some other town a little further from the enemy's lines. They are now much nearer than is agreeable. Then they want to be in reach of schools and a little more society for the young ones than they can have in the country. Pray let there be a family council \u0026 then see what you can do to carry out what may be decided to be the best. If they board, let them if possible\nhave a parlor to themselves.","Wilkinson don't come any further than the island nearest you, but I will bear in mind yr request.","I am trying now to get a box off for the ladies on a vessel that takes this - one that Crenshaw is sending out. I have a letter from him this morning dated 3 days ago, saying she would sail in a few days - So I have sent an express message to Ferguson in Manchester who took the lists more than a month ago with a promise to fill them - I have asked him to send all 3. Bob's, Lewis' and mine if he has them ready, if not ready, I have asked him to double my order for dresses and to make them suitable to the memory of\nmy precious Davy Jones. He said the money was of no consequence when I gave him the lists, but perhaps the want of it prevented him from attending to it, however I sent him the money for mine - all I had, and told him that I expected in a week or 10 days to have the money for the others, and to send my box anyhow. I don't know the name of the vessel but it's Crenshaw's. They will tell you the name in Richmond and the box will be marked c . \"R.H. Maury, Richmond\". Do ask them to keep a look out for it.","Bobby Walker is here trying to raise a Yankee loan of £50,000,000. Moneyed men here say some that he can't \"place it\" some that he can, if he will get Peabody and [Br gs ] black \u0026 [ ] - to take hold and spend a £100,000 or so in floating it. My own notion is he will spend money like fury to get his loan to go - and I see what looks to me like a sign that he had already been \"[ploughing]\" with some of the yearlings of the Times. Saw them stepping out of the way in its city article of yesterday to explain away certain things.\nIt looks suspicious. This \"City Article\" as it is called is more read by moneyed men than all other parts of the paper. The \"City Article\" is the first thing they look at.","So I am on the lookout for something [further]. This morning's Times will be here before the mail closes and if there be any more indications I'll clip them out for you.","Please let Nannie copy such parts of the letter as relate to public affairs and send them to Mr. Seddon. I wrote him Dec. 11 Jan 20- \u0026 31 March - and ask him to see that the new Navy Bill does not operate prejudicially in one's absence.","Explain to R.A.M. about the boxes. I wrote nearly a month ago for money from [Jody] for him \u0026 L. as I had it not.","Where is Jack stationed now? Give my love to Jack - He is a kind hearted fellow.","This is May-Day. Some ladies called in their carriage to take me to see the country people - May-But I had not the [ ] and I proposed to stay at home and [ ] home.","Send also to Ludlow the slips that you think he would like to see. Love to Uncle Jordan and Nannie and all hands.","Yrs. truly \nMF","I go to London Monday of Tuesday and then to France. It goes hard to part with Brave. But he likes his school, is getting interested with the boys - and his vacation will commence 13 June - Six weeks hence when he will join me again.","London England \n7 July 1863","My dear Nannie: \nCarter stopped in upon us today with your and Corbin's letter. Bless my Davy's sweet face - his [coal] is [quenched], his light is put out - his pitch broken, and his spirit returned unto God who gave it. I doted on that splendid countenance. Twas a rich pleasure to me always to steal glances at it when he knew it not. I read in it unutterable things and always a pleasant present and a pleasing future Oh-ho! Lord Wrottesley is in town.\nBrave called today to say we would breakfast with him in the morning. Brave said `Sir' to him and he took him up. We learn by Carter that Murdough had got in. Thanks for that - Corbin will find his pistol in the trunk sent by him, but not the saber. It is difficult to find one good [natured] enough to charge himself with such a piece of luggage. I saw his cousin in Paris. He was very civil. I liked him and his family very much. One of his daughters - the yellow haired one particularly quite took my fancy. I was miserable in\nParis. Exceedingly depressed all the time - so much that Brave said to me one night in tears - that I had treated him with reserve ever since he come there. Bless the child's heart. I had no heart for anything. I was making no progress about my business I was doing nothing to help the case - and my actions were controlled by me, that were unequal to the task. All this and the fact that I am kept here all the time with hands tied for the want of means and that I am told to build this and buy that as tho' I had the Bank of England to draw from. All this - the fact that I am of no use - oppressed me exceedingly.","The small parcel by Hudson, Elie tells me has been received. The next was also a small one - say 7- by Ramsey in Apl- What became of that? The next by the [Venice]- [Crenshaw's] ship- in I know- the next was by the Advance- [Crosson's] ship in charge of Hughes the brother of Tom's friend. She was in Bermuda last month-and the last by Murdough who is in. I have had but two letters from you. Love to Corbin with thanks for his letter. I hear he is a great worker and gives satisfaction.","Bowdon (England)  \n4 Aug 1863","My dear no. \"dos\", \nJust as we were leaving Liverpool yesterday a parcel of home letters was handed to me.\nYours of Jun 14, Corbin of 15, Totts 10th 13 and Elie's no date at all. Totts to the Brave. This is the second letter from you.","Just before we left London Mrs. [G ] with her youngest daughter \"Carie\" arrived there from Baltimore. They are great secessionists - you remember they used to give children's parties in the first ward and that Dave particularly and I believe Totts used to go to them. The first thing that Miss Carie said was an inquiry after Dave. She only remembered me as his father. When I told her - her mother exclaimed - + don't you believe he's drowned they've got him cooped up to spite you. You don't know their villainy or their spite against you. The idea and their positive air gave me a glimpse of hope, which started up, lasted for a moment and it was all dark again.","Another batch of letters. Lt. Carter brought them from L'pool just at 6. Meiklejohn was dining with us, so we put them away and have now about 10 just got through with them. I reading and [checking] over them to Brave. There is one form you of 25 May to me and of June 6th to Brave. One from Totts to him and one to me one from Nannie Belle to him. All on the thin blue paper and from his Ma to him and one to me with the copy by Elie of\nD's letter of the 14th Feb - giving all the account he could of the loss. It is singular that just as I was telling of Mrs. G. for I had only got to the +. D's letter should have come encouraging the same idea. 5th {pencilled in margin} I had never before heard of the cartridge boxes - the rubber cloth and the tracks of the mare as to or from a boat. Had I heard of that at first I should have clung to hope as you and Totts and yr Ma have done.\nIt evidently gave D. hope for the flag followed. But what did Burnett think. Burnett the Texas Trailer. At what gait was the man going that two miles after having crossed the crevasse - at what gait when she returned - was there any sign of a scuffle, of a halting or a quickening of pace where the cartridge boxes were - what does he mean by cartridge `boxes'? cartridge papers? I think the trailer could tell by the tracks for two miles whether\nthe horse was riderless. The tracks about the turning place would indicate that most likely. Then why should the mare keep along just two miles and then turn back.. The man in the boat might have seen him coming, and concealing themselves [till] he came up - and then calling a halt he might have found himself so completely in their power as to make all attempt at escape useless - and so he might have reined up. But then what would have been the use of the cartridges? On the contrary if he had been fired at or\nshot, the tracks would have showed a sudden change in the gait of the steed. I read from this account of Bob's that on that two mile stretch below the crevasse, the horse as she went down was guided by the rider, and that therefore the probabilities, nay I should say the chances, the almost certain chances are that that precious boy was not drowned in the crevasse. When the mare returned to the brook, was she riderless? How near did the returning tracks go to it? Did they enter it? If they don't, he perished there - if not, then he was made away with, somewhere between the brook and the end of the two miles below. Thank my merciful Father for this precious crumb of consolation, for now I feel almost persuaded that my brave boy had a chance of fighting for his life, and if so, then I know he did quit himself like a man as he was.","You see my love I have been building up this theory on these straws that D almost casually as it were has held out. The tracks down the road, the cartridge boxes, the rubber cloth and the tracks down to the boats.","Let us suppose that D. means cartridge boxes and not paper, then the rubber cloth, was it Yankee? The boat party had taken off their cartridge boxes and spread the bit of rubber cloth to lie on. My Dave came upon them suddenly and so fell into their hands. Were there any signs of a scuffle of men in a high state of excitement moving about. And the rubber cloth - was it of the cartridge boxes [ ] - and did the tracks of the men pass them?","I say he rode the mare that far, because she was seen soon after he had crossed - by 3:30 p.m. near the canal without her rider- and was found then at 10 the next morning. She wanted to get back - and after she lost her rider on the 27 - she made for Vicksburg. Had he been taken alive he would surely have been taken up to headquarters. He would have been too great a prize - no He was dealt foully by and they were afraid to report it.","I send D. a letter written some days ago. I may not have time to add more - but any how send him copy of the copy of this, till you are he gets it. Ask him to send it to Major Burnett, and after discussing the whole case over with him, ask him to let us know what the Major says. Love to C. to Betty and 10 Tell N.B. hers was a sweet letter to the Brave.","Kiss everybody. I am worried about L.A.'s \"spies\"-","England \nFeb. 15, `64","My dear \"Nig\": \nThat was a capital bargain. How came they to let him pay off? He ought to be made Sec. Treasury if he can financier in that way. The bonds that F.B. had? I hope he looked after them, and that they gave you and him a most comfortable fire to warm by.","Yesterday morning Brave brought down a Legendre that he had brought over with him- Davie's. In the evening he was criticizing some of the propositions and demonstrations and proposed to burn it up. I happen to look on the fly page in the book and there was my precious Dave's own hand writing \"Charlotte is my dulce.\"","S-H- and in full below, and a sum that he had been doing. I suppose that the `Dulce' was the „Charlotte‟ that Kate or Sarah [ ] used to talk to him about. He had the book at the University. So Brave was ordered to put it away among our \"preciouses\" - I have written 2½ diverse times and grieve to know that he doesn't get my letters. My last was 26 Dec. It related to that famous brooch pin affair - was a great secret, and I hope that it has not\nmiscarried. No further development has occurred in that matter and you may rely upon it. I shall suffer it to proceed no further, unless it be clear that I can be more useful there than I can be here, or rather than I am permitted to be here. Any premature disclosure would as you may readily imagine give rise to any amount of scandal- to encounter which with equanimity all those virtues which made Duncan `so clear in his High office' - I must rely upon angels and \" my Innocents\" for defense, for if I enter into that scheme, my lips will be sealed. And in all this I rely upon the reticence, the prudence and the judgment of you all. If it comes to anything, you will know of it from other quarters long before you will\nfrom me. The possibility that you might so hear induced me to tell you of it before hand. I know it would set somebody to climbing the mountain, and I thought it was better to climb with the lights before you there in the dark.","Your Petersburg letter of Dec 11 to Brave is our latest date. [`Sophy'] is in New York having her old laces renovated.","4 March 6 p.m.","My dear Wellford: \nI have just received this from Paris. It is a little scrap which you may like to preserve. I have no new developments in the matter of the brooch pin.","Brave and I are mourning over the loss of our things by [Cameron] in the Petersburg - Another pair of specs for Mary among them. It's always so Brave says with our Xmas boxes. Love to you - Yrs","Bowdon, England \n4 Aug. `64","My dear N: \nI dreamed last night that your troubles were all over. I hope they are with all my heart. They have not only been the cause of the most tender and anxious solicitude but of many painful emotions also - which I would fain forget.","I send you the last I have heard of Corbin. I can't find out when or how he was made prisoner. I have asked R. to let him have any funds he may want, and I will return the same through his cousin [J.]B. in Liverpool. I do not know whether any exchange of prisoners is now going on. I am rather under the impression that there is another hitch of some sort in the way.","The first notice I had that he was certainly captured was by his notice from Pt. Look Out to R.H.M. cut from the N.Y. Daily News of 28 June and sent me by an officer in Paris. I rec'd it 16 July in the cars as I left London for Lland[ ]. Bob in his letter of June 23rd makes no mention of him. So I infer he must have been captured between that and the 26th or 27th. You however should not give yourself any trouble nor go to climbing any mountains on that score, for I have no doubt he will, with such assistance as I can give,\nbe able to provide very well for his material comforts.","I went down to [A ] day before yesterday to get some tooth brushes to send by an officer who is going home, and I don't like to see such a good opportunity to pass without sending something. So I thought of tooth brushes- All the shops are in [Albrincham] none in Bowdon, Mit said, O don't get them here, get them in Manchester. You get them so much better. He got a friend to get them for you-all right. Tell him to get the best brushes as to hair, such as gentlemen and ladies ought to us, and add to them 6 nail\nbrushes. They have just come, were bought at wholesale prices, and for the nail brushes behold the little shoe brushes. I wish they had been white, I should like 5 \u0026 6 to have a nice white one. But I reckon you can make them do.","Brave said the other day, \"Sister B is an elegant woman I tell you. I should like to have such a one for my wife\" \"Why-?\" \" Oh she keeps her things in such nice order, and looks good in anything\" So charge 5 \u0026 6 to be neat and clean, but I fancy they are, and that they will look mighty good in one of these nail brushes set off by an ivory handled tooth brush. Bless their hearts I wish I could bring myself instead of sending these nice brushes for the narsty Yankees to get. Brave is commencing Greek and French this half.\nHe is not quick, but has what is better than quickness viz. industry and perseverance, the will to make good resolutions and the force to carry this out. I now, since I have been sick take 4 meals a day, breakfast at 8, lunch at 1½, dinner at 5½ and tea at 9, Brave breakfasts and teas and soups. God bless you. Love to Sr. E \u0026 S.F.M. and all hands.","The Parsonage \nBelsize Park \nLondon, N.W. [England] \n30 Dec 64","My dear Corbin, \nHow are you and Jack these dreary times, well and bright I hope. I have no later dates, since I last wrote you. I saw Arthur Sinclair and Pegram last night. The latter left in Oct. I learned more from them as to how our folks get on, than I had learned before. My friend is named T r e m l e t t, not Triplett. Your first letter they knew was for me and sent it to Bowdon right away. I have settled with Rutson for the $167.85 and the $20 advanced by\nJno W. to you and Jack the $20 to Jack, the rest to you, total $187.85. Brave grows fast and sends love. God bless you both \nYrs afty M. Fontaine","The Parsonage \n[Belsize Park \nLondon, N.W., England] \n3 Feb. 65","My dear Mr. Corbin, \nI have been ill for nearly a month, but hope now I am all right again except in strength, and the roast beef and pudding will soon rectify. My last letters from home are four days older than yours. I had comforted myself with the belief that you and Jack had been exchanged. I think you are bound for that tailor bill whether the cape reaches you or not, for as I understand you ordered them to be sent and they were sent at your and not the tailor's risk. Love to Jack in which Brave joins me to both. I have refunded to R. all he has advanced for either of you. \nYr. aft. M. Fontaine","Off San Domingo \n19 May 1865","My dear Sir: \nWe expect to be in Havana next Monday. I have seen New York papers of 2nd. Taking for true what they say this Confederacy has come to a miserable wreck. I write this now for the chance of finding in Havana a vessel ready to take it away. Brave, will go home from Havana, but it will take a day or two there for him to get thro' with his business. In the mean time my friends will be anxious to know what I intend to do. I do not know where they are. I take the liberty of sending this to you thinking you will guess whence it comes, and hoping you will not consider it inconsistent with your new relations, to give it the proper direction.","I was utterly astounded at the brick-row tumble of our armies; and at the ignoble end of the Confederacy I am grieved and mortified beyond expression, My friends will know to whom and to what I attribute the great calamities that have been brought upon us. They need not have been. But as gloomy as the record is, and as black as is the mirror of the future, now is the time to be stout and brave and to rub it bright. The soil of Virginia has now for me no charms save those which memory flings around it. At present it is red with blood and bitter with the tears of those who were and are very precious, and its future is black with misery and utterly horrid. I have no wish to see it, and long to withdraw from it those who graced it, and those who made it very dear to my heart. In my judgment the only course that becomes them and that is left to those noble sons and daughters who have graced the fall of the noble old state is expatriation. There are too many voices coming up in bloody, to cry from her battlefields to admit any to tarry there now, who can get away. And I go from Havana with the design of finding for them a new country, and of obtaining such advantages as will induce 1000s to come. And among the first are my wife's brothers my own kin and our immediate friends especially such as those of Ridgway and others. Please consult your friend [L.E.] upon this subject. The discussion of it involves many considerations, considerations not so much of the present as of the future. The future of every true hearted Virginian is a life dragged out under the yoke amidst secret spies and truculent informers. Remaining on the [soil] their doom is that of a proscribed race.","The best service that I can now make the state is to propose an asylum to which her sons can flee and sit under their own vines and fig trees. Your nephew goes home over for the purpose of developing our plans and with the hope of seeing it received with favor by those whose presence and society would make us at home in any country. My wife has a diamond and [chain]. They will tell her if she will consult them who I seek to plant that home.","I wish 2 you would join me, if possible, and for several reasons - One is he is a better farmer than I am, and another is I shall if at all successful have more to do that I can attend to. Discuss the subject frankly and freely among our own friends, but privately and by letter, not publically nor in print, until I have something clear and definite to propose - which I hope to be at least this much:- [Leave] to come into the country with our effects\nwithout any duties of any sort, a grant of Lands exemption for a term of years from taxation and military conscription \u0026. Perhaps other terms more or less advantageous may be obtained. In the mean time broach the subject to the two generals, big and little - to Will's uncles and brothers, to Jessie, to the \"Squires\" boys and his sisters - to Jno. B. his brothers and nephews to Frank and his and their whole circle of friends - not forgetting mechanics of various sorts. I hope to be ready for the pioneers to come early in the winter if not before. They can make ready for a larger number to follow a few months later and they for a still larger number and soon. Tell L.E. I intend to pick out a settlement so sickly that everybody will want the Doctor and pay him too and so healthy that the old people will just dry up and blow away. Hey Ho!","Important from Mexico \nWe, Maximilian, Emperor of Mexico in consideration of the sparseness of the population in the Mexican territory, in proportion to its extent; desiring to give to immigrants all possible security for property and liberty, in order that they may become good Mexicans, sincerely attached to their new country; and having heard the opinion of our Board of Colonization, do decree, as follows:","Article 1. Mexico is opened to immigration from all nations.","Article 2. Immigration agents shall be appointed, who will be paid by the government, and whose duty it will be to protect the arrival of the immigrants, install them on the lands assigned them and assist them in every possible way in establishing themselves. These agents will receive the orders of an Imperial Commissioner if Immigration, specially appointed by us, and to whom, through our Minister of Improvement (Fomento) all communications relating to immigration shall be addressed.","Article 3. Each immigrant shall receive a duly executed title incommutable, of landed estate, and a certificate that it is free of mortgages.","Article 4. Such property shall be free from taxes for the first year, and also from duties on transfers of property, but only on the first sale.","Article 5. The immigrants may be naturalized as soon as they shall have established themselves as settlers.","Article 6. Immigrants who may desire to bring labourers with them, or induce them to come, in considerable numbers, of any race whatever, are authorized to do so; but those laborers will be subject to special protective regulations.","Article 7. The effects of immigrants, their working and broad animals, seeds, agricultural implements, machines and working tools, will enter free of custom house and transit duties.","Article 8. Immigrants are exempted from military service for five years. But they will form a stationary militia, for the purpose of protecting their property and neighbourhoods.","Article 9. Liberty in the exercise of their respective forms of religious worship is secured to immigrants, by the Organic Law of the Empire.","Article 10. Each of our Ministers is charged with carrying out such parts of this decree as relate to his department.","Given at Chapultepec on the 5th of September 1865. \nMaximilian","To the Minister of Improvement. \nBy the Emperor, \nManuel Orozco y Berra, \nSub-secretary, in the absence of the Minister of Improvement","Regulations \nUnder article 6, of the foregoing decree, we ordain as follows:","1. Under the laws of the Empire, all persons of colour are free by the mere act of their touching Mexican territory.","2. They shall make contracts with the employer who has engaged, or may engage them, by which such employer shall bind himself to feed, clothe and lodge them, and give them medical attendance, and also pay them a sum of money, according to whatever agreements they may enter into with him, and more over he shall deposit in the savings bank hereinafter mentioned, for the benefit of the labourer, a sum equivalent to one fourth of his wages, the laborer shall on his part obligate himself to his employer to perform the labour for which he is employed, for a term of not less than five nor more that ten years.","3. The employer shall bind himself to support the children of his labourers. In the event of the father's death, the employer will be regarded as the guardian of the children, and they will remain in his service until they become of age, on the same terms as those agreed on with their father.","4. Each labourer shall receive a book certified by the local authority, in which book his description, the statement of his place of labour, and a certificate of his life and habits, will be entered. In the case of a change of employer, the consent of the former employer shall be entered in this book.","5. In case of the death of the employer, his heirs or whoever may acquire his estate, shall be bound to the labourer in the same manner in which such employer was and labourer in his part shall be bound towards such new proprietor, on the same terms as in his former contract.","6. In case of desertion, the labourer when arrested, shall be placed, without pay, on public works, until his employe presents himself to claim him.","7. In case of any injustice of the employer towards the labourers, he shall be brought before a magistrate.","8. Special police commissioners will watch over the execution of these regulations, and officially prosecute all violators thereof.","9. A savings bank will be established by the government for the following objects.","10. The employers shall deposit in said bank, every month, for the benefit of the labourers, a sum equivalent to one fourth of the wages which each is entitled to, under his contract of employment.","11. The labourers can deposit, in addition, in the savings bank, in money, such sum as they may desire.","12. These deposits shall bear interest at the rate of 5 percent per annum.","13. At the end of his engagement, and on presentation of his book, the labourer shall receive the entire amount of his savings.","14. If at the end of his engagement the labourer wishes to leave his money in the savings bank, he can then receive the interest accrues, or if he wishes to leave this also, it will be added to his capital, and also draw interest.","15. In case a labourer should die intestate or without heirs, his property shall pass to the treasury of the government.","Given at Chapultepec, on the 5th of September 1865. \nMaximilian \nTo the Minister of Improvement \nBy the Emperor: \nManuel Orozco y Berra \nSubsecretary, in the absence of the Minister of Improvement.","The following Regulations and Instructions have also been approved by His Majesty the Emperor. [signed by M.F. Maury] \nSeptember 11th 1865.","1. The lands offered for Colonization are divided into three classes:","2. 1st those that are of the public domain and have never been reduced to\ncultivation:","3. 2nd Those that have been more or less improved as Haciendas, the right to\ndispose of which, the Government has acquired, either by purchase or otherwise:-","4. 3rd Private lands and Haciendas, the proprietors of which are disposed to offer them to immigrants on liberal terms for colonization. Many Haciendas that are, or have been, under cultivation, may be bought on easy terms, for less that $1 per acre.","5. These private Haciendas or plantations, sometimes embrace several hundred\nsquare miles; those of the smaller sizes often afford lands and room for a settlement of a dozen or more families.","6. Immigrants are advised to establish themselves, at first, in settlements or communities, as will for mutual protection and assistance, as for the benefit of churches and schools, and the convenience of mills, blacksmith shops, etc. etc.","7. It is the policy of the Government to encourage settlement upon private, as will as upon public lands; and the same rights, privileges and exemptions are offered to immigrants who may settle on the former, as are granted to those who settle upon the latter.","8. Lands of Class 1. are offered in alternate sections, as donations to actual settlers, and in quantities varying from 160 acres for single men, to 640 for the heads of families according to circumstances, to be explained presently.","Immigration \n9. The Government not only invites all well disposed persons to come and assist in the occupation of its vacant places; but His Majesty, the Emperor, touched by the spectacle of good men struggling with adversity in other lands, tenders hospitality and homes especially to these. Moved by the generous impulses of his nature, he offers them material assistance, to enable them to reach this bountiful and beautiful land. To those of them who wish to change their skies, make Mexico their homes, and identify themselves with the country, a free passage for their families and their effects by\nsea, is offered.","10. Immigrants are therefore divided into two classes: A. \u0026 B. - The former being of those first alluded to, who. by misfortune, have last all their substance; and the latter, those who are less straightened in their means.","11. Not only a free passage by sea is offered to Class A., but when they arrive in the country, a travelling allowance of a Real the league, there to their new homes, will be made for each member of their families, counting as members also, their apprentices.","12. Lands of Class 1. will be donated to these immigrants by alternate sections, viz: 160 acres to a single man, and 320 to a man with a family, with a pre-emption right to as much more in each case.","13. Immigrants of Class A. who, after arriving in the country, may prefer to settle upon Haciendas or other lands are a liberty to do so; but in that case, they will be required to refund, with interest, the money that may have been advanced in assisting them to reach their new domiciles.","14. Immigrants of Class B., who are those that can afford to pay their own\nexpenses, have the whole country before them. They may establish themselves\nwherever they can find suitable and available lands. If they prefer the unimproved lands of the public domain, they also can have them free in alternate sections, but only for actual settlement, at the rate of 320 acres for a single man, and 640 to a man with a family, with a pre-exemption right to as much more in each case.","15. These donations of land to persons whether of Class A. or B., are made on condition, and with the understanding, that the donee shall, in good faith, proceed forthwith to occupy, subdue and cultivate the land so donated.","16. The lands of the public Haciendas will be offered at government prices, and pro - rata, according to the actual cost of purchase by the Government.","17. As it regards private lands and Haciendas, the field of selections is much larger, Immigrants are free to make their own bargains with proprietors, the Government waiving its fees on such transactions, as per Art. of the Decree.","18 As it regards the public Haciendas, a reservation of improved lands will be made from each, to serve; during the first years, as a common for the free use of the colonists. The size of the Common will be determined by the number of families the lands of the Hacienda may be sufficient to accommodate. It will be large enough to give them breadstuffs and vegetables at once, and until they can bring their own lands into cultivation. It will be large enough also to afford space for a village in case the immigrants\nshould find it desirable, as probably at first they will, to establish themselves in villages. No rent will be charged for the first years for the use of this Common.","19. This Reserve or Common is ultimately intended for educational purposes;\nand, after the first years, a ground rent of ten per cent upon the value of the land, but not upon the improvements, will be required.","Agencies \n20. Agents for immigrations will be stationed at convenient points abroad, for the purpose of affording information to the immigrant there, as to this country, its lands, the best way of reaching them, and upon all other subjects pertaining thereto.","21. Persons wishing to emigrate, will first apply to the most convenient agent, The applicant must state his occupation: whether agricultural, mercantile, mechanical or professional. He must also give his age, with the name, sex and age of each member of his family, including apprentices. If he requires assistance for the journey, he must state his circumstances, and give satisfactory references as to his character and standing in the community.","Permits \n22. The permit of the Immigration Agent is necessary to entitle the immigrant to the privileges of the decree. Unless he brings with him such a permit into the country, he will neither be entitled to lands, to free entry at the customs-house, nor to any other privileges beyond those accorded to mere strangers.","Effects. \n23. Immigrants with such permits may bring in, duty free, all their personal and household effects; their live stock, their implements of husbandry, tools and instruments of all sorts, used by them in the pursuit of their trade, art, profession or calling. But they may not bring, without the payment of duty, any merchandize or thing for sale, exchange or barter.","24. Before embarking, if coming by sea, or leaving home, if coming by land, the immigrant should furnish the agent for Immigration a complete list of persons and effects thaty of Mexico, will be completed. A charter for another rail-way, from the Capital to the Pacific Ocean, has been granted to responsible parties.","25. Immigrants arriving in port, or crossing the line will find an agent there, whose duty it is to give them such assistance, and afford them such further information as they may require to speed them on their way.","Apprentices \n26. The agents for immigration will give no permits for Apprentices: unless the indentures shall conform to the terms of the decree, and be otherwise not inconsistent with the laws of the Empire; unless the indenture be attested by three respectable witnesses, certifying that the Apprentice was free, and that he, his parent or guardian, as the case may be, entered into the contract for apprenticeship, freely, and without threat, fear or intimidation; and unless the agent himself shall be satisfied that the \"patron\" is a humane man and a proper person, made so by his habit and education, for the care of such Apprentices.","27. In all cases, the \"patron\" must furnish a descriptive list of his Apprentices, taking the time and terms of their indentures, with their names, sexes, and ages. He must exhibit to the agent, the indentures in duplicate, or in duly certified copies, one of which the agent shall deliver to the Apprentice, and retaining another, shall return the third to the patron.","[verso] Regulations \u0026 Instructions to be published with the Decree.\nIn connection with the foregoing, I beg leave to add, for the information of those who are displaced to avail themselves of the very liberal terms offered by this Decree, a few remarks on the physical geography, the agricultural resources and industrious pursuits of this beautiful country:","The Empire of Mexico lies between the parallels of 15° and 32° of the North latitude.","The shores are bathed by the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea on one hand, and by those of the Pacific on the other.","It is celebrated for its mines of silver and gold; copper, iron and lead also abound; but though its mineral wealth has dazzled the world, its mineral wealth is, as a source of riches, by no means equal to its soil.","Its climates are genial and its harvest perpetual; under good husbandry, the yield is bountiful, being 50, 100, and sometimes 200 fold. On the way up from Vera Cruz to the Capital in May, I saw the cereals in all the ways of cultivation between the hands of the sower and the arms of the reaper.","The seasons in Mexico are not marked by the vicissitudes of heat and cold so distinctly as they are by their characteristics of wet and dry. The coolest time of the year in this City is about the end of the dry season in April and May. The rainy season throughout the country commences generally with June and ends with September; still, there are occasional showers both before and after.","In the tierra caliente- the rainy season is the sickly season.","Between the mountains and the sea there is, on both coasts, a flat country, varying in breadth from 10 to 60 miles or more. These lowlands reach back to the mountains which form the edge of the Table-land or great central plateau. This low country corresponds to that which, in Virginia and the Carolinas, lies between the Blue Ridge and the sea. It is the hot country of Mexico, the tierra caliente. Everything which delights in rich soils, bright\nskies, warmth and moisture, finds a genial habitat there.","Ascending the mountains, which are timbered all the way up, you reach the table-land, an immense plain from five to eight thousand feet above the level of the sea, and hundreds of mils in breadth. In length, it is commensurate with the Empire; and in the lap of its western declivities, lies the tierra caliente of the Pacific coast. This table-land is the tierra\ntemplada, or the temperate regions of the Empire. Its climates are delightful: a happy mean between hot and cold, where cloth clothes are not uncomfortable by day, nor a blanket or two too heavy by night. Nevertheless, fire is never to be required, even in the coldest weather, for the houses generally are built without chimneys or fireplaces. It is very healthy.","The surface of this table-land is diversified with hills and dales, with an occasional snow clad peak; so that one, by descending into the valleys, may find, at the difference in level of a few hundred yards, and in the distances of a few miles, the productions and staples of all climates and latitudes, from those of Virginia and Missouri down to the shore of the\nGulf of Mexico, and there through the West Indies to the Equator or Brazil.\nEmigrants for Mexico, come at what season they may, will always be in time to plant something; but the best season for crop planting is generally in the spring, and the best time for coming is in the dry season, from October to May, when the newcomer may live in tents, put his seed into the ground and till June to build and get his family comfortably housed, by the time the rains set in.","The staples of agriculture in Mexico are like its climates: according to height above the sea level, somewhat controlled also by latitude. They are: corn, wheat, barley and oats; cotton, sugar and coffee; hemp, rice, tobacco, cocoa, cochenille, pimento, indigo, oranges, fruits and vanilla. On the dry table-lands, where nothing else scarcely will grow, flourishes the lordly Maguey or Pulque plant, the glory and wonder of Mexican flora. A single plant of this marvelous production is worth from $4 to $12, according to age and size. It yields but for a single season, and then dies. Some of the wealthiest establishments in Mexico are these Pulque plantations.","There is no lack of range and pasture for herds of cattle: goats, sheep, cows, and horses do well. Nay, gentlemen who are from the grazing lands of the Western States, and who have travelled through the northern part of Mexico, assure me, that they have never seen so fine a stock country.","The forests abound in useful trees and ornamental woods, among them, the mahogany and the india-rubber tree. As for fruits and vegetables, they are of great variety and excellence. The immigrant can find climates and soils suitable to any cultivation that he may choose to adopt. From the sea to the top of the tablelands, he will find these soils and climates ranged in belts suitable for sugar, coffee, tobacco, and the like. These declivities are generally the best watershed lands, and are fit for cultivation all the way up.","The population of the Empire, counting in round numbers, is estimated at eight millions, about seven millions of which belong to what may be called the laboring classes.","Agricultural labor, however, is poorly paid: the average rate of wages being from 25 to 37 cents a day, the laborer finding himself. His skill is rude. I have seen him sawing with an ax, plowing with a stick, hoeing his corn with a shovel, and his wife grinding with a pebble. He yokes his oxen by the horns to the plow or cart; and fetches and carries cheaply on his own back, or on that of mule and donkeys.","Owing to the unsettled state and the constant revolutions in which the country has been for more than forty years, the people now find themselves with energies paralyzed, haciendas neglected and industry itself at a stand-still. There is no lack of evil-minded persons in all countries, and great political revolutions, as experience elsewhere shows, never fail to call forth such. Mexico has not escaped them; and bandits, or guerrillas as\nthey are called, go about the country in certain parts, levying blackmail and forced contributions upon peaceable and defenseless people. To avoid any molestation from these, immigrants, especially the first comers, should travel in company and establish themselves, for mutual protection and convenience, in settlements of not less than a dozen or two. They should bring with them their farming implements, and encourage in every settlement the establishment of blacksmith and other shops, the erection of mills,\netc. ","The Emperor is governing mildly and wisely. Internal improvements are encouraged. Education is fostered; and all useful enterprises are sure to find in their Majesties earnest and active support. A railway is in the process of construction from Vera Cruz to the city of Mexico. Fifty miles of it, from Vera Cruz to the foot of the table-land are already in operation; next year another section, from Pueblo to the City of Mexico, will be completed. A charter for another railway, from the Capital to the Pacific Ocean, has been granted to responsible parties.","An able corps of civil engineers has recently been organized, and steps taken for the repair and construction of wagon roads in various parts of the Empire. Telegraphic lines are also encouraged, and several are already in operation.","The Mexican Times, a weekly paper printed in English and devoted to colonization, will, in a few days, make its appearance from the press of this city. Those who wish to come to Mexico, will find in it much useful information relating to the country.","It will, however, afford me much pleasure to give to those who may desire it, any special information that it may be in my power to give, and until the agencies alluded to in the Decree and Regulations, be filled. Their letters will receive prompt attention if directed to the care of Col. Talcott [Tolcott], Engineer in chief of the Imperial Mexican railway.","City of Mexico \n11 Sept. 1865 \n(signed) M. F. Maury","fr. Manhattan - recd. by R.M. 18 Nov a.m. in company with a shorter letter to himself and a short note to Mr. Thos. Bold, but none others.","To Mr. S.W. Corbin \nOffice of Colonization \n13 Calle San Juan de Letran \nMexico 31 Oct 1865","My dear Corbin \nDick and party arrived here all safe about a week ago. Pip has a little bout with chills: - the rest are well. - The Yankee papers now have it that \"Professor Maury, the vilest of traitors has asked for pardon.\" - In the name of sense what do I want with a \"pardon\"? I have no idea of going to the U.S. now, whatever I may do in the future: and when I want to come back its quite time enough to talk about a \"pardon.\" Therefore, pray you and\nNannie let all my friends know that the greatest mortification that they can cause me is to talk about asking Mr. Johnson for anything for me, or to talk about pardon.-","I am not a seer, nor can I control events. I may want to go to the U.S.: I may want to go to Siberia: but when the time comes, then there will be time enough also to decide as to the way.","I have asked, and the Emperor has ordered the authority to be given, to make Dick my Sub. at $2500.\"(salary.)\" I have not been officially informed of it yet: but he has been hard at it in the traces.","As to the success of Colonization, those \"ifs\" which have hitherto prevented me from calling you and Nannie here, are still in the way.","Mexico has been trying for 40 years to put the tide of immigration this way, it can't. - I have from the beginning told the Emperor I must have full sway in the matter. - otherwise I couldn't. This sway has not been given yet: and in the mean time many immigrants have come,- knocked, and no one opening. they have gone away. - As I have always said, if colonization fails, Mexico is no place for me. But before I set about to hunt a place to die, I wish to make the experiment. Where that place is, I cannot tell: - it may be Farley\nVale - it may be Old England. - But of I stay here that long, I shall want you to come out a little after this time next year, look at the country and bring Nannie. - It will take you two months: - 2 weeks to come, a month to stay, and 2 weeks to go.","I am now in a condition to support my family again in their wonted comfort; and that's a great blessing for a man who has done all the foolish things attributed to \"Matthew F.\" This is early. I have not seen Dick. I wait with some curiosity to see if Dab: and Will between them, will in that free country of theirs, dare to publish our Decrees etc., etc. - Kiss \"(I know not whether it is \"Maria or 'Mama\", or what)\" for me.","Yours affectionately, \nM.F. Maury","[Note by the copyist]\nThere are 3 copies hereof; of which one goes to Nannie, another to Betty, and the 3rd will go to Mrs. M.F. - on 22 Nov [ ] Cunard str. from Boston. The letter to myself encloses a draft for £100 to repay my advances for Dick. Except that it does not name the application for Dick, the invitation to Mr. \u0026 Mrs. Corbin or the remarks about Will and Dab: it is to the same purport as this: and I sent a copy of it today (18th)Nov.) to Mrs. M.F. under cover to Mr. Bold. R.M.","Office of Colonization \nMexico \nNov. 27th 1865","My dear wife: \nThe last steamer from New York brought us three days ago from the indefatigable Rutson copies of your dear letters to Bettie and Cousin Ann, and Tom Bold's letter to Rutson, reporting you as his guest till Xmas and all well. Also letters from Nannie and Cousin Ann, press copies of which even also sent to you.","I reckon, maybe I have \"gone [clean] daft,\" that my children and friends should think it necessary to write me such letters and make me such appeals. But it looks to me mightily like I have done, and am doing the thing that is right, wisest and best - Surely it was worth some sacrifice of feeling on your part as well as mine, and the endurance of a little longer separation to get Dick so snugly established as he is likely to be here-","My own; no, our own mutual interests require that I should be in England at no distant day, and not being a prophet I could not foresee the turn that things would take, which would compel me to be here now, instead of half way across the sea towards your sweet embraces and my children's arms-","The rainy season sets in the last of May and continues till Oct. Nov- this too is the sickly season, Yellow Fever both in Vera Cruz and West Indies - This is the time of year when immigration must stop and when therefore I can best be spared from my duties here - Now, between these months of May and October, I should be afraid to risk a voyage from here to England or the reverse.","I was afraid to leave you in Virginia because I was afraid and am afraid of troubles there. See what is going on in South Carolina and La. now. From the accounts I received from you and the children as to the difficulties on the score of servants, and other matters, I could not bear the idea of your encountering this winter in Virginia, surrounded as I fancied you would be, with such material discomfort - You remember my continued anxiety upon this subject during the war; and how last Spring I urged you to go North, surround yourself with material comforts and await events.","Therefore having to go to England at the earliest moment practicable (and that will be in the Spring on account of the sickly season and official duty here and I can't venture back, until the dangers of Yellow Fever are over) I thought England the best place for you to wait; and I thought they to join you in Dec.","In this sketch I make no allusion to the other reasons which we have so freely discussed before, and for which it was also wisest and best for you and the children to go to England - Bless my little Lucy's heart, I did not know before that she stammered—","Now then:- suppose I were to heed Bettie and Nannie, Cousin Ann and Rutson and write for you to come. You might be able to leave by the Str. of 1st Jan - but more probably not before February - That would bring you here about 4th March - And then, by the last of April at furthest I should have to leave for England - where on account of Yellow Fever by the way back, I should have to stay till Oct. You would then be left here with a people\nspeaking an unknown tongue for six or seven months and these six or seven months we had better spend together in \"merrie old England\" I think, that in dodging each other behind \"Albion's chalky cliffs\" and the sierras of Mexico - Don't you? –","Another thing: - and this is among my muttered thoughts, and if, and if and if all these ifs should conjoin, I may not come back - This though is way down deep among the remote contingencies of the future - It is not to be mentioned, except with injunctions, even to the most reticent, for still more reticence, for there is not enough of consistency about it, even for you to hang a hope upon - I can only contemplate it so far as to let the possibility of it enter into my calculations, so that should that possibility turn out a reality, I should not be taken by surprise.","Hey Ho! This thing of being so opposed by friends, when one \"feels it in his bones,\" that he is doing what is right, wisest and best; this having to defend and explain and excuse oneself, and all in vain: - the feeling added to and piled up above this, that I am prejudged and condemned by children and friends who don't know - makes me feel, - oh! so flinty! I am right - and I must keep so. I sink myself I live for the reflected pleasure which the happiness and approving smiles of my wife and children alone can give - And the hope of this sustains, cheers and comforts me. And if they will but have patience with me, and God will spare me, this I will do yet - I hope—","Dick is a great help and comfort to me - Bless his heart, he wins upon me every day - so crippled! yet so patient, so devoted to his new duties and so hardworking - He surprises and delights me with his business tact and capacity. He is so handsome too and in his nice new clothes looks the gentleman every whit-","Here, my dear, precious darling wife, is a great reward to you and consolation too, for this vexations separation;- and a proud, nay a glorious vindication too of the wisdom so far, of the course pursued by your husband in coming here - Suppose, instead of coming here last Spring, I had remained in England, or gone to Halifax to bide my time - Perhaps we should have been together now in England, - But what would have become of him? You know I became very uneasy about the tendency of his habits in consequence of the taste engendered by those immense doses of medicine which when wounded he was compelled to take. With those habits upon him, I trembled at the idea of seeing him risk alone and unaided, as he must have done, the battle of life there in Va. - Under such ordeals, there was no telling what might have become of him - Suffice it to say, the apprehensions and the fear that he would give way, haunted me - Now I find he is safe from that at any rate. He has position, with head and hands full of honorable and useful employment - with emoluments all things considered such as you and I, even in the balmy days of our \"munificent provision' never enjoyed - He was consulting me today about buying some Cordova lands- I had it in my mind to bring Corbin here and induce him to settle upon them. And tho I believe he and Nannie would have come, if I had but urged them, yet in the face of so much opposition, I did not have the heart to do it - In the olden times Cordova was the garden spot of New Spain. ","Price, Perkins, Shelby, Harris and all our people who have been there say it has the most delightful climate and the finest soil they ever saw. There stands on one side of it and but a little way off, the Peak of Orizaba with its cap of everlasting snow, and on the other the sea in full view-","When slavery was abolished suddenly fifty years ago- as with us- down it went - and its splendid Haciendas and baronial old mansions are now in ruins. They were heavily in debt to the church and as the church property has been confiscated, not by the Emperor, he took possession of these estates for colonization- The railway hence to Vera Cruz passes right through there and I am now selling them to immigrants as fast as they can\nbe surveyed, at $1 the acre, on five years credit. There are about 40 of our people already there. Perkins has bought him a house and has sent for his wife - so has Shelby, and so has a number of others - Mr. Holdman and Episcopal clergyman with his family - nice people, has been engaged by the settlement as pastor, teacher etc and I am going to reserve land for a church, school house, cemetery etc.","Thus you see my dear, sweet wife, colonization is not a chimera- By the time these lands are paid for they will be worth even if no more come to the Empire, $10, $20, $30 aye $100 the acre - for they produce everything under the sun, and yield perpetual harvests. What do you think of coffee growing wild, of fig trees 100 feet high, and 3 feet in circumference - and the most luscious pine apples at a cent apiece? Yet they tell me all these things are there. Now if I could have gotten Corbin here on one of these stately old\nHaciendas - he would with his skillful husbandry have made it bud and blossom again, and thus we should have found us a nest again. There is a great rush for this settlement, and it is here that Dick wanted to go, but as he was my son, I advised him against it, because there are not lands enough for them all. However I am going to extend the settlement and then Corbin and Nannie can come.","Lafayette Caldwell who used to be draftsman at the Observatory has sent for his family, Magruder for his, and there is a number of families already here. Some of them established in this city, but they are going to break up, and go down to this \"new\" dear old Spottsylvania.","Now if I can only get lands surveyed in time and there is a probability of this, -\"Here is your New Virginia\"- There are other settlements forming in other parts of the Empire. Colonization is a success if we can only find instruments and get surveyors to bring the lands into market. The people of the South are restrained from prudential considerations from speaking of their intentions. But we have letters. Thousands are dying to come. And I hope to have a decree this week which will put them in motion. Hurrah! -----30th The decree has come with an appropriation of $2,000,000.","[Verso]\nN York [ ] [ ] \nThis was sent to my sister for her and for my perusal (exclusively) and with the same injunction of reticence as to the \"-if, if \u0026 if\" matter - to apply to you and to Nannie we were requested to send this for you and for her perusal.","Mexico \n30 Nov. 1865","My dear Nannie, \nMany thanks my loving darling for your last letter. The \"Ticup-o-pitchin [In]\", though you have done less of it than others. I send for you and Betty an extract from my letter to y'r Ma, induced by your and her letters and one from Cousin Ann. My friends in England have now [confessed] themselves satisfied that in coming here I did the best thing that under the circumstances could be done. And your Ma being now out of the way of having\nthe move discussed, criticized, and condemned will be much happier. You know how her mind is [ ] by divided councils. In the letter I received from her yesterday, just after mine from which the extract is taken, had been mailed. It contained the \"hypes\" of my Molly dear, and darling Elie.","I wish now that I had induced Corbin to come, and settle on one of the Cordoba estates.","Is the spirit of manliness clear gone out of those noble Virginia people. Can't Corbin raise a settlement and come now under the new decree. It authorizes me to loan 1/3 of the [] money to any settlements of not less than 25 families who will come here buy a hacienda and settle upon it. The most splendid Haciendas are to be bought for $2. or $3 hundred thousand dollars [i.e.] at the rate of not over $4 or $5 the acre. 1/5 down and\nany credit you like as an illustration suppose a community of 25 families or more, will send Corbin and others here to select a place for them. They find a Hacienda to their liking at say $150,000. This office will give him a certificate that $50,000 will be bound for 15 years to the settlement, to be proportional among them, as soon as the 25 families appear. His cash payment will be $10, 15- 20- or 30,000$ according as he may bargain with the vendor. The balance of the $50,000 can go to the working of the farm. He and\nthe rest can stay, put in a crop and get ready for the rest to follow. I am to have $2,000,000 for this purpose. I sent the decree to R.H. Maury to be published. If it be not published ask him for it, and do the best you can.","Send this and your Ma's letter to Betty - and stop all of you telling the Crit that she is miserable and that I ought not to do this, and it's [better] to do that - praise everything she does. My troubles now - up the mountains- are about chairs, and that brass-eyed young Bold. But I don't think yr Ma will stay there, until now. But Tott's [ ] [looks] mighty [ ] I\ntell you.","God bless you all my dear children. We will build our house together yet I hope. \nYr affectionate father, M.F.","Reasons for establishing colonies in Mexico.","1. Va is not a fit place to live in now. All must come to Mexico. If they stay in Va they will have to free their nigs, will have to pay taxes heavier than in Mexico will very likely have a nig tax collector coming around, will be always haunted by the Yankees, will have to pay the Yankee war debt, will have to help pay pensions to the widows and orphans of the men that have been fighting against us and do nothing for ours and will perhaps have our lands confiscated. The Spartans of the war who remain in Va will be in the category of a conquered race.","2. All must come to Mex. Pa is going to Max and get form him grants of land in different part of Mex for the best blood of Va. and the South to go to. He will get Max to allow them to come to Mex and bring all their effects with them free of duty, get them exempted from taxes and conscription in the army for a term of years. Besides these he will get such other privileges as my be practicable including those of religion.","3. Brother Wellford must come right off the reel to pick the lands for us to settle on. Some steady young men who are not afraid to work must be sent to get ready for the rest to come. Must set all the nigs free and then bring them along as persons owing passage money to be paid in labour. Then they can be held as peons till the debt is discharged. That is you pay them but can compel them to work for you as long as they owe you money or labour. Must get mechanics of all sorts to come with their tools and uncle John or Uncle Charlie or Brother Will or someone else must stay behind to wind up the affairs of all.","Those persons that intend to leave the Confed anyhow had better send someone to him at once; but he wants no one to come simply on his representation. Indeed the idea is that those people that wish to settle together and intend to leave the country any how should appoint a certain on and send him to Pa who can offer him better privileges that he could get by himself. Then if Max don't suit him he can go back and report to the people that sent him and they will be just where they started from.","Mexico \n7 Dec. 1865","My dear sweet brave Nannie: \nI laid awake most of the time last night a thinking over that letter of yrs from Ridgway that came yesterday. Rutson gave you good reasons for your ma not passing by F.V. on her way to Mexico.","About yr. coming here, I was trying last night to work it out. I sent you by the [Ltr] which left Vera + yesterday a copy of the New Decree that is to be and my address with suggestions in relation thereto for Corbin's action.","Suppose this plan don't take. I think still that Corbin can do better here than there under present aspect of affairs. That supposing he can't raise a settlement of 25. to come, he had better work up to this idea. Stay and gather his crop next year. and sell F.V. in case he can get a good price. If he can't then let him reap his crop and leave his land, and come say about this time next year. In the mean time what will you do? Here's my pillow\nthought of it - vision o' the night.","F.V. will be a bad place for you to weather next summer and fall, and rainy season. I am laying my plans to leave in the B'r steamer of 1st April. It would not be desirable for you to come later than May on account of Yellow fever in V \u0026. I landed the last of May and some of my fellow passengers took it and died. The end of your troubles in Va. is not yet. Now then how do you and Corbin like this idea? You come out here next spring and so escape the chills of F.V. Here's your home. If Corbin can rent or sell on good terms, he can come with you, but if not he can stay to gather his crops and then come, with the intention of staying here two or three years anyhow. During that time he can manage to get along here, and hold his own. So that should it be desirable for him to return, as time passes by, he can return. In these two or three years the people will have adjusted themselves to this new condition of things, and he then see how it looks. And in this time he will not be able to make much in Va. anyhow.","And then the next year we will get Betty and Mary to make us a visit. Wouldn't it be \"jolly\"? You will get this i.e. - you may, by the 23rd. Write to Rutson and ask him to send it by 1st Steamer to Havana under cover to Mexican consul there - the way this goes - and from there here. There's a steamer every week. As I said, let me know, for your coming is for my treat.","I am glad you had the Decrees \u0026 c published. Tell Corbin I am now negotiating for Santa Anna's Hacienda near Jalapa. 300,000 acres and a superb one it is, at say $7.50 cts the acre, on condition of putting 200 families there. The country round about is healthy. The climate is superb, and nature so prolific, bountiful and [benignant], that she chases you about with fruits and flowers in her hand. Now if he will put himself at the head of 200 families and come, I. Max- will advance him one third the purchase money in cash, out of which he can pay his first installment and establish his people. In a few years they will all be rich, for we intend to build a railway thru to V.+","The final offer is to be made me this week. Then you are as near to N. Orleans as you are now. Think over these things and let me know you can't imagine how Dick has improved in appearance. He looks so well, so handsome and genteel. He has a great tact for business, and works like a horse bless his heart. Love to Brodie, Lucy Ellen and the 'gals' with a 1001 good wishes to `Ducks' bless her heart. To Jno and Charles and theirs, to Mary, Sr. E. and SF., to Dabney , wife and children and to everybody. Send all my letters to Betty. Why don't you tell me of my dear friends Frank Minor and Lucy Ann.","10th- I wish with all my heart I could appoint Corbin - but it is necessary for the Agent to [hire] him in Richmond or Norfolk, [and] $1,200 would not pay Corbin for quitting. Corbin- I send you and him an offer of a splendid estate please publish. It is Santa Anna's splendid Hacienda now in ruins near Jalapa. All the officers of the Army who were here with old Scott will tell you of its magnificence. Their agent is afraid St. Anna will withdraw\nthe offer or thwart him if he finds out that he is offering it in so practical a shape. Therefore, while you may tell it to friends don't say in print that the estate is Santa Anna's. If Corbin can make up a company under the new decree sent you last mail, I'll advance him what the decree allows as soon as he plants his 200 families there.","This is an offer. I have no doubt if you send someone, he will get better terms. And to send first is the proper way.","Jack reported himself yesterday by telegram for Orizaba, dead broke. Rutson had asked me to send him a lift.","Yr aft. \nM.F.","An offer of 350,00 acres of land is made to Confederate settlers who wish to establish themselves in Mexico.","These lands the most fertile of the Empire, are crossed by three rivers. They are situated on the line of rail-road from Vera Cruz to the Capital, and are near the road from V Cruz to Jalapa. They are in the healthy part of Sierra Caliente, and produce equally well coffee, cocoa, indigo, cotton and sugar cane, as well as all the tropical fruits and vegetables.","The proprietor will sell them to settlers as soon as the letter shall have filled with the Agents of Colonization in the United States or Mexico subscriptions for 200,000 acres at the following rate: \nThe first 50,000 acres chosen at ---- $1.75 \n\" second \" \" \" \" ---- 1.50 \n\" third \" \" \" \" ---- 1.25 \n\" fourth \" \" \" \" ---- 1.00","The first subscribers will have the right to choose at the above rates with the understanding that not less than 320 acres shall be sold to any of them.","When the 200,00 acres shall have been subscribed for, and chosen the rest shall be sold at a price to be agreed upon between the seller and the purchaser.","The payments shall be made in the following manner: \nThe third part of the value shall be paid in cash at Mexico, Ver Cruz or New Orleans. The rest thereof shall be paid in four years time causing the payments thereof to be effected in equal parts and yearly, that is to say one sixth of the value of the property adding thereto the interest at the rate of six percent.","As villages and towns will be formed on these lands, a lot will be given gratis to each settler in said villages or towns. Said lots shall be chosen and allotted by Mr. Maury the Imperial Commissioner of Colonization.","The surveying and the cost of the title of the property will be at the expense of the settlers.","City of Mexico \nDec 9th 1865-","Colonization Office \n13 San Juan de Letran Mexico \nDec 10th 1865","The Hacienda offered herewith known to have been one of the finest and most celebrated in Mexico It presents, especially to the former planters of the South, a fine opportunity for establishing a flourishing American settlement. Those who are disposed to visit the country for the purpose of colonizing it under the Imperial Decree to promote immigration will receive every encouragement from this Office. The offer is made by respectable\nparties, and persons wishing to treat, will be put in communication by addressing the Commissioner","Apprentices as per Imperial Decree of September 5th 1865 would do well here, though there is no lack of native labour.","M.F. Maury \nImperial Commissioner","Mexico \n1 Jan 1866","My dear Corbin, \nMy letter of the 18 ultimo, proposing start after present crop you should let or lease F.V. and come here to watch events - crossed yours to the self some time. It appears to me for reasons in my letter to Nannie that it's the best thing for her to come in the spring and for you to follow in the fall.","It will be more consistent with yourself respect to abandon that country at least for the present. Don't stay there and help fasten the yoke upon your own neck that my precious Davy Jones gave up his life in trying to shake off. Don't stultify yourself, but come here to look over - and then when you see what means of Govt. the victors will impress, you can decide whether you will accept it. For God sake don't you help them, whether others may. This looking on will last probably till `69, in the same time, you can't make anything at F.V. You can barely live - but that you can do here.","You mention the \"ifs \u0026 ifs \u0026 ifs\": I recd letters yesterday from England, that give a semblance of reality to one of those \"ifs\". It is probable that I shall be sent for by the New Atlantic Telegraph Co. and if be that I shall ask leave of absence till the fall and take the\nstr of 1 Feb. But I shall have Dick and you in charge of the house, and my room for you and Nannie. But I am not gone yet. And you shall hear more about it before I do go. In the mean time continue to write care of Y.P. Oropesa, Colonization Agent Vera Cruz.","I have a letter asking here for room for 10,000 of those noble [Carolinian] families, that fought and lost as we did and who two years ago, left their desolated houses to the victors and sought refuge like me of true pluck in a foreign land. Bless their hearts I'll do my best to help them to homes in these lovely climes. Tell Nannie to swap this letter with Betty for one to Will. \"So Tidem\" Good night \nYrs \nMaury","Sue \u0026 pip send words of New Years calls \u0026 gifts. They are great belles.","Send to Betty \u0026 Will \nThere's only this one copy \nSo Betty after studying it must send it to Nannie","\"To her Majesty The Empress. \nMadam: \nI have the honour to transmit for the information of your Majesty, the communication made to this office by Mr. T.C. Hindman of which I had the honour of speaking yesterday.\nIt relates to colonization, in connection with a system of internal improvements, a land survey and a census of the Empire. The subjects are of high importance, and the\nsuggestions expressed by the author of the paper, are worthy of careful consideration.","It has not escaped Her Majesty's observation, how the Empire is gaining ground and acquiring strength: That it is gaining the confidence of the people of stability, no better evidence can be afforded that the potent fact, that capital is leaving its hiding places, and seeking investments in various enterprises throughout the Empire.","The times therefore seem propitious for inaugurating those great measure of policy the adoption of which would impart new vigour to this nascent life.","The revenues of the Empire may be increased and its prosperity promoted by revision of the whole excise system; and one of the first steps towards this is a census which will tell the number of the people, and the value of the property.","Another step, requiring years for its accomplishment, but nevertheless redounding the glory of our Emperor; the good of His people, and the welfare of His Empire, is a landsurvey: - for the two fold purpose of [cadastre], and of separating the lands of the crown from those of the subjects.","Another pillar in the edifice which I am so anxious to see raised up here by His Majesty, to our honour and His glory, is a judicious system of internal improvements, self supporting, and sustained by the wealth which itself [creates]","As an illustration, let us take the case of an imaginary farmer in Cuernavaca: - It costs him annually in freight alone to send his crop to market in the City, say $10,000 - If there were a Railway, his freight bill would be perhaps $1000 instead of $10,000; and his hacienda\nwould probably be trebled in value. Now if the owner of such a hacienda, was required to invest, in the shares of the Company, a certain portion of in increased value given to his property by the road - and the law were applied to all lands within a certain distance of the road, its construction would be secured without further tax upon the public treasury. The people would find in a little while, that this so called tax, instead of being a burden, was\nreally a benefaction; for the stock-holders thus created by the paternal care of His Majesty, would stand upon a different footing from any other stock holder; for they would draw treble dividends: - first, from the earning of the road; and next upon the principle that a \"penny saved is a penny gained,\" in paying at the rate of $1,000 instead of $10,000 annually for transportation of produce to market: - and last, in the increase of value which\ntheir lands derive from the existence of the road. Certain states in my native \"sunny south\" adopted this system: it worked like a charm and produced magic effects.","Another pillar to the superstructure which His Majesty is so nobly striving to raise, is a revision of the revenue laws, in homage of free trade: and the establishment of the warehousing system.","These measures, with colonization, will make us great; and the undersigned having some little knowledge of a practical sort, connected with them, hold, it together with the homage due from the most loyal of subjects, at the service of Their Majesties","M.F. Maury \nJanuary 18th 1866. \nImperial Commissioner","Cuernavaca, January 29th 1866","My dear Sir: \nI have spoken to the Emperor respecting our conversation of Friday last, and he wishes me to tell you, first, that he grants you a complete leave of absence to arrange your affairs in England, and allows you to set off by the next French packet, but that if he returns to Mexico in the meanwhile, he hopes yet to have the pleasure of seeing you; secondly, that he quite agrees with your purchasing the instruments for studying the rainy season, and thirdly that he approves of any effort you may make to introduce the \"cinchona\" tree and authorized you to have sent from Kew a few specimen of this valuable plant.","Hoping to have fulfilled my errand to your satisfaction, I only want to renew my best wishes for your voyage and successful exertions in England whilst I remain","Yours sincerely, \nCharlotte","Mexico \n2 Feb. 1866","My dear children: \nI have taken my seat in the coach of the 8th expecting to sail from Vera Cruz in the F'r Str. of 13 and to arrive at [San Nazaire] about 10 March to lie about till the fall say the last of Oct. I want send you Max and my Carlota's princely letters. I expect to bring all hands with me when I return and so to Corbin at that Corbin and Nannie may join us in Havana on the way.","I leave Dick in charge of affairs. He is writing a book for the information of those who wish to come to Mexico. He has his heart very much in it. Dick is a fine character and I admire its beauty more and more every day. He is very full just now of buying some of these beautiful islands that dot the lake with acre spots, and go into the market gardening business.","You see by the letter of the Empress that I am aspiring to the glory of planting a [tribe].","Colonization is going on is spite of the want of public lands; our projects are dotting the Empire with settlements here and there. My own Carlotta Colony at Cordoba is flourishing. The settlers there are now being joined by their families from your country. 'Old Jubal' is here and I have offered him a place as agent. He is writing a history which your masters will not allow to be read or believed.","I have various inexpensive irons in the fire still. Some of them may come to a welding heat some of these days. If they do, we'll all be glad; and if they don't we will be none the worse.","I think the best thing for Corbin to do is to come down next fall and watch events. I take it that the South will be all at sea at least until after the next President takes his seat. Love to Sr. E, Mary, Brodie, Jno, Bob and all hands. God bless you all, \nYr. affectionate M.F.","mail to Will or Corbin \nHavana Arrived 9","Veracruz, Mexico \n1 March 1866","My dear Children \nThe English steamer in which I have paid my passage £49.10 is now over-due two days, and her day of sailing again is day after to-morrow.","I left Mexico Saturday the 24th at 2 A.M. arrived at [Puebla] at 7 p.m. when I \"pernocted\" in a room with diverse others for $2. Was called at 1 A.M. and off again at 2, over a very rough road -a very fatiguing journey. Passed between long ridges of my lordly maquay shooting up it magnificent flower stalks, as large and as high and as straight as a common telegraph pole. Indeed unless you were near enough to see the wires I found it often difficult to tell one from the other. This `first of Flora\" with its enormous height and proportions is pushed up in the course of 6 or 7 days. To compare great things with small, imagine an immense asparagus stalk say one day old and before its head has swollen out sufficiently to begin to burst and shoot out branches, well imagine it to 18 or 20 inches in circumference, 30 or 40 feet high and you have it as I generally saw them, rising out its magnificent tuft of foliage 30 feet around and 12 feet high. Occasionally the more forward ones had commenced to shoot out, from the top and horizontally their splendid flower brackets and to assume the appearance of splendid and gigantic candelabras from which the genie of the hoary hooded orizaba which with his night cap of snow was looking down upon us, intended to light up the plains through which the coach was teetering its toilsome way. Ascending the Western slopes of the [`Cumibres'], the highest range between Mexico and the Gulf, we left its `boast of Bacchus\" and entered the cloud region. It was blowing a furious gale, the wind was howling amongst the rocks and cliffs, and driving a cold and penetrating mist through a white darkness so thick that you could see\nnothing beyond the distance of a few feet. It was piercing cold: I had on 3 flannel shirts, but as we began to climb, I began to draw around and button tight and finally found\nmyself wrapped in cloak and blanket and uncomfortably cool. Presently we dropped down through this thick cloud stratum into bright sun shine and the coolest air that is was possible for heart of men to conceive. This was the lovely little valley of [Acu ] at our feet, and spreading out miles away into the plains of Orizaba which are 4000 feet above the sea. The valley was quilted over by swirling crops in all the stages of growth form the sprouting corn to the ripe grain. The reapers were in golden fields of the yellowest and\nthe brightest barley I ever saw, the wheat was just coming up; and immense herds of cattle as they fed on the rich pasturage lent a charm to the landscape that made it\naltogether lovely. Passing a cascade of milk white foam as it leaped from the mountains.","We entered the valley and felt what old Job had said about the scent of water - we were in the midst of fruits and flowers. Orange trees loaded with ripe fruit. And the peach tree is all the glory of blossom. Hedges and copens of roses, fuschias, arborvitaes, rhododendrons. Oh a wilderness of the loveliest flowers and the gayest colors, and such only as I used to think in Tennessee had never grown anywhere except in the garden of \"Beauty and the Beast\" - and it too has its beast, for two months ago it had been then in the shape of an earth-quake and shaken down the adobe huts of the village, which owners were reconstructing of some rustic materials, such as bamboo, reeds - palm [fronds] straw and hides. After passing through these beauties for 12 or 15 miles, and at\n6½ p.m. drove into Orizaba in the midst of a rain storm - Coffee, tobacco, the cereals, and the banana with other fruits seemed to be the principle article of cultivation. Here I pernocted again in another [ ] whereas before there was little chance for sleep. Was called at 5, off at 6, and at 10 breakfasted at Cordoba, and I arrived at Pas del Macho where I pernocted again as unsatisfactorily as before. And so the next day at 6 started in the cars for this place. Total expenses $45.50 the $0.50 being spent for extra's such as a cup of chocolate or so between the early hours of starting and the late one of breakfasting. There were fresh arrivals of immigrants, all the hands were taken up. Cordoba looked lively \u0026 everybody in high spirits. Two ship loads had just arrived. Sheridan had refused to let them embark at New Orleans as he was determined to break up that Maury nest of Confederates which was agitating the public mind of the South \u0026\npreventing the people there from quietly submitting to subjugation. I thank him for the encouragement. The Mexican plan is spreading over the South. We are going to have happy homes, a fine country, \u0026 a bright future here. Let those who lack gall or who having it, have steeped it in honey, stay. I seek to plant my posterity here.","Dick has got land in my Carlota colony, 640 acres. He has sent to China for labourers- 12 or 15 to work it, and to Virginia for young Crutchfield to take charge of it. I have such good irons in such good fires, that some of them will surely be got to welding heat. If so, I hope to find comfortable homes, and a bright future here for you all at last. Corbin and Nannie will come in the steamer that is to leave New York Oct 8. They will without stopping here a night, take the cars to Paso del Macho- 50 miles-they are then by stage 5 hours from Cordoba, where they will arrive say 21st or 22nd and wait a week for us. We will be due here say on the 27th. Corbin can spend this week profitably \u0026 both of them pleasantly in visiting the Colony, examining the coffee plantations \u0026 c. [Then] will take a [whole] stage for Puebla, by which time the railway thru to Mexico will be completed- so will teeter over the cumbres and among the maguey in a stage coach.","My letter to \"the people at home\" has never been published. It should be. So should the anachronistic one to Dr. Dabney. Let my brave backers- Nannie \u0026 Corbin- do the thing that is right and send copies of them to Jno Tyler of the Whig or someone else who has a bone in his back to publish. Among the misfortunes that have befallen our people, I regard as not the least, the advice that has been given by the best men among them, viz.- to stay at home \u0026 help the enemy to establish his power \u0026 complete our degradation. The Yankees have conquered Virginia, it's theirs, we are subjugated, \u0026 have no rights except such as the victors in mercy may vouchsafe to give. If the whole South is not a conquered territory then I have never read in history of one that was conquered, and Dabney \u0026 them who like him consider it to be their duty \u0026 their interest to help build up that Yankee despotism called the Union, owe it to the grace and mercy of their conquerors, that their conquerors do not cross from the map the very name of Virginia, blot out all former state lines, make new provinces and call a part of what was Virginia the state of Winnepisscogee, South Carolina Peasquod, \u0026 such like Yankee innovations \u0026 that nothing should remain to remind the vanquished of the ancient renown.","Paris \n21 May 1866","My dear Corbin: \nThe last I heard of you was about two weeks ago, through a letter from Brodie Herndon, who thought Nannie was as earnest for Mexico as ever, but that you were cooling off a little. All right.","The banker with whom I had deposited my `little money' went down in the London panic week before last, and I lost all the money \u0026 more too that I brought away from Mexico. I am here trying to make some more.","My last letters from Dick are up to Apl. 6th.","No sooner had I left, than intriguers set to work and colonization was going on so badly, and the opposition of the minister was so vexatious that he talked of giving up the office. Immigrants were returning in disgust and the very thing was happening that I told the Emperor would happen unless he acted with more energy. In short complaints were being uttered against me in the U.S. so I hear. Now I had as you know been discouraging any of our people from coming unless they could come with a little ready money. And I had long ago told them not to rely upon good lands but to buy abandoned Haciendas.","All the promises and inducements that I have held out to immigrants were made by authority of H. majesty, and if they have not been made good I am the aggrieved party.\nNow I tell you and Nannie confidentially, that what has happened since I left Mexico has shaken my resolution about going back. I don't see what good I can do there except in the way of colonization, and if our people are flocking back as rumor has it, with curses hard \u0026 deep upon Mexico, it will be more than I can do to change such a current. I have no alternative in view- nor am I decided- Indeed I have not said anything in this view to my wife \u0026 children, and am saying it to you now, so that you too may cast about \u0026 not be taken `quite aback' should I decide that Mex. is `no go.' I do not wish you to speak of it to any one, simply because my own mind is not made up nor can it be without further \u0026 fuller information. If I should be compelled to give Mexico up, it will be a hard blow I tell you. I know not where to go or what to be at. I shall be here a week or ten days, perhaps two weeks before I set off to return to England. I must be in London 5 June, when I expect to here from Dick up to the 1st ins. 'So tider' \u0026 sleepy. God bless you both, yrs. \nM. F.","11 Aug. 1866","My dear Corbin, \nI wrote you from Paris 21 May telling you to hold on, as I probably should not return to Mexico. I have as you know decided not to go back there in the face of bad faith to me, bad treatment of our people and bad turns that everything has taken. I have never heard that you received the letter. It is the only one within that time, that I have written to any of my children, except Dick. This onset upon us as soon as my back was turned in Mexico,\nwas a terrible blow. It put me to sea again, and I have been so hard at work or so busy preparing to get to work that I have not had time for writing much. I suppose I shall stay here and write school books for a New York publisher. That will give something to do for a year or two- but will not interfere with my flirting with other matters wherein there are promises. Dick poor fellow is left in Mexico as flat as possible. I want to get him out of that. But where he is to go or what to do after that is a problem that puzzles me much. Perhaps I may find occupation for him in Central America. But I shall be able to speak more positively upon that point by the time the rains are over \u0026 it will be safe to come down to the sea-board. He must come away in the fall anyhow. The breakdown in Mexico damaged your plans as well as my own. What are you going to do now. I always as you know regarded F.V. as not the most judicious purchase in the world, chiefly on the score of health and locality. I don't think affairs in the U.S. as either settled, or stable. The government is obliged to be broken up as it now exists. Still I don't see what better you can do than to hold on, and try to make a living there. I hope indeed if the New York publisher- Richardson- be a responsible man, and I have no reason to doubt, I should be able to assist you with a few hundred $ as far as that will go towards setting yourself up. I reckon I shall be able to let you have $1000, but of this I can speak positively by the time I hear from you and hear what your plans, wishes, and wants are.","In the first place I hope you know exactly how you and F.V. stand with regard to the estate. I hope you have your release and consequently my security-ship touching your\nindebtedness in black and white and in regular ship-shape style. Not Mr. B's word \u0026 opinion merely but the regular Documents. If you have the note, urge the having of it, and if the plea will help you, say that the assistance promised by me depends upon that. I am afraid you will not live long enough to escape from the tangled inheritance imposed by that unfortunate estate. Even if the school-book plan goes well, I should not be able to let you have the $1000 all in a lump, but by driblets, but say all between this and Xmas. See Charles Herndon and find out what sort of obligation - by lien if need be you ought to be given - (not by personal securities) - so in case of need. This loan may have purposes over other claims upon you. So if things turn out ugly, I can protest that money. We are all well. Molly had this morning an invitation to visit Scotland and `not put her hands in her pocket. I am going to put Brave in a school of chemistry and Lucy to a boarding school. I have all the [other] news of family affairs to the rest and will [write] Love and blessings upon all yr. folks. \nYr aft M.F.M.","3 Belsize Square \nLondon N.W. \n9 Dec. 1866","My dear Nannie, \nYour and Mary's letter afforded much gratification and did us a heap of good. Elie has all of Nan-na's pretty sayings at heart. She will repeat them to the congregation to\nnight. I reckon for she Totts Lucy and the Brave have gone to church. Your Ma has a cold and is sitting by pouring over the maiden and married life of Mary Powell. The editor had a right to refuse to publish and Will did right to hand him my paper. Never my child tamper with principle for the sake of the expediency. I have no copy of that letter but the time will when you will wish you had \u0026 would give jewels for it. Suppose Sir Thos. More [Harindon], Montrose (this last always calls up my blessed Davy Jones \u0026 his beautiful recitative) but supposed they had not acted up to principle because of fear when the time came, what should we have cared for them. Perhaps that letter would have strengthened the wavering, at any rate it would have shown that one at least could dare to speak.","It's as well- for I am not yet prepared to make Corbin the advances I spoke of-tho' I hope soon to be. I expected and still desire to kill 4 birds with that stone. \nFirst to help you \u0026 him with a little left. \n2. To enable him to stir B up and get his affairs \u0026 papers with him all right, for I fear that these payments made by him during the war do not, or rather have not cancelled\nthe debt to the estate. \n3. I wanted Charles' opinion in the matter, with the assurance that a lien could be so drawn as to make me a preferred creditor. \n4. And in case of misfortune to enable me to step in and give that much to you \u0026 him.","I hope to sent the M.S. of the first geography off by xmas, and to be able to let Corbin have a part of the $1000 at least by the time he can pick the above 4 named birds chosen and to our satisfaction. I do not think as I told him before the war that F.V. is a desirable place for him. I think so chiefly for the same reasons now that I thought so then. Events have vindicated the soundness of my views ante bellum. I presume therefore he is now on the look out for a sale or a swap. If he thinks the 4 birds are all right and want $200 about Xmas `mighty bad' \u0026 will report to Rutson, I'll ask R. to advance him the money from me. Love to everybody Brodie-Charles-and ---------. I am quite proud to hear such good things of `Tim'. I always thought Tim with his big mouth would make a good preacher. God bless you. Yr affect father M.F. Maury.","3 Belsize Square \nLondon N.W. \n19 May 1867","Dear Corbin, \nRutson with his usual kind thoughtfulness and industry told me yesterday of your letter in reply to his offer to [use] his loan of $200. I see by that that your are undecided as to your future plans. As far as I can make out, you have abandoned the idea at least for the present of rebuilding at Farley Vale. That seems to me to be a wise decision. The question with you, seemed to be, between buying and renting in town. In the present state of affairs buying does not commend itself to me, for two reasons: While that suit is pending, you do not know where you are. This fact, irrespective of the social, industrial\nand political whirlpool which is wracking the South, should give you pause about any such investment just now. Nannie I suppose will come to us, and that will give you time to look about.","But for that suit, I dare say the purchase of a house in town would be a good investment. You know better as to that than I do. I am not able - though I have tried - to\nsee things thro' Brodie's \u0026 Rutson's \u0026 Will's and other friendly spectacles that have been so kindly offered. For me, the future of the South is very dark. I am no more able to look into it than you are. But I try to get an idea of it by looking quite in the opposite direction\nand examining those agricultural countries that once had and now no longer have, slaves, or serfs, or peon labour; and the conclusion that I came to is, that town property in the South may hold its own, and even rise, but land in the country must go down, down until the taxes will be intolerable. If you ask me to state the process of reasoning by which I arrive at this conclusion, I will ask you to say why do you think otherwise, seeing that in all\nthose agricultural countries where slave labour once was \u0026 is not, the value of farming lands has gone down to nothing. In Spanish America \u0026 in Jamaica the most splendid\nplantations have gone back to the bush and are wild lands again. But the South, we flatter ourselves, is neither Spanish America, nor Jamaica. That's true. But they are\nbeacons- and we must not shut our eyes to the light which their experience casts before us. But admit my reasoning to be wrong; and I am far from claiming clearness for it- there is still another view drawn from broader premises in favor of an enhancement in the South of town, as compared with country, property. I have travelled about the world\n\"some\", and have always aimed to have my eyes about me. And in no agricultural country, have I ever found any country society in which a gentleman or a lady of refined\ntastes and habits could find the least congeniality. The reasons are obvious. You have heard my anecdotes of \"Mr. Smith, Brown, Jones\" et.al- rich New York farmers, that had \"retired to town\" to live, because Mrs. Smith had got tired keeping boarding house for, and waiting on farm hands. Let me be not misunderstood- I am not speaking of\ngentlemen of fortune who live in town or do business there and have their \"country seats\" but I am speaking of the farmers, the tillers of the soil, the bone and sinew of an\nagricultural country. How is it with the Pa. farmers? How with the Ohio \u0026 the West?\nDon't you know that a labourer in the country will not service your `country farm' in the\nU.S. except upon terms of perfect equality? He must sit at the same table and warm by\nthe same fire with the \"boss \u0026 his gals\". Go among the Pa. farmers, or any where else\namong the farmers of the far states, and you will see the colored labor \u0026 the white upon\nthe most perfect terms of equality and the wife and daughters of the farmer serving meals\nto them both and standing behind their chairs, as they sit at [meat]. You and other Va. gentleman are not yet quite prepared for wife and daughter to do that. But that we who\nlive in this country have to come to it is as clearly indicated as is the march of any other human want. Barriers have already been broken down between the blacks \u0026 the whites which two years ago, your wisest statesmen did not have the sagacity to think were in the round of possibilities. And do the lines of demarcation between the races- [vouch] only the skin and certain antipathies (antagonisms shall I call them?) are being done away\nwith, \u0026 that too with a rapidity that the whole South deemed impossible. Is it to be presumed from what you have already seen, and from what everybody who has studied\nhuman nature knows, -?-is it to be supposed, that white \u0026 black hirelings are, in the end, going to work side by side in the field upon any other terms but that of perfect equality? If our [lots] \u0026 [ships] in the \"great House' so must [wish] the other. I can readily imagine that many a country gentleman, [piercing] the shadows of these events- for they are very plain- is already for \"returning to town\". Therefore I say it's more likely that town property\nwill increase in value than the country property. And but for that suit, I should be less disinclined to say buy a house in town now.","Many changes have come over our people which they did not expect; and in my judgment, many more are in store for them, for which they are not even now prepared. All that refined and elegant country society which was the pride \u0026 boast of Va. has, sooner or later, to abandon the country and \"retire to town.\" In sea ports of the world that\nI have been, have I never found among the farmers, in the farm house, in the country, any society at all comparable for intelligence and cultivation to the country society of the South. On coming here to England, where there are so many industries besides agriculture, one of the first things that would strike you, would be its high state of\ncultivation and improvement. Elegant fields, wide domains, flocks and herds (splendid plantations you would think they were) and then you would begin to look for the Mansion, the splendid house to which all this belonged, as contra-distinguished from the \"Country seat\" of some gentleman of fortune who is not a farmer. But you would not find it. Most of the people whose labour made the landscape so [ ing] are grouped together in a little\nvillage. I remember in passing through Indiana with Dick in 1857, that I was reminded of what I saw in Germany in 1855: a country under superb cultivation but scarcely a farm house - and never one at all in keeping with the manor. But you were amazed at the number of small towns and little villages. You remember how that the census of New York and other Northern States which are taken intermediate as [between] the U.S. census, astonished the whole country in 1855. In many parts, the rural population\nappeared to be actually decreasing while the actual population was largely on the increase- It was the farmers \"retiring to town\"- not actually giving up farming, but coming to town for the sake of society, and to buy [exemptions]. And instead, as the political economists argued, its being a sign of decreasing prosperity, it was the very reverse. Instead therefore of your lordly plantations and large farms at the South, the country as it is filled up in the process of time by natural increase and immigration, is to be dotted over with villages like all the free labour agricultural countries that I have ever seen. And whether you are to have any sudden immigration is to depend upon the wisdom and sagacity of your law makers.","I have thought it as well, dear Wellford, to lay these views before you, that you might ponder them, sift them, and if they embrace anything worth the having, that you may [turn] it to account in your own private affairs. These are views that would shock many of our people. But I don't write them for the vox pop. I write them for you, and the personal friends around you such as Brodie Herndon et al who may care to know them. I hope I shall always have the courage to look things in its face and draw legitimate conclusions. Nothing can keep up the value of land in the South but a large influx of people to [till] there. Since I went to Mexico the subject of immigration has been a speciality. And I can tell you that there must be some steps taken by you wise men and [] very different from any yet, else you will not live to see enough to do you any good. Cousin Anne has indefinitely postponed her trip, Nannie I hope will have set off to us before this reaches you. If not let her come in the same liner her Ma did. Rutson will see her on board and Cousin Ann will speak the Captain and the Stewards, and I will meet her at L'pool, and so she can come without an escort. Give our best love to Brodie and Lucy, and tell her I'd give anything for one of those cosy little chats with her - Brodie to listen. Mit is still in L'pool. All hands send love, \nYrs truly M.F. Maury","My love to [Sandy Little]","May 21 Mit came to us last night - Here's something for you to turn over in you r mind. I am not sure, but I believe that Dick has to manage for his Co. a cocoa or a coffee plantation. I don't know which - How would you like to [put] yourself up about it with the idea of taking charge of it. I'll mention it to him and you can [ ] by str of 10 June. [Yr M]","No. 3 Belsize Square \n22 Sept 1867","Dear Corbin- \nTremlett and I thought we were on a good trail for you the other day. Semmes wrote that there was no English insurance agency in Memphis. Off we went to beat up the [ ] \u0026 some of these solid fellows and put them to the establishment of agencies in Tenn., La., Va. etc. for Semmes, Dabney you \u0026 c. But we found that 4 of the more\nventuresome ones were already there. Nannie wrote you about them, and told you how to proceed in case there was an opening in Richmond \u0026 the place seemed inviting to you.\nThe pay is on per customer or business done and therefore I cannot advise one way or another as I have no idea as to the amount of business that might be done in Richmond.\nIt is better as you know to work for nothing than to rust and though the wish to help to put you in the way of something that will pay is ever present it does not seem likely soon to be gratified. Elie is still forging ahead slowly. She has been very ill. Nana is very bright a\nsort of privileged character \u0026 pet of the parish. Her mother is very sobersided and loath to take as much outdoor exercise as health seems to require in these latitudes. Lucy is at school and Brave sets in tomorrow week. Brave is getting a fine education. Molly is not\nvery strong and her mother is pulled down a good deal by nursing. As for me \"I'm right smart\". Love to Betty all at Brodie's- Charles \u0026 everywhere. Your affectionate, \nM.F. Maury","3 Belsize Square. \nLondon N.W. \n29 Jany '68","Dear Corbin, \nYour Newburgh letter was very welcome. Kiss my Maria for me, and tell her, that after caring for her good father and mother as a duteous daughter should, and as she is\nsure to do that she is not to make any rash resolutions as to what she'll do etc- that we shall want her at the University of the South.","You have acted well and wisely in [renting] F.V. and I have so told Rutson. The Jamaica planters were paid for their negroes and had 7 years notice to prepare for\nemancipation. None of them are there now who could get away. One of them told me last night that his plantations yielded him $30,000 a year- that he sold it on emancipation about 30 years ago for $5000 \u0026 that the purchaser- his former manager- still owes some $2500. As I told you from Mexico neither one of the three great experiments that are now going on in the south is promising enough to tempt any of our people into it, who can afford to stand off \u0026 look on as you propose to do. Now if you can only find something that will enable you to live and lay by yr rents, you will be doing what any son of the southern gentry that stick to their old plantations will be able to do. And when your lease expires you will find that events will have vindicated this forecast. The Dutch since that war began emancipated their slaves--in Surinam and Jansen tells me that that colony is already Africanised. The South is no place- especially in this country - for any gentleman with wife and daughters to\nlive - if he can get away- to live now, nor will it be until the contest that is now brewing and going on there between blacks \u0026 whites, is finally settled. Why then do I go to Tenn.? Because I hope to have boys enough there to make that out of the way place, safe. I have no doubt Hasbrouck is acting in Minnesota for the best. I am content tell him with any arrangements that he may make. Elie I do hope, is now in a fair way to recover. All the rest are well- Nannie has gone out to work- and Nanna is a great pet in the neighborhood. She is very full of fun. Your affectionate, \nM.F. Maury","Belsize Square \nLondon, N.W. \n8 Feb. `68","Dear Corbin, \nI write this in connection with what Nannie tells me you said in your last letters about you coming. If you come in the [International] line, the line my family came in , and take a return ticket which lasts for a year I believe, it will cost you about $100 in gold - not so much than it would take you to live in New York while you are at sea, coming and going - and unless you find something to do, or have a fair prospects of finding something by staying, I fancy the brood would be agreeable and wise. A friend of mine in Lpool is the agent of this line of steamers and therefore I shall go in it. I have not heard yet form the\nTrustees about the University. And until I do, I shall fix no time for going over. Though it will not be earlier than May I reckon at any rate. I base my idea of yr coming very much if the supposition that I am going to Tennessee and will be able to have house room for you there by next winter, if in the meantime we can't rig up something better. Of course we shall be glad to see you. And it certainly it would be more agreeable all round for you to\ncome, and it might be more economical too - for if Nannie comes to you and you go to the expense of establishing her there, then the breaking up to come to the University in case it be thought advisable and I hope it will, may prove more expensive than yr trip here. Still I am too timid to be very absolute as to what is best. Judge you. yrs. [fond] Maury","3 Belsize Sq'r \nLondon N.W. \n15 Ap'l `66 [1868]","Dear Corbin, \nNannie and the boy have both been having a hard time of it for the last two or three weeks. She as nurse and he as patient. The little fellow has been very ill, with congestion of the brain super-induced by teething. We were afraid we should lose him, but he seems now on the fair road to recovery again. He is very much better than he was\nthree days ago, and so hopes have brightened. Elie continues to forge ahead and we begin to think about a time for turning our face westward. Probably not Tennessee ward, but westward in time for peaches. At any rate I have stipulated with Elie to be there in time for that provided she will get well enough for the voyage - and she seems to be in a fair way for that. I hope you will be able to rough it along in your new vocation at least until we all get back. At our last dates you were in Charleston. It's the letter in which you mention the [ ] phosphates. I received a box of them some time ago from New York, but as there was no account of them, I did not know where or why they came- [ ] Dr. Jarrett's letter [now] come to hand, but as you mentioned R.H. Maury, Dr. Ravenel - St. Julien. I suppose-and other friends in connection with them - I immediately put myself in communication with one of the largest phosphate dealers in London. He responded [readily] to the new [ ] so I have turned over the box to him, and shall probably soon know what he has to say about them. There is not the least chance of an outsider as I\ngetting orders for yr principles. The only way of doing that is through special agents, friends and correspondents of their own who can speak by the card. Nothing later from\nDick than you have heard. When we come we leave Brave behind to finish his education. Nana has just returned from a play in the \"Parsnip's Grounds\" She is an interesting little thing and a great favorite in Belsize. Nannie and I have just returned from a walk in the green fields and all send their love. \nYr affectionate \nM.F. Maury","No. 3 Belsize Sqr \nLondon N.W. \n25 Ap'l 68","Dear Corbin, \nI have not seen Nannie this morning. She and her mother are both much [worsted] by nursing, and she did not come down to breakfast. She's asleep and it has not been sent\nto her yet. Her little boy has been having a hard time of it. He has been now in a state of stupor for two weeks from congestion of the brain with violent attacks now and then of sickness at the stomach- just lying quietly and taking no notice. Yesterday he began to crow and coo and, as his mother told me when we started out to walk and I broke down with the foot, to carry on quite a communication, and our hopes raised- but they are dashed again this morning. Brave went off at 5 for the Doctor, for though the little thing was ravenously hungry, his stomach refused everything. But the Doctor did not cheer us. Certainly the dear child can't go on this way many days longer. Indeed a few hours may decide so I'll leave this open for a word at the last moment. It's now 10 a.m. and I have written this early that nothing might interfere with, thinking it quite likely that Nannie would not feel herself equal to a letter- so I'll save room for a word at the last moment this p.m. Her new nurse came last night- she has been without one since Lizzy went crazy.","Elie continues to forge ahead. She and her Ma are going next week to spend a few days with her friends at Kensington. The Bp. told me yesterday he should take my advice and return in the Manhattan week after next. He is very anxious that Nannie should go with them. I am highly gratified that you should so have won upon W. \u0026 E. It gives you something to hold on by, at least until you can get hold of a better tow line. When the Dr's say that Elie's well enough to try the seas I shall fix a day. Yr aft. M. P.S. 4.45. Our little 'Davy Jones' is no better. But he is in no pain. Nannie's taking a little nap and Nanna has gone out to ride. She has just come in from a wedding at the church. We'll write again by the next steamer.","3 Belsize Square \nLondon N.W. \n13 May '68","My dear Corbin, \nThanks, hearty thanks both to Hasbrouck and you for your kindness in re Lt. Paul's estate. You did exactly right, each of you and tell Hasbrouck I shall write him a letter of special thanks for his kindness and generosity. The property was his, and he might have kept it. Why not turn the bonds over to him for collection?","`The boy' is going to get well. He was downstairs yesterday. He has had such a time of it and has clung on to his little silver painter so manfully when all was so blue, and made such a brave struggle for precious life, that he has endeared himself to us all so much, we cannot now [couch] to give him up. Betty Dabney and other friends say don't come yet. Impeachment will be over in a few days, and I'll have time to read the new leaf that is to\nbe turned over before Elie is well enough for the trip - say last of June or first of July. As soon as its prudent to [venture] on her account, I'm disposed to sail, unless indeed that new leaf should contain something startling. Did you order those herrings for me? Don't disturb yourself about the ways and means for Nannie.","I am glad to see you taking hold of y'r new calling with so much vim. I think its well to leave the pay to Hasbrouck. I hope tho' when I come, we shall be able to chalk out something more to our fancy. If I am to develop resources and encourage industry in Va., what way more effective than introducing steam agricultural machinery. I intend, before I go away to see some of the manufacturers here of steam plows- which are also threshing machines- saws, mills \u0026 c. The price of one is some £ 3000. I believe - what would be the chance of introducing them in Va? What would be the duties on one? What's the chance of raising a company to start one? And how would you like to take the management of one? All these questions I ask [`ran just so'] for I have [matured] no plans. But I take it that once among the great desiderata of our people now is Labour saving agricultural machines -no? Elie keeps forging ahead. \nYr affectionate \nM.F. Maury","Liverpool \n2 July 1868","Dear Corbin, \nNanna is here [after eating] out. We are all well and the day is fine. We sail at 3.30. Then Va. is a 'slow coach. I have been [entrapped] into [here]. For the chance of this reaching you before our arrival I write to say we have an immense amount of baggage, say in all some 20 trunks and boxes besides carpet bags and bundles - many- can't you make some economical arrangements for storing it away or have a baggage wagon to take it off? or both? The hacks will carry off what we want to use. Perhaps it will be best the express wagon to come and take it at once -: I reckon it would be cheaper to send it off to Richmond that way at once, than it would be to [freight] about with us. What does Rutson advise? He knows. \nYrs in haste \nM.F. Maury","The last! and no mistake.","Liverpool 2nd July \nDear Corbin\nWe are off at 3½ p.m.-","We have much luggage.- Can't you have an Express wagon on the wharf to take it for Richmond? It will cost less to send it that way at once than it will to lug it about with us. - There's too much of it to go in 4th St. or any private house. Do what you and Rutson think wisest, cheapest and best.","All well, and weather superb. \nYours \nM.F. Maury","[Note by Rutson Maury] \n13th July—","Monday night.- \nThe above came as intended via Southampton , per \"Harmonia\", a very fast craft, which left there on 3rd July and arrived here this afternoon. She reports light, variable winds throughout the passage and dense fogs the last 4 days.-","I got the letter out of our box at 5½ p.m.-","Richmond \n3 Aug '68","Dear Corbin, \nI had a long talk with Charles \u0026 just as we finished W. Barton stopped in and introduced the subject himself. All the bonds have been endorsed by order of the court. That's all right unless it be decided hereafter that the payment in Confederate money was no payment. A special term for hearing this case had been fixed for this month- But [Cab ] had written to say he could not attend. B. promised to urge C. up to the mark- for it's impossible to get a hearing [in] the regular term- the case is so long it would crowd all\nothers out. The delay this time is not B's fault, \u0026 for that reason I told you not to write to\nB. until you heard from me. Cha's thinks M'Casky's case is much stronger than B. represents it, and that should the case go against him, the case will be carried up- If so,\nthere's a suit for y'r life time.","Chas thinks \u0026 so do I that in case there's no settlement this term, a compromise ought to be tried. He seems to think that the whole may be compromised for some $15 m\nor $20 m. Rather than stand and risk the uncertainties of the law, I think I should be inclined to pay the whole. As soon therefore as you learn that the case is not to come up as appointed, make J's coming of age \u0026 y'r own situation an excuse and try the temper of the other side for a compromise. Better let me [sound] for you. Maybe other parties will agree to arbitration. Nannie's letter with yr sent this morning. Next Monday go to Albe.- stay a week. Go to Lex then to the White, where I join Will, B. \u0026 the girls- We as guests.","All well- Love to N. the children \u0026 the H's.","Yrs \nM.F. Maury.","Richmond \n8 Aug 1868","Dear Nannie, \nHave this p.m. yours of the 6th. Kate is here. Tell Corbin I shall get John Herndon to [sound] about compromise as soon as the Aug. term be disposed of. We - all except y'r\nMa, leave for Albemarle Monday. Dabney's [Nannie] is at [Rugged] [Mts]. Lucy \u0026 Eliza both under the weather which is very hot","Rockbridge Baths \n4 Sep. 1868","Dear Nannie, \nI am grieved to hear you and the children have been so poorly. Yesterday morning I sent the girls down under escort of Jerry Morton's grandson- a cadet, and toured at Goshen till 5.20 p.m. for your Ma and Nannie Bell. We arrived here at a little after 8. Betty and Will went on via Charlottesville for a visit to Charlie Blackford. Mary \u0026 Alice came up with your Ma on a visit to Sally F.","Dabney's Nannie with their children is at the Mason's. Rose sick with chills. Tomorrow Smith comes to fetch me to Lexington. Totts or Elie, perhaps both will go with me. I am to be installed on the 10th and deliver an address with pomp \u0026 circumstance and with all my decorations. After that we shall return here and wait till frost for Richmond. I go to work immediately in preparing a preliminary report of the natural wealth \u0026 c of Va. such\nas its climates, productions and favored position. I strike for a line of steamers between Norfolk \u0026 Holland, expecting to turn a stream of immigration - German- thro Va. as it flows to Ohio and forts beyond. And so hasten the completion of James River Canal, and Va. Central to the Ohio branches getting some immigrants to stop by the way. Tell Corbin, C held this special term expressly, but lawyers were not ready. Jno Herndon will go to F'bg\nnext week. I have asked him to sound about a compromise. That I am seen is the best way of ending that matter. Ask him to get from Rutson the m.s. of P.G. and Astronomy\nand the first time he comes South to bring me them. I am not in a hurry for them. \"Where had you best live?\" In a New York City Boarding house when the dog days are over.\nTaking care to spend enough time in Va to keep up the idea of Va residence on ac't of them suits with which Corbin was threatened. Tell him the chances of being useful to the state in my own vocation are very fair. Everybody appears to be looking to politics for help. I almost [ ], exclusive to agencies outside of this political arena for material help. Stir up about J.B.'s grapes. Love to the H's with kisses to Maria. Tell Nanna I wish she was here to eat maple sugar. Yr. aft father. \nM.F. Maury","Richmond \n22 Sept '68","Dear Corbin, \nI returned yesterday with N.B. \u0026 Alice leaving all hands including Mary in Albemarle, say till 1st Oct. Stir up Nannie as soon as she gets well for that grape information for Jno B.","Saw John Herndon last night. He worked with the case vs. Corbin- read commissioner's report. Says it's all in your favor- and he thinks the case must come off next term, and\ndoes not, he nor Will, advise compromise. It's important for you to know this, before you get to Fredericksburg.","Be sure to let me see you as you pass through- give me the average price of grain wheat \u0026 corn- oats \u0026 c. for each month during this year- Can you? and oblige yrs truly \nM.F. Maury","Richmond \n4 Oct 68","Dear Corbin, \nThanks for the statistics. It's a useful table, nicely got up. If I was going to `keep' such a table, I would do it as a chart of engraved squares. How do you get your averages- from the quantity sold, or from the price on each day? I have been on crutches with the foot. The furniture over from Fredericksburg yesterday. Glad y'r business is on the increase. What do you \u0026 Nannie say to Betty's suggestion about xmas. Don't you want your £ 35?","Dick may be in New York last of next month. Expecting all hands down from the mountains, tomorrow or next day. Wife now having a bout with ague \u0026 fever. Be sure you stop to see me when you do go south.","Cal wheat is a larger grain \u0026 therefore makes more flour to the bush. than ours. Has not that something to do with the price?","That's a good letter of yours. Brodie is off to [ ] this week. Give a letter to Hasbrouck. \nLove to N \u0026 the [children]. \nYrs, M.","Richmond \n11 Oct 68","Dear Corbin, \nA letter last night from the admirable Rutson tells me you were to leave New York day before yesterday \u0026 be with us Tuesday. There is no sleeping place, but you must come\nto dinner \u0026 tea on arrival. Dabney is at the General's. I expect him down in the course of the week. I hope the Burtons did not submit to a postponement of the case in re Corbin. It would be cruel of the judge to permit any more trifling. We are all pretty well, my wife has not quite recovered from her bout with the chills.","Dying to see you, \nyrs affectionately \nM.F. Maury","Richmond Va. \n3 Dec. 1868","Dear Corbin, \nI suppose you have got back after I hope a trip that pays. I have heard thro' Rutson \u0026 [Carrie] of your having left New Orleans the day before Nannie's telegram reached there.","I hasten to write you. I learn confidentially that your tenant is insolvent- that everything that he has is in a fair way of being gobbled up by upcountry creditors, that the wheat crop has been sold and there are no signs of anything being done towards that [house]. That he has had to leave the house in which he was in Fredericksburg 'cause he couldn't pay the rent, for which he still owes. In short that he is wholly [unreliable], a bad case, \u0026\nthat unless you are pretty quick, the corn crop will be gone too \u0026 you may whistle for your $1000 \u0026 your house too.","So from all I know you had better run down and look after things. If you do I hope you will give us a hail.","The girls tell Nannie had a small party last night- about 50 dancers- sprinkled only with 5 or 6 married couples. Totts did the honors. Betty was top [ ] and they all four looked splendid. We missed you and her, Dick \u0026 Sue. It went off 1st rate. Dick left day before yesterday for Kanawha. May come down from the mountains some day, to take up Sue, who is getting well but still in bed. Lucy Ellen passes through today on her way to Savan'h- your Ma \u0026 I go down to the cars to meet her at 2.25. I gave yesterday to the Whig Preliminary Report No 1 Ph. Survey. I like it. Now for a favor- I should like to send a barrel of first rate apples to Tremlett, and 1/2 bbl. to Bold, in time for their xmas dinnerfreight and duties paid. Bold the consignee, must pay R. Road freight to Tremlett. Rutson will manage this when you get the Bbls. ready. Don't get any apples unless they are very good. Let them be pippins or Lady apples, which ever be the best. Hasbrouck could not get any in Newburgh. All well. Kiss the children.","Yrs affectionately, \nM.F. Maury","Richmond \n11 Dec. '68","Dear Corbin, \nThanks for the apples. You managed this nicely. When you want the £35 I. O. U. - go to Rutson. I have asked him to pay. I sent Nanna 10 cts in a letter- Did she get it? Your\ntenant's bill of sale that you ask for is no good. It is sufficient that the sheriff should find the mules \u0026 horses in his possession to pitch down upon him with his execution. It's only produce in the shape of rent that you can keep out of his clutches, \u0026 then it must be divided \u0026 your pile set off to itself. The wheat is gone, \u0026 you can't claim the balance of that in corn. All I know is what I gather from John about it. He thinks the case much more dispirited than you seem to do. T! Good night with love, \nYrs \nM.F. Maury","Richmond Va. \n23 Dec. 1868","Dear Corbin,\nNannie's letter to her mother recd yesterday tells us you are going to F.V. after xmas. \u0026 then to N.C. Be sure to give us a call. You do well to go- Bear in mind, that R's bills of sale or notes of hand are worth nothing as against the demands of the sheriff- and that you are safe in your rents only after you have set apart your share of the crop. But if R. sells it, or you don't divide it, the sheriff can clap his clutches upon it. As for the prison\nadvances better let them be bygones and ask Rutson for the £35 when-ever you get \"hard up\". C.B.R. talks about forking over in \"a very few days\"- I hope so - for the work already done comes to when it's paid for- $10 [m] in gold, though it's not all done yet, for you know I have not delivered all the m.s.s.","Lucy is still a great sufferer. Had a pretty good night, but is now wracked with pain.","I went last night to spend the evening with [Weckham] - against the grain- but one has to do things sometimes that are not altogether delightful. Ask Nana if she thinks old\n[Christinger] lives in New York, and how he can go from here there in a night-for he is now I know a stuffing of his pack, I've seen him put two doll babies in it for Alice. A happy xmas to you all, \nYrs \nM.F. Maury","Richmond Va. \n8 Jany `69","Dear Corbin, \nI am grieved to hear my warning proved so true. This pocketing of losses in times like these, is a hard thing. Have you yet come to any definite understanding with W \u0026 E? I think it is time you should have a talk with them and a distinct understanding. If you have it so, the chances are that somebody I know will get fleeced. I'll send you next week one of my pamphlets, which you can give them to read, and then tell them what a great man it is going to make of me in the South, the prestige it will give you, and then tell them what you want.","The silver and the trunk came yesterday. Sorry you did not have time for a run to Richmond. The Gen'l came down from the 'Rugged' last night. He brought me a [cheese] of [--] from Sally. Have not seen him yet. Sue dined with us yesterday. Then Lucy and all hands spend the evening at 'Zoras' tonight. Tell Nannie she was at a party last night, they played \"Chopin and Chopout\" and she doesn't know what that is. \nLove to Nannie \nYrs M.F. Maury","Richmond Va \n14 January 1869","Dear Corbin, \nI am sorry to have such an account of yr tenant. You will be lucky to get rid of him without more trouble. His contract shows that he is one of those who are unworthy of confidence - his London trip is I take it a sham.","I hope to send you in a few days copy of the Report. The Railway and Canal men have been watching the press and literally devouring the sheets as fast as they were printed. They think it will wake up a lively interest especially in the South and West. Smith - V.M.I. will be down to-morrow, we are going to send copies to Governors of the states and ask them to make it the subject of official action by calling it to the attention of legislatures \u0026.","The Report will I am sure tickle vox pop especially the planters, farmers and factors in the Mississippi Valley, and it ought to give you favor among them.","Indeed it may be worth considering whether it be not wise for you to look in the direction of Norfolk anyhow, for the Report makes a Dutch line of steamers from Flushing to\nNorfolk look very promising anyhow. In beating about the bush in my mind for something for Dick, I have been looking that way. I fancy this report will give us an influence which if we have the tact and the luck on our part may be made of commercial value. In the course of two or three weeks you will see by watching South-Western and N. Western papers how the thing works, and can then better shape your course.","If W. \u0026 E. have lost money it don't sound well for a partnership. Anyhow, I question whether it would not be better for you to be looking out for something else. I doubt whether a monthly salary would not be better than a partnership with them. A partnership would tie you down and in coming, as this Report and my other work here will bring, so [prominently] before your customers, I may have a chance in some unexpected way of helping you along, of which, if you're tied down by co-partnership, might be lost. In short the chances are that you may be able to do quite as well, South, pecuniarily and a great deal better socially than you are now doing. Therefore when the time comes for your talk, consider well the grounds you should take: a good monthly salary to be antedated: what think you? I suggest but don't [persuade].","This is my birth day tell Nannie. Sue's going up to F'bg next month. Mary Herndon is here, her brother is at V.M.I. We are all well and send love. I think that so called\n\"conservative [Va.] [ca ] impolite and foolish. \nyrs truly \nM.F. Maury","Richmond Va \n29 Jan. `69","Dear Corbin, \nPrinters here are slow. The Reports are not all out yet. I sent you two of the past batch to read and then give to `yr bosses.' I now send you one to keep.","It seems to have hit the public mind in Va anyhow. I hope you will have a talk soon about your pay. I do not much fancy a co-partnership - commercial - these times. For though you may put in nothing, financiers here are ticklish. Your house may break and so sweep away all of your Va. property. Moreover I think it worth something to keep yourself free, so that you may be in a position to take advantage of anything that may turn up.","Isn't the first payment due on those Minnesota lands Please inquire of Hasbrouck. Love to Nannie and the children \nYrs \nM.F. Maury","Richmond \n1 Feb `69","Dear Corbin, \nBrodie is here and I have yrs of Saturday. All well about Wade. [Still Sue doesn't care to travel]. Suppose you get two or three weeks leave - run down to Norfolk and try this:","I am urging Smith and his [ ] in the [ ] to send agents out to the states where interests are touched by preliminary No. 1 to ask the legislatures and the principle cities to order each a few thousand copies and so help to circulate the docs. If they will order we will get up a revised \u0026 improved edition especially for them. Norfolk, Petersburg and Richmond ought to order ea. 2000 copies so ought [Mahone] - begin by asking them to order 500 ea. Postmasters ought to order 1000, ditto Seaboard R.R.'s, and the line of steamers that ply between New York and Norfolk ought to order 500. I am proffering to Smith to put the New Edition @ $2 per copy, and give his agents 50¢ per copy upon all orders. Now if he comes into this how would you like to drum up in Va.? The doing of it, would pay expenses at any rate - `twould identify you and make you acquainted with the Norfolk people, and so may be give a string to your bow to send an arrow at W \u0026 E with. Jansen is working like a horse with the Dutch Va. line of steamers. You could preach that up at the same time. Money has to be and is to be raised for that. You can try that too - somebody must be employed for this - and why not you? So turn the idea over in your mind, and in case Smith says the word, be ready to broach the [ ] to old [Wade]. You can then come here - we post you up, have a meeting called and so Launch you. I can fancy that this business may not be altogether agreeable at first blush. But all you have to do is to put on a bold face and teach those people what they ought to do. Am glad to hear the children are O.K. again. Tell Nannie her Ma is in bed with a cold. Dick is in Lexington and all the rest well. \nYrs truly M.F. Maury","I send you ten more pamphlets.","Richmond , Va \n16 Feb. 1869","Dear Corbin, \nThanks to you and Hasbrouck for the $925.56/100. Its welcome I tell you.","I understand Charles has made all things straight with your tenant touching past rents.","W. requires you to put more faith in him than he puts in you. \"Take any \"ipse dixit\" and you make it all right\" - he says to you. But why does he not let you know what his plans are? Suppose they turn to naught - then there you are. For that reason I wanted you to have two strings to your bow. Look at C.B.R. promises are bountiful, Wait, Wait, and [`nary red'] since I came back. W. may be all right and his intentions may be ever so good, but you have to look out for yourself and when he comes to [shout up] his plans you may find them `[St py] with ifs.\" And would not have you break with him, but I would have you ask to be informed, so that if they don't strike your fancy you may be on the lookout for something else. Therefore I would take the first opportunity and ask him to tell\nyou the precise character of the arrangement that he has in view.","The Reports are in great demand. I send you a couple. Love to Nannie and the children. All well. \nYrs \nM.F. Maury","Richmond Va \n20 Apr `69","Dear Corbin, \nI feel uneasy about that warehouse swindling case. Let me know if you are in any way hurt by it. I suppose at any rate it interferes materially with your plans. I am told it ruins W \u0026 E. Please let me know all about. In haste, \nYrs \nM.F. Maury","Richmond VA \n30 Ap'l '69","Dear Corbin, \nI have been very much engrossed. Have just finished for Mr. Johnson a notice of my blessed Davy Jones.","Yrs of 28th came duly to hand. Was relieved to know that Wade \u0026 [Estey's] misfortune did not involve you. You know better than I can suggest what to do now.","It is within the power of the people to be represented in the Norfolk convention to say whether they will have direct trade with Holland. If they say `yes' and give the right sort of earnest, then the Dutch will probably establish a large house in Norfolk. In that case they\nwill probably want a businessman for associate, who is well acquainted in the South \u0026 West. Now the question is how can you manage to bring yourself to the acquaintance of the trading businessmen in Montgomery- Memphis - Knoxville, Chattanooga, Huntsville - Nashville, Louisville, Cincinnati \n[and-]. \nIf you or I had any authority to speak for the Dutchmen in the matter, it would be plain sailing, and we should know how to go to work. But there's no hurry, look out for the\nproceedings of the convention, \u0026 find out the leading houses in N.C. \u0026 the West, try as opportunity allows to get into correspondence of some sort with them- and if during the next 12 months you can bring yourself to their acquaintance, perhaps, if the Dutchman comes, you may have a chance to show him around.","Packing up for VMI.","I am afraid the day I'll move will not turn out so well. Nannie \u0026 Nan are very good friends now. Do you think that [boarding] them will make them any better? It's only in that aspect \u0026 the mosquitoes that I \"has my doubts about\"","All well and send love \nyrs \nM.F. Maury","Richmond VA \n22 May 1869","Dear Corbin, \nAbout the Piano- I wish you would get Ellen Lewis to help you and Nannie select a first rate one, to cost not over $800 - eight hundred $. Go for performance and richness of\ntone, not just for outside appearance. Bargain for freight paid here if they can, but for delivery on board steamer and packing up anyhow. It should be directed to Maury,\nLexington, and consigned with bill o'lading, to Col. Dillon (DILLON) James River Canal Office. His office is right at steam boat landing. You can draw at sight on R. H. Maury \u0026 Co. where I have given you a credit for $800. Yr draft to be signed M.F. Maury for yourself. Perhaps you may make a better arrangement with R. H. Maury himself who left last night for New York.","Please you and Nannie keep your eyes about you for carpets. They ought to be cheap now. Small figures and bright colors are [the] go for small rooms, small figures some [worsted]. [Then these] down stairs rooms should be good Brussels, or Wilton- the dining room and parlor the most costly, but none over $2 the yard, including the making which must be done there, \u0026 including also packing and delivery on board str. consigned as the piano is to be. They can be made by the enclosed draft which please take care of.","Brave's and the up-stairs rooms should be cheap remnants, 3 ply or Brussels, according to bargains. You know I like variety, therefore don't go for matching the rooms. Rugs also, and carpet-[slips] I reckon for the upstairs passage. Dick has coloured it you see for oil cloth- We have oil cloth for the bare passage already on its way up there. I have shut up all the doors in the Parlour except one. Please enquire for bargains \u0026 report progress before going further. All well. We expect to get off next Tuesday.","Yr Aft. \nP.T.O. M.F. Maury","[verso] \nAlso inquire as to the price of a neat electroplate water pitcher and tea kettle such as the one we used to have at the `Sup'","V.M.I. \n17 June `69","Dear Corbin, \nNannie's room is all ready, but we have heard nothing from her than what is mentioned in yours of 15th just to hand.","In re: carpets, I did not expect you to do more just now than to post me up as to prices \u0026 c. The girls wanted to have something to say as to colors, patterns, \u0026 c. Moreover I did not want to buy now, have no funds, no place to store them, and $500 for Dining room \u0026 Parlour is beyond my mark. Therefore unless you are committed for them, I don't want them. If however you are committed for them, bargain that they are not to be sent until\nwe are ready for them in the fall, and that they shall send with them all the scraps \u0026 pieces which are wasted in the cutting. We have already two rugs in the parlour \u0026 a [ ] [ ]. I take it that you have not ordered any of the other carpeting *. { (*I do not want it) in margin}. You did right not to order the iron bedstead, for I did not expect you to do that upon what I said. Caution the upholsterer not to make the mattress a hair's breadth\nlarger than the bed in the [ ]- a little smaller it will still fit- an inch larger, no!. You do not say anything about the andirons, [fender] \u0026 c. We have none of them at all and fires at night are often pleasant. The canal is in repair, and will not be open again from Richmond before 1st July- Therefore I had rather these things \u0026 the mattress should not be sent till then.","Rutson wrote me last Saturday -12- that Stewart's man had been to him with a bill for $500 odd for goods for me to know if I was good. R. said he would pay if I didn't- I replied to R. that I knew nothing about it, that I had authorized no such bill- not dreaming it was you \u0026 the carpets. If as I said you have made yourself liable for them insist that they shall be kept until called for. There is no place for them without putting them down. We don't\nwant to do that- 1st because we prefer bare floors. 2. Plasterers and other workmen have work to do which probably will not be done for months- 3. There is no place to store them. Therefore they must not be sent till we are ready for them.","The Piano has come - all safe- Elegant. Everybody pleased with it, and Elie is now making it \"talk\"! Thanks.","Which way do you go on the 22nd. Can't you come this way? There's plenty of room for you- Dick is in W. V. He \u0026 Sue have engaged lodgings at the Pendleton's.","I am invited to take charge of the University of Ala. at Tuscaloosa. Have it under consideration. My decision when they ask it will be something like this- Give me full swing and $10 m {10,000} a year for 5 years and I'll try to build you up- Before the war it had 350 boys- vs 25 now- so you see it's right low. You may well consider I'm not anxious to go- they offer $4m and I fancy they are not prepared to give $10,000. Please put the prices on Edgerton's list \u0026 return it. \nyrs truly \nM.F. Maury","V.M.I. \nSeptember 1st '69","Dear Corbin, \nUse the accompanying letter as you think best. I should like to have Gould sounded upon it \u0026 to know what he says. I send you the pamphlets. Please get from Stewart his carpet bill. It is getting most time for me to order them forward, but before I do that I want to raise the money for paying for them, \u0026 the first step is to know how much that is. Inquire also, if you please as to the discount he will allow if you pay him on the shipment of the\ncarpets instead of forwarding his bill here to be paid when they are delivered to me.","Nannie \u0026 Sue did not go to the Baths, because I fancy, I was not here to make them, \u0026 now they are looking so well that I do not think it necessary for them to go.","All well \u0026 send love.","V.M.I. 9th/9/'69","Dear Corbin, \nI suppose my letter last week in reply to yours about the Dutch steamers must have miscarried.","So here's at you about the carpets again. Have them shipped via steamer to Smith (Genl's brother), Norfolk- ask him to pay charges and forward by what the Gen'l calls his air[ ]- viz rail to Lynchburg \u0026 canal thence. If Stewart will allow discount, pay him there on presentation of bill o'lading. Rutson has been asked to honor your draft. Better see R. first to make sure for I am not in a hurry \u0026 don't care if the carpets don't arrive before the\n25th. If he won't discount, then let T. ship on the 20th as above and let \"charges follow\". I'll pay on delivery.","I wish you would get from him \u0026 have them put up in the same* { (* to save freight) at bottom of page} bundle with the carpets, \u0026 have charged on the carpet bill - 12 doz. table napkins - not extra fine or extravagant - but such as a gentleman ought to have on his table every day - Such for instance as cousin Ann has; perhaps she or [`Quincy'] will select them for me. Of course I don't care where you get them so they are good, decent, and not extravagant \u0026 so they come with the carpets - inside - without extra freight. If possible \u0026 to save freight the carpets should all be in one bundle, or in as few bundles as economy suggests. Nanny \u0026 the children all well.","Betty with her aunt will leave us next Tuesday. \nyrs M.F. Maury","N.B. It's 144 Table napkins that I want - linen all-","[On reverse of second sheet] \n\"Messrs Paten \u0026 Co \nMy friend Mr. Corbin wants 12 Dz napkins similar to sample, please give him the right kind \u0026 price. \nYrs, \nR.P. Richardson","V.M.I. \n10 Sept. 1869","Dear Corbin, \n12 doz. will be too many. 6 doz. napkins will do- Let them be all of the usual dinner size. If not too late therefore let the order be for 72 instead of 144 table napkins Dinner size. \nYrs, \nM.F. Maury","V.M. I. \nLexington, VA \n16 Sept. '69","Dear Corbin, \nYours of 13th rec'd. Napkins \u0026 consignment O.K. Thanks-","Nannie is still at the McD's. Is waiting till our new cook comes. Weather fine. Children well \u0026 my nerves distressingly 'shaky'. \nYrs, \nM.F. Maury","V.M.I. \nLexington, VA \n20/12/69","My dear Corbin, \nI was sorry to hear that Edgerton has gone 'by the board'. My observations teach me that the merchants who never fail are comparatively few- and they are either men of means outside of the capitol embarked in their business- or men who have friends to back them. I should be exceedingly sorry to see you entering into mercantile business in any way except as an agent or employee- and that is a business that is desirable only until you\ncome into possession of your inheritance so find out when you are. At any rate I hope you will enter into no \"entangling [obligation] before we meet which I hope will be soon. I still look for you before New-Year. Xmas week is a holy-day time in New York.","Please jog Hasbrouck's memory about the St. Paul bond. I am hard up \u0026 should like to have the money on the very day it falls due, if possible. 'The Boy' is the life of the housecoming out every day with something original. \nYrs \nM.F. Maury","VMI \n4th March 1870","Dear Corbin, \nI have asked Will to send you $200 which fall due on the 9th. I left word in Richmond with Bob to collect some dividends to send you the proceeds. Should he do so you can transfer it over to me and accept the enclosed $300 instead which with what Will will send and what I left with you makes $1000. \nIn haste \nM.F. Maury","V.M.I. \nApril 6th \n1871","Dear Corbin- \nI got last night a letter telling of the investment of the $321.34. Thank you. Will says, that the law treats it as usury to compound the interest in that way. Please ask John Herndon about it for I want to keep within the law.","My aim was to let you have just $1,000. It is therefore that I ask you to remit in case you should receive more than that.","Tell Nannie, that Elie is in bed with a headache, \u0026 Lucy is under the weather with a cold, \u0026 I don't hear them say a word about going down.","Heavy rain last night. In haste yours truly, \nM.F. Maury \n(pr M.H.M.)","[Postscript by Mary]\nI got my dear Sister Nannie's letter \u0026 will write after the Fair comes off.\nThe girls certainly expect to go down the middle of the month","V.M.Institute \nJuly 26th 1871","Dear Nannie, \nYour Ma got your letter this morning ain't we so glad, glader, glady. Tell Corbin he must come along too.","I returned from Ala. last Monday evening and took them all by surprise. Since graduating, Brave had made a fee and had gone off on a spree, and had gone off with Tots \u0026 Elie to the White \u0026 Capertons. I suppose his money will give out soon and we may expect them back the last of the week.","My going to Tuscaloosa, is still in abeyance. I found when I got to Montgomery that the Board of Regents at its meeting last June had gone farther in their injudicious course than I had fancied, for besides establishing chairs \u0026 filling them without conference with me, they had chalked out a plan of operations for the Univ. which appeared to me altogether impracticable.","The Board of Regents had not been called together as I had requested, but all the professors save 3 were there with Hodgson who is ex officio President of the Board of Regents. During our first session I found out that there was not only no money to fit up the Univ. but there was nothing to keep it a-going: for more than all its annual endowment had already been appropriated. The charges against the cadets were at figures so low that they would inevitably bring the Univ. in debt. A sum not exceeding $200 was to be the expense per cadet. So in the afternoon I formally proclaimed that I could not undertake the responsibility of such an institution \u0026 therefore begged leave to decline. Whereupon there was \"sensation.\" Some made hy-falutin speeches \u0026 professors asked \"what shall I do.\" One urging that he \"had given up his house\" another, \"his practice,\" another \"his business,\" another \"his college\" another that he \"was engaged to be married,\" all under the expectation that I would accept. The strong men of the city were\nbrought in who promised to make the legislature do the needful. And the judges of the Supreme Court who are said to hold the legislature in the hollow of their hands, black \u0026 white radicals \u0026 all- Sent word that they would do the needful at its next meeting. In short, the question was asked, that \"if they would raise a launching fund, change the fees, so as to be a source of revenue, instead of loss, and alter the course of instruction so as to suit my views, would I accept\"? Yes Well it was funny to see the plan they had laid down. They had three parallel course which were \"selectable\" and every boy that came was answered in terms \"you have paid your money, take your choice\" And they told me they had copied after the Univ. of Mississippi, which never did prosper, though it has a clear revenue of $77,000. So the plan that I propose requires the three Rs for admission\n\u0026 then curriculum all the way up to any specialty, that the student- being qualified to enter upon it- may select, all boys to be examined and to be put as high up as they are qualified to stand.","These matters are to be referred by letter to the Board of Regents, and if the majority pledge themselves by letter to stand by me , if I make the alterations \u0026 to sanction them at their next meeting in Nov. and then if the friends of the Univ. will raise a launching fund, I will go.","The earnest desire manifested by the good people of the state, for me to take charge of their Univ. was very gratifying.","It appears to me that almost all the good people in Ala. who have sons \u0026 means intend to rally around me, and among the events that were particularly gratifying was a proposition on the part of the professors to lend: some their whole salary: some $1000: and the others $500 to get the thing underway.","They were to let me know, in a telegram, whether my views would be met by the Regents. And thus the matter stands.","My plan for the present is modeled after V.M.I. with the open features of the Univ. of Va. In the mean time I am working like a Turk here in collecting statistics and transmitting \"useful and entertaining knowledge\" to \"Tusca.\"","I did not go to \"Tusca\", because my house had not been vacated by my radical\npredecessor, with his three students, but hastened back for the telegram.\nI traveled Saturday in the cars with Dabney \u0026 Family, they have broken up in New Orleans, and have come to Va. for the summer. They were to stop a few days in Lynchburg, then go to the Bath Alum.","Kisses to the children \u0026 love to all hands. I brought some maple-sugar for them, they must make haste and come up or it will be all gone, \nM.M.","V.M.I. Lexington Va. \nAugust 9th 1871 \nS.W. Corbin Esqr. \nFredericksburg Va","Dear Corbin \nI have this morning your letter of 3rd introducing Mr. Boulware. No letter was necessary. I had the pleasure of forming his acquaintance last Fall in Fredericksburg and was much pleased with him. All the chairs at Tuscaloosa are full.","We expect Dick back from W.V. tomorrow or next day. When is Nannie coming up? We expect Will to come next week. Can't she come with him? We don't mean to let you off: you must come and fetch Nannie back. Yesterday was \"Crits\" birthday: cords of presents---60 years old, and as young as a [sentence fragment]","I am busy with Tuscaloosa but begin to think it will not be ready by Oct. My illustrious predecessor is still in the President's house. Betty has mended vastly since she has been here. Ask Nanna and that boy when are they coming up? We are dying to see them.","In haste yours, \nM.F. Maury","V.M.I. Lexington VA \n17th Aug 1871","Dear Corbin, \nPlease don't remit but re-invest \u0026 let it roll up. You have always told me I could realize upon ten days notice.","The Goshen stage don't get in now until about 10'clock; We shall set up for Nannie \u0026 the children. Dick left for Richmond last night.","The funds of University Alabama are just like \"jack-o-my-lanterns\". I was to have had $40,000 to begin with \u0026 have got $16,000 maybe. It bothers me enough.","Ask Brodie when he gets to New York please to call at 156 \u0026 7 Crosby Street \u0026 enquire for C.B. Richardson \u0026 if he is not in for Prof Lawrence \u0026 ask for a copy of Geog No 3 New Edition, for my young friend his little grandson \u0026 take it with him to Savannah. I will write \u0026 tell them he's a-coming.","You must be sure \u0026 come to fetch Nannie back \nYours truly","V.M.I. 23 Sept '71","Dear Corbin, \nTwas a source of profound regret that none of us could get down to help render the last offices of friendship and affection to John. He died as he lived, like a Christian gentleman.","We had Brodie's room ready for him last night and felt disappointment when his letter came saying he had to go to Savannah.","Elie Lucy \u0026 I expect to leave for Tenn. about the 5th maybe 1st. I think you had better come up to escort Nannie \u0026 the children back- we should be mighty glad to see you. Want to talk over the Tenn. speech with you. There is a stage that leaves here twice a week at 11 AM for Goshen where it connects with a train due in Staunton at 8.45 P.M. There you stay all night \u0026 at 9 next morning leave for Richd. I think this is the best way to go for it saves that long night in the stage house. The boy has improved wonderfully \u0026 is a great pet.","Tell me the lowest price of wheat in Aug. last, with date, and the price now. Jno Herndon had my will, please ask Charles when he comes across it, to hand it to you. You can fetch it up with you.","The weather here is lovely. Give my love to Ellen Mercer Charles \u0026 Lucy.","Yrs. truly \nM.F. Maury","V.M.I. \nLexington \n11 Nov. 71","My dear Nannie, \nLet's hear that boy whistle- why that's like the cars. Let's hear you whistle like the darkies. Well! cut a somersault. How does he like the new house? and Nanna the dancing school? She must teach him all her steps, gaits and [moves].","We got back last night week- and if they will send us free tickets again Elie and I will go to the Agricultural Congress in Selma 12 Dec. Tell Corbin I am going to carry that plan- i.e.- do my best and so roll that ball over Henry \u0026 the rest of them. But the rascals they'll catch it up as soon as they see it rolling along finely and say it was theirs. I think [Thomps] is behaving most shabbily-plagiarism \u0026 piracy are mild terms to [ ] what he\nis doing. He used to make a living by lecturing on my works-carrying PG's under his arm. Now he not only steals my brains, and ignores my books, but gives other people the credit that belongs to me.","Sally F. and Sister E. have gone to the Pendletons. We have no coal yet.","I begin Monday to prepare my P.G. lecture - to be [based on the question] - \"What science has done for mankind.\"","Crit got a letter from Sue yesterday. Dick stays downtown all day. Totts is poorly- Have been working Crit, Mary, Lucy \u0026 Elie hard this week I tell you. The Lee quilt is to be raffled at the Letcher's tonight. We will draw it, I reckon- some of us have tickets- 24 chances- Totts had this morning a letter from Tom Bold - speaks well of Price. Frank Smith has gone over there. Will reports Betty as recovering fast \u0026 Nannie Bell in high glee over her new piano. Don't hear often from Brave. Love to Corbin, Sue, Mat and the\nchildren. \nYrs affectionately, \nM.F. Maury","V.M.I. 20 Dec. 1871","My dear little grandson that's named John Maury Corbin, some of this letter is for Nana too but I send it to you because xmas is a coming-","You just ought to be here- we are having so much fun- Last night your Ma's chimney caught afire- F i a r F i a r! Como. Maury's house is afiar! The drums beat, the fife squeaked \u0026 the cadets came tumbling up- some with \"guns\" to shoot the robbers- some with buckets to quench the fire. Oh it was so nice, but the fire went out just so before they could ever get here- And [then] it's so cold the river is frozen- all the girls- and Jimmy\nMoore \u0026 Genl Pendleton and all the other little boys go a skating. They take lunch, and have picknick on the ice. `The boy' can skate \u0026 the littlest Johnson is the best skater of them all- [ ]. And then it's been snowing \u0026 rainy \u0026 hailing- and what do you think it did yesterday at dinner in the dining room- there was money shower and the flakes were GreenBacks! You and Nana ought to have been here for 'scrambling'. They went like soap bubbles- and so you had to catch them quick nobody could get more than one flakeand\nsomebody saved these two for you two - not too and your Ma- She is to give you at least 10 cts out of it \u0026 Nanna 20 cts \u0026 Charlie 20 cts- for you to go down street by [yourselves] and buy just what you please.","She's to keep the rest","And do the best-","Can you write poetry?","Tell her your Aunt Eliza has been very poorly- is getting better. She hasn't been here since the day after we got back from Memphis.","I have been to see her once- walked- was laid up for a week part of the time unable to turn over in bed. Have sent for a carriage to go \u0026 see her this evening- She's afraid that Sally F. is going away from her \u0026 that helps to make her sick.","You all ought to be here these times- Your Uncle Charlie sent us some Blue wings- by the time they got here they had turned to Canvas Backs- they are so good!","Here comes somebody. A Merry Xmas to your Pa \u0026 Ma and sister \u0026 your own sweet little self. Who is Mat's sweetheart? I know Charlie's- Have you got one? What's her name? \nYour affectionate friend. \nM.F. Maury","V.M.I. 1 March (1872)","My dear Corbin, \nTake Nannie, Totts, Nanna \u0026 the boy into your counsels- read to them Elie's M.S. in confidence- take their vote- \"Fire or Sandy Little\" \u0026 if they say Sandy, hand it to him- on condition that he's to \"harry\" the Whig without letting Whig or anybody know who `Old Spotsylvanian' is. It's a shame that the Whig should be fooling that \"foolish little legislation\" so.","If you or Nannie do not want to S. [ ] so for y'r scrap book, hand it to Totts for 'hern'. Why don't those children answer my letters? I've got the whooping cough- used to have it in Ten. Catch it from the children at the house- [up] [ ]- [ ].","When is the height of the fishing season? Tell me- for if at that time I feel as young as the whooping cough \u0026 in the [ ] I may run down, pick up Totts \u0026 Ho for Glymont. Mrs. M. is pestering me mightily to go A - W A Y ! Got a letter this morning from Taffy imploring me not to let the yankees light Jno Bull.","Tell Totts -O now I wish I had some birds- all well \u0026 send love. Yrs M. F. Maury.","\u003e\u003e\u003e\u003e\u003eIf Sandy publish- send me a few extras.","V.M.I. 27 March '72","Dear Corbin, \nTotts had been telling us of \"the Boy's\" deafness and how badly Nannie was looking. I sent the cheque to \"buy exemptions\" so you did exactly right- and I hope it will buy [cards].","Tell Nana \u0026 the boy they ought to be here just to see me. I go about the house whooping like a red Indian on the war path- Does he remember his island? There it is- In the last three snows it was as naked as a rock- now why wouldn't the snow lie on it- can he tell?","Tell Totts Mrs. Sinclair is at the point of death. Betty Page has come up to help nurse her. We hope Nannie will run down to Richmond. [Credits] - Miss Mildred is engaged to Prof. Blair. College Calithumps on the night of 1st- two boys fought a duel- one shot tother two times. Old Hughes keeps [up] pinched for wood- Dick's at home on crutches sprained ankle. Va- I reckon- is going downhill all the time- and tho I fancy I can see ways for letting up- I don't see the wisdom for putting her in those ways, \u0026 so her course\nis downward ho!","This is a beautiful day- I am not well enough to venture out. Don't know when Lucy is coming- Love to all \nyrs. M.F. Maury","V.M.I. 10 Apl '72","My dear Nannie, \nWhy don't I come out and prevent people from stealing my brains torpedoes \u0026 all? Why don't the passenger at sea come out \u0026 stop pirates from pirating? Didn't Queen Vic her own dear self steal my torpedoes right before my face- and as for `[thunder]'-look at 'Thomps' \u0026 your dear yankees.","That's a fact- Corbin is a great financier- He has managed the estate with much ability and fine judgment \u0026 J P owes him 'a heap'. I suppose J.P. did not find enough to do in the office to occupy him- and I think idle hours drag more ways than one before a young man that is not yet fairly engaged in the battle of life.","And can the boy read? Ask him to read this letter. \nJIM BIT A FOX \nTHE CAT EAT A RAT. And go [up] [head].","I've got the whooping cough in my back \u0026 all over. And I've \"got no work to do-o\".","There is nothing [any] my table- Elie is writing a great speech for the National Agricultural Association which is to meet in St. Louis next month. Fish refuses to help my `ball' along. Elie's speech is going to roll it right over him. Don't those fellows in Washington hate me with a hate? And ain't it elegant to make 'em do, what you tell's em?","Mat repeated to me last night most beautifully the Death of Montrose. It reminded me so much of my blessed Davy Jones. My eyes filled with tears \u0026 my heart with emotions unutterable. Sue brings up \u0026 teaches Mat very well. He and your Nannie are the best child-readers I ever heard. You ought to be here just to see the sons in law- as many as twenty at a time- I hide under the bed-Crit jumps on the sofa Aunt Mary and the rest scramble up stairs. You are right- Totts is chief among 10,000 \u0026 altogether lovely. Where am I to go? Can't stay here another winter. Take away my house \u0026 my pay- and\nthen leave me to rent a house and do without the $1800! -how's the pot to be kept a going? The question is bothering me a good deal. The weather here is beautiful and the grass green- and the trees vocal at early matins. When are you coming up? I'd give a cow \u0026 calf to come down but the way is so hard \u0026 I so rickety. Everybody sends to you Corbin \u0026 the children \nyr aft M.F. Maury","V.M.I. 19 Apl '72","My dear Corbin, \nI made up my mind this morning to break out from my pleasant surroundings \u0026 happy relations here about 1st Sept. by which time it will not be imprudent to settle somewhere in Eastern Va. The high rents in Richmond Nannie's letter \u0026 the Taylor (?) houseopposite Uncle Charlie's- with its $250- set my mouth to watering for the old burg. In what sort of repair is it- Do the windows rattle? do the doors open \u0026 shut easily \u0026 without noise- How are the grates and fire places. Does the house smoke. Is it lighted with gas \u0026 has it a water closet? If nay, can it have all these things and I the refusal of it, till Sept.? I would ask you to engage it now but for the chance of my being offered something somewhere else which will strengthen my money power and enable me, with material surroundings - to be more comfortable than I could be upon my own only in Fredericksburg. How many rooms has the house? Can you rough sketch me the grand plan?","Could the boy read my letter- and ain't he coming up here to help us pack up, and show us the way to his house?","I send Nanna a newspaper. It is printed by [ ] Pratt, a little cripple- He is about her size- He has got a printing press and a font of type. He sets these and prints and edits all himself. I send her also a splendid composition by Alice. Alice is a physical geographer- A has told about a drop of water on the earth- Now can N. tell about one in the sky? Water is a beautiful thing I tell you. It is protean- and you think that in every new shape you see it, it's more lovely yet. Yesterday it was dropping down in little white pits, as hard as pits and hopping about the town more than the cadets. It made them scamper I tell you. Then it laid itself in the grass, and peeped at you for a little while-as much as to sayhere goes your [Tennessee] ice cream- come \u0026 catch me if you dare- and by the time you got there 'twas just nothing at all. That No 3 Geography you are studying is an old edition and a great many mistakes such as you and Molly found- have been corrected, maps like those at p.p. 21- 148 \u0026 152 have the scale all the way up and down the sides- it varies with the latitude- Thus reason on a piece of paper the distance for 20 between the equator \u0026 20 N. and then try it for 20 between 40 \u0026 60 N. Your Pa will show you. \nAll well and send love yrs \nM.F. Maury","V.M.I. 10 May '72","My dear Corbin, \nI give you many thanks for the trouble- all for naught- that you have so kindly undertaken in re Carter House. Dr Wellford's figures are too large, so I will get you to keep your eyes about you for one on easier terms.","I have most got my courage up to the sticking point for St. Louis. Here I feel somewhat like Sin Bad the sailor in his valley of Diamonds- so hard to get out. Dick took the cars this morning for Richmond. The weather is mighty hot. That was a first rate physical Geographical composition of N. I sent it to Alice. Bless her heart give her a kiss- and ask her to ask the boy if he knows what river that is that goes by Fredericksburg and where does it come from \u0026 where does it go to- and if she can write a composition and tell\nwhat's the use of rivers anyhow? Love to Nannie- all well- Tell her there's another [ ] of S.C. [rice] on the way. \nyrs, \nM.F. Maury","V.M.I. 12 May '72","My dear Corbin, \nI have no doubt of Carroll's fitness because you speak of him so highly. But rules work sometimes inconveniently. I have found it necessary to make rules for conduct, and one is not to recommend unless I can speak from personal knowledge \u0026 sufficient acquaintanceship. So I hope neither he nor you will take my rule amiss.","I expect to leave for St. Louis on 22. But the getting out of this valley is the trouble. The idea of getting out oppresses somewhat as Sin Bad the Sailor was oppressed in the Valley of Diamonds.","Thanks for your kind invitation, but I don't reckon we shall get away from here before the fall. Moreover we are hedging now so as to treasure up for the move. Today it's very hot. Lucy is under the weather. The church is to be pulled down tomorrow. Mrs. Burwell is here- and we are all well. \nyrs truly \nM.F. Maury","V.M.I. 19 May '72","My dear Children, \nI set off for St. Louis day after tomorrow- a day earlier than I intended for the purpose of spending Thursday at the Arlington in Washington to meet C.B.R. He is very much opposed to my `burying myself alive' and makes a proposition which amounts practically to an allowance sufficient to pay house rent say $1000 in Richmond. This is `[now] just so'. I'm to do nothing for it but just live in Richmond. I have not accepted nor declined it\nbut have it to stand just so tall after our talk.","C.B.R. and his Co are doing a roaring business. From all I hear they expect the Geographies alone to clear this year not less than $125,000.","We have been expecting a visit from Jim Monroe \u0026 his girls. He wrote word last Tuesday they were coming- and sent word that he would go with me to St. Louis, and that's all. I shall be sorry to miss them. Crit talks of going with me as far as Gordonsville on his way to Betty. But Betty don't write to say she \"can't get along without her\" so I should not be surprised if she don't go, though she had her trunk brought down three days ago intending to ship off in the 'Packet' tonight. Dick is still in Richmond. They have begun to pull down our church \u0026 we have 'nowhere to go'. Dabney expects to move this week to Nashville. He tells me he has a letter from [T.] saying he didn't think anything of my `ball' at first and that now he has changed his opinion and advised Dabney as to what I ought to do- a great [piece] of imprudence- I have no doubt he wants to get a chance to steal more thunder and have asked D. not to hold any correspondence with him upon the subject.","Tell Nana I did answer her beautiful composition and asked her to tell me the use of Rivers and make the boy tell where the Rapp. comes from \u0026 whither it goes. Don't she want to go to St. Louis \u0026 see the great big river that runs by there? What is its name. Totts is going on a visit to the [Cock's] of [Bowston]. Don't know when she's coming home. All well and send love \nYrs \nM.F. Maury","St. Louis \n30 May '72","My dear wife, \nThe Congress never before knew what an address was. It was delivered last night- and everything has been done exactly as I would have it. I was surly yesterday. Am having a bout with the foot in the elbow- was in bed half the day- and was not fit to speak and thought I should break down but am much better today. Charles escorts me to the Guthrie's tomorrow- I return Monday- 37 miles and then strike for you and home as hard as I can rattle. Have not decided which route to take. Col. Withers who C.B.R. sent to take care of me fancies to go through Tenn. I shall be governed a good deal by him for\nhe is so considerate and kind I can't get on well without him. If I go via Wash. shall touch at Fb'g- and at Richmond anyhow. Send this letter and the papers I mail with it up to Nannie to be passed on to V.M.I. for I [have] to [trim] the [wick]. Love to all. Who is 'Kate'? I haven't had time to see her. \nYrs M.F.","St. Chas. Co. Mo. \n1 June 72","Dear Corbin, \nI am to leave this Monday A.M. and St. Louis at 3 P.M. Straight onward for you \u0026 Nannie say 50 hours. \nyrs in haste, M.F.M.","send to my wife","V.M.I. 19 June '72","Dear Corbin, \nThanks for the 13 [Newses]: you and Nannie [regard] the [speech] nicely. Monday the Minor girls left in a carriage under Walker's escort, to spend the night at Goshen and proceed yesterday to Hanover. Crit without writing and accompanied by Totts, Nannie Bell \u0026 Alice took us quite by surprise Monday night. They found the Minor girls at Goshen- scorned the carriage and came straight on in the stage arriving here at 10 1/2 pm. as bright as the moon and as gay as larks. They left Betty still in bed. Will's trip to\nWytheville has been put off till 1st July. We are writing for Betty to come along up. I sent in resignation yesterday to take effect 10 Sept. The day before sent off new ed. of Geog. no. 3. and this morning have \"the foot\" also a letter from Dab- of 16- from Nashville where they all are saying little Dab is very ill with scarlet fever. This morning also I got a copy of the Physical Geography of the Sea in Italian, which [Gat a] has published in\nRome. He never knew what a book was before. Love to the children. \nYrs, M.F. Maury","V.M.I. 24 July (1872)","Dear Corbin \nWe are driving to see Nannie \u0026 the children. Look for Betty also. Sorry you don't come too. Plenty of room. Totts lie \u0026 I are off for [Yellow] next week- [thence to 6] or -13th Aug. for an Ag. Address- then back, then to Boston! 18 Sept. for another. Thence to St. Louis 1st Oct for another- so you see I am knocking the 'balls' along.","Don't bother yourself about the money. If I want it- we can discount old\n[Harmon].","Better come up and get those Farley Vale 'tadpoles' \u0026 Fredericksburg chills out of you. \nYrs, M.F. Maury","Knoxville Tenn. \nSunday Aug 11 (1872)","My dear wife, \nI arrived here last night at 11.30- It is now 9 A.M.- The ride did me a `heap of good' knocking the remains of that [severe] bout in the knee into the middle of next week. I left the girls lodged next door to, \u0026 in charge of, the Taylors- nice people. I [propose] to be back Saturday- to leave Monday and to be at home Tuesday. I had a fancy to spend Saturday night \u0026 Sunday at the White, for the sake of rubbing bright the links that bind me\nto the Maury's there - Uncle Phils' - and of seeing gentlemen [there] \u0026 'roll any balls'. Higgins who married one of them was very kind \u0026 [pressing] and told Totts he would come and fetch her any day she'd name \u0026 'Dilly' promised to take them into her room. I suggested to Totts that she should write for him to fetch them Saturday p.m. so we might arrive about the same time. They did not appear to take the hint that I wanted them to go- so I did not press. The trip is not so long as I was told it was- so I should not be surprised if I were to pick the girls up at the 'Yellow' Friday p.m. and be with you Saturday. How's Betty \u0026 when's Will coming up? I suppose I shall be putting out for \"The Hub\" about this time next month so if he don't come I shan't see him. Betty [resistive] that of going to the White by herself-V.M.I. is a better place than Springs for her anyhow. I can sleep in Barracks if need be- so tell her to be comfortable \u0026 stop that climbing. One\nmorning Totts was at the Bowling Alley- all of a sudden your son in law \u0026 his sister hitched up, bid me goodbye, and when Totts came back she was surprised to hear they had gone!","The trains here are just 12 hours apart- so I shall take the one at 11 1/2 today- and go to Dalton- due at 6- or to Atlanta due at midnight according to my feeling.","I think the girls are having though not a grand, yet far from a dull time. I left the Boston speech for Elie to flirt with. I met with no adventures on my way save an interesting looking youth, of 17, sent by the Tribune to carry Tennessee. He was on their city staff, was a practical printer- had worked at the fonts 3 1/2 years- learned shorthand, and was such an expert that he could take down 200 words in one minute. When he takes down a speech, doesn't know what it's about! He could take down a Chinaman's speech - as well as an Englishman's- but then he would have to have Chinese to report it.","Love \u0026 kisses to everybody. Dying to see [you] \n[Yr.] M.","V.M.I. 4 Sep. 72","Dear Corbin, \nI am suddenly called on to make a raise.","I have sent R.H. Maury \u0026 Co. Richmond an order requesting you to discount that paper and send them the proceeds.","They are to send you the order only in case it be necessary. So if you get it from them you will know what to do. They will want $1200. Expect Will \u0026 Betty tonight. \nYrs \nM.F. Maury","V.M.I. 8 Sept. 72","Dear Corbin, \nThanks for yrs of [recd] this morning. [Secure] at some time from R.H.M. Better let them carry at 8 prct. while ours run at 10-? So hold on for further orders.","I reckon houses in Fb'g will not fall much lower- and that purchase would be wise.","I congratulate you on security debts- think you have done first rate.","What do you think of buying in Richmond instead of Fb'g? property is going up there. I don't see when the tide is to turn for Fb'g.","I mail with this the Ga. speech. Whatever may be the local exceptions here \u0026 there, the south is as there stated going downhill.","Elie \u0026 I are off for Boston Thursday. Nannie writes and gives you chit-chat. \nyrs \nM.F. Maury","New York (Jim's) \n15 Sept '72","My dear wife, \nWe arrived here at 5 p.m. yesterday all safe \u0026 sound. Elie had `the [head]' say from 10 to 2. I got her a cup of coffee at Wilmington- also a sandwich and [they] set her up. We only stopped there 10m so there was no time for dinner- I brought her the coffee, after a while a man came hopping through the cars, selling papers \u0026 crying fresh fried oysterspiping hot, especially for this train- each box has 6 oysters- 6 crackers and a pickle. I bought the last box and that set Elie completely up. She's as bright as a lark this morning going to church 10 sqrs off. Too far for me. Jim and Pierpont have not returned. I shall leave here about 10 in the morning, spend the day at publisher's and then at 5 go to 4th street for dinner and the night. All of Jim's folks were at home- glad to see us - \u0026 send love. Elie told 'em she was hungry as a hawk- They had tea at 6.30 and the best beef steak I ever did taste. I went to bed at 9 - and got up at 8. Glorious night- for I made a [bed] out of it in Washington- left there at 8. Arlington expensive place- went there in a [bus] and came away in the [bus]- total cost including lodging \u0026 2 meals ea. $11. It's cool today. Leave this for Elie Love to Bettie, Nannie, Will, Lucy, Molly \u0026 Mary \u0026 all the children. So sorry I forgot to tell Lucy to copy [that] [Res.] from the letter book- they are\nthere in her hand at the end of the Boston Speech. yrs M.","[Letter continues in hand of Eliza H. Maury) \nI thought about that black dress once or twice, but felt quite satisfied I had put it back in the trunk after wearing it at the Waddells. Went to Grace Church today but didn't see Cousin Ann \u0026 Cousin Rutson. A beautiful Gothic Church with stained glass windows, fine music, \u0026 a real good sermon, I enjoyed it ever so much. Saw Mr. [Ned] Rives as I was coming out, but don't think he saw me. The girls gave me a very warm welcome \u0026 cousin Ellen too. Lucy \u0026 I have a room together \u0026 she makes a great fuss over me. This house\nis right next door to everything. Stuart's, Tiffanys, Cousin Ellen Lewis, Cousin Matts! Cousin Ellen Mercer's \u0026 every hing. Lucy admires my new trunk very much \u0026 says she is going to have on just like it. This is such a pretty house \u0026 so very nicely furnished. They rent it furnished but all the pictures \u0026 ornaments are their own \u0026 there are some very pretty ones among them- bronzes \u0026 things. The children seem unnaturally quiet to me, they scarcely speak above a whisper at the table. What do our children say to that?","Give my love to everyone \u0026 kiss my dear [Jim] for me. Tell Lucy Mr. Noland was here on his way to South America not long ago \u0026 gave Annie his photograph with a moustache, oh such a nice nice picture! \u0026 I haven't got one \u0026 my heart is broke. Good bye dear sweetness were you mad when I left my dress? It was horridly stupid of me; it has not been delivered yet but will come tomorrow I expect- Your own Beloved.","St. Louis. 10th Oct 1872","My dear Corbin, \nI have just time to say that I am too poorly to undertake the long journey East \u0026 propose going tomorrow to Jefferson City to Genl James Minor's to recuperate; he is George Minor's brother you know. \nYours- M.F. Maury \nper E.M.","The Matthew Fontaine Maury papers consist primarily of letters written by Maury to various members of his family, including daughter Diana Fontaine Corbin (Maury) (1837-1900), son-in-law Spotswood Wellford Corbin (1835-1897), and wife Ann Hull Maury (Herndon) (1811-1901). Other correspondents include Maximilian (1832-1867), Emperor of Mexico, and Empress Carlotta.","In addition to personal and domestic matters, topics include:\n Lecture series Career at the National Observatory in Washington, D.C. Confederate service in Richmond, Virginia Activities in England Colonization efforts in Mexico Professorship at VMI    \nThe papers also include related correspondence and printed material.","This correspondence series was given to VMI as a single donation by a descendant of Diana Fontaine Corbin (Maury), \"Nannie,\" a daughter of Matthew F. Maury.","Written from Fredericksburg, Virginia. Letter regards family news and the presidential election.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. The letter states that Diana Fontaine Corbin (Maury) must wait one year before an engagement can take place.","In the letter, Ferdinand Maximilian, Archduke of Austria, thanks Matthew Fontaine Maury for sending a copy of \"Sailing Directions.\"","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards Diana Fontaine Corbin's (Maury) new marriage.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards general family news.","Written from White Sulphur, Virginia. Letter regards general family news.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. The letter regards family news and mentions that Matthew Fontaine Maury will soon begin a lecture series in Ohio.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards general family news.","Written from Rochester, New York. Letter regards the lecture series, which has a \"large and attentive audience.\"","Written from Chicago, Illinois. Letter regards the itinerary for the rest of the lecture series.","Written from Kalamazoo, Michigan. Letter regards a poor turnout at the Chicago, Illinois lecture due to weather.","Written from Chicago, Illinois. Letter regards the lecture series and distance Mathew Fontaine Maury has traveled since leaving home.","Written from Chicago, Illinois. Letter regards lecture series and travel to Cincinnati, Ohio.","Written from Cleveland, Ohio. Letter regards general family news.","Writtenf from Cleveland, Ohio. Letter regards a disruption in train schedule that led to travel in a private car supplied by the president of the railroad.","Written from St. Louis, Missouri. Letter regards travel for the next week.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards the solution to a rebus (puzzle) enjoyed by the family.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards general family news.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter discusses plants that were lost in transit to the Corbins.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter discusses plants that were lost in transit to the Corbins.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards general family news.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards general family news.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter alludes to legal matters regarding the management of the estate.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards general family news.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards general family news.","Written from Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards family health news.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards legal matters and family news.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards family news. Letter contains postscript written by Ann Hull Maury (Herndon).","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards legal matters.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards legal matters.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards family news.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards family news.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards family news.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards  signing a deed of trust upon the estate Farley Vale.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards the political situation in Virginia as it may affect property.","Written from London, England. Letter regards general news.","Written from \"Steamer New York.\" Letter describes stay in England and an address before the Geographical Society.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards the outbreak of the Civil War.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards a  plan to organize home guard.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards Spotswood W. Corbin's war service plans and failure of \"guerilla scheme.\"","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards Civil War news.","Written from Charlottesville, Virginia. Letter regards Spotswood W. Corbin's plans for service and housing.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards general news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards an extension of Spotswood W. Corbin's leave.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards Spotswood W. Corbin's service.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news and Spotswood W. Corbin's service.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards news of \"Dave's\" appointment.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards general news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Acknowledges receipt of letter.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Letter regards that Dick was wounded in battle and will be out 6 weeks.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards general news.","Letter regards family news.","Letter regards family news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards situation in Fredericksburg, Virginia (Pope's order to arrest those who will not swear allegiance).","Written from Bowdon, England. Letter regards personal news and mentions that Yankees are trying to raise money in England.","Written from London, England. Letter regards a trip to Paris, France.","Written from Bowdon, England. Letter regards the death of his son John Herndon Maury (Davy), who died in January 1863.","Written from England. Letter regards family news.","Written from England. Lette regards general family news.","Written from Bowdon, England. Letter regards the capture of Spotswood W. Corbin.","Written from \"The Parsonage, Belsize Park, London,\" England. Letter regards general news.","Written from \"The Parsonage, Belsize Park, London,\" England. Letter regards health issues.","Written from \"Off San Domingo.\" Letter regards the end of the Civil War.","Contemporary copy of the decree by Emperor Maximilian that regards immigration and benefits granted to immigrants, and regulations regarding use of laborers.","Copy of an addendum to emperial decree, in which Matthew Fontaine Maury outlines the climate, economy and other features of Mexico for the information of prospective immigrants.","Written from the Office of Colonization, 13 Calle San Juan de Letran, Mexico. Letter comments about colonization effort and false rumors that Matthew Fontaine Maury has requested a pardon from the United States government.","Copy by Rutson Maury, with notations.","Written from the Office of Colonization, Mexico. Letter regards a potential trip to England, the situation in Virginia, and colonization.","Written from Mexico. In the letter, Matthew Fontaine Maury urges Diana Fontaine Corbin (Maury) to consider establishing a settlement in Mexico.","Letter fragment copied by Diana Fontaine Corbin (Maury). Letter regars colonization of Mexico.","Letter fragment regards colonization in Mexico.","Written from Mexico. In the letter, Matthew Fontaine Maury urges Diana Fontaine Corbin (Maury) to consider establishing a settlement in Mexico.","Written from Mexico. Document announces an offer to Confederate settlers to purchase the estate of Santa Anna.","Written from theColonization Office, Mexico. Document concerns an offer to Confederate settlers to purchase the estate of Santa Anna.","Written from the Colonization Office, Mexico.","Written from Mexico. Letter regards possible settlement in Mexico.","Written from Mexico. Copy of a letter to Empress Charlotte (Carlotta) regarding colonization and internal improvements.","Written from Cuernavaca, Mexico. Copy of letter from Empress Charlotte regarding Matthew Fontaine Maury's trip to England.","Copy of letter from Maximilian regarding Matthew Fontaine Maury's settlement in Mexico.","Written from Mexico. Letter regards trip to England and  colonization in Mexico.","Written from Veracruz, Mexico. Letter regards travel across Mexico, ongoing colonization, and the political situation in Virginia.","Written from Paris, France. Letter regards issues with the colonization of Mexico.","Written from England. In the letter Matthew Fontaine Maury voices that he has decided not to return to Mexico.","Written from London, England. Letter regards family news.","Written from London, England. Letter regards Matthew Fontaine Maury's views of the South.","Written from London, England. Letter regards business and family news.","Written from London, England. Letter nentions renting Farley Vale.","Written from London, England. Letter regards family news and the possibility of Matthew Fontaine Maury taking a position at the University of the South in Tennessee.","Written from London, England. Letter regards family news.","Written from London, England. Letter regards family news.","Written from London, England. Letter regards family news and plans to help revive industry in Virginia with steam agricultural machinery.","Written from Liverpool, England. Letter regards trip back to the United States.","Written from Liverpool, England. Letter regards luggage and weather at sea. Also included is a note by Rutson Maury dated July 13.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards legal matters.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter fragment regards family news.","Written from Rockbridge Baths, Virginia. In the letter, Matthew Fontaine Maury notes that VMI Superintendent Francis H. Smith will come tomorrow to take him to Lexington, Virginia, where he will be officially installed on the faculty of the VMI.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards grain prices and family news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards the  insolvency of Spotswood W. Corbin's tenant and resulting problems.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards the insolvency of Spotswood W. Corbin's tenant and resulting problems.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards business and family news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards business news and the publication of Matthew Fontaine Maury's report on the Physical Survey of Virginia.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards Matthew Fontaine Maury's report on the Physical Survey of Virginia.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards business news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards business news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards business news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards the acquistion of household goods for move  to Lexington, Virginia.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards the move to Lexington.  Matthew Fontaine Maury has been offered Presidency of University of Alabama, which he is considering.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards bills for household goods.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards carpets for home in Lexington.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards six dozen napkins for home in Lexington.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards general news.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards Spotswood W. Corbin's business prospects.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards business news and discussion of potential for plantations in San Domingo, Dominican Republic.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards finances.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards Spotswood W. Corbin's financial matters.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards the situation at the University of Alabama and whether or not Matthew Fontaine Maury will take the position there.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news and references the position at the University of Alabama.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter references the position at the University of Alabama and business matters.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards travel plans and family news.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards travel to St. Louis, Missouri.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from St. Louis, Missouri. Letter regards Matthew Fontaine Maury's speech and travel plans.","Written from St. Charles County, Missouri. Letter regards travel plans.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from Knoxville, Tennessee. Letter regards travel plans.","Written from Knoxville, Tennessee. Letter regards financial matters.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards financial matters.","Written from New York. Letter regards travel and includes a note by Eliza H. Maury.","Written from St. Louis, Missouri. Letter regards health issues and travel.","Written from St. Louis, Missouri. Telegram regards travel plans.","Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information","Manuscripts Stacks","Virginia Military Institute Archives","Maury, Matthew Fontaine, 1806-1873","Maury, Ann Hull (Herndon), 1811-1901","Corbin, Diana Fontaine (Maury), 1837-1900","Corbin, Spotswood Wellford, 1835-1897","Maximilian, Emperor of Mexico, 1832-1867","Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890","English \n.    "],"unitid_tesim":["MS.0103","/repositories/3/resources/593"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Matthew Fontaine Maury papers"],"collection_title_tesim":["Matthew Fontaine Maury papers"],"collection_ssim":["Matthew Fontaine Maury papers"],"repository_ssm":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"repository_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"creator_ssm":["Maury, Matthew Fontaine, 1806-1873"],"creator_ssim":["Maury, Matthew Fontaine, 1806-1873"],"creator_persname_ssim":["Maury, Matthew Fontaine, 1806-1873"],"creators_ssim":["Maury, Matthew Fontaine, 1806-1873"],"access_terms_ssm":["Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information"],"access_subjects_ssim":["Confederate States of America—International relations","Confederate States of America. Navy—Officers—Correspondence","Virginia Military Institute—Faculty—19th century","Virginia Military Institute—Faculty—Biography","American Confederate voluntary exiles","Mexico—History ","Correspondence"],"access_subjects_ssm":["Confederate States of America—International relations","Confederate States of America. Navy—Officers—Correspondence","Virginia Military Institute—Faculty—19th century","Virginia Military Institute—Faculty—Biography","American Confederate voluntary exiles","Mexico—History ","Correspondence"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["175 items"],"extent_tesim":["175 items"],"genreform_ssim":["Correspondence"],"date_range_isim":[1833,1834,1835,1836,1837,1838,1839,1840,1841,1842,1843,1844,1845,1846,1847,1848,1849,1850,1851,1852,1853,1854,1855,1856,1857,1858,1859,1860,1861,1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867,1868,1869,1870,1871,1872,1873],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThere are no restrictions\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Conditions Governing Access"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["There are no restrictions"],"altformavail_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe Matthew Fontaine Maury papers are avaliable \u003ca href=\"http://digitalcollections.vmi.edu/cdm/landingpage/collection/p15821coll6\"\u003eonline\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e"],"altformavail_heading_ssm":["Online Access"],"altformavail_tesim":["The Matthew Fontaine Maury papers are avaliable  online ."],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eMatthew Fontaine Maury (1806-1873) was a naval officer and oceanographer known as the \"Pathfinder of the Seas.\" He was notable for his pioneering scientific work in the fields of navigation, hydrography, and meteorology. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMaury joined the United States Navy at age 19, and in 1842 was named head of the Navy's Hydrographical Office and of the United State Naval Observatory. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eBeginning in the 1830s, he published a number of significant works on the Gulf Stream, ocean currents, and navigation. He was also involved in research concerning deep-sea sounding and transoceanic cables.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eA native of Virginia, Maury resigned his commission as a Commander in the United States Navy at the outbreak of Civil War in April 1861. He entered the Confederate Navy and undertook research into the new technology of torpedo warfare. He was subsequently ordered to England as a special agent with instructions to purchase ships for the Confederate government.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAt War's end, he was enroute to the United States with a cargo of torpedo equipment when, upon arriving in port at Havana, Cuba, he learned that the War had ended. Maury then went to Mexico, where he served Emperor Maximilian and later returned to England where he worked until 1868.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe last five years of Maury's life were spent as a Professor of Physics at VMI in Lexington, Virginia. At VMI, Maury did not have regular classroom duties, but instead gave occasional lectures to the cadets and was primarily involved in overseeing an extensive physical survey of Virginia. He died in 1873.\u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Biographical / Historical"],"bioghist_tesim":["Matthew Fontaine Maury (1806-1873) was a naval officer and oceanographer known as the \"Pathfinder of the Seas.\" He was notable for his pioneering scientific work in the fields of navigation, hydrography, and meteorology. ","Maury joined the United States Navy at age 19, and in 1842 was named head of the Navy's Hydrographical Office and of the United State Naval Observatory. ","Beginning in the 1830s, he published a number of significant works on the Gulf Stream, ocean currents, and navigation. He was also involved in research concerning deep-sea sounding and transoceanic cables.","A native of Virginia, Maury resigned his commission as a Commander in the United States Navy at the outbreak of Civil War in April 1861. He entered the Confederate Navy and undertook research into the new technology of torpedo warfare. He was subsequently ordered to England as a special agent with instructions to purchase ships for the Confederate government.","At War's end, he was enroute to the United States with a cargo of torpedo equipment when, upon arriving in port at Havana, Cuba, he learned that the War had ended. Maury then went to Mexico, where he served Emperor Maximilian and later returned to England where he worked until 1868.","The last five years of Maury's life were spent as a Professor of Physics at VMI in Lexington, Virginia. At VMI, Maury did not have regular classroom duties, but instead gave occasional lectures to the cadets and was primarily involved in overseeing an extensive physical survey of Virginia. He died in 1873."],"odd_heading_ssm":["Transcription","General","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","General","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","General","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription","Transcription"],"odd_tesim":["Fredericksburg Va \n10 Nov 1840","My dear Mother, \nI shall devote my spare time this morning to you. I got up earlier than usual for the purpose of showing the cook how to manage the stove. The parlor stove I wrote you about is a great improvement upon the old plan. It sits in the dining room, \u0026 with less coal for the day than it used to take for our fire in the grate, keeps both dining room \u0026 parlor warm. The door between them is thrown open, \u0026 we sit in the parlor. The parlor fireplace\nis on the summer arrangement, fire screen, etc. up so that you see besides the economy of the fixture, we have gained in personal comfort to ourselves, \u0026 in the saving of labor \u0026 trouble to the servants neither do we have any dust to contend with. The cooking stove has not had its trial yet; but I have no doubt that we shall gain as much by that as with the other.","'The boy' comes bravely on; Nannie, tho' not sick, is feeble. `The boy' is to be called Richard L. He is a fine looking fellow; \u0026 is decidedly the pet with his two aunts. I think Kate too is allowing him to divide the place in her affections, where little Annie, your little namesake, reigned supreme before. Since Nannie's illness I have taken to teaching Betty. She begins to read, \u0026 is very fond of entertaining us, by reading aloud at night her\nlittle stories for our amusement. She is docile, though one has to be firm with her and she soon finds out the length she may go with each one. They are both very affectionate children, though unlike in their disposition---I hear Annie's merry little voice saying \"Beakfak is weady, beakfak is weady\".-----Betty is devotedly fond of flowers; Annie cares very little about them--she takes more delight in associating with dogs \u0026 cats than in\narranging plants \u0026 flowers. They both often talk about their grandma, \u0026 grandpa. Annie is sitting in my lap she says I must tell you to send her some toy things. Cousin Ann wrote that they must say what she shall bring them from England. Betty said \"tell her she must bring her whatever she thinks proper. Annie said \"tell her to bring me some candy, \u0026 some sponge cake.\"","Aunt Gatewood did not make a visit to Louisa, as she intended. After she went from here to visit her daughter near Spotsylvania Court House she was taken sick; she had a severe attack there of chills \u0026 fevers, \u0026 after her recovery, she returned home. Uncle Minor writes in good spirits; the same may be said of Aunt Goodwin. Old Mrs. Crutchfield is in town on a visit to her daughter who married a son of Mr. Young who used 2 to keep a tavern here. She always inquires kindly after you. She is a nice old lady. it\nseems as though I am not to find an opportunity for sending Pa the clothes that cousin Ann left here for him. It is a very nice suit of black \u0026 besides tending to make him comfortable, I think he would be pleased with them. I do not perceive any improvement in the leg. If Nannie \u0026 I be well enough in the\nspring, I should like to make you a visit. Ask Betsy if she could make room for us \u0026 `the boy.'","The political excitement which has been great with regard to the presidential election has subsided in a great measure. Pennsylvania \u0026 New York have both cast their votes for General Harrison---of course he then is elected already. I received a letter last night from Washington \u0026 from a Locofoco---he said it was given up there \u0026 that Mr. Van Buren acknowledged his defeat. For [Kemp's] gratification I will not close this letter till I go down town to hear the latest returns from Virginia \u0026 elsewhere.\nWell, I have returned---Maine, New York, \u0026 Pennsylvania have all gone for General Harrison. Virginia---\"Ephraim is joined to his idols, let him alone\"---returns are in from all but eight counties, which last spring gave a Locofoco majority of 45---The Van Buren ticket is 900 ahead.","Nannie, the children \u0026 all hands, send love to both of you, \u0026 to all the kith \u0026 kin. \nYour affectionate son, \nM. F. Maury","Observatory \nWashington \n6 Feb 1857","My dear Sir, \nYour letter was received day before yesterday. I meet you with its frankness which it invites.","The 'failing' to which you allude is a grievous one; it constitutes the chief but not an insuperable objection to the continuation of your visits to my daughter. She is wise and discreet, I defer to her judgment and approve of the answer which she has given you and by which she requires one year to elapse before she shall be pressed for an answer to your suit. She is a dear child.","This will give us time Mr. Corbin to become better acquainted with you.","In the meantime permit me in the indulgence of that solicitude which the relation you are seeking to establish are calculated to excite in your behalf, to express the hope that if you have not, you will lay off and pursue a regular course of reading \u0026 study.","Very truly yrs. \nM.F. Maury","Sir! \nI avail myself with real pleasure of the opportunity given me by your kind offer of the \"Sailing Directions\" to express to you my warm and sincere thanks for it, to tell you how since years I observed with intent interest and admiration your noble and unequalled efforts in order to hasten the improvement of the scientifical part of our profession.","I trust you will accept this little present, as a token of my gratitude towards a man whom all seafaring nations are bound to look upon with respect and thankfulness.","Believe me Sir \nYours truly \nFerdinand Maximilian \nArch Duke of Austria","Milan \nDec the 10 1857","Observatory \n9 May 1858","My Dear Nannie, \nYours was a sweet letter. It and Mr. Corbin‟s did our hearts good. We miss you so much! The flowers look lonesome, and the songs of the birds sound loud. This is little Lucy‟s birthday – seven years old. It will be ten years I reckon before she will be cutting out. Her Ma pitched into her and the \"boy\" i last evening. She found a moss rose in flower this morning. Davy and the boy went fishing in the wagon at the Little Falls yesterday. They were gone all day but didn‟t get a nibble. Molly is rubbing her chin with a lotion. I hope the appliance will drive those bumps away. As near as I can calculate it‟s just about seven years since you went away. I have not\nseen Betty since, and we have heard from Dick but once and Glumii twice. Went to the Capitol with cousin Anne and Mary Friday. Mit and Ellen are with us. Ellen is going this morning to the [_uney‟s] to make a long or short visit as the time may go. Your Ma and I only want a little stirring up to perpetrate a visit to Dabney next Thursday or Friday to stay till Monday.","Our hearts were touched by the conduct of those excellent people who greeted you with so much kindness, consideration and affection on your arrival at Moss Neck. Such a welcome must have gone far towards making you feel comfortably at home right off the reel. Life is made up of trifles, and our greatest happiness often depends upon a word, the glance of an eye, the\ntone of the voice, or what is more expressive but more indescribably still, the manner. What a boon, a pleasure and a blessing are pleasant manners! They give grace and confer happiness. They embellish, set off and adorn character far more than jewels and precious stones. Cultivate day by day pleasantness of manners. Let us analyze it. Of what or in what does pleasantness of manner – that trait which give grace and elegance to woman, comeliness and the power of doing good.","After church Davy, your Ma and I dined alone. The children stayed down to the Sunday School anniversary. But I was speaking of the Christian graces and human virtues and those traits which you should cultivate and which embellish and adorn the character. The one great point which after duty to God you are to keep constantly in view is to identify yourself with your\nhusband, and strive mutually each to make yourselves the companion of the other. There is but one way to do this, and that is by teaching yourself, my dear, to take an intelligent interest in those affairs and occupations which are from time to time engaging his thoughts and time. The husband's affairs are in the married life the \"affairs of state.\" He provides; and to say the least, the wife who seeks to be posted up in everything that concerns him, especially in the everyday affairs of life, does nothing more than render gracefully a grateful homage. Do you my love first set the example and if you do not win back tenfold, I have much mistake the character of the\nman who won your affections. You must learn the servants by name, the cattle and the fields too. You must learn of Wellford in the morning what he is going about for the day and take that lively interest in his occupations which you would do were they your own. The \"farm book\" will help you to do that. And if its dry details be mastered for the first year, they will be dry no longer – for then you can tell him when to sow, how the seasons and the signs are, etc. Then hospitalities and good-neighborhood, a smile of welcome and a gentle voice from mine hostess makes a sauce that is savory for everything. And the poor, I do not mean more especially objects of charity, but those who are in a more humble sphere of life than it has pleased God t place you – never lack, as in your little heart I am sure you never do – in consideration for them. I must not caution you against the bad taste of patronizing for your manner of life and good breeding secure you against that. What I meant to say is merely to caution you against the\nfoolish habit of waiting to be spoken to. Speak to everyone without waiting.","There is no trait perhaps which is more winning than that of a generous confidence. Self examination, constant, close self examinations are indispensable. There are some of them that may be made all the better with the assistance of our husband. Make Them. Confidence begets confidence.","I would have you both bear in mind that this is the time for you to accommodate and adjust yourselves to each other, and with two such comely dispositions to work upon, this may be soon accomplished and that so thoroughly that all your future life will abound in good result.","Then too my dear you must not forget to treat with affection and show solicitude for all of Mr. Corbin's own friends and relations. They are disposed to be kind and good to you, meet them a little more than half way.\nAs for reading, with your good taste you cannot go well amiss. Only in selecting authors, do not select merely for amusement – select for profit also.","I am writing you a very disjointed sort of letter my love, but I have been thinking so much of you, and missing you so much and loving you so tenderly since you went away, and my heart was so full and head so empty that I hardly know what I have said.","Did you plant the yellow jasmine at Farley vale? The \"boy\" will go down on his \"own hook\" Tuesday – Great boy that.","You and Wellford should write every mail to us – Goodbye, God bless you both. Yr. aff. Dad \nM. F. Maury","[The \"boy\" is Matthew F. Maury, Jr.] \n[Glum is Eliza Hall Maury]","Observatory \n31 May 1858","My dear Nannie, \nYou and Mr. Corbin are as still as mice. Even \"the boy\" has fallen into that 'Sleepy Hollow' down there in Carolina - Wake up, you Rips- Don't you know that you've had a terrible hail storm along the river, and that it has made a clean sweep right \u0026 left of your neighbor's crops -? What did it to yours? We should like to know. Then don't you know that your Ma has been afflicted with all sorts of imaginings - that she has been on the [ca\n] several times of being down upon you like a streak of lightening and hauling you up by telegraph to see how sick that [wetting made] you? Don't you know that we have been all married \u0026 [gaining on] marriage and that [we are gone/was our goal] - [Tom] \u0026 [the]\n[park] as - Tennessee [Mat] \u0026 a nice girl \u0026 that Dick Holland is trying to and [can't], that his sister [Dee] is coming to spend the winter with us - that you \u0026 Mr. Corbin are to [matr ] -that there's a courting couple walking round the grounds every evening- that there's no such thing as sunshine nowadays- that the wheat is all turning to straw---- Dear me child, wake up and tell us how you are \u0026 where you are -- the last time we heard of\nyou, you were riding 'long the road side --But where's \"the boy\" \u0026 where's his pen? I can tell you what- if we don't hear from him soon and often we shall be sending after him-","I am turning down a layer of every row in the garden. A slip from every vine \u0026 [conifer] and the [ ] \u0026 the [ ], to be planted next spring at a country place of ours in Virginia. I don't reckon you know where it is. It's down on the North side of the Rappahannock River if you know where that is. It will be a pretty good place for roses.","Your Ma was in bed all last week till Saturday. Totts has been at home for two weeks with a sore foot, and [Davy] missed two or three days from school with winter chills- The sun flowers are coming up \u0026 he has got well. Mit \u0026 Ellen are with us still--The trip to Carlisle is knocked on its head. I hear nothing of N. Carolina these times. The little parson's wife \u0026 son (M.F.M of K'y) are with us. Kiss the \"boy\" \u0026 Mr. Corbin write I am your afft. Dad.","White Sulphur \n15 Aug '58","My dear wife, \nI received yesterday your no. 2 with Nannie's letter. Bless Dick and Davy's heart for the attention and comfort they give you. Great boys are Dick and Dave. Sorry Sr. E. does not mend more rapidly. Sally F. and Nannie Gordon are talking of the Sweet Springs tomorrow.\nThe difficulty is this: both places are crowded. If they give up their rooms here and can't get in there, they can't get back here. Nannie looks thin has a cold but is well in other regards except a bad cough. William I never saw looking half so well. Black Sallie is also enjoying her visit. Dick and your cousin Georgia take to each other. She wants him to escort her back to Washington. Bob and his family are here - \"Sophy\" and\nhers- and many of your last summer acquaintances all of whom inquire after you. Nannie is very pleasantly spoken of and Wm Dick and I will leave Wednesday or Thursday for Ridgeway. Send letters there. Mr. Norwood preaches this morning. I wish I could be of service to Thompson. \nI want to go home. \nLove to Sr E and all the children \nWhere is Betty?","[Sir E is Matthew Fontaine Maury's niece Ellen Herndon, the daughter of William Lewis Herndon]","Observatory \nWashington \n12 Sept 1858","My dear Nannie \nYou and Corbin are as still as mice. If you are coming, why don't you come along?","The General and Sally got home yesterday. [Wrottesly] sends his love. Charles has been in this country. Dabney and Nannie are with us. He has been ordered on a board\nto try prisoners in Washington and he hopes to be ordered on another for Tactics and to tarry for some months yet. Dick Holland appears to be enjoying his visit. Our Dick has also relished it keenly. Dave has set into school, the \"boy\" not, and I am leaving Totts\nand Glum in Dick's hands till I get through with the \"heft\" of my book work when I shall take them up in the old fashioned way, and go back to breakfast lectures. Lucy gathers fruit and flowers and makes herself happy in giving them away. Betty is at Jessie's and after her time is up then she is to make Jno B. a visit at the University and then to Richmond. Bless her heart she is trying to eke out her time as best she may. Your Ma\nwas never looking so well or more beautiful. Fanny is cooking again and we have no dining room suit yet, \"don't [tease]\" Margaret Anderson. I am going to go lecturing up in Ohio from Nov. 22 to Dec. 3 Have not begun to get ready yet. I want to deliver 6 lectures a week for two weeks. ---raise money enough to send Dick to school, pay off bills and leave some \"shots in the locker\". I think I may be able to make out enough to\nfurnish Farley Vale if you will let me do it in a plain way. At least I can buy all the furniture for the estate that you will probably want. Let me know about it, for I do not like the idea of his purchasing any of it and so lay himself liable to be taken hold of by the tongue of slander and malice, and of finding his acts and deeds misinterpreted by mischief makers. Now if you can rough it along upon $500 or $1000 - here's at you.","I have an elegant fight on hand! Bachei has been stealing the M.S. property of the Observatory and trying to forestall me. It's an elegant fight. Bob - bless old Bob- has gone with our band to Church. It's time for him to be back for the white folks - so good by - with love to Corbin. \nYour aff daddy \nM F Maury","[Alexander D. Bache is the Head of the United States Coastal Survey]","Observatory \nWashington \nSunday night 3 Oct 58","My dear Nannie, \nYour last letter announcing that you would be here the last of this week created as great a sensation and as much joy as if old Santa Claus himself had have stepped forward \u0026 announced that he intended to have xmas at the same time- It made glad hearts \u0026 smiling faces I tell you- It was physick to your Ma - regular Doctors truck - She has been asking for some time - has not been to church for two or three weeks- indeed she has been quite poorly- and the sight of you will do her a `monstrous heap of good' so hurry along. Thank Mr. Corbin for his letter; we will talk over matters when you come- Quando-\nO Quando? Name the day.","Betty \u0026 the baby were up Friday-but as cousin Fanny Perry \u0026 Ellen spent the day with us \u0026 your Ma had to go to bed sick, I did not see much of her- I carried her a flower to church. Lucy watches for Dave on the commons \u0026 goes to meet him every P.M. as he comes from school. Totts \u0026 Glum do philosophy at breakfast \u0026 yr Ma thinks the recitations prevents digestion. The boy listens \u0026 takes quite as much interest in the lesson as they do. I am busy with lectures, sailing directions, fights \u0026 correspondence. Your Ma pronounces the 10 first pages of No. 1 Lecture passable. Sr. E is with us, but is\npoorly. She looks badly. Totts is reading to Glum, Dave to himself. Lucy \u0026 the Boy have gone to bed. So too yr Ma. Yours coming will cheer her up, \u0026 help to make her well. Sally F. has not been up for a long time. We have not had any frost yet- How comes on that Farm Journal? I have some nice grape vines in pots for Mr. C. to take back to Farley Vale- The gardener is also preparing Rose layers \u0026 rose cuttings- I am thinking of some pear trees also- But I am afraid the gate will be left open, and that you will let the horses or the cows eat them up- Love to Mr. C.","Goodnight- Hurry along to yr affect. M.F.M.","Rochester New York \n18 Nov 1858","My dear wife, \nHow-dy! I staid all night in Phila. \u0026 in Albany. Arrived in [Auburn] about 3 P.M. yesterday. There, much to my surprise I was met at the cars by a barouche, deputations and soldiers \u0026 with music \u0026 banners escorted to my lodgings. The Rev. Mr. E. H. Creesy D. O. was my host, he had lived in Tennessee - under Bp. (Bishop) Otey. It appears I was civil to the Willard Guards when they were in Washington at the Inauguration. Hence the military\nescort. At night I lectured to a large and attentive audience in the At. Tel. and I reckon gave satisfaction for I only saw one sleepy head \u0026 that one was asleep when I commenced. I slept in the room where Bp. Hobart died- and came off at 7 this morning, arriving here at 11. I lecture here tonight then take the cars at 10 P.M. for Ann Arbor. Lecture there to-morrow night \u0026 so on to Chicago.","Now how are you all getting on? Has Nannie gone- and is Betty with you- \u0026 Totts \u0026 Glum \u0026 Dave \u0026 the Boy \u0026 Lucy How are they all? I must take a little nap if I can. God bless you all yr afft. \nM.F.","Chicago, \n20 Nov. 1858","My dear wife, \nHere I am in the midst of a great snow shower- This is my lecture evening- Tickets 50 cts. Am afraid of empty benches. I am to stop at Col. Graham's, but as I had things to attend to- I will not go till after lecture.","There was a great crowd in Rochester- Had a sick headache- \u0026 when the committee waited on me to escort me to lecture I entertained them by \"cascading\"- However I got through \u0026 left in the cars at 3:45 A.M. Traveled all day- Reached Ann Arbor at 8 P.M. Found an audience waiting for me- hopped out, went straight to lecturing- delighted the audience-rode a [rail] to a party, took a hot supper and on back to the cars at 10- travelled\nall night-in a sleeping car \u0026 reached this place a 9 this morning. So here I am - I have just had dinner- am going to try a nap presently- it is only 2 o'clock.","I told Moore of the [R ] to send you a cheque- write yr name across the back of it, send it to the General and ask him to get the money for you.","Where's my Betty \u0026 where's my Nannie? I hope if the latter visits, the former comes.","Mrs. [Bland] has been [reading] along [here]. I do not know with what success.","I find nothing here from you. My head quarters will be care of B. H. Plixotto, Cleveland, till 30th. On the 22nd I lecture here-23 in Kalamazoo-24 no place fixed-Perhaps Indianapolis-25 Cleveland. 26-La Porte Ind-I reckon 27 here, 29 Cincinnati. \u0026 c.","The weather is very cold- Kiss all my children \u0026 tell me you all are well \u0026 happy- I want to astonish you with a present- Tell Totts \u0026 Lizinka \u0026 Lucy \u0026 the Boy to put their heads together \u0026 tell me what to bring. This is the House, where Dick \u0026 I stopped. This is a furious storm. Give my love to Mary \u0026 Sr. E. I hope they both continue to mend \u0026 [ ] must [that] [ ] [evening] of hers- it has [tormented] her enough.","God bless you. I am mighty tired of staying away from home. \nyr- M.F.","Kalamazoo, Mich. 23 Nov 58","My dear wife, \nI received, yesterday, your letter of 17. That was my Auburn night. It's a great while ago. So Nannie went off and you are all comfortable. That's a blessing - except poor little Glum. What say you to sending her up to Frank Minor's?","I had a time of it in Chicago! Last night it rained worse than it snowed Saturday night, and the attendance was as slim. If it had been good weather I should have made $600 or $800 I reckon, as it was I made a little over $50 only! I stopped at Col Graham's you know. He gave me a party last night nice party- He was a soldier - he would have me waked up in time for the cars at 6. He never got left. He would have breakfast for me at least the cook would. But bless your heart honey not a soul waked up til the knock came -\nso I was up and dressed and off in about ten minutes. When I arrived here Senator Stewart with a committee was at the cars to escort me to the Hotel. He and his wife leave for Washington Saturday. They will stop at the St. Charles. I wish you and Betty would call on her. She is very plain, but I want to invite them up to spend the day when I get back. You have got to make up your mind old lady to turn over a new leaf. I tell you. I shall want friends this winter and you have got to cultivate them for me. So you had\nbetter set to and make calls, renew acquaintances and leave many cards. Get a nice hack and go like a lady, and don't over do the thing by breaking yourself down. Take several days.","Betty is a sweet child. Kiss her for attending to the English [roses].\nI want to write to Nannie, if I can get some paper. Make the Boy, Glum and Totts find Kalamazoo on the map and trace me from place to place. I'll go and look for some paper. Good bye. Think about Lizinka and Ridgeway. \nLove to all yrs \nM.","Chicago \n27 Nov 58","My dear wife, \nSince last I wrote I have lectured in Kalamazoo, Indianapolis, Cleveland, \u0026 La Porte- Make the children find the places- Tonight I lecture here- It is now 10 A.M. \u0026 raining- I go to Col Graham's directly. Hope to find a letter from you. Have had but one yet. Since last I wrote I have not had time to write you. I am very well- a slight cold. I do long to get over this task.","2 P.M. I am at Col. Graham's again- They are very kind. You never did see such gloomy weather- It has been gloomy since here I have been, for I have been in the lake country for more than a week. It is now snowing \u0026 storming furiously. But I do not lecture on my own hook to night, that's one comfort. I have so far not been able to find any letters here. I do not see what the papers say of the lectures generally, for I lecture and am off, and when I get back then the papers are out of date- had a packed house in Cleveland- They had to stop selling tickets- \u0026 turn off- House full.","Here is the summing up- I have travelled since I left home 1844 miles, have been from home 12 days.--10 days on my lecture ground \u0026 have lectured 9 times- and have made $540. and the next 9 days, shall if rails will carry me fast \u0026 far enough shall make $1000 I hope. I am dying to see you all. Kiss my darling Betty for me- Is she with us why don't she write? I suppose Moore sent the check for $60- The truth is I have not had the time to send your acct. I forgot to sign purser's receipt for pay. So if you want money, get Mr. Harrison to fill up the enclosed and get my month's pay for you. Kiss every one of the children. \nyour affectionate. \nM.F. Maury","Chicago Ill \n28 Nov 58","My dear wife, \nThis is Sunday about 2 p.m. I reckon. It has stormed furiously ever since yesterday- as the day before. I go off at 8 p.m. for Cincinnati. Pretty good audience last night, though it was a dreadful night. I enjoyed the whole night's rest mightily. I shan't spend another night in bed, till I get to St. Louis I reckon. They tell me here that I have improved vastly in\nappearance since last Sunday. I wonder how you all are - got letters - Wells and Sr. Ellen, sent from the Observatory. Two more weeks now and I'll be working my way homeward.","I am mightily tired writing - have been at it now since I got here. If I go down stairs a lady will talk me to death. What a blessed thing a little quiet is. Kiss all my children for me and give love to Sr. E Mary and the Gerard's. \nGod bless you \nYour aff \nM F Maury","Cleveland \n1 Dec (1858)","My dear Nannie, \nHave just time to thank you for your nice letter to your Ma, to hurrah for Dec. 15. Send her \u0026 say I hope to be stopping in a day or two after you \u0026 Mr. C. get there --- You see I am choosing the proper time. \nGod bless you \nyr. afft. Daddy","Cleveland \n1 Dec 1858","My dear wife: \nI arrived here yesterday at noon and seem to have bewitched the people last night; as I did those of Cincinnati the evening before.","There was waiting for me here a large package of letters, in it 3 from you, 22, 23, \u0026 26- with one from that smart little witch \"poosy\". Bless her heart, tell me what present to bring her \u0026 all. Nannie's is a charming letter. Am so glad she is coming home the 15th- I shall be turning my way homeward about that time.","Last Monday there was a change of R. Road times, which has played sad havoc with mein consequence of which I can't get to Detroit for a $112 lecture to night but take over at Toledo for $50. I left Chicago at 8 p.m. Sunday for Cincinnati. when I was due at noon Monday. But bridges had been washed away I did not get to Indianapolis till 1 p.m. 112 miles for Cin. I was to lecture there at 7 1/2, and all the trains had gone. So I thought I\nwould see if I could not charter an engine \u0026 go down on it express- I found the Pres of the Road, told him who I was, \u0026 what I wanted. He fitted up an elegant car, sent me down in it, alone, \u0026 would not let me pay a cent- I arrived at 7, and found an immense audience, lectured, got in the car directly after came here, lectured, and had an elegant night's rest.\nI lecture in Chicago again Saturday, \u0026 Monday in St. Louis, on the 11th here \u0026 Buffalo 10 \u0026 13, I reckon.","Betty is elegant for coming to stay with you, wish I was there to help you along with the gals. What does Frank Minor mean by saying 25th \"cousin Ann coming next week\".","I send you some slips. Mr. Murphy promised to send you Cincinnati. papers- God bless you all yr. aft. \nM.F. Maury","[Postscript] \nDon't go out in that wagon any more. When you feel well enough make calls. Take Diana along \u0026 leave my card everywhere.","St. Louis Mo. \n6 Dec. 1858","My dear wife, \nI arrived here two hours ago. I find your letter of 2nd and Scip's. Hurrah for Scip. The mails in this part of the country are all so irregular that I have to go to the Telegraph a good deal. They call for me to lecture presently. I go away Wednesday morning, but where to I don't know- perhaps to Springfield, or Terre Haute, or Vincennes or perhaps- I can't say. But anywhere where the most money is to be made. I am dying to see you all.\ni shall be visiting the kin to-morrow so I shall have no time to write. My movements for this week are very uncertain- All I can say at present, is I expect to be in Cleveland Saturday. What is the name of the Tea I must get? I have seen Dick Ludlow \u0026 Mr. Berkeley. I mean to be at home next week---ain't that elegant.","The good night's rest last night \u0026 the quiet day refreshed me much- But I was heartily tired of being lionized in Cincinnati.","Bless Betty's heart for staying with you. When is Nannie coming up? Hurrah for Davy \u0026 the children, \u0026 the books \u0026 the lessons-","Lecture time- \nGood night, yr, M","Observatory \nFeb 17, 1859","Dear Nannie, \nWe miss you every day, \u0026 invitations for Miss Maury keep a' coming. Frank and Lucy A are coming tomorrow. I bought a pair of shoes, had my hair cut and dined with your Ma at the Gerard's. The \"boy\" has Spanish at breakfast class. I have finished writing Sailing Directions. I sent you the last [Rural].","We have had a time with the gold pin rebus. The first is a [fras] \"From\"- Lt. Myers found out that.-- the three next - in \nhos- spit-(spitbox)-able-(table) (Lt. McCauley-)the next- propose -  (prophouse - Glum) - half soled - beings - in - fidels- (Totts)-  Traducers - ([Tres_____] - me) \u0026 naves - ( [ ]-Mc)-. I fled \nunder (Dave) in-ex-tri-cable(me) em-bar-as(s) -men-ts (me) to- Iowa (Mc)-.","4 - 5 - 16 - \u0026 17- are not satisfactory- Mc reads 4' \n\"gamblers\" -gable-[unders] no good- prop-house - shoe - on i.e. proposition has been suggested for the gaiter on the shoe (5). no go. Manshoeon - mansion. Also no go- Glum says he knows you have solved it, \"From inhospitable\". - hurra!- hurra!!. I've just got it- 4 is house, Latin \"domess\" \u0026 sticks- \"domestics- \"From inhospitable domestics, half soled beings, traducers, infidels \u0026 Knaves I fled under inextricable embarrassments- to Iowa.\"","Half soled may do for 5 - but it's a gaiter boot- Certainly \"To Iowa\" for \"I\" \u0026 A is flat- Find it out \u0026 get the [pun].","The Aubicks \u0026 the Roys invite you \u0026 Mr. Corbin to parties.","Jeff Maury has sent me two boxes of Havanah Sigars! O ho! Dabney is now with Rosethey go back in the morning-Lucy takes cyphering lessons from Dave. Another officer has been ordered to the Observatory- Minnie Mason sent you a note this evening asking for flowers for the [ ] ball - Diana sent them- Mrs. Lanier has come. - Good night-Love to Mr. C. \u0026 you.","Observatory \n16 Mar `59","My dear Nannie, \nYour welcome letter of Monday last came this morning and received much solicitude. We were dying to hear from you. Your Ma has been ailing for 10 days, for the last 3 in bed of a stitch in the right side. We suppose it to be an affair of the muscles. Your letter did a heap of good.","Mr. Watt is busy packing up plants for you. Plant the roses that are wrapped in moss just as they are moss and all. The vines - little twigs - are to be planted under the river bank. They have the purple flowers over the arbor \u0026 will climb the highest trees. Pull the moss away from the stems of the roses - not from the roots. I pay freight on them at least shall tell Mr. Watt to. Betty's going to house-keeping! Davey is going to be a lawyer. The \"boy\" ain't interested now when he hears Shakespeare read by anybody else but Fanny Kemble. Sister E came up for Church Sunday and staid til yesterday. Betty is up to-day. Molly is lonesome. She has been at your Ma to pop down upon you. I reckon she'll take you by surprise some of these days. Tell Brodie he had better visit Lucy \u0026 Betty here. That would be a nice visit. Uncover your jasmine. Love to Mr. C. God bless you, yr aff Father \nMFM","Observatory \n22 March `59","My dear Nannie, \nYour waif of Tuesday last came to hand this morning. I am exceedingly annoyed about the plants. I send you the receipt. Tell Mr. Corbin he must be sure to make the Co. pay. The market value of the plants was, Mr. Watt says about $40. If they can be found soon they will live. But Mr. Corbin unless they are forth coming this week should refuse to receive them. He must make the Co. pay, for it is outrageous carelessness. They were delivered last week Tuesday p.m. just after 5 by Mr. Watts \u0026 'Cap' on board the boat. I\nshall send this evening to inquire about them. In the mean time tell Mr. Corbin to stir up at people at your end of the line. Yr Ma is up again. Mrs. Young of S.C. was here yesterday inquiring kindly for you. Sr. E has been quite sick. Send last batch of copy to the printer today. The new medal came Saturday-But I can't write. I am annoyed about the miscarriage of the plants.","Love to Mr. C. Afft. \nM.F.M.","Observatory \n23 March 59","My dear Nannie \nI went yesterday to the steam boat about the plants - 2 boxes and a bundle - could get no information. They are most likely to be in the Depot at Fredericksburg. I reckon Jno [Shippen] asked for plants or flowers. I send an invoice . They are put down dirt cheap. The roses ought to be put down at 30cts ea. Tell Mr. Corbin he must be sure to the Co. pay or deliver in good order.","Your Aunt E. is quite sick. Sent for the Dr. night before last at 1 A.M. Was better somewhat yesterday. Yr Ma is bright again, she dined yesterday at the General's.","This is Betty's day. Tell Mr. C. to pursue the plants. It's a sad loss to lose them. \nYr M.","Observatory \n12 Apr '59","My dear Wife \nGot your yesterday's letter this morning. All hands were invited to Sallie's to-day. Dave and I went. Mary thought we all would be too many. They are all coming up. Sr. E \u0026 S.F. see Charles to spend the day tomorrow. Dinner ordered - soup, fish and roast beef. Totts will rig up a dessert - ice cream I believe. Morning - 13th Got Nannie's letter just now. Kiss her for it. I am sorry to hear about Dick. But such indulgences will not do and cannot be tolerated in one holding a place of trust like his. It is an affair in which\nfeeling cannot interfere.","Stopped last evening on my way home at took tea at Caldwell's. Began with the Historical plays last night. Certainly I'll send tickets for Nannie. Sr. E \u0026 Sally rode out yesterday. I write this supposing it will be your last before going to Farley Vale. What are to be your mail days? You would like to go down knowing that \"all's well\" - I hope you will be so well and enjoy the visit so much. We are all dying to see you all. Can't you bring Nannie home with you. You may stay with her tell her till 1 May if she will\ncome along home with you.","Kiss her \u0026 Lucy \u0026 love to Mr. C., Charles \u0026 his father, Brodies \u0026 his'n, Jno \u0026 his'n, Saint \u0026 her'n.","Good bye - yr aft. husband \nM.F. Maury","Observatory \nWashington \nAp'l 14, '59","My dear Daughter, \nYour sweet letter came yesterday and to-day another from you Ma. I am mighty glad she is having a jolly time - we are dying to see her, but don't want her to come home before the first of May when you are to come with her. Dabney goes down tomorrow. I thought of you and the violets when he came to take leave, but concluded not to trouble him in the premises. He only came up to dinner yesterday and we only gave him soup, fish and ice cream. We have the rest of the dinner today. Yesterday was damp and Willie was sick which prevented our company. He is better. Rose staid up here last night, \u0026 Mary down there. Betty is not up to day- rainy- Totts got a letter yesterday from Glum. They did not [share it here] \u0026 Mary Herndon has gone off with it to the General's \u0026 I can't send it. She was well- had received the $20-and liked my letters so much- it took such a long time to read them!","My \"Brave\" is very well \u0026 happy. He bought a jug of molasses yesterday. I found my [ ] [powder]. Have not made a pass at the P.G. for schools yet. Save child's letter- Let yr Ma bring it back. Sent a note for you by Dabney-","The Lord [ ] ball did not pay- $1000 short. Had a request this morning to pony up. Can't do it.","Love to Mr. C- Kiss Lucy \u0026 buss yr Ma. [ ] \n[ ] yrs \naff Dad","Observatory, Washington \nApl 16, '59","My dear Wellford, \nI received yesterday your very kind letter of the 14th. It would indeed be a great treat to run down for a week or two, but I do not well see how it can be accomplished. I have heard some things which led me to suppose that there might be a scene made at the next court that would not be pleasant. It throws you the prospect I mean - in a position of great delicacy, as well as into one in which great caution on your part will be required. Caution so prudent and wise that those who would (if there should be such) find fault\nwith you may not have the slightest pretext.","If there is any change in the management of the estate of course you can take some part in bringing about that change. Without knowing much about it, I am clearly of opinion that with your management alone the estate may be relieved of its embarrassments much sooner than it can be by any other kind of managers. I go for the one man power and don't think much of a dual executive. Should any change be made, and should it be proposed that you should take the entire management of both farms, I hope you will not decline.","Dabney went down to King George yesterday. I have been interrupted in the writing of this. It is now time for the mail- so that just cuts me off with love to all.","Yrs sincerely \nM. F. Maury","Observatory \nWashington \n19 Apl '59","My dear wife, \nMr. Watt and I are preparing such a surprise for you and Lucy!. We miss you every day. We miss you in the morning, we miss you in the evening, we miss you at breakfast. I haven't had a flower since she went away! We miss you at dinner, we miss you at tea, we miss you by night and by day, we miss you all the time, but you must stay till you bring Nannie. Sally F., Jack, the boys and the General took us by surprise yesterday. Beef steak, mutton chops, soup and pudding. Betty rather pitched into Mary for so poor a dinner. Bad taste in Betty. Davy is unwilling to take Latin from Jno. Minor. The \"boy's\"\nreply was Solomon-ish - \"Just as you think proper sir\" - What say you? Sent Glum's things down to Kirkwoods' last night for Gilmer - shall send to see if he took them. Totts put some white wax in the bundle, Totts is a great girl. Read 3 Acts in Richard II last night- and sent the `boy' off to bed at 9. The frost has not hurt us yet. Jim Morton called up yesterday. Mr. McCauley has set up in the Grocer's business at St. Paul. Sr. E is so\nso. I wrote to Ann Thomas and begged that she would make Betsy come along. We hear nothing more from Glum. I am now waiting for David and the mail. we expect letters in it from you and her. Here he comes! Now for them. \nA letter from Frank - none from you.","All well and send love \nYr aft [friend] \nM.F.M.","Observatory \nWashington \n22 Apl '59","My dear sweet little Nannie, \nYour \"one-horse\" letter saying that your Ma \u0026 all are well came this morning. It has no date to it- so we infer it was written since hers of 14 \u0026 16- But my dear child I am not a Yankee - why do you set me to guessing? I have sent to have a pair of crutches- I do wonder what has gone with my old ones. The pain has all gone out of my ankle- but I can't walk. But the worst of it is big ankles are so shocking. Totts doctored it up last\nnight with hops - Totts is a great gal.","I finished King Henry IV last night. That \"old Feldspar\" as the boy calls Falstaff gave great satisfaction. \"Feldspar\"! So much for Physical Geography. The breakfast lessons have been quite interesting to Totts- We have got through to Botany. That is not one of my specialties, and I shall glance off from it after a breakfast or two. My \"Brave\" wanted to know this morning if any great men ever studied Latin. \"O yes-\" \"Who?\" \"General\nWashington studied Latin- I studied Latin-\" \"That will do- I just want to be as great as you are\"- The young flatterer! There was no school today. Dave went on. As he came a heavy rain came up \u0026 he got into one of the water pipes on the avenue to keep dry.","Come down for the Crit! I wish I could- I suppose you will be fetching her along up this way about the last of next week- That's about the 1st of May- always stand to your bargains. Was it not said that you were to return with her then? I'll give you tomotto plants- \u0026 egg plants, oh \u0026 every sort o' plants. It's been raining so- Ap'l showers- I have not been able to get the doctor up to say what ails this ankle.","Lucy is a witch- why don't she write a letter to a fellow? Mary has gone to church to day- I have some black Hamburg grape cuttings- If they take you shall have some.","God bless you all \nyrs aft \nDad M","4 July '59","My dear Corbin, \nI returned from a trip over the Balt \u0026 Ohio R.Road Saturday evening. Found all well- Betty still here-The baby improved \u0026 both enjoying the visit very much.","A letter came from Nannie while I was gone. I did not see it- it was torn up. But from what her mother tells me of it, it increases our solicitude to a painful extent. She is morbidly sensitive \u0026 evidently very low spirited. We think the best thing would be for you to bring her to us.","Persons in her situation require to be cared for \u0026 looked after in manners \u0026 ways which no one can do half so well as a mother. It is of great consequence that she should be with her mother now- and we hope that you also will admit the importance of it \u0026 bring her at once. If you do not come as soon as a letter would reach us, write and tell us when to expect you. It is important that you should do this for some of our own arrangements depend on certainty as to Nannie's movements.","From the tone of Nannie's letter her mother does not think that she should be consulted at all- but that you should take her right up \u0026 bring her to us. The gloomy and desponding mood that comes over her now \u0026 then is to be avoided by all means- ugly consequences may be the result- Therefore we are so [honest] in urging you to bring her to us at once. It is of great importance to her.","Give her our most tender love, solicitude \u0026 affection with a thousand kisses. We have letters this morning praising Dick \u0026 making us very proud.","They have established a new chair- Physical Geography \u0026 Agricultural science \u0026 offered it to me. I have not decided to accept. Yrs truly, \nM. F. Maury","Observatory \nWashington \n16 Nov. 1859","My dear Mr. Corbin, \nI was glad to hear as by Nannie's letter I do that the prospects for an early division of the estate seem so favorable. It is clearly to the interest of the parties concerned, and it is gratifying that they are of one mind.","What follows is based upon the supposition that the four of you have agreed to share with you in cancelling the notes which you two have endorsed for your father. This being a fixed fact you are removed from the condition of one having antagonistic interests in the concerns and placed in the category of one whose duties and whose interests are of accord. Both the one and then the other now require the closest scrutiny into the indebtedness of the estate, in order that every claim that is not good in law may be thrown out. And it remains for your consideration whether when the Commissioners report comes up you should not have someone there well posted up, to urge the throwing out of all claims the least doubtful, and especially those for which you are bound. However this can be talked over when you come up which I hope will be long before Xmas. I am wishing somebody near by would invite me to lecture - so I might raise the wind for a visit from Dick and Dave at Xmas. I sent John Minor the Alabama speech in print yesterday with the request that he would hand it over to Nannie when he has done blowing me up about it. Sally Fontaine is not so well. The General got home yesterday - killed no \"bars\" and only brought home two \"old hars\" -Betty had gone for\ndinner yesterday. But we - your Ma and I - could not go - headaches- better today. We are reading Shakespeare o'nights- Letters from Dick \u0026 Dave. Totts \u0026 Betsy go to the [dentist] \u0026 all to school- except Lucy. She studies geography at home. William plays the guitar \u0026 sings. Sr. E. had letters yesterday from Dabney. All well but \"Injuns\" about. All hands sent in love with kisses to Nannie. Good bye- God bless you. \nYr. \nM.F. Maury.","Observatory \nWashington \n5 Feb 1860","My dear Nannie: \nI got Mr. Corbin's letter several days gone. Tell him the 16th is quite convenient to me. I had promised Cip that he might go with us on the 9th - so it was quite a disappointment to him, was the postponement. I shall go down I think by the night train of the 15th and as I will not have time to go down to Farley Vale will have to come up to Fredericksburg. Crit is having a tussle with the head ache - got up with it this morning, went to church and has been wrestling with the thing ever since. Willie has been sick - a - bed for a week. Low fever - getting better. Cip burnt his finger with candy, and the girls didn't go to school but one day last week on accounts of the cold. Betty and Will dined here yesterday. Mary Herndon has been to Memphis. Jones is coming to [illegible] next Thursday. The Farmer\nis very low and the General is still there. The Physical Geography continues to engage and interest me. Lucy is [ ing]. Glum 's bird sings - I call it her owl. Nannie Bill is a \"honey\"? We are invited to Henry's parties. The Aubick's gave an elegant [_mous] party last Friday – Hauled the little Doctor home – Told me he had on his table invitations for every evening in the week and for some two days. Jennie Young and her sister Sallie are\nin Stuttgart studying six hours every day. Where's yr [Bobs \u0026 Tops?] We have not heard anything more of your sister Sue. Maria Newburgh's party comes off about the middle of the month so reports Dave. Everybody sends love to you and Mr. Corbin. It's night, your Ma has gone to bed. Hope she will be well in the morning. \nGood night. Your aft. Dad, \nM. F. Maury.","[Postscript by Ann Hull Maury (Herndon)] \nMorning- am up, and better, but poorly at that. I wish I could come down with your Papa but indeed I am not equal to it. We heard through Mrs. Mason (and she from her son at College) that Mary Minor is coming to see you, but you seem not to have heard of it. Your letter to Molly was so pleasant. Sally E. is quite mistaken about the price of my work stand. It cost $13. I don't think you can yet find one for $8 but you can try. I am so glad\nyou had a pleasant visit to Town. How came you to stay at your Uncle B's again; you must stay at your Uncle C's the next time not that I in the least object to your going to yr. Uncle B's but N. G. said when she was here that you never did go to your Uncle C's and you had been invited there so often. I love our Aunt Lucy dearly for her kindness to my precious child.","Observatory \n14 March 1860","My dear Mr. Corbin, \nI used the word also, but \"repudiation\" is not the word-- Mississippi repudiates her lawful debts. It is not the lawful but the debts that have been made against the estate without the authority of law that I would have rejected it. I am glad to hear that the other parties come so readily into the plan. There is I imagine no time to be lost- and the initiatory steps cannot be taken too soon. I imagine your Uncle William will not come into the plan because he has no right in law to consent to any such arrangement for J. If he consents, he himself will be personally liable to J. for the amounts.","I am not surprised to hear that others would like to have Farley Vale. But I reckon it is the best way to let it go to the highest bidder. It certainly is the fairest.","What does Cip do all day long and why don't he write to a fellow. I am sorry that the Holly berries are all gone. I shall be glad to have any that you can start up- I have written to Tenn. for some beech nuts. I have a fancy for a beech hedge. The beech holds its leaves during winter and the lee of its hedge is almost equal to a green house-","Give my love to Nannie- I write to her mother by this mail. \nAffectionately yrs \nM.F. Maury","Observatory \n17 Apl 1860","My dear Mr. Corbin, \nI still think you should insist on greater dispatch. Suppose you apply before the 19 July for a decree and the court refuses on the ground that K is not of age. Will that lessen your claim when she is of age? I think not. Try now and if you fail- no harm is done to the July effort. It cannot hurt much to try now, and a decree now would be worth money to you.","Lewis Walker in Rives' neighborhood wants to sell his farm so Frank Minor tells me-","I think you would do well as soon as you get Mr. Burton underway to mount yr horse and ride up to Lewis Walker's. Go up to Nelson \u0026 Amherst- also in the lower countrylook at places- let it be known that you want to buy land- and then when you do sell you can have your eyes open.","Think you had better do that at once i.e. as soon as you set Mr. B. to work for the May term. it's an important matter take a month or six weeks for the trip. Nannie can come to us. On horseback the trip can cost you very little. Any idea of duty as a trustee should not interfere with such a trip. Tell Nannie we all go down to the General's today.","Is not yr Father the guardian of K \u0026 J till they come of age? And can the court appoint one without his request?","All well \u0026 good here. In haste. Yrs truly, \nM.F. Maury","Observatory \n12 May 60","My dear Nannie, \nThis morning your Ma and Lucy got a most pressing invitation from Jno. B. to come to the convocation. An omnibus is to run between the church and the university and they are also to have morning and evening services in the Chapel. The \"Crit\" is flirting in bed with the Rappahannock chills - But she has decided to go, and to take you in Lucy's place if you'll join her. She has a free ticket for you there and back. I have written to [Jesse] B. to encourage Mary with the hope that you will come instead of Lucy. Sally F\nand Cousin Ellen are going. Your Ma will join them and go up under Tim's escort Tuesday. Your Aunt Mary will be there with the Lynchburg people - and we will expect you up Monday to dinner.","The children are well of the mumps and will sit in the school Monday again. We hope the plants were safely received. All well and send love to Mr. Corbin.","Yr aft father \nM.F. Maury","Telegraph if you are coming - yes or no - you need not prepay it. It will come to me without that.","Send this to Nannie.","Observatory \nJuly 9, 1860","My dear Nannie, \nBless your heart for that letter. I'd give an eyetooth to see you. Ask your Ma to please have another one pulled and keep you till I come. Am glad to hear of Dick's arrival. I'll send the letter from him by Sr.E. who says she is going Wednesday - Am truly sorry about the chills. Hope your Ma will keep then inside. They have been troubling me also this cold weather. Tell Jno Minor I went to see Bob this morning. He was touched by his kindness and grateful to a degree. I am to try tomorrow to get a clerkship for him in the\nCensus Bureau.","You said never a word about your Uncle Charles' wife- poor bird! N.B. stutters as Dave did.","Next week will be the 19th. I suppose you will be up then to court. Though things look so smooth in favor of paying off and dividing I can but fear something is to thwart it after all.","Betty did not go a - sherry - cobblering last night. Today I read [p] 230 of new ed. P.G. - in the last edition there are 389pp. I do not know how many there will be in this - But 400 at least I reckon.","See a letter I got this morning from my \"Injun\" yr friend Mr S. \nKiss everybody \nyour Dad, in haste -","[Note on verso of letter]\nAll well. Aunt E. expected today must meet her \nin haste \nJHM {?John Herndon Maury MIA 1863}","Observatory \n6 Aug. '60","My dear wife \nGot this morning yrs of 4th. Tell Totts I was reading yesterday that admirable, sweet precious little book. The Household of Sir Thos More and thought of her as my Megg.","Tell Jno \u0026 Brodie \u0026 Lucy, and all the rest of the \"Great Easterners\" of the family that we want to go [to] [ ] Wednesday - day after tomorrow - Leave here at 7 -40 AM. take the steamer in Balt at 10 AM Arrive alongside the Gr. at noon. Stay 2 hours, get back to Balt. in time for the Washington train at 4.20 p.m. Round trip $2.50. I have not seen Betty since I got yr letter and therefore can't make any arrangements as to accommodations. Betty does not know whether she is going. I reckon it would be a nice trip for Dick \u0026 Dave. If you think so, and they too, let them come along. Upon second thought Wednesday will be too soon. Thursday will be the day. I'll write Tom Bold we\nare coming Thursday. I'll bear Nannie's expenses too if she will come along - tell her I want her \u0026 Betty to go and to go myself out of civility to Bold. The trip would knock you up.","Thursday at 7.40 AM we shall go - let me know who will come. Love to all.","Yrs. \nM.F. Maury","If the boys \u0026 Nannie come, they should leave F'b'g Wednesday A.M. What of the trunk I'm to buy?","Observatory \nOct 1, 1860","My dear Mr. Corbin, \nBy the mail of this morning I got yr's of 29th Sept.","You are right not to go security for the parties named. My engagements are such as to prevent my coming down. Nor is that necessary.","I am not quite clear as to the amt. for which you want security. But be that as it may - show the papers to Jno. or Chas. Herndon. Ask them to draw up a deed of trust upon Farley Vale in my favor, and the negroes too if you want me to endorse for them - and have them regularly recorded. Then you can send or bring - better do the latter - the documents.","I leave the city Saturday morning - Can't you bring Nannie along - I think the sight of her would make her mother well - she had been under the weather ever since the trip North - and has not been well enough to be at the table with us more than two or three times since she came up. She is better to day, though in bed. It's a rainy \"nasty\" day you know. She was made quite happy this morning to keep the \"boy\" at home from school on account of the drizzle - about 9 - 10 it had set in for a regular pour - he came over to\nsay she wanted him to go down the City! Somehow the rain does not seem to be as wet that way it is over toward Georgetown.","I understand that there will be a prior lien upon F.V. and on to the estate - That makes no odds - I write in haste to get to night's mail. Love to Nannie. Why doesn't she let us hear from her? to Mary Herndon Sister E. \u0026 all hands","Yrs truly \nM. F. Maury","Observatory \nWashington \n22 Oct 1860","My dear Mr. Corbin, \nWhen I last wrote I was just on the eve of taking wing for Tennessee. I did not have time to write both to Charles \u0026 you, so I wrote him \u0026 sent the letter open through you. Now I write almost in as much haste, for I expect to leave for New York Thursday morning and to embark for England on Saturday.","Political affairs are in a very unsatisfactory state- so much so that shall have the country feeling quite uneasy. The state of your affairs helps to increase this uneasiness. I have had nothing in reply to my letter to Charles, but in the mere matter of endorsation you have given me all the security that I required, and such as under a more settled state of things would be considered by the most cautious timidity as ample. Nevertheless there is talk of disunion and how far property- land \u0026 negroes- in Virginia is to be affected by disunion both acts and deeds, it is simply impossible to foresee. It may not be depreciated at all- or it may be depreciated 1/3, 1/2, or 9/10th nobody can tell. No one you know ever objects to too much security. You are making it a rule of life \u0026 wisely not to go security- you do not wish to hypothecate your property for any new debts and there are many contingencies on the occurrence of which it would be better for you\nNannie \u0026 me if I had a lien also on your negro property as collateral for the land. You understand I have no right to require this. But it can't harm you, may do you or Nannie good, \u0026 will add to my own comfort. Of course, I mean a lien to come in after present obligations for which that negro property may be bound.","If you think well of this proposition, get Charles to attend to it \u0026 let the expenses be mine. Drop me a letter care of Maury Brothers New York in reply \u0026 tell Nannie she shall hear from me before I sail.","Goodbye \nYrs truly \nM.F. Maury","Perhaps it may be as well to state that when I offered to endorse I expected to endorse for both land \u0026 negroes and of course have a lien upon all- This I am still willing to do so as to get the endorsed security.","London \n21 Nov '60","My dear wife, \nYesterday \u0026 the day before I was the happiest man in all London. Your two letters, Sister E's, our -Dick's - [Glum's]-Cip's- Nannie's to you, Mr. Corbin's to me- the latest 5 Nov-all came. Bless your dear hearts every one. I am so glad to hear you are on the mend, and so gratified to those darling precious friends for taking such good care of you. Kiss Sally Fontaine for me. I am just through with book. And have accepted an invitation to return on the New York Nov 28. Tomorrow go to Wrottesley whither I will write.","God bless you, \nM","Steamer New York \nAt Sea, 9 Dec 1860","My dear Nannie \nThis is our eleventh day out. When we left England we expected to arrive at New York tomorrow; but we have had a rough time of it, we are now nearly a 1000 miles off and do not expect to get in before Thursday. This is Sunday 11 a.m. and a beautiful day. I wanted to take them all by surprise by stepping in upon them Tuesday the 11th and as good luck would have it told \"Crit\" not to expect me before the 15 or 16th- so the \"journey up the mountain\" will be prevented by it, for I hoped to be in Wash. before or by\nthe 15th.","Thank Mr. Corbin for his letter. Rutson Maury forwarded with an endorsation reporting \"all well\"- so it brought me the first news from home which was great joy for I was very unhappy about your Ma- It's all right tell him. I was at Wrottesley- Jansen \u0026 I- when your letter came. I delivered your message- he grinned. You can't imagine how cordial they all were- \"40 time\" herself came in the carriage to meet us at Codsall, \u0026 they sent us in their own carriage to the cars in Wolverhampton- the old lady insisting that we had not wrappings enough and fitting us out with hers even to London. She begged us to stay longer- so did they all. Her niece Miss Simpson was there. She took us to [Chiltington]. She hummed \"Nelly Bly\" for us as we went said you taught it to her \u0026 she had given away many copies of it. Davis the Butler has got rich and has set up on his \"own hook.\" Webb the footman has his place- Simpson the gardener is to be married Xmas, and my Lord has built for him just in the edge of the forrest the sweetest little cottage you can\nimagine. While I was there Tom Bold was to see me in London.","If you had been in London this time, you would have thought somebody had come to town I tell you. Rail ways were placed at my service to see sights and engineers to show them \u0026 \" put me thro'.\" The Navy officers there were planning [on] great blow out for me in return for \"you all's\" civilities to the prince, and they are going to send an expedition to the South Pole for me. At least Washington who is the proper person to move on it-pledged me his word so to do, saying he thought he could carry it. I made an address without notes before the Geographical Society. Had a great crowd. Ladies,\nLords, gentlemen. Was breakfasted – dinner-ed \u0026 tea-ed-- oh it was a jolly time! but I would not give one day in my own sweet home with my blessed wife and sweet children for the whole of it.","When will you \u0026 Mr. C. be up- come soon- stay long. I am trying to pull the wires to get New York to send a messenger down south to enquire of the people there what's the matter? asking them to state their grievances- the terms \u0026 c. on which they would be willing to remain in the Union. I may be too late, for my latest date as to things at home is 15 Nov- New York Herald. Things I have no doubt have assumed many new phases since then, but unless good me in each section muster themselves, I fear the Union is gone. I shall write to my Dave today to come home at Xmas. I enjoyed Jansen's visit vastly. I made many charming acquaintances, but none more so than Lady Ashburton \u0026 her Lord. I am to \"come to them\" when I go back. His mother has just had 50,000 trees blown down on her \"plantation\" in Scotland. Isn't it elegant. Our old landlady Miss Everall is just married to Scott Adir the fancy [Wollen] man. I went to the store \u0026 asked for her- there was a titter among the clerks \u0026 confusion with Scott. Jansen said he was jealous- didn't see her . Love to all hands. \nyr Dad.","Richmond \n25 Apl 1861","My dear Wellford, \nYou can best serve the cause by staying at home, planting corn \u0026 potatoes, than you can by coming here. There is a great press here. The people along the river are wanted at home to form police, guard, \u0026 c. \nIn great haste. yrs. \nM.F. Maury","Don't come","Richmond \n27 Apl 1861","My dear wife- \nSaw Lt. Carr this morning. He was Dave's Captain. Dave was a first rate soldier- enjoyed the trip, and got back all safe \u0026 sound.","I look for Dick from Washington this morning. He went for our things. He has an appoint of \"1st Lt. of Volunteers for Services in Council Chamber.\" So you see how he is tied down in Richmond and can't go to the wars - now I do hope that will make you quiet and comfortable. Corbin is back too \u0026 Dave. Why my dear we are as happy as the day is long. Ain't we? Very busy today. Hope for a quiet time tomorrow.","Kiss my Lucy. What is that boy a'doing? Why didn't the girls write - are you going down with Nanny - Had you not better come up next Saturday for church - maybe I'll meet you. \nYr M","Tell Nannie I got all her letters and to thank Mason for all of them.","Richmond \n18 May 1861","My dear Corbin, \nYour letter of 15 came to hand last night. I shall go up to Fredericksburg this evening if nothing unforeseen occurs to prevent. I hope to find you there, but in case I should not go or going should not find you I write this in answer to your many questions now.","You did right to decline Col. [Ruggles] [ ] present offer, for he had no authority of law to make such an appointment.","If you raise a company you will be mustered into the service as volunteers, and will then be furnished with arms.","So far I have not succeeded in giving practical effect to my place of organizing all the remaining white population in the border \u0026 tide water counties into a home guard to act in case of inroads \u0026 marauders as guerrillas. I did hope to bring into this organization all able bodied men \u0026 boys between 15 \u0026 60. The law opposed difficulties in the way of this, and I did hear that Gen'l Lee who highly approved of the plan is going to carry it into effect by calling them out as militia. What the precise details of the militia organization are to be, I cannot say. But I suppose that as its objects are the same it does not in the main differ much from the guerilla plan. I think so highly of this plan that I have sought to have it turned over to us navy officers looking upon it as the most honorable \u0026 useful service that the times offer to us.","This too is I think the best service for you, and for reasons both public \u0026 private. It is highly important service and a double duty to the state--you fight for \u0026 help to raise bread for the people at the same time. Sallying forth with [sword] in hand today--tomorrow with the pruning hook or sickle. The private reasons are: your whole fortune is imperiled, and it will require all the personal attention and the best management of which you are\ncapable to save you from ruin. I myself being a cripple have to conform myself to circumstances and to accept such occupation as those circumstances will allow. So it is with you- you by leaving home to serve the state now, would probably do it at the sacrifice of your entire fortune- and that you are not prepared to do. The true course and the brave course for you is cheerfully to adjust yourself to circumstances \u0026 then do the best you can.","Tom Maury has just called me out with a telegram that his child is dead.  Yrs, M.F. Maury.","Richmond \n20 June `61","Dear Corbin, \nI got your note last night and went the first thing this morning to see the Governor. If he musters you into service, you will fall under the President who can send you where he pleases. Thus the Governor:","I heard a member of the convention from Tidewater complaining yesterday that two companies in one of the lower counties had been mustered into service with the express understanding that they were to remain in their own county and they had been ordered away. They were volunteers. So you will understand that no bargain can be made with you as volunteers, short of 1 year's service to go wherever the President chooses to order you.","As to guerrillas: the convention has that subject up now and he, the Governor can do nothing.","Thus you have a full account of the result of the interview. Thorburn has [gave] up the country- after referring your letter to the Gov. I thought it useless to mention the matter to him. If you conclude to go as volunteers how would Jack Maury do as your Capt.? He is at Gloucester Pt.","I am very sorry to see our guerilla scheme fail, but the connotation is we have both done our best and all that can be done.","Love to Nannie \nyrs M.F. Maury","The Council was abolished yesterday and I am relieved of duties.","Richmond \n18 July 1861","My dear wife, \nI have just learned from the Sec. War that the boys at the university are not to be taken into service. They remain undisturbed. I shall so write Dave this day.","I shall go down to the central cars today at 2 1/2 hoping to meet Dab. He can have his folks at the junction. Come here spend 2 or 3 hours \u0026 join them in the 5 p.m. train for Fredericksburg.","Hollins has charge of the Naval defenses of James River- and will be cavorting about I suppose, \u0026 Dick with him. This will be more agreeable than a stay at one place.","There are many flying rumors about the street this morning such as the landing of 30,000 troops at Norfolk, 20,000 at Aquia Creek \u0026 c- and that they are moving upon Richmond. It is now 12.20 and no official dispatch has been received, so there is nothing in it. But I wish you all would fancy to make a visit to Albemarle until the denouement takes place. I suppose the enemy will run upon us somewhere soon and the sooner the better for us in\nmy poor judgment.","Now you know I don't want to give alarm and I know no more about the enemy's plan than the newspapers tell us. Still our armies cannot remain much longer as they are and I had rather see my people a little further off. God bless you \nM.F.M.","Charlottesville, Va: Ridgway \n18 Sept 1861","My dear Nannie, \nYour two letters came yesterday. The great drawback to what you call \"a celebrity\" is this being called on by friends for `influence' and help, where you are powerless. [?Kennedy's] inquiry I imagine had no such bearing as you seem disposed to give it. I know Mr. Corbin is missed all the time, and you may know that I am not going to permit any opportunity of having him to pass unheeded by. I understand that he did not want a commission at first when he was trying to raise that company - and now I suppose it difficult except in the Confederate Service and there I am powerless. Bless your heart for offering us your house. I have not been able to find - yet - suitable accommodations in Charlottesville. Moreover I am distressed by what they tell me of typhoid fever there - and moreover Fredericksburg is \"powerful sweet\". I am waiting for the word from Richmond to go ahead with the submarines. There is no chance for a Ltcy. in the Navy for Mr. Corbin. I think a good of his affairs. The give us solicitude. Dave and C. Minor went off a'recruiting yesterday. I think you had better come to us. We will take care of you for a year and that will help Mr. C. along with his interest. \nYr. Dad.","Richmond \n20 Nov 1861","My dear wife \nI do not go to the Miss. just yet if at all. The committee has the matter of steam launches up. I shall wait here for the result of their deliberations. I cannot speak positively about you and home Saturday.","Tom left for Manassas Wednesday morning. He took the turkey and all.","Nan and Lewis and the general were here. Now returns to Bowling Green this morning. Lewis went this morning to Norfolk. Jack came up from York River yesterday. He returns tomorrow.","The hoop skirts cost $6.00 -[Bill] waits further orders before giving $12.00 for the two.","Miss Fanny Perkins left the day I arrived. She went down to Norfolk Wednesday morning with the General's check in her corset and the other \"preciouses' behind the photographsin her album.","How are my sick? All still mending I hope. Kisses to everyone.","Yr. affectionate, M.F. Maury","Richmond \n9 Dec `61","Dear Corbin, \nYour leave is extended to the 1st Jan. unless Kennedy should sooner require your services. The leave with his letter to you go up to him this evening. Buchanan grants you the leave. I have seen it. So there is no mistake. K. no doubt will send it you.","Dave is off in the morning.","Love to Nannie, \nYrs. in haste \nM.F. Maury","Send it to C.","For Nannie \nPrivate \u0026 Confidential \nDec. 9.1861","My dear child, \nMilly's death is a sad blow. You will feel it as such and miss her mightily. A law has passed authorizing the appointment of 50 Navy Lts. to serve during the war. I do not know what rules is to be adopted with regard to appointments; but it has occurred to me that Mr. C. might stand a chance if he would like the place. If so, let him file his application with Mr. Mallory and interest his member of Congress on his behalf. If I know that you and he desire the place, that is enough. I'll help it and if I can.","Say to Blackford that the only understanding between us was that I was to stay there until I could find a place to suit us both and that he would live with us - one offsetting the other. That he had better get some of our mutual friends to fix the visit. It had better be by the month, for he may want to sell and I man find a more suitable house. We lack another room or two sadly - We'll will attend to the execution of any papers that are required in the processes. God bless you my daughter \nM.","Richmond \n30 Jan.","My dear wife, \nWill came yesterday and told me that you were poorly and also of the great thinning out. You must feel very quiet if not lonesome. I don't get much from Will about the school. Of course they are done with Mr. J.","I'll leave it entirely to you as to whether one or both shall come home. They should come soon and we should know the day so that Dave may be at the cars. Dave is a precious fellow. He has been a great comfort to me, but he and I do not think that this clerking of his is exactly the thing for him. I think I shall give the place to Bob who returned last night. I have written to Lynch asking him to take Dave with him for a little while. We are waiting\nto hear from him. The answer is daily expected for I wrote about 10 days ago. L's answer will determine the Lad's course, whether it will be back to you, or down to the south - or rather the Sounds of N.C. Tell Nannie I have exhausted myself upon Corbin both with Buchanan and the Inc. What I said seemed to go in one ear and come out of the other - S.C. must muster up his political influences and push them. 25 or 30 of the 50 Lts. that are to be made will come from the \"Old Navy\" including cases like Smith's and from the Masters and Mid of C.N. The rest are I believe to be made out of the resv. C. will come in with them if at all I suppose.","The \"Doc\" got off this morning, much to my relief.","I have got a pair of shoes at last which I can wear when the foot is only 1/2 swollen. I have them on this morning for the first time. I have ordered another and a larger pair, so I have them of three sizes.","I know my brood is doing fine in Latin. How is Lucy and the Musik Glum and the philosophy Totts and the writing. A Kiss to everyone I am dying to see you all but can't tell about coming. \nYr Aft M","Did Jno get the money Dave collected for him?","Richmond \n1 May 1862","Dear Corbin: \nI have this morning yr's of 29th. Wrote you yesterday - nothing from Fredericksburg since Dave went up there this morning hoping to take a peep of an hour or so upon the blessed group. I shall expect him back to-morrow. His appointment will probably be made out by that time. When he will put out west of course he will bring letter which I shall hasten down to you. \nIn haste \nYrs MFM","The examination as I understand it relates only to midshipmen.","Richmond \n4 May `62","Jas. M. Johnson [Hd.] carpenter of Rootes party left sick at Custis' Quarters reports himself for Norfolk today - without money. I lend him $3. which he promises to return to you 1st pay day. Please get it. Dave I expect will be off in the morning.","It is the case of yr[house on fire at night]. Your duties for the moment are and ought to be the all absorbing subjects with you. Not only yr prosperity, but your life and liberty are at stake. And you will be lucky and ought to be happy to escape with the last two.","A letter from Dick - all well.","Yrs. \nM.F.M.","- That's right. Keep your mind occupied. Don't despond or despair. The enemy has the power to possess himself of Richmond - of the Miss River and of all the Tidewater country. Look upon that as more than likely.","Richmond Virginia \n5 May","Dear Corbin: \nI have just time to say this is [the] 3rd or 4th. Have yr's of 2nd. The army came over into Fredericksburg yesterday. Nothing since direct from our folk since Dave was there. He will perhaps go off in the morning.","In haste yrs \nM.F. Maury","Richmond \n24 May","Dear Corbin: \nNothing from Fredericksburg since Brodie's letter of 13th. I have an idea that the place is evacuated. I tried yesterday and the day before to get Totts back with the aim of sending her there- Mr. White wrote to say the Alsop's went last Wednesday and he thought there would be no difficulty about Totts. I am afraid now to bring her down. I may be down to the Bluff tomorrow. Gave Lt Davidson of the [ ] a letter from you yesterday. Jack has\ngone down to take command of the battery below you. \nYrs. in haste","1 June '62","Dear Corbin, \nDick was hit yesterday in the right arm, breaking one of the bones, His wound is very much such as one as Dabney's only not so bad. I went out and brought him in. He was wounded early in the fight, but not until he had resisted the charge and driven back two Yankee regiments. Dick is a gallant fellow and has won the name \"immortal\" for his regiment - so says the Yankee General Hancock. His horse was killed under him and he was struck 4 times. He will be well in about 6 weeks. He is in my room laughing and talking as I write.","My admirable Pettigrew was killed. I write in haste. Send word to Jack about Dick. Nothing from home.","Yrs. \nM.F.M.","Richmond \n5th June 1862","Dear Corbin, \nThis morning brings in yrs of 3rd. Dick is walking about the streets and is doing well. No chance to Fredericksburg and nothing from them. I hope to get off to Albemarle with Dick next week. Jackson gives us a bright spot. In all the directions around the horizon the clouds lower upon us.","Yrs. M.","19th June","Dear Corbin: \nThis will not come to hand in time for you this morning.","Dick and I hope to get off for Ridgeway Saturday. I tried today an order for 3 Irish servants to be sent from New York. Dabney is acting Major General. Price and his staff are loud in his praise of Dab and Cave.","I [?] Nannie's letter for time was short.","July 14 (1862)","Dear Corbin: \nLooked for you yesterday, but your two letters came this morning. George has arrived at Ridgway from Fredericksburg. Dick has sent him back to get his marriage license. Nothing from Nannie or Betty. Yankee pickets are about Bowling Green. Will is home in status quo. Gen Minor has letters from Fredericksburg of 11. [Nannie] [Gardner] was very ill with typhoid fever. Harry Hasbrouck is our prisoner. I have his photograph picked up on the battlefield. I only know the mail does not go to Fredericksburg. I hope to get off this week. A letter from Dave of 3 Oct. Doing well.","Thanks for Nannie's letter. Betty had a letter from Nannie after her arrival in Fbg. I suppose Dick will be married as soon as he gets his license. \nYrs. truly \nM.F.M.","Richmond \n19 July","Dear Corbin: \nI am sorry I did not see [you] again. I am off to Ridgway in the morning. Letter from my wife of 16 - Dick's license had not arrived. It was due that day. Betty is still in Carolina. Don't know when she goes back. My wife will return next week, say the last, I reckon.","I write in haste. Read last night - letters from Dave and Dab of y. Still there, well and rejoicing over Richmond. Let us hear from you at Ridgway. My [ ] for news from home will be mainly thru you and Will. \nYrs. \nM.F.M.","Richmond \nExchange Hotel \nRoom No 12 \n29 July (1862)","Dear Corbin: \nPope's order No 11 - brought me and my wife down to-day. Our people will have to come out of Fredericksburg now. They can't stand that. I want to get authority to-morrow to send up there. So come up to town as soon as you can after the receipt of this \u0026 we will lay our plans. Give my compliments to Lee and say you coming will be a personal favor –","Yrs in haste \nM.F. Maury","Exchange Hotel - No 12 \n30 July","Dear Corbin: \nPope's order to arrest everybody in Fredericksburg that will not swear allegiance makes it necessary to get our people out. I am here for that. Come up to day. I want your help. Get his permission to ask for a leave of 10 days, if you find it necessary, at any rate come up to day.","Yrs. \nM.F. Maury","Bowdon England \n1 May 63","Dear Corbin: \nI was glad to get your letter. It was very satisfactory and interesting.","I now fancy that I see no end to the war, until the Yankees get themselves into trouble with some other nation, or until after the 4th March of `65. John Bull is drifting into war and the public mind here is beginning to chafe under the doings of Wilkes and his [c ]. Still if there is war it will not be through any the least spark of sympathy for us. I think the Government is determined to stop any more Alabamas if it can - and I think the feeling of the country is with the Government in that matter, as it is in all others that touch its conduct towards us.","Can't you find time to find a better place for our folks, as in Lynchburg or some other town a little further from the enemy's lines. They are now much nearer than is agreeable. Then they want to be in reach of schools and a little more society for the young ones than they can have in the country. Pray let there be a family council \u0026 then see what you can do to carry out what may be decided to be the best. If they board, let them if possible\nhave a parlor to themselves.","Wilkinson don't come any further than the island nearest you, but I will bear in mind yr request.","I am trying now to get a box off for the ladies on a vessel that takes this - one that Crenshaw is sending out. I have a letter from him this morning dated 3 days ago, saying she would sail in a few days - So I have sent an express message to Ferguson in Manchester who took the lists more than a month ago with a promise to fill them - I have asked him to send all 3. Bob's, Lewis' and mine if he has them ready, if not ready, I have asked him to double my order for dresses and to make them suitable to the memory of\nmy precious Davy Jones. He said the money was of no consequence when I gave him the lists, but perhaps the want of it prevented him from attending to it, however I sent him the money for mine - all I had, and told him that I expected in a week or 10 days to have the money for the others, and to send my box anyhow. I don't know the name of the vessel but it's Crenshaw's. They will tell you the name in Richmond and the box will be marked c . \"R.H. Maury, Richmond\". Do ask them to keep a look out for it.","Bobby Walker is here trying to raise a Yankee loan of £50,000,000. Moneyed men here say some that he can't \"place it\" some that he can, if he will get Peabody and [Br gs ] black \u0026 [ ] - to take hold and spend a £100,000 or so in floating it. My own notion is he will spend money like fury to get his loan to go - and I see what looks to me like a sign that he had already been \"[ploughing]\" with some of the yearlings of the Times. Saw them stepping out of the way in its city article of yesterday to explain away certain things.\nIt looks suspicious. This \"City Article\" as it is called is more read by moneyed men than all other parts of the paper. The \"City Article\" is the first thing they look at.","So I am on the lookout for something [further]. This morning's Times will be here before the mail closes and if there be any more indications I'll clip them out for you.","Please let Nannie copy such parts of the letter as relate to public affairs and send them to Mr. Seddon. I wrote him Dec. 11 Jan 20- \u0026 31 March - and ask him to see that the new Navy Bill does not operate prejudicially in one's absence.","Explain to R.A.M. about the boxes. I wrote nearly a month ago for money from [Jody] for him \u0026 L. as I had it not.","Where is Jack stationed now? Give my love to Jack - He is a kind hearted fellow.","This is May-Day. Some ladies called in their carriage to take me to see the country people - May-But I had not the [ ] and I proposed to stay at home and [ ] home.","Send also to Ludlow the slips that you think he would like to see. Love to Uncle Jordan and Nannie and all hands.","Yrs. truly \nMF","I go to London Monday of Tuesday and then to France. It goes hard to part with Brave. But he likes his school, is getting interested with the boys - and his vacation will commence 13 June - Six weeks hence when he will join me again.","London England \n7 July 1863","My dear Nannie: \nCarter stopped in upon us today with your and Corbin's letter. Bless my Davy's sweet face - his [coal] is [quenched], his light is put out - his pitch broken, and his spirit returned unto God who gave it. I doted on that splendid countenance. Twas a rich pleasure to me always to steal glances at it when he knew it not. I read in it unutterable things and always a pleasant present and a pleasing future Oh-ho! Lord Wrottesley is in town.\nBrave called today to say we would breakfast with him in the morning. Brave said `Sir' to him and he took him up. We learn by Carter that Murdough had got in. Thanks for that - Corbin will find his pistol in the trunk sent by him, but not the saber. It is difficult to find one good [natured] enough to charge himself with such a piece of luggage. I saw his cousin in Paris. He was very civil. I liked him and his family very much. One of his daughters - the yellow haired one particularly quite took my fancy. I was miserable in\nParis. Exceedingly depressed all the time - so much that Brave said to me one night in tears - that I had treated him with reserve ever since he come there. Bless the child's heart. I had no heart for anything. I was making no progress about my business I was doing nothing to help the case - and my actions were controlled by me, that were unequal to the task. All this and the fact that I am kept here all the time with hands tied for the want of means and that I am told to build this and buy that as tho' I had the Bank of England to draw from. All this - the fact that I am of no use - oppressed me exceedingly.","The small parcel by Hudson, Elie tells me has been received. The next was also a small one - say 7- by Ramsey in Apl- What became of that? The next by the [Venice]- [Crenshaw's] ship- in I know- the next was by the Advance- [Crosson's] ship in charge of Hughes the brother of Tom's friend. She was in Bermuda last month-and the last by Murdough who is in. I have had but two letters from you. Love to Corbin with thanks for his letter. I hear he is a great worker and gives satisfaction.","Bowdon (England)  \n4 Aug 1863","My dear no. \"dos\", \nJust as we were leaving Liverpool yesterday a parcel of home letters was handed to me.\nYours of Jun 14, Corbin of 15, Totts 10th 13 and Elie's no date at all. Totts to the Brave. This is the second letter from you.","Just before we left London Mrs. [G ] with her youngest daughter \"Carie\" arrived there from Baltimore. They are great secessionists - you remember they used to give children's parties in the first ward and that Dave particularly and I believe Totts used to go to them. The first thing that Miss Carie said was an inquiry after Dave. She only remembered me as his father. When I told her - her mother exclaimed - + don't you believe he's drowned they've got him cooped up to spite you. You don't know their villainy or their spite against you. The idea and their positive air gave me a glimpse of hope, which started up, lasted for a moment and it was all dark again.","Another batch of letters. Lt. Carter brought them from L'pool just at 6. Meiklejohn was dining with us, so we put them away and have now about 10 just got through with them. I reading and [checking] over them to Brave. There is one form you of 25 May to me and of June 6th to Brave. One from Totts to him and one to me one from Nannie Belle to him. All on the thin blue paper and from his Ma to him and one to me with the copy by Elie of\nD's letter of the 14th Feb - giving all the account he could of the loss. It is singular that just as I was telling of Mrs. G. for I had only got to the +. D's letter should have come encouraging the same idea. 5th {pencilled in margin} I had never before heard of the cartridge boxes - the rubber cloth and the tracks of the mare as to or from a boat. Had I heard of that at first I should have clung to hope as you and Totts and yr Ma have done.\nIt evidently gave D. hope for the flag followed. But what did Burnett think. Burnett the Texas Trailer. At what gait was the man going that two miles after having crossed the crevasse - at what gait when she returned - was there any sign of a scuffle, of a halting or a quickening of pace where the cartridge boxes were - what does he mean by cartridge `boxes'? cartridge papers? I think the trailer could tell by the tracks for two miles whether\nthe horse was riderless. The tracks about the turning place would indicate that most likely. Then why should the mare keep along just two miles and then turn back.. The man in the boat might have seen him coming, and concealing themselves [till] he came up - and then calling a halt he might have found himself so completely in their power as to make all attempt at escape useless - and so he might have reined up. But then what would have been the use of the cartridges? On the contrary if he had been fired at or\nshot, the tracks would have showed a sudden change in the gait of the steed. I read from this account of Bob's that on that two mile stretch below the crevasse, the horse as she went down was guided by the rider, and that therefore the probabilities, nay I should say the chances, the almost certain chances are that that precious boy was not drowned in the crevasse. When the mare returned to the brook, was she riderless? How near did the returning tracks go to it? Did they enter it? If they don't, he perished there - if not, then he was made away with, somewhere between the brook and the end of the two miles below. Thank my merciful Father for this precious crumb of consolation, for now I feel almost persuaded that my brave boy had a chance of fighting for his life, and if so, then I know he did quit himself like a man as he was.","You see my love I have been building up this theory on these straws that D almost casually as it were has held out. The tracks down the road, the cartridge boxes, the rubber cloth and the tracks down to the boats.","Let us suppose that D. means cartridge boxes and not paper, then the rubber cloth, was it Yankee? The boat party had taken off their cartridge boxes and spread the bit of rubber cloth to lie on. My Dave came upon them suddenly and so fell into their hands. Were there any signs of a scuffle of men in a high state of excitement moving about. And the rubber cloth - was it of the cartridge boxes [ ] - and did the tracks of the men pass them?","I say he rode the mare that far, because she was seen soon after he had crossed - by 3:30 p.m. near the canal without her rider- and was found then at 10 the next morning. She wanted to get back - and after she lost her rider on the 27 - she made for Vicksburg. Had he been taken alive he would surely have been taken up to headquarters. He would have been too great a prize - no He was dealt foully by and they were afraid to report it.","I send D. a letter written some days ago. I may not have time to add more - but any how send him copy of the copy of this, till you are he gets it. Ask him to send it to Major Burnett, and after discussing the whole case over with him, ask him to let us know what the Major says. Love to C. to Betty and 10 Tell N.B. hers was a sweet letter to the Brave.","Kiss everybody. I am worried about L.A.'s \"spies\"-","England \nFeb. 15, `64","My dear \"Nig\": \nThat was a capital bargain. How came they to let him pay off? He ought to be made Sec. Treasury if he can financier in that way. The bonds that F.B. had? I hope he looked after them, and that they gave you and him a most comfortable fire to warm by.","Yesterday morning Brave brought down a Legendre that he had brought over with him- Davie's. In the evening he was criticizing some of the propositions and demonstrations and proposed to burn it up. I happen to look on the fly page in the book and there was my precious Dave's own hand writing \"Charlotte is my dulce.\"","S-H- and in full below, and a sum that he had been doing. I suppose that the `Dulce' was the „Charlotte‟ that Kate or Sarah [ ] used to talk to him about. He had the book at the University. So Brave was ordered to put it away among our \"preciouses\" - I have written 2½ diverse times and grieve to know that he doesn't get my letters. My last was 26 Dec. It related to that famous brooch pin affair - was a great secret, and I hope that it has not\nmiscarried. No further development has occurred in that matter and you may rely upon it. I shall suffer it to proceed no further, unless it be clear that I can be more useful there than I can be here, or rather than I am permitted to be here. Any premature disclosure would as you may readily imagine give rise to any amount of scandal- to encounter which with equanimity all those virtues which made Duncan `so clear in his High office' - I must rely upon angels and \" my Innocents\" for defense, for if I enter into that scheme, my lips will be sealed. And in all this I rely upon the reticence, the prudence and the judgment of you all. If it comes to anything, you will know of it from other quarters long before you will\nfrom me. The possibility that you might so hear induced me to tell you of it before hand. I know it would set somebody to climbing the mountain, and I thought it was better to climb with the lights before you there in the dark.","Your Petersburg letter of Dec 11 to Brave is our latest date. [`Sophy'] is in New York having her old laces renovated.","4 March 6 p.m.","My dear Wellford: \nI have just received this from Paris. It is a little scrap which you may like to preserve. I have no new developments in the matter of the brooch pin.","Brave and I are mourning over the loss of our things by [Cameron] in the Petersburg - Another pair of specs for Mary among them. It's always so Brave says with our Xmas boxes. Love to you - Yrs","Bowdon, England \n4 Aug. `64","My dear N: \nI dreamed last night that your troubles were all over. I hope they are with all my heart. They have not only been the cause of the most tender and anxious solicitude but of many painful emotions also - which I would fain forget.","I send you the last I have heard of Corbin. I can't find out when or how he was made prisoner. I have asked R. to let him have any funds he may want, and I will return the same through his cousin [J.]B. in Liverpool. I do not know whether any exchange of prisoners is now going on. I am rather under the impression that there is another hitch of some sort in the way.","The first notice I had that he was certainly captured was by his notice from Pt. Look Out to R.H.M. cut from the N.Y. Daily News of 28 June and sent me by an officer in Paris. I rec'd it 16 July in the cars as I left London for Lland[ ]. Bob in his letter of June 23rd makes no mention of him. So I infer he must have been captured between that and the 26th or 27th. You however should not give yourself any trouble nor go to climbing any mountains on that score, for I have no doubt he will, with such assistance as I can give,\nbe able to provide very well for his material comforts.","I went down to [A ] day before yesterday to get some tooth brushes to send by an officer who is going home, and I don't like to see such a good opportunity to pass without sending something. So I thought of tooth brushes- All the shops are in [Albrincham] none in Bowdon, Mit said, O don't get them here, get them in Manchester. You get them so much better. He got a friend to get them for you-all right. Tell him to get the best brushes as to hair, such as gentlemen and ladies ought to us, and add to them 6 nail\nbrushes. They have just come, were bought at wholesale prices, and for the nail brushes behold the little shoe brushes. I wish they had been white, I should like 5 \u0026 6 to have a nice white one. But I reckon you can make them do.","Brave said the other day, \"Sister B is an elegant woman I tell you. I should like to have such a one for my wife\" \"Why-?\" \" Oh she keeps her things in such nice order, and looks good in anything\" So charge 5 \u0026 6 to be neat and clean, but I fancy they are, and that they will look mighty good in one of these nail brushes set off by an ivory handled tooth brush. Bless their hearts I wish I could bring myself instead of sending these nice brushes for the narsty Yankees to get. Brave is commencing Greek and French this half.\nHe is not quick, but has what is better than quickness viz. industry and perseverance, the will to make good resolutions and the force to carry this out. I now, since I have been sick take 4 meals a day, breakfast at 8, lunch at 1½, dinner at 5½ and tea at 9, Brave breakfasts and teas and soups. God bless you. Love to Sr. E \u0026 S.F.M. and all hands.","The Parsonage \nBelsize Park \nLondon, N.W. [England] \n30 Dec 64","My dear Corbin, \nHow are you and Jack these dreary times, well and bright I hope. I have no later dates, since I last wrote you. I saw Arthur Sinclair and Pegram last night. The latter left in Oct. I learned more from them as to how our folks get on, than I had learned before. My friend is named T r e m l e t t, not Triplett. Your first letter they knew was for me and sent it to Bowdon right away. I have settled with Rutson for the $167.85 and the $20 advanced by\nJno W. to you and Jack the $20 to Jack, the rest to you, total $187.85. Brave grows fast and sends love. God bless you both \nYrs afty M. Fontaine","The Parsonage \n[Belsize Park \nLondon, N.W., England] \n3 Feb. 65","My dear Mr. Corbin, \nI have been ill for nearly a month, but hope now I am all right again except in strength, and the roast beef and pudding will soon rectify. My last letters from home are four days older than yours. I had comforted myself with the belief that you and Jack had been exchanged. I think you are bound for that tailor bill whether the cape reaches you or not, for as I understand you ordered them to be sent and they were sent at your and not the tailor's risk. Love to Jack in which Brave joins me to both. I have refunded to R. all he has advanced for either of you. \nYr. aft. M. Fontaine","Off San Domingo \n19 May 1865","My dear Sir: \nWe expect to be in Havana next Monday. I have seen New York papers of 2nd. Taking for true what they say this Confederacy has come to a miserable wreck. I write this now for the chance of finding in Havana a vessel ready to take it away. Brave, will go home from Havana, but it will take a day or two there for him to get thro' with his business. In the mean time my friends will be anxious to know what I intend to do. I do not know where they are. I take the liberty of sending this to you thinking you will guess whence it comes, and hoping you will not consider it inconsistent with your new relations, to give it the proper direction.","I was utterly astounded at the brick-row tumble of our armies; and at the ignoble end of the Confederacy I am grieved and mortified beyond expression, My friends will know to whom and to what I attribute the great calamities that have been brought upon us. They need not have been. But as gloomy as the record is, and as black as is the mirror of the future, now is the time to be stout and brave and to rub it bright. The soil of Virginia has now for me no charms save those which memory flings around it. At present it is red with blood and bitter with the tears of those who were and are very precious, and its future is black with misery and utterly horrid. I have no wish to see it, and long to withdraw from it those who graced it, and those who made it very dear to my heart. In my judgment the only course that becomes them and that is left to those noble sons and daughters who have graced the fall of the noble old state is expatriation. There are too many voices coming up in bloody, to cry from her battlefields to admit any to tarry there now, who can get away. And I go from Havana with the design of finding for them a new country, and of obtaining such advantages as will induce 1000s to come. And among the first are my wife's brothers my own kin and our immediate friends especially such as those of Ridgway and others. Please consult your friend [L.E.] upon this subject. The discussion of it involves many considerations, considerations not so much of the present as of the future. The future of every true hearted Virginian is a life dragged out under the yoke amidst secret spies and truculent informers. Remaining on the [soil] their doom is that of a proscribed race.","The best service that I can now make the state is to propose an asylum to which her sons can flee and sit under their own vines and fig trees. Your nephew goes home over for the purpose of developing our plans and with the hope of seeing it received with favor by those whose presence and society would make us at home in any country. My wife has a diamond and [chain]. They will tell her if she will consult them who I seek to plant that home.","I wish 2 you would join me, if possible, and for several reasons - One is he is a better farmer than I am, and another is I shall if at all successful have more to do that I can attend to. Discuss the subject frankly and freely among our own friends, but privately and by letter, not publically nor in print, until I have something clear and definite to propose - which I hope to be at least this much:- [Leave] to come into the country with our effects\nwithout any duties of any sort, a grant of Lands exemption for a term of years from taxation and military conscription \u0026. Perhaps other terms more or less advantageous may be obtained. In the mean time broach the subject to the two generals, big and little - to Will's uncles and brothers, to Jessie, to the \"Squires\" boys and his sisters - to Jno. B. his brothers and nephews to Frank and his and their whole circle of friends - not forgetting mechanics of various sorts. I hope to be ready for the pioneers to come early in the winter if not before. They can make ready for a larger number to follow a few months later and they for a still larger number and soon. Tell L.E. I intend to pick out a settlement so sickly that everybody will want the Doctor and pay him too and so healthy that the old people will just dry up and blow away. Hey Ho!","Important from Mexico \nWe, Maximilian, Emperor of Mexico in consideration of the sparseness of the population in the Mexican territory, in proportion to its extent; desiring to give to immigrants all possible security for property and liberty, in order that they may become good Mexicans, sincerely attached to their new country; and having heard the opinion of our Board of Colonization, do decree, as follows:","Article 1. Mexico is opened to immigration from all nations.","Article 2. Immigration agents shall be appointed, who will be paid by the government, and whose duty it will be to protect the arrival of the immigrants, install them on the lands assigned them and assist them in every possible way in establishing themselves. These agents will receive the orders of an Imperial Commissioner if Immigration, specially appointed by us, and to whom, through our Minister of Improvement (Fomento) all communications relating to immigration shall be addressed.","Article 3. Each immigrant shall receive a duly executed title incommutable, of landed estate, and a certificate that it is free of mortgages.","Article 4. Such property shall be free from taxes for the first year, and also from duties on transfers of property, but only on the first sale.","Article 5. The immigrants may be naturalized as soon as they shall have established themselves as settlers.","Article 6. Immigrants who may desire to bring labourers with them, or induce them to come, in considerable numbers, of any race whatever, are authorized to do so; but those laborers will be subject to special protective regulations.","Article 7. The effects of immigrants, their working and broad animals, seeds, agricultural implements, machines and working tools, will enter free of custom house and transit duties.","Article 8. Immigrants are exempted from military service for five years. But they will form a stationary militia, for the purpose of protecting their property and neighbourhoods.","Article 9. Liberty in the exercise of their respective forms of religious worship is secured to immigrants, by the Organic Law of the Empire.","Article 10. Each of our Ministers is charged with carrying out such parts of this decree as relate to his department.","Given at Chapultepec on the 5th of September 1865. \nMaximilian","To the Minister of Improvement. \nBy the Emperor, \nManuel Orozco y Berra, \nSub-secretary, in the absence of the Minister of Improvement","Regulations \nUnder article 6, of the foregoing decree, we ordain as follows:","1. Under the laws of the Empire, all persons of colour are free by the mere act of their touching Mexican territory.","2. They shall make contracts with the employer who has engaged, or may engage them, by which such employer shall bind himself to feed, clothe and lodge them, and give them medical attendance, and also pay them a sum of money, according to whatever agreements they may enter into with him, and more over he shall deposit in the savings bank hereinafter mentioned, for the benefit of the labourer, a sum equivalent to one fourth of his wages, the laborer shall on his part obligate himself to his employer to perform the labour for which he is employed, for a term of not less than five nor more that ten years.","3. The employer shall bind himself to support the children of his labourers. In the event of the father's death, the employer will be regarded as the guardian of the children, and they will remain in his service until they become of age, on the same terms as those agreed on with their father.","4. Each labourer shall receive a book certified by the local authority, in which book his description, the statement of his place of labour, and a certificate of his life and habits, will be entered. In the case of a change of employer, the consent of the former employer shall be entered in this book.","5. In case of the death of the employer, his heirs or whoever may acquire his estate, shall be bound to the labourer in the same manner in which such employer was and labourer in his part shall be bound towards such new proprietor, on the same terms as in his former contract.","6. In case of desertion, the labourer when arrested, shall be placed, without pay, on public works, until his employe presents himself to claim him.","7. In case of any injustice of the employer towards the labourers, he shall be brought before a magistrate.","8. Special police commissioners will watch over the execution of these regulations, and officially prosecute all violators thereof.","9. A savings bank will be established by the government for the following objects.","10. The employers shall deposit in said bank, every month, for the benefit of the labourers, a sum equivalent to one fourth of the wages which each is entitled to, under his contract of employment.","11. The labourers can deposit, in addition, in the savings bank, in money, such sum as they may desire.","12. These deposits shall bear interest at the rate of 5 percent per annum.","13. At the end of his engagement, and on presentation of his book, the labourer shall receive the entire amount of his savings.","14. If at the end of his engagement the labourer wishes to leave his money in the savings bank, he can then receive the interest accrues, or if he wishes to leave this also, it will be added to his capital, and also draw interest.","15. In case a labourer should die intestate or without heirs, his property shall pass to the treasury of the government.","Given at Chapultepec, on the 5th of September 1865. \nMaximilian \nTo the Minister of Improvement \nBy the Emperor: \nManuel Orozco y Berra \nSubsecretary, in the absence of the Minister of Improvement.","The following Regulations and Instructions have also been approved by His Majesty the Emperor. [signed by M.F. Maury] \nSeptember 11th 1865.","1. The lands offered for Colonization are divided into three classes:","2. 1st those that are of the public domain and have never been reduced to\ncultivation:","3. 2nd Those that have been more or less improved as Haciendas, the right to\ndispose of which, the Government has acquired, either by purchase or otherwise:-","4. 3rd Private lands and Haciendas, the proprietors of which are disposed to offer them to immigrants on liberal terms for colonization. Many Haciendas that are, or have been, under cultivation, may be bought on easy terms, for less that $1 per acre.","5. These private Haciendas or plantations, sometimes embrace several hundred\nsquare miles; those of the smaller sizes often afford lands and room for a settlement of a dozen or more families.","6. Immigrants are advised to establish themselves, at first, in settlements or communities, as will for mutual protection and assistance, as for the benefit of churches and schools, and the convenience of mills, blacksmith shops, etc. etc.","7. It is the policy of the Government to encourage settlement upon private, as will as upon public lands; and the same rights, privileges and exemptions are offered to immigrants who may settle on the former, as are granted to those who settle upon the latter.","8. Lands of Class 1. are offered in alternate sections, as donations to actual settlers, and in quantities varying from 160 acres for single men, to 640 for the heads of families according to circumstances, to be explained presently.","Immigration \n9. The Government not only invites all well disposed persons to come and assist in the occupation of its vacant places; but His Majesty, the Emperor, touched by the spectacle of good men struggling with adversity in other lands, tenders hospitality and homes especially to these. Moved by the generous impulses of his nature, he offers them material assistance, to enable them to reach this bountiful and beautiful land. To those of them who wish to change their skies, make Mexico their homes, and identify themselves with the country, a free passage for their families and their effects by\nsea, is offered.","10. Immigrants are therefore divided into two classes: A. \u0026 B. - The former being of those first alluded to, who. by misfortune, have last all their substance; and the latter, those who are less straightened in their means.","11. Not only a free passage by sea is offered to Class A., but when they arrive in the country, a travelling allowance of a Real the league, there to their new homes, will be made for each member of their families, counting as members also, their apprentices.","12. Lands of Class 1. will be donated to these immigrants by alternate sections, viz: 160 acres to a single man, and 320 to a man with a family, with a pre-emption right to as much more in each case.","13. Immigrants of Class A. who, after arriving in the country, may prefer to settle upon Haciendas or other lands are a liberty to do so; but in that case, they will be required to refund, with interest, the money that may have been advanced in assisting them to reach their new domiciles.","14. Immigrants of Class B., who are those that can afford to pay their own\nexpenses, have the whole country before them. They may establish themselves\nwherever they can find suitable and available lands. If they prefer the unimproved lands of the public domain, they also can have them free in alternate sections, but only for actual settlement, at the rate of 320 acres for a single man, and 640 to a man with a family, with a pre-exemption right to as much more in each case.","15. These donations of land to persons whether of Class A. or B., are made on condition, and with the understanding, that the donee shall, in good faith, proceed forthwith to occupy, subdue and cultivate the land so donated.","16. The lands of the public Haciendas will be offered at government prices, and pro - rata, according to the actual cost of purchase by the Government.","17. As it regards private lands and Haciendas, the field of selections is much larger, Immigrants are free to make their own bargains with proprietors, the Government waiving its fees on such transactions, as per Art. of the Decree.","18 As it regards the public Haciendas, a reservation of improved lands will be made from each, to serve; during the first years, as a common for the free use of the colonists. The size of the Common will be determined by the number of families the lands of the Hacienda may be sufficient to accommodate. It will be large enough to give them breadstuffs and vegetables at once, and until they can bring their own lands into cultivation. It will be large enough also to afford space for a village in case the immigrants\nshould find it desirable, as probably at first they will, to establish themselves in villages. No rent will be charged for the first years for the use of this Common.","19. This Reserve or Common is ultimately intended for educational purposes;\nand, after the first years, a ground rent of ten per cent upon the value of the land, but not upon the improvements, will be required.","Agencies \n20. Agents for immigrations will be stationed at convenient points abroad, for the purpose of affording information to the immigrant there, as to this country, its lands, the best way of reaching them, and upon all other subjects pertaining thereto.","21. Persons wishing to emigrate, will first apply to the most convenient agent, The applicant must state his occupation: whether agricultural, mercantile, mechanical or professional. He must also give his age, with the name, sex and age of each member of his family, including apprentices. If he requires assistance for the journey, he must state his circumstances, and give satisfactory references as to his character and standing in the community.","Permits \n22. The permit of the Immigration Agent is necessary to entitle the immigrant to the privileges of the decree. Unless he brings with him such a permit into the country, he will neither be entitled to lands, to free entry at the customs-house, nor to any other privileges beyond those accorded to mere strangers.","Effects. \n23. Immigrants with such permits may bring in, duty free, all their personal and household effects; their live stock, their implements of husbandry, tools and instruments of all sorts, used by them in the pursuit of their trade, art, profession or calling. But they may not bring, without the payment of duty, any merchandize or thing for sale, exchange or barter.","24. Before embarking, if coming by sea, or leaving home, if coming by land, the immigrant should furnish the agent for Immigration a complete list of persons and effects thaty of Mexico, will be completed. A charter for another rail-way, from the Capital to the Pacific Ocean, has been granted to responsible parties.","25. Immigrants arriving in port, or crossing the line will find an agent there, whose duty it is to give them such assistance, and afford them such further information as they may require to speed them on their way.","Apprentices \n26. The agents for immigration will give no permits for Apprentices: unless the indentures shall conform to the terms of the decree, and be otherwise not inconsistent with the laws of the Empire; unless the indenture be attested by three respectable witnesses, certifying that the Apprentice was free, and that he, his parent or guardian, as the case may be, entered into the contract for apprenticeship, freely, and without threat, fear or intimidation; and unless the agent himself shall be satisfied that the \"patron\" is a humane man and a proper person, made so by his habit and education, for the care of such Apprentices.","27. In all cases, the \"patron\" must furnish a descriptive list of his Apprentices, taking the time and terms of their indentures, with their names, sexes, and ages. He must exhibit to the agent, the indentures in duplicate, or in duly certified copies, one of which the agent shall deliver to the Apprentice, and retaining another, shall return the third to the patron.","[verso] Regulations \u0026 Instructions to be published with the Decree.\nIn connection with the foregoing, I beg leave to add, for the information of those who are displaced to avail themselves of the very liberal terms offered by this Decree, a few remarks on the physical geography, the agricultural resources and industrious pursuits of this beautiful country:","The Empire of Mexico lies between the parallels of 15° and 32° of the North latitude.","The shores are bathed by the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea on one hand, and by those of the Pacific on the other.","It is celebrated for its mines of silver and gold; copper, iron and lead also abound; but though its mineral wealth has dazzled the world, its mineral wealth is, as a source of riches, by no means equal to its soil.","Its climates are genial and its harvest perpetual; under good husbandry, the yield is bountiful, being 50, 100, and sometimes 200 fold. On the way up from Vera Cruz to the Capital in May, I saw the cereals in all the ways of cultivation between the hands of the sower and the arms of the reaper.","The seasons in Mexico are not marked by the vicissitudes of heat and cold so distinctly as they are by their characteristics of wet and dry. The coolest time of the year in this City is about the end of the dry season in April and May. The rainy season throughout the country commences generally with June and ends with September; still, there are occasional showers both before and after.","In the tierra caliente- the rainy season is the sickly season.","Between the mountains and the sea there is, on both coasts, a flat country, varying in breadth from 10 to 60 miles or more. These lowlands reach back to the mountains which form the edge of the Table-land or great central plateau. This low country corresponds to that which, in Virginia and the Carolinas, lies between the Blue Ridge and the sea. It is the hot country of Mexico, the tierra caliente. Everything which delights in rich soils, bright\nskies, warmth and moisture, finds a genial habitat there.","Ascending the mountains, which are timbered all the way up, you reach the table-land, an immense plain from five to eight thousand feet above the level of the sea, and hundreds of mils in breadth. In length, it is commensurate with the Empire; and in the lap of its western declivities, lies the tierra caliente of the Pacific coast. This table-land is the tierra\ntemplada, or the temperate regions of the Empire. Its climates are delightful: a happy mean between hot and cold, where cloth clothes are not uncomfortable by day, nor a blanket or two too heavy by night. Nevertheless, fire is never to be required, even in the coldest weather, for the houses generally are built without chimneys or fireplaces. It is very healthy.","The surface of this table-land is diversified with hills and dales, with an occasional snow clad peak; so that one, by descending into the valleys, may find, at the difference in level of a few hundred yards, and in the distances of a few miles, the productions and staples of all climates and latitudes, from those of Virginia and Missouri down to the shore of the\nGulf of Mexico, and there through the West Indies to the Equator or Brazil.\nEmigrants for Mexico, come at what season they may, will always be in time to plant something; but the best season for crop planting is generally in the spring, and the best time for coming is in the dry season, from October to May, when the newcomer may live in tents, put his seed into the ground and till June to build and get his family comfortably housed, by the time the rains set in.","The staples of agriculture in Mexico are like its climates: according to height above the sea level, somewhat controlled also by latitude. They are: corn, wheat, barley and oats; cotton, sugar and coffee; hemp, rice, tobacco, cocoa, cochenille, pimento, indigo, oranges, fruits and vanilla. On the dry table-lands, where nothing else scarcely will grow, flourishes the lordly Maguey or Pulque plant, the glory and wonder of Mexican flora. A single plant of this marvelous production is worth from $4 to $12, according to age and size. It yields but for a single season, and then dies. Some of the wealthiest establishments in Mexico are these Pulque plantations.","There is no lack of range and pasture for herds of cattle: goats, sheep, cows, and horses do well. Nay, gentlemen who are from the grazing lands of the Western States, and who have travelled through the northern part of Mexico, assure me, that they have never seen so fine a stock country.","The forests abound in useful trees and ornamental woods, among them, the mahogany and the india-rubber tree. As for fruits and vegetables, they are of great variety and excellence. The immigrant can find climates and soils suitable to any cultivation that he may choose to adopt. From the sea to the top of the tablelands, he will find these soils and climates ranged in belts suitable for sugar, coffee, tobacco, and the like. These declivities are generally the best watershed lands, and are fit for cultivation all the way up.","The population of the Empire, counting in round numbers, is estimated at eight millions, about seven millions of which belong to what may be called the laboring classes.","Agricultural labor, however, is poorly paid: the average rate of wages being from 25 to 37 cents a day, the laborer finding himself. His skill is rude. I have seen him sawing with an ax, plowing with a stick, hoeing his corn with a shovel, and his wife grinding with a pebble. He yokes his oxen by the horns to the plow or cart; and fetches and carries cheaply on his own back, or on that of mule and donkeys.","Owing to the unsettled state and the constant revolutions in which the country has been for more than forty years, the people now find themselves with energies paralyzed, haciendas neglected and industry itself at a stand-still. There is no lack of evil-minded persons in all countries, and great political revolutions, as experience elsewhere shows, never fail to call forth such. Mexico has not escaped them; and bandits, or guerrillas as\nthey are called, go about the country in certain parts, levying blackmail and forced contributions upon peaceable and defenseless people. To avoid any molestation from these, immigrants, especially the first comers, should travel in company and establish themselves, for mutual protection and convenience, in settlements of not less than a dozen or two. They should bring with them their farming implements, and encourage in every settlement the establishment of blacksmith and other shops, the erection of mills,\netc. ","The Emperor is governing mildly and wisely. Internal improvements are encouraged. Education is fostered; and all useful enterprises are sure to find in their Majesties earnest and active support. A railway is in the process of construction from Vera Cruz to the city of Mexico. Fifty miles of it, from Vera Cruz to the foot of the table-land are already in operation; next year another section, from Pueblo to the City of Mexico, will be completed. A charter for another railway, from the Capital to the Pacific Ocean, has been granted to responsible parties.","An able corps of civil engineers has recently been organized, and steps taken for the repair and construction of wagon roads in various parts of the Empire. Telegraphic lines are also encouraged, and several are already in operation.","The Mexican Times, a weekly paper printed in English and devoted to colonization, will, in a few days, make its appearance from the press of this city. Those who wish to come to Mexico, will find in it much useful information relating to the country.","It will, however, afford me much pleasure to give to those who may desire it, any special information that it may be in my power to give, and until the agencies alluded to in the Decree and Regulations, be filled. Their letters will receive prompt attention if directed to the care of Col. Talcott [Tolcott], Engineer in chief of the Imperial Mexican railway.","City of Mexico \n11 Sept. 1865 \n(signed) M. F. Maury","fr. Manhattan - recd. by R.M. 18 Nov a.m. in company with a shorter letter to himself and a short note to Mr. Thos. Bold, but none others.","To Mr. S.W. Corbin \nOffice of Colonization \n13 Calle San Juan de Letran \nMexico 31 Oct 1865","My dear Corbin \nDick and party arrived here all safe about a week ago. Pip has a little bout with chills: - the rest are well. - The Yankee papers now have it that \"Professor Maury, the vilest of traitors has asked for pardon.\" - In the name of sense what do I want with a \"pardon\"? I have no idea of going to the U.S. now, whatever I may do in the future: and when I want to come back its quite time enough to talk about a \"pardon.\" Therefore, pray you and\nNannie let all my friends know that the greatest mortification that they can cause me is to talk about asking Mr. Johnson for anything for me, or to talk about pardon.-","I am not a seer, nor can I control events. I may want to go to the U.S.: I may want to go to Siberia: but when the time comes, then there will be time enough also to decide as to the way.","I have asked, and the Emperor has ordered the authority to be given, to make Dick my Sub. at $2500.\"(salary.)\" I have not been officially informed of it yet: but he has been hard at it in the traces.","As to the success of Colonization, those \"ifs\" which have hitherto prevented me from calling you and Nannie here, are still in the way.","Mexico has been trying for 40 years to put the tide of immigration this way, it can't. - I have from the beginning told the Emperor I must have full sway in the matter. - otherwise I couldn't. This sway has not been given yet: and in the mean time many immigrants have come,- knocked, and no one opening. they have gone away. - As I have always said, if colonization fails, Mexico is no place for me. But before I set about to hunt a place to die, I wish to make the experiment. Where that place is, I cannot tell: - it may be Farley\nVale - it may be Old England. - But of I stay here that long, I shall want you to come out a little after this time next year, look at the country and bring Nannie. - It will take you two months: - 2 weeks to come, a month to stay, and 2 weeks to go.","I am now in a condition to support my family again in their wonted comfort; and that's a great blessing for a man who has done all the foolish things attributed to \"Matthew F.\" This is early. I have not seen Dick. I wait with some curiosity to see if Dab: and Will between them, will in that free country of theirs, dare to publish our Decrees etc., etc. - Kiss \"(I know not whether it is \"Maria or 'Mama\", or what)\" for me.","Yours affectionately, \nM.F. Maury","[Note by the copyist]\nThere are 3 copies hereof; of which one goes to Nannie, another to Betty, and the 3rd will go to Mrs. M.F. - on 22 Nov [ ] Cunard str. from Boston. The letter to myself encloses a draft for £100 to repay my advances for Dick. Except that it does not name the application for Dick, the invitation to Mr. \u0026 Mrs. Corbin or the remarks about Will and Dab: it is to the same purport as this: and I sent a copy of it today (18th)Nov.) to Mrs. M.F. under cover to Mr. Bold. R.M.","Office of Colonization \nMexico \nNov. 27th 1865","My dear wife: \nThe last steamer from New York brought us three days ago from the indefatigable Rutson copies of your dear letters to Bettie and Cousin Ann, and Tom Bold's letter to Rutson, reporting you as his guest till Xmas and all well. Also letters from Nannie and Cousin Ann, press copies of which even also sent to you.","I reckon, maybe I have \"gone [clean] daft,\" that my children and friends should think it necessary to write me such letters and make me such appeals. But it looks to me mightily like I have done, and am doing the thing that is right, wisest and best - Surely it was worth some sacrifice of feeling on your part as well as mine, and the endurance of a little longer separation to get Dick so snugly established as he is likely to be here-","My own; no, our own mutual interests require that I should be in England at no distant day, and not being a prophet I could not foresee the turn that things would take, which would compel me to be here now, instead of half way across the sea towards your sweet embraces and my children's arms-","The rainy season sets in the last of May and continues till Oct. Nov- this too is the sickly season, Yellow Fever both in Vera Cruz and West Indies - This is the time of year when immigration must stop and when therefore I can best be spared from my duties here - Now, between these months of May and October, I should be afraid to risk a voyage from here to England or the reverse.","I was afraid to leave you in Virginia because I was afraid and am afraid of troubles there. See what is going on in South Carolina and La. now. From the accounts I received from you and the children as to the difficulties on the score of servants, and other matters, I could not bear the idea of your encountering this winter in Virginia, surrounded as I fancied you would be, with such material discomfort - You remember my continued anxiety upon this subject during the war; and how last Spring I urged you to go North, surround yourself with material comforts and await events.","Therefore having to go to England at the earliest moment practicable (and that will be in the Spring on account of the sickly season and official duty here and I can't venture back, until the dangers of Yellow Fever are over) I thought England the best place for you to wait; and I thought they to join you in Dec.","In this sketch I make no allusion to the other reasons which we have so freely discussed before, and for which it was also wisest and best for you and the children to go to England - Bless my little Lucy's heart, I did not know before that she stammered—","Now then:- suppose I were to heed Bettie and Nannie, Cousin Ann and Rutson and write for you to come. You might be able to leave by the Str. of 1st Jan - but more probably not before February - That would bring you here about 4th March - And then, by the last of April at furthest I should have to leave for England - where on account of Yellow Fever by the way back, I should have to stay till Oct. You would then be left here with a people\nspeaking an unknown tongue for six or seven months and these six or seven months we had better spend together in \"merrie old England\" I think, that in dodging each other behind \"Albion's chalky cliffs\" and the sierras of Mexico - Don't you? –","Another thing: - and this is among my muttered thoughts, and if, and if and if all these ifs should conjoin, I may not come back - This though is way down deep among the remote contingencies of the future - It is not to be mentioned, except with injunctions, even to the most reticent, for still more reticence, for there is not enough of consistency about it, even for you to hang a hope upon - I can only contemplate it so far as to let the possibility of it enter into my calculations, so that should that possibility turn out a reality, I should not be taken by surprise.","Hey Ho! This thing of being so opposed by friends, when one \"feels it in his bones,\" that he is doing what is right, wisest and best; this having to defend and explain and excuse oneself, and all in vain: - the feeling added to and piled up above this, that I am prejudged and condemned by children and friends who don't know - makes me feel, - oh! so flinty! I am right - and I must keep so. I sink myself I live for the reflected pleasure which the happiness and approving smiles of my wife and children alone can give - And the hope of this sustains, cheers and comforts me. And if they will but have patience with me, and God will spare me, this I will do yet - I hope—","Dick is a great help and comfort to me - Bless his heart, he wins upon me every day - so crippled! yet so patient, so devoted to his new duties and so hardworking - He surprises and delights me with his business tact and capacity. He is so handsome too and in his nice new clothes looks the gentleman every whit-","Here, my dear, precious darling wife, is a great reward to you and consolation too, for this vexations separation;- and a proud, nay a glorious vindication too of the wisdom so far, of the course pursued by your husband in coming here - Suppose, instead of coming here last Spring, I had remained in England, or gone to Halifax to bide my time - Perhaps we should have been together now in England, - But what would have become of him? You know I became very uneasy about the tendency of his habits in consequence of the taste engendered by those immense doses of medicine which when wounded he was compelled to take. With those habits upon him, I trembled at the idea of seeing him risk alone and unaided, as he must have done, the battle of life there in Va. - Under such ordeals, there was no telling what might have become of him - Suffice it to say, the apprehensions and the fear that he would give way, haunted me - Now I find he is safe from that at any rate. He has position, with head and hands full of honorable and useful employment - with emoluments all things considered such as you and I, even in the balmy days of our \"munificent provision' never enjoyed - He was consulting me today about buying some Cordova lands- I had it in my mind to bring Corbin here and induce him to settle upon them. And tho I believe he and Nannie would have come, if I had but urged them, yet in the face of so much opposition, I did not have the heart to do it - In the olden times Cordova was the garden spot of New Spain. ","Price, Perkins, Shelby, Harris and all our people who have been there say it has the most delightful climate and the finest soil they ever saw. There stands on one side of it and but a little way off, the Peak of Orizaba with its cap of everlasting snow, and on the other the sea in full view-","When slavery was abolished suddenly fifty years ago- as with us- down it went - and its splendid Haciendas and baronial old mansions are now in ruins. They were heavily in debt to the church and as the church property has been confiscated, not by the Emperor, he took possession of these estates for colonization- The railway hence to Vera Cruz passes right through there and I am now selling them to immigrants as fast as they can\nbe surveyed, at $1 the acre, on five years credit. There are about 40 of our people already there. Perkins has bought him a house and has sent for his wife - so has Shelby, and so has a number of others - Mr. Holdman and Episcopal clergyman with his family - nice people, has been engaged by the settlement as pastor, teacher etc and I am going to reserve land for a church, school house, cemetery etc.","Thus you see my dear, sweet wife, colonization is not a chimera- By the time these lands are paid for they will be worth even if no more come to the Empire, $10, $20, $30 aye $100 the acre - for they produce everything under the sun, and yield perpetual harvests. What do you think of coffee growing wild, of fig trees 100 feet high, and 3 feet in circumference - and the most luscious pine apples at a cent apiece? Yet they tell me all these things are there. Now if I could have gotten Corbin here on one of these stately old\nHaciendas - he would with his skillful husbandry have made it bud and blossom again, and thus we should have found us a nest again. There is a great rush for this settlement, and it is here that Dick wanted to go, but as he was my son, I advised him against it, because there are not lands enough for them all. However I am going to extend the settlement and then Corbin and Nannie can come.","Lafayette Caldwell who used to be draftsman at the Observatory has sent for his family, Magruder for his, and there is a number of families already here. Some of them established in this city, but they are going to break up, and go down to this \"new\" dear old Spottsylvania.","Now if I can only get lands surveyed in time and there is a probability of this, -\"Here is your New Virginia\"- There are other settlements forming in other parts of the Empire. Colonization is a success if we can only find instruments and get surveyors to bring the lands into market. The people of the South are restrained from prudential considerations from speaking of their intentions. But we have letters. Thousands are dying to come. And I hope to have a decree this week which will put them in motion. Hurrah! -----30th The decree has come with an appropriation of $2,000,000.","[Verso]\nN York [ ] [ ] \nThis was sent to my sister for her and for my perusal (exclusively) and with the same injunction of reticence as to the \"-if, if \u0026 if\" matter - to apply to you and to Nannie we were requested to send this for you and for her perusal.","Mexico \n30 Nov. 1865","My dear Nannie, \nMany thanks my loving darling for your last letter. The \"Ticup-o-pitchin [In]\", though you have done less of it than others. I send for you and Betty an extract from my letter to y'r Ma, induced by your and her letters and one from Cousin Ann. My friends in England have now [confessed] themselves satisfied that in coming here I did the best thing that under the circumstances could be done. And your Ma being now out of the way of having\nthe move discussed, criticized, and condemned will be much happier. You know how her mind is [ ] by divided councils. In the letter I received from her yesterday, just after mine from which the extract is taken, had been mailed. It contained the \"hypes\" of my Molly dear, and darling Elie.","I wish now that I had induced Corbin to come, and settle on one of the Cordoba estates.","Is the spirit of manliness clear gone out of those noble Virginia people. Can't Corbin raise a settlement and come now under the new decree. It authorizes me to loan 1/3 of the [] money to any settlements of not less than 25 families who will come here buy a hacienda and settle upon it. The most splendid Haciendas are to be bought for $2. or $3 hundred thousand dollars [i.e.] at the rate of not over $4 or $5 the acre. 1/5 down and\nany credit you like as an illustration suppose a community of 25 families or more, will send Corbin and others here to select a place for them. They find a Hacienda to their liking at say $150,000. This office will give him a certificate that $50,000 will be bound for 15 years to the settlement, to be proportional among them, as soon as the 25 families appear. His cash payment will be $10, 15- 20- or 30,000$ according as he may bargain with the vendor. The balance of the $50,000 can go to the working of the farm. He and\nthe rest can stay, put in a crop and get ready for the rest to follow. I am to have $2,000,000 for this purpose. I sent the decree to R.H. Maury to be published. If it be not published ask him for it, and do the best you can.","Send this and your Ma's letter to Betty - and stop all of you telling the Crit that she is miserable and that I ought not to do this, and it's [better] to do that - praise everything she does. My troubles now - up the mountains- are about chairs, and that brass-eyed young Bold. But I don't think yr Ma will stay there, until now. But Tott's [ ] [looks] mighty [ ] I\ntell you.","God bless you all my dear children. We will build our house together yet I hope. \nYr affectionate father, M.F.","Reasons for establishing colonies in Mexico.","1. Va is not a fit place to live in now. All must come to Mexico. If they stay in Va they will have to free their nigs, will have to pay taxes heavier than in Mexico will very likely have a nig tax collector coming around, will be always haunted by the Yankees, will have to pay the Yankee war debt, will have to help pay pensions to the widows and orphans of the men that have been fighting against us and do nothing for ours and will perhaps have our lands confiscated. The Spartans of the war who remain in Va will be in the category of a conquered race.","2. All must come to Mex. Pa is going to Max and get form him grants of land in different part of Mex for the best blood of Va. and the South to go to. He will get Max to allow them to come to Mex and bring all their effects with them free of duty, get them exempted from taxes and conscription in the army for a term of years. Besides these he will get such other privileges as my be practicable including those of religion.","3. Brother Wellford must come right off the reel to pick the lands for us to settle on. Some steady young men who are not afraid to work must be sent to get ready for the rest to come. Must set all the nigs free and then bring them along as persons owing passage money to be paid in labour. Then they can be held as peons till the debt is discharged. That is you pay them but can compel them to work for you as long as they owe you money or labour. Must get mechanics of all sorts to come with their tools and uncle John or Uncle Charlie or Brother Will or someone else must stay behind to wind up the affairs of all.","Those persons that intend to leave the Confed anyhow had better send someone to him at once; but he wants no one to come simply on his representation. Indeed the idea is that those people that wish to settle together and intend to leave the country any how should appoint a certain on and send him to Pa who can offer him better privileges that he could get by himself. Then if Max don't suit him he can go back and report to the people that sent him and they will be just where they started from.","Mexico \n7 Dec. 1865","My dear sweet brave Nannie: \nI laid awake most of the time last night a thinking over that letter of yrs from Ridgway that came yesterday. Rutson gave you good reasons for your ma not passing by F.V. on her way to Mexico.","About yr. coming here, I was trying last night to work it out. I sent you by the [Ltr] which left Vera + yesterday a copy of the New Decree that is to be and my address with suggestions in relation thereto for Corbin's action.","Suppose this plan don't take. I think still that Corbin can do better here than there under present aspect of affairs. That supposing he can't raise a settlement of 25. to come, he had better work up to this idea. Stay and gather his crop next year. and sell F.V. in case he can get a good price. If he can't then let him reap his crop and leave his land, and come say about this time next year. In the mean time what will you do? Here's my pillow\nthought of it - vision o' the night.","F.V. will be a bad place for you to weather next summer and fall, and rainy season. I am laying my plans to leave in the B'r steamer of 1st April. It would not be desirable for you to come later than May on account of Yellow fever in V \u0026. I landed the last of May and some of my fellow passengers took it and died. The end of your troubles in Va. is not yet. Now then how do you and Corbin like this idea? You come out here next spring and so escape the chills of F.V. Here's your home. If Corbin can rent or sell on good terms, he can come with you, but if not he can stay to gather his crops and then come, with the intention of staying here two or three years anyhow. During that time he can manage to get along here, and hold his own. So that should it be desirable for him to return, as time passes by, he can return. In these two or three years the people will have adjusted themselves to this new condition of things, and he then see how it looks. And in this time he will not be able to make much in Va. anyhow.","And then the next year we will get Betty and Mary to make us a visit. Wouldn't it be \"jolly\"? You will get this i.e. - you may, by the 23rd. Write to Rutson and ask him to send it by 1st Steamer to Havana under cover to Mexican consul there - the way this goes - and from there here. There's a steamer every week. As I said, let me know, for your coming is for my treat.","I am glad you had the Decrees \u0026 c published. Tell Corbin I am now negotiating for Santa Anna's Hacienda near Jalapa. 300,000 acres and a superb one it is, at say $7.50 cts the acre, on condition of putting 200 families there. The country round about is healthy. The climate is superb, and nature so prolific, bountiful and [benignant], that she chases you about with fruits and flowers in her hand. Now if he will put himself at the head of 200 families and come, I. Max- will advance him one third the purchase money in cash, out of which he can pay his first installment and establish his people. In a few years they will all be rich, for we intend to build a railway thru to V.+","The final offer is to be made me this week. Then you are as near to N. Orleans as you are now. Think over these things and let me know you can't imagine how Dick has improved in appearance. He looks so well, so handsome and genteel. He has a great tact for business, and works like a horse bless his heart. Love to Brodie, Lucy Ellen and the 'gals' with a 1001 good wishes to `Ducks' bless her heart. To Jno and Charles and theirs, to Mary, Sr. E. and SF., to Dabney , wife and children and to everybody. Send all my letters to Betty. Why don't you tell me of my dear friends Frank Minor and Lucy Ann.","10th- I wish with all my heart I could appoint Corbin - but it is necessary for the Agent to [hire] him in Richmond or Norfolk, [and] $1,200 would not pay Corbin for quitting. Corbin- I send you and him an offer of a splendid estate please publish. It is Santa Anna's splendid Hacienda now in ruins near Jalapa. All the officers of the Army who were here with old Scott will tell you of its magnificence. Their agent is afraid St. Anna will withdraw\nthe offer or thwart him if he finds out that he is offering it in so practical a shape. Therefore, while you may tell it to friends don't say in print that the estate is Santa Anna's. If Corbin can make up a company under the new decree sent you last mail, I'll advance him what the decree allows as soon as he plants his 200 families there.","This is an offer. I have no doubt if you send someone, he will get better terms. And to send first is the proper way.","Jack reported himself yesterday by telegram for Orizaba, dead broke. Rutson had asked me to send him a lift.","Yr aft. \nM.F.","An offer of 350,00 acres of land is made to Confederate settlers who wish to establish themselves in Mexico.","These lands the most fertile of the Empire, are crossed by three rivers. They are situated on the line of rail-road from Vera Cruz to the Capital, and are near the road from V Cruz to Jalapa. They are in the healthy part of Sierra Caliente, and produce equally well coffee, cocoa, indigo, cotton and sugar cane, as well as all the tropical fruits and vegetables.","The proprietor will sell them to settlers as soon as the letter shall have filled with the Agents of Colonization in the United States or Mexico subscriptions for 200,000 acres at the following rate: \nThe first 50,000 acres chosen at ---- $1.75 \n\" second \" \" \" \" ---- 1.50 \n\" third \" \" \" \" ---- 1.25 \n\" fourth \" \" \" \" ---- 1.00","The first subscribers will have the right to choose at the above rates with the understanding that not less than 320 acres shall be sold to any of them.","When the 200,00 acres shall have been subscribed for, and chosen the rest shall be sold at a price to be agreed upon between the seller and the purchaser.","The payments shall be made in the following manner: \nThe third part of the value shall be paid in cash at Mexico, Ver Cruz or New Orleans. The rest thereof shall be paid in four years time causing the payments thereof to be effected in equal parts and yearly, that is to say one sixth of the value of the property adding thereto the interest at the rate of six percent.","As villages and towns will be formed on these lands, a lot will be given gratis to each settler in said villages or towns. Said lots shall be chosen and allotted by Mr. Maury the Imperial Commissioner of Colonization.","The surveying and the cost of the title of the property will be at the expense of the settlers.","City of Mexico \nDec 9th 1865-","Colonization Office \n13 San Juan de Letran Mexico \nDec 10th 1865","The Hacienda offered herewith known to have been one of the finest and most celebrated in Mexico It presents, especially to the former planters of the South, a fine opportunity for establishing a flourishing American settlement. Those who are disposed to visit the country for the purpose of colonizing it under the Imperial Decree to promote immigration will receive every encouragement from this Office. The offer is made by respectable\nparties, and persons wishing to treat, will be put in communication by addressing the Commissioner","Apprentices as per Imperial Decree of September 5th 1865 would do well here, though there is no lack of native labour.","M.F. Maury \nImperial Commissioner","Mexico \n1 Jan 1866","My dear Corbin, \nMy letter of the 18 ultimo, proposing start after present crop you should let or lease F.V. and come here to watch events - crossed yours to the self some time. It appears to me for reasons in my letter to Nannie that it's the best thing for her to come in the spring and for you to follow in the fall.","It will be more consistent with yourself respect to abandon that country at least for the present. Don't stay there and help fasten the yoke upon your own neck that my precious Davy Jones gave up his life in trying to shake off. Don't stultify yourself, but come here to look over - and then when you see what means of Govt. the victors will impress, you can decide whether you will accept it. For God sake don't you help them, whether others may. This looking on will last probably till `69, in the same time, you can't make anything at F.V. You can barely live - but that you can do here.","You mention the \"ifs \u0026 ifs \u0026 ifs\": I recd letters yesterday from England, that give a semblance of reality to one of those \"ifs\". It is probable that I shall be sent for by the New Atlantic Telegraph Co. and if be that I shall ask leave of absence till the fall and take the\nstr of 1 Feb. But I shall have Dick and you in charge of the house, and my room for you and Nannie. But I am not gone yet. And you shall hear more about it before I do go. In the mean time continue to write care of Y.P. Oropesa, Colonization Agent Vera Cruz.","I have a letter asking here for room for 10,000 of those noble [Carolinian] families, that fought and lost as we did and who two years ago, left their desolated houses to the victors and sought refuge like me of true pluck in a foreign land. Bless their hearts I'll do my best to help them to homes in these lovely climes. Tell Nannie to swap this letter with Betty for one to Will. \"So Tidem\" Good night \nYrs \nMaury","Sue \u0026 pip send words of New Years calls \u0026 gifts. They are great belles.","Send to Betty \u0026 Will \nThere's only this one copy \nSo Betty after studying it must send it to Nannie","\"To her Majesty The Empress. \nMadam: \nI have the honour to transmit for the information of your Majesty, the communication made to this office by Mr. T.C. Hindman of which I had the honour of speaking yesterday.\nIt relates to colonization, in connection with a system of internal improvements, a land survey and a census of the Empire. The subjects are of high importance, and the\nsuggestions expressed by the author of the paper, are worthy of careful consideration.","It has not escaped Her Majesty's observation, how the Empire is gaining ground and acquiring strength: That it is gaining the confidence of the people of stability, no better evidence can be afforded that the potent fact, that capital is leaving its hiding places, and seeking investments in various enterprises throughout the Empire.","The times therefore seem propitious for inaugurating those great measure of policy the adoption of which would impart new vigour to this nascent life.","The revenues of the Empire may be increased and its prosperity promoted by revision of the whole excise system; and one of the first steps towards this is a census which will tell the number of the people, and the value of the property.","Another step, requiring years for its accomplishment, but nevertheless redounding the glory of our Emperor; the good of His people, and the welfare of His Empire, is a landsurvey: - for the two fold purpose of [cadastre], and of separating the lands of the crown from those of the subjects.","Another pillar in the edifice which I am so anxious to see raised up here by His Majesty, to our honour and His glory, is a judicious system of internal improvements, self supporting, and sustained by the wealth which itself [creates]","As an illustration, let us take the case of an imaginary farmer in Cuernavaca: - It costs him annually in freight alone to send his crop to market in the City, say $10,000 - If there were a Railway, his freight bill would be perhaps $1000 instead of $10,000; and his hacienda\nwould probably be trebled in value. Now if the owner of such a hacienda, was required to invest, in the shares of the Company, a certain portion of in increased value given to his property by the road - and the law were applied to all lands within a certain distance of the road, its construction would be secured without further tax upon the public treasury. The people would find in a little while, that this so called tax, instead of being a burden, was\nreally a benefaction; for the stock-holders thus created by the paternal care of His Majesty, would stand upon a different footing from any other stock holder; for they would draw treble dividends: - first, from the earning of the road; and next upon the principle that a \"penny saved is a penny gained,\" in paying at the rate of $1,000 instead of $10,000 annually for transportation of produce to market: - and last, in the increase of value which\ntheir lands derive from the existence of the road. Certain states in my native \"sunny south\" adopted this system: it worked like a charm and produced magic effects.","Another pillar to the superstructure which His Majesty is so nobly striving to raise, is a revision of the revenue laws, in homage of free trade: and the establishment of the warehousing system.","These measures, with colonization, will make us great; and the undersigned having some little knowledge of a practical sort, connected with them, hold, it together with the homage due from the most loyal of subjects, at the service of Their Majesties","M.F. Maury \nJanuary 18th 1866. \nImperial Commissioner","Cuernavaca, January 29th 1866","My dear Sir: \nI have spoken to the Emperor respecting our conversation of Friday last, and he wishes me to tell you, first, that he grants you a complete leave of absence to arrange your affairs in England, and allows you to set off by the next French packet, but that if he returns to Mexico in the meanwhile, he hopes yet to have the pleasure of seeing you; secondly, that he quite agrees with your purchasing the instruments for studying the rainy season, and thirdly that he approves of any effort you may make to introduce the \"cinchona\" tree and authorized you to have sent from Kew a few specimen of this valuable plant.","Hoping to have fulfilled my errand to your satisfaction, I only want to renew my best wishes for your voyage and successful exertions in England whilst I remain","Yours sincerely, \nCharlotte","Mexico \n2 Feb. 1866","My dear children: \nI have taken my seat in the coach of the 8th expecting to sail from Vera Cruz in the F'r Str. of 13 and to arrive at [San Nazaire] about 10 March to lie about till the fall say the last of Oct. I want send you Max and my Carlota's princely letters. I expect to bring all hands with me when I return and so to Corbin at that Corbin and Nannie may join us in Havana on the way.","I leave Dick in charge of affairs. He is writing a book for the information of those who wish to come to Mexico. He has his heart very much in it. Dick is a fine character and I admire its beauty more and more every day. He is very full just now of buying some of these beautiful islands that dot the lake with acre spots, and go into the market gardening business.","You see by the letter of the Empress that I am aspiring to the glory of planting a [tribe].","Colonization is going on is spite of the want of public lands; our projects are dotting the Empire with settlements here and there. My own Carlotta Colony at Cordoba is flourishing. The settlers there are now being joined by their families from your country. 'Old Jubal' is here and I have offered him a place as agent. He is writing a history which your masters will not allow to be read or believed.","I have various inexpensive irons in the fire still. Some of them may come to a welding heat some of these days. If they do, we'll all be glad; and if they don't we will be none the worse.","I think the best thing for Corbin to do is to come down next fall and watch events. I take it that the South will be all at sea at least until after the next President takes his seat. Love to Sr. E, Mary, Brodie, Jno, Bob and all hands. God bless you all, \nYr. affectionate M.F.","mail to Will or Corbin \nHavana Arrived 9","Veracruz, Mexico \n1 March 1866","My dear Children \nThe English steamer in which I have paid my passage £49.10 is now over-due two days, and her day of sailing again is day after to-morrow.","I left Mexico Saturday the 24th at 2 A.M. arrived at [Puebla] at 7 p.m. when I \"pernocted\" in a room with diverse others for $2. Was called at 1 A.M. and off again at 2, over a very rough road -a very fatiguing journey. Passed between long ridges of my lordly maquay shooting up it magnificent flower stalks, as large and as high and as straight as a common telegraph pole. Indeed unless you were near enough to see the wires I found it often difficult to tell one from the other. This `first of Flora\" with its enormous height and proportions is pushed up in the course of 6 or 7 days. To compare great things with small, imagine an immense asparagus stalk say one day old and before its head has swollen out sufficiently to begin to burst and shoot out branches, well imagine it to 18 or 20 inches in circumference, 30 or 40 feet high and you have it as I generally saw them, rising out its magnificent tuft of foliage 30 feet around and 12 feet high. Occasionally the more forward ones had commenced to shoot out, from the top and horizontally their splendid flower brackets and to assume the appearance of splendid and gigantic candelabras from which the genie of the hoary hooded orizaba which with his night cap of snow was looking down upon us, intended to light up the plains through which the coach was teetering its toilsome way. Ascending the Western slopes of the [`Cumibres'], the highest range between Mexico and the Gulf, we left its `boast of Bacchus\" and entered the cloud region. It was blowing a furious gale, the wind was howling amongst the rocks and cliffs, and driving a cold and penetrating mist through a white darkness so thick that you could see\nnothing beyond the distance of a few feet. It was piercing cold: I had on 3 flannel shirts, but as we began to climb, I began to draw around and button tight and finally found\nmyself wrapped in cloak and blanket and uncomfortably cool. Presently we dropped down through this thick cloud stratum into bright sun shine and the coolest air that is was possible for heart of men to conceive. This was the lovely little valley of [Acu ] at our feet, and spreading out miles away into the plains of Orizaba which are 4000 feet above the sea. The valley was quilted over by swirling crops in all the stages of growth form the sprouting corn to the ripe grain. The reapers were in golden fields of the yellowest and\nthe brightest barley I ever saw, the wheat was just coming up; and immense herds of cattle as they fed on the rich pasturage lent a charm to the landscape that made it\naltogether lovely. Passing a cascade of milk white foam as it leaped from the mountains.","We entered the valley and felt what old Job had said about the scent of water - we were in the midst of fruits and flowers. Orange trees loaded with ripe fruit. And the peach tree is all the glory of blossom. Hedges and copens of roses, fuschias, arborvitaes, rhododendrons. Oh a wilderness of the loveliest flowers and the gayest colors, and such only as I used to think in Tennessee had never grown anywhere except in the garden of \"Beauty and the Beast\" - and it too has its beast, for two months ago it had been then in the shape of an earth-quake and shaken down the adobe huts of the village, which owners were reconstructing of some rustic materials, such as bamboo, reeds - palm [fronds] straw and hides. After passing through these beauties for 12 or 15 miles, and at\n6½ p.m. drove into Orizaba in the midst of a rain storm - Coffee, tobacco, the cereals, and the banana with other fruits seemed to be the principle article of cultivation. Here I pernocted again in another [ ] whereas before there was little chance for sleep. Was called at 5, off at 6, and at 10 breakfasted at Cordoba, and I arrived at Pas del Macho where I pernocted again as unsatisfactorily as before. And so the next day at 6 started in the cars for this place. Total expenses $45.50 the $0.50 being spent for extra's such as a cup of chocolate or so between the early hours of starting and the late one of breakfasting. There were fresh arrivals of immigrants, all the hands were taken up. Cordoba looked lively \u0026 everybody in high spirits. Two ship loads had just arrived. Sheridan had refused to let them embark at New Orleans as he was determined to break up that Maury nest of Confederates which was agitating the public mind of the South \u0026\npreventing the people there from quietly submitting to subjugation. I thank him for the encouragement. The Mexican plan is spreading over the South. We are going to have happy homes, a fine country, \u0026 a bright future here. Let those who lack gall or who having it, have steeped it in honey, stay. I seek to plant my posterity here.","Dick has got land in my Carlota colony, 640 acres. He has sent to China for labourers- 12 or 15 to work it, and to Virginia for young Crutchfield to take charge of it. I have such good irons in such good fires, that some of them will surely be got to welding heat. If so, I hope to find comfortable homes, and a bright future here for you all at last. Corbin and Nannie will come in the steamer that is to leave New York Oct 8. They will without stopping here a night, take the cars to Paso del Macho- 50 miles-they are then by stage 5 hours from Cordoba, where they will arrive say 21st or 22nd and wait a week for us. We will be due here say on the 27th. Corbin can spend this week profitably \u0026 both of them pleasantly in visiting the Colony, examining the coffee plantations \u0026 c. [Then] will take a [whole] stage for Puebla, by which time the railway thru to Mexico will be completed- so will teeter over the cumbres and among the maguey in a stage coach.","My letter to \"the people at home\" has never been published. It should be. So should the anachronistic one to Dr. Dabney. Let my brave backers- Nannie \u0026 Corbin- do the thing that is right and send copies of them to Jno Tyler of the Whig or someone else who has a bone in his back to publish. Among the misfortunes that have befallen our people, I regard as not the least, the advice that has been given by the best men among them, viz.- to stay at home \u0026 help the enemy to establish his power \u0026 complete our degradation. The Yankees have conquered Virginia, it's theirs, we are subjugated, \u0026 have no rights except such as the victors in mercy may vouchsafe to give. If the whole South is not a conquered territory then I have never read in history of one that was conquered, and Dabney \u0026 them who like him consider it to be their duty \u0026 their interest to help build up that Yankee despotism called the Union, owe it to the grace and mercy of their conquerors, that their conquerors do not cross from the map the very name of Virginia, blot out all former state lines, make new provinces and call a part of what was Virginia the state of Winnepisscogee, South Carolina Peasquod, \u0026 such like Yankee innovations \u0026 that nothing should remain to remind the vanquished of the ancient renown.","Paris \n21 May 1866","My dear Corbin: \nThe last I heard of you was about two weeks ago, through a letter from Brodie Herndon, who thought Nannie was as earnest for Mexico as ever, but that you were cooling off a little. All right.","The banker with whom I had deposited my `little money' went down in the London panic week before last, and I lost all the money \u0026 more too that I brought away from Mexico. I am here trying to make some more.","My last letters from Dick are up to Apl. 6th.","No sooner had I left, than intriguers set to work and colonization was going on so badly, and the opposition of the minister was so vexatious that he talked of giving up the office. Immigrants were returning in disgust and the very thing was happening that I told the Emperor would happen unless he acted with more energy. In short complaints were being uttered against me in the U.S. so I hear. Now I had as you know been discouraging any of our people from coming unless they could come with a little ready money. And I had long ago told them not to rely upon good lands but to buy abandoned Haciendas.","All the promises and inducements that I have held out to immigrants were made by authority of H. majesty, and if they have not been made good I am the aggrieved party.\nNow I tell you and Nannie confidentially, that what has happened since I left Mexico has shaken my resolution about going back. I don't see what good I can do there except in the way of colonization, and if our people are flocking back as rumor has it, with curses hard \u0026 deep upon Mexico, it will be more than I can do to change such a current. I have no alternative in view- nor am I decided- Indeed I have not said anything in this view to my wife \u0026 children, and am saying it to you now, so that you too may cast about \u0026 not be taken `quite aback' should I decide that Mex. is `no go.' I do not wish you to speak of it to any one, simply because my own mind is not made up nor can it be without further \u0026 fuller information. If I should be compelled to give Mexico up, it will be a hard blow I tell you. I know not where to go or what to be at. I shall be here a week or ten days, perhaps two weeks before I set off to return to England. I must be in London 5 June, when I expect to here from Dick up to the 1st ins. 'So tider' \u0026 sleepy. God bless you both, yrs. \nM. F.","11 Aug. 1866","My dear Corbin, \nI wrote you from Paris 21 May telling you to hold on, as I probably should not return to Mexico. I have as you know decided not to go back there in the face of bad faith to me, bad treatment of our people and bad turns that everything has taken. I have never heard that you received the letter. It is the only one within that time, that I have written to any of my children, except Dick. This onset upon us as soon as my back was turned in Mexico,\nwas a terrible blow. It put me to sea again, and I have been so hard at work or so busy preparing to get to work that I have not had time for writing much. I suppose I shall stay here and write school books for a New York publisher. That will give something to do for a year or two- but will not interfere with my flirting with other matters wherein there are promises. Dick poor fellow is left in Mexico as flat as possible. I want to get him out of that. But where he is to go or what to do after that is a problem that puzzles me much. Perhaps I may find occupation for him in Central America. But I shall be able to speak more positively upon that point by the time the rains are over \u0026 it will be safe to come down to the sea-board. He must come away in the fall anyhow. The breakdown in Mexico damaged your plans as well as my own. What are you going to do now. I always as you know regarded F.V. as not the most judicious purchase in the world, chiefly on the score of health and locality. I don't think affairs in the U.S. as either settled, or stable. The government is obliged to be broken up as it now exists. Still I don't see what better you can do than to hold on, and try to make a living there. I hope indeed if the New York publisher- Richardson- be a responsible man, and I have no reason to doubt, I should be able to assist you with a few hundred $ as far as that will go towards setting yourself up. I reckon I shall be able to let you have $1000, but of this I can speak positively by the time I hear from you and hear what your plans, wishes, and wants are.","In the first place I hope you know exactly how you and F.V. stand with regard to the estate. I hope you have your release and consequently my security-ship touching your\nindebtedness in black and white and in regular ship-shape style. Not Mr. B's word \u0026 opinion merely but the regular Documents. If you have the note, urge the having of it, and if the plea will help you, say that the assistance promised by me depends upon that. I am afraid you will not live long enough to escape from the tangled inheritance imposed by that unfortunate estate. Even if the school-book plan goes well, I should not be able to let you have the $1000 all in a lump, but by driblets, but say all between this and Xmas. See Charles Herndon and find out what sort of obligation - by lien if need be you ought to be given - (not by personal securities) - so in case of need. This loan may have purposes over other claims upon you. So if things turn out ugly, I can protest that money. We are all well. Molly had this morning an invitation to visit Scotland and `not put her hands in her pocket. I am going to put Brave in a school of chemistry and Lucy to a boarding school. I have all the [other] news of family affairs to the rest and will [write] Love and blessings upon all yr. folks. \nYr aft M.F.M.","3 Belsize Square \nLondon N.W. \n9 Dec. 1866","My dear Nannie, \nYour and Mary's letter afforded much gratification and did us a heap of good. Elie has all of Nan-na's pretty sayings at heart. She will repeat them to the congregation to\nnight. I reckon for she Totts Lucy and the Brave have gone to church. Your Ma has a cold and is sitting by pouring over the maiden and married life of Mary Powell. The editor had a right to refuse to publish and Will did right to hand him my paper. Never my child tamper with principle for the sake of the expediency. I have no copy of that letter but the time will when you will wish you had \u0026 would give jewels for it. Suppose Sir Thos. More [Harindon], Montrose (this last always calls up my blessed Davy Jones \u0026 his beautiful recitative) but supposed they had not acted up to principle because of fear when the time came, what should we have cared for them. Perhaps that letter would have strengthened the wavering, at any rate it would have shown that one at least could dare to speak.","It's as well- for I am not yet prepared to make Corbin the advances I spoke of-tho' I hope soon to be. I expected and still desire to kill 4 birds with that stone. \nFirst to help you \u0026 him with a little left. \n2. To enable him to stir B up and get his affairs \u0026 papers with him all right, for I fear that these payments made by him during the war do not, or rather have not cancelled\nthe debt to the estate. \n3. I wanted Charles' opinion in the matter, with the assurance that a lien could be so drawn as to make me a preferred creditor. \n4. And in case of misfortune to enable me to step in and give that much to you \u0026 him.","I hope to sent the M.S. of the first geography off by xmas, and to be able to let Corbin have a part of the $1000 at least by the time he can pick the above 4 named birds chosen and to our satisfaction. I do not think as I told him before the war that F.V. is a desirable place for him. I think so chiefly for the same reasons now that I thought so then. Events have vindicated the soundness of my views ante bellum. I presume therefore he is now on the look out for a sale or a swap. If he thinks the 4 birds are all right and want $200 about Xmas `mighty bad' \u0026 will report to Rutson, I'll ask R. to advance him the money from me. Love to everybody Brodie-Charles-and ---------. I am quite proud to hear such good things of `Tim'. I always thought Tim with his big mouth would make a good preacher. God bless you. Yr affect father M.F. Maury.","3 Belsize Square \nLondon N.W. \n19 May 1867","Dear Corbin, \nRutson with his usual kind thoughtfulness and industry told me yesterday of your letter in reply to his offer to [use] his loan of $200. I see by that that your are undecided as to your future plans. As far as I can make out, you have abandoned the idea at least for the present of rebuilding at Farley Vale. That seems to me to be a wise decision. The question with you, seemed to be, between buying and renting in town. In the present state of affairs buying does not commend itself to me, for two reasons: While that suit is pending, you do not know where you are. This fact, irrespective of the social, industrial\nand political whirlpool which is wracking the South, should give you pause about any such investment just now. Nannie I suppose will come to us, and that will give you time to look about.","But for that suit, I dare say the purchase of a house in town would be a good investment. You know better as to that than I do. I am not able - though I have tried - to\nsee things thro' Brodie's \u0026 Rutson's \u0026 Will's and other friendly spectacles that have been so kindly offered. For me, the future of the South is very dark. I am no more able to look into it than you are. But I try to get an idea of it by looking quite in the opposite direction\nand examining those agricultural countries that once had and now no longer have, slaves, or serfs, or peon labour; and the conclusion that I came to is, that town property in the South may hold its own, and even rise, but land in the country must go down, down until the taxes will be intolerable. If you ask me to state the process of reasoning by which I arrive at this conclusion, I will ask you to say why do you think otherwise, seeing that in all\nthose agricultural countries where slave labour once was \u0026 is not, the value of farming lands has gone down to nothing. In Spanish America \u0026 in Jamaica the most splendid\nplantations have gone back to the bush and are wild lands again. But the South, we flatter ourselves, is neither Spanish America, nor Jamaica. That's true. But they are\nbeacons- and we must not shut our eyes to the light which their experience casts before us. But admit my reasoning to be wrong; and I am far from claiming clearness for it- there is still another view drawn from broader premises in favor of an enhancement in the South of town, as compared with country, property. I have travelled about the world\n\"some\", and have always aimed to have my eyes about me. And in no agricultural country, have I ever found any country society in which a gentleman or a lady of refined\ntastes and habits could find the least congeniality. The reasons are obvious. You have heard my anecdotes of \"Mr. Smith, Brown, Jones\" et.al- rich New York farmers, that had \"retired to town\" to live, because Mrs. Smith had got tired keeping boarding house for, and waiting on farm hands. Let me be not misunderstood- I am not speaking of\ngentlemen of fortune who live in town or do business there and have their \"country seats\" but I am speaking of the farmers, the tillers of the soil, the bone and sinew of an\nagricultural country. How is it with the Pa. farmers? How with the Ohio \u0026 the West?\nDon't you know that a labourer in the country will not service your `country farm' in the\nU.S. except upon terms of perfect equality? He must sit at the same table and warm by\nthe same fire with the \"boss \u0026 his gals\". Go among the Pa. farmers, or any where else\namong the farmers of the far states, and you will see the colored labor \u0026 the white upon\nthe most perfect terms of equality and the wife and daughters of the farmer serving meals\nto them both and standing behind their chairs, as they sit at [meat]. You and other Va. gentleman are not yet quite prepared for wife and daughter to do that. But that we who\nlive in this country have to come to it is as clearly indicated as is the march of any other human want. Barriers have already been broken down between the blacks \u0026 the whites which two years ago, your wisest statesmen did not have the sagacity to think were in the round of possibilities. And do the lines of demarcation between the races- [vouch] only the skin and certain antipathies (antagonisms shall I call them?) are being done away\nwith, \u0026 that too with a rapidity that the whole South deemed impossible. Is it to be presumed from what you have already seen, and from what everybody who has studied\nhuman nature knows, -?-is it to be supposed, that white \u0026 black hirelings are, in the end, going to work side by side in the field upon any other terms but that of perfect equality? If our [lots] \u0026 [ships] in the \"great House' so must [wish] the other. I can readily imagine that many a country gentleman, [piercing] the shadows of these events- for they are very plain- is already for \"returning to town\". Therefore I say it's more likely that town property\nwill increase in value than the country property. And but for that suit, I should be less disinclined to say buy a house in town now.","Many changes have come over our people which they did not expect; and in my judgment, many more are in store for them, for which they are not even now prepared. All that refined and elegant country society which was the pride \u0026 boast of Va. has, sooner or later, to abandon the country and \"retire to town.\" In sea ports of the world that\nI have been, have I never found among the farmers, in the farm house, in the country, any society at all comparable for intelligence and cultivation to the country society of the South. On coming here to England, where there are so many industries besides agriculture, one of the first things that would strike you, would be its high state of\ncultivation and improvement. Elegant fields, wide domains, flocks and herds (splendid plantations you would think they were) and then you would begin to look for the Mansion, the splendid house to which all this belonged, as contra-distinguished from the \"Country seat\" of some gentleman of fortune who is not a farmer. But you would not find it. Most of the people whose labour made the landscape so [ ing] are grouped together in a little\nvillage. I remember in passing through Indiana with Dick in 1857, that I was reminded of what I saw in Germany in 1855: a country under superb cultivation but scarcely a farm house - and never one at all in keeping with the manor. But you were amazed at the number of small towns and little villages. You remember how that the census of New York and other Northern States which are taken intermediate as [between] the U.S. census, astonished the whole country in 1855. In many parts, the rural population\nappeared to be actually decreasing while the actual population was largely on the increase- It was the farmers \"retiring to town\"- not actually giving up farming, but coming to town for the sake of society, and to buy [exemptions]. And instead, as the political economists argued, its being a sign of decreasing prosperity, it was the very reverse. Instead therefore of your lordly plantations and large farms at the South, the country as it is filled up in the process of time by natural increase and immigration, is to be dotted over with villages like all the free labour agricultural countries that I have ever seen. And whether you are to have any sudden immigration is to depend upon the wisdom and sagacity of your law makers.","I have thought it as well, dear Wellford, to lay these views before you, that you might ponder them, sift them, and if they embrace anything worth the having, that you may [turn] it to account in your own private affairs. These are views that would shock many of our people. But I don't write them for the vox pop. I write them for you, and the personal friends around you such as Brodie Herndon et al who may care to know them. I hope I shall always have the courage to look things in its face and draw legitimate conclusions. Nothing can keep up the value of land in the South but a large influx of people to [till] there. Since I went to Mexico the subject of immigration has been a speciality. And I can tell you that there must be some steps taken by you wise men and [] very different from any yet, else you will not live to see enough to do you any good. Cousin Anne has indefinitely postponed her trip, Nannie I hope will have set off to us before this reaches you. If not let her come in the same liner her Ma did. Rutson will see her on board and Cousin Ann will speak the Captain and the Stewards, and I will meet her at L'pool, and so she can come without an escort. Give our best love to Brodie and Lucy, and tell her I'd give anything for one of those cosy little chats with her - Brodie to listen. Mit is still in L'pool. All hands send love, \nYrs truly M.F. Maury","My love to [Sandy Little]","May 21 Mit came to us last night - Here's something for you to turn over in you r mind. I am not sure, but I believe that Dick has to manage for his Co. a cocoa or a coffee plantation. I don't know which - How would you like to [put] yourself up about it with the idea of taking charge of it. I'll mention it to him and you can [ ] by str of 10 June. [Yr M]","No. 3 Belsize Square \n22 Sept 1867","Dear Corbin- \nTremlett and I thought we were on a good trail for you the other day. Semmes wrote that there was no English insurance agency in Memphis. Off we went to beat up the [ ] \u0026 some of these solid fellows and put them to the establishment of agencies in Tenn., La., Va. etc. for Semmes, Dabney you \u0026 c. But we found that 4 of the more\nventuresome ones were already there. Nannie wrote you about them, and told you how to proceed in case there was an opening in Richmond \u0026 the place seemed inviting to you.\nThe pay is on per customer or business done and therefore I cannot advise one way or another as I have no idea as to the amount of business that might be done in Richmond.\nIt is better as you know to work for nothing than to rust and though the wish to help to put you in the way of something that will pay is ever present it does not seem likely soon to be gratified. Elie is still forging ahead slowly. She has been very ill. Nana is very bright a\nsort of privileged character \u0026 pet of the parish. Her mother is very sobersided and loath to take as much outdoor exercise as health seems to require in these latitudes. Lucy is at school and Brave sets in tomorrow week. Brave is getting a fine education. Molly is not\nvery strong and her mother is pulled down a good deal by nursing. As for me \"I'm right smart\". Love to Betty all at Brodie's- Charles \u0026 everywhere. Your affectionate, \nM.F. Maury","3 Belsize Square. \nLondon N.W. \n29 Jany '68","Dear Corbin, \nYour Newburgh letter was very welcome. Kiss my Maria for me, and tell her, that after caring for her good father and mother as a duteous daughter should, and as she is\nsure to do that she is not to make any rash resolutions as to what she'll do etc- that we shall want her at the University of the South.","You have acted well and wisely in [renting] F.V. and I have so told Rutson. The Jamaica planters were paid for their negroes and had 7 years notice to prepare for\nemancipation. None of them are there now who could get away. One of them told me last night that his plantations yielded him $30,000 a year- that he sold it on emancipation about 30 years ago for $5000 \u0026 that the purchaser- his former manager- still owes some $2500. As I told you from Mexico neither one of the three great experiments that are now going on in the south is promising enough to tempt any of our people into it, who can afford to stand off \u0026 look on as you propose to do. Now if you can only find something that will enable you to live and lay by yr rents, you will be doing what any son of the southern gentry that stick to their old plantations will be able to do. And when your lease expires you will find that events will have vindicated this forecast. The Dutch since that war began emancipated their slaves--in Surinam and Jansen tells me that that colony is already Africanised. The South is no place- especially in this country - for any gentleman with wife and daughters to\nlive - if he can get away- to live now, nor will it be until the contest that is now brewing and going on there between blacks \u0026 whites, is finally settled. Why then do I go to Tenn.? Because I hope to have boys enough there to make that out of the way place, safe. I have no doubt Hasbrouck is acting in Minnesota for the best. I am content tell him with any arrangements that he may make. Elie I do hope, is now in a fair way to recover. All the rest are well- Nannie has gone out to work- and Nanna is a great pet in the neighborhood. She is very full of fun. Your affectionate, \nM.F. Maury","Belsize Square \nLondon, N.W. \n8 Feb. `68","Dear Corbin, \nI write this in connection with what Nannie tells me you said in your last letters about you coming. If you come in the [International] line, the line my family came in , and take a return ticket which lasts for a year I believe, it will cost you about $100 in gold - not so much than it would take you to live in New York while you are at sea, coming and going - and unless you find something to do, or have a fair prospects of finding something by staying, I fancy the brood would be agreeable and wise. A friend of mine in Lpool is the agent of this line of steamers and therefore I shall go in it. I have not heard yet form the\nTrustees about the University. And until I do, I shall fix no time for going over. Though it will not be earlier than May I reckon at any rate. I base my idea of yr coming very much if the supposition that I am going to Tennessee and will be able to have house room for you there by next winter, if in the meantime we can't rig up something better. Of course we shall be glad to see you. And it certainly it would be more agreeable all round for you to\ncome, and it might be more economical too - for if Nannie comes to you and you go to the expense of establishing her there, then the breaking up to come to the University in case it be thought advisable and I hope it will, may prove more expensive than yr trip here. Still I am too timid to be very absolute as to what is best. Judge you. yrs. [fond] Maury","3 Belsize Sq'r \nLondon N.W. \n15 Ap'l `66 [1868]","Dear Corbin, \nNannie and the boy have both been having a hard time of it for the last two or three weeks. She as nurse and he as patient. The little fellow has been very ill, with congestion of the brain super-induced by teething. We were afraid we should lose him, but he seems now on the fair road to recovery again. He is very much better than he was\nthree days ago, and so hopes have brightened. Elie continues to forge ahead and we begin to think about a time for turning our face westward. Probably not Tennessee ward, but westward in time for peaches. At any rate I have stipulated with Elie to be there in time for that provided she will get well enough for the voyage - and she seems to be in a fair way for that. I hope you will be able to rough it along in your new vocation at least until we all get back. At our last dates you were in Charleston. It's the letter in which you mention the [ ] phosphates. I received a box of them some time ago from New York, but as there was no account of them, I did not know where or why they came- [ ] Dr. Jarrett's letter [now] come to hand, but as you mentioned R.H. Maury, Dr. Ravenel - St. Julien. I suppose-and other friends in connection with them - I immediately put myself in communication with one of the largest phosphate dealers in London. He responded [readily] to the new [ ] so I have turned over the box to him, and shall probably soon know what he has to say about them. There is not the least chance of an outsider as I\ngetting orders for yr principles. The only way of doing that is through special agents, friends and correspondents of their own who can speak by the card. Nothing later from\nDick than you have heard. When we come we leave Brave behind to finish his education. Nana has just returned from a play in the \"Parsnip's Grounds\" She is an interesting little thing and a great favorite in Belsize. Nannie and I have just returned from a walk in the green fields and all send their love. \nYr affectionate \nM.F. Maury","No. 3 Belsize Sqr \nLondon N.W. \n25 Ap'l 68","Dear Corbin, \nI have not seen Nannie this morning. She and her mother are both much [worsted] by nursing, and she did not come down to breakfast. She's asleep and it has not been sent\nto her yet. Her little boy has been having a hard time of it. He has been now in a state of stupor for two weeks from congestion of the brain with violent attacks now and then of sickness at the stomach- just lying quietly and taking no notice. Yesterday he began to crow and coo and, as his mother told me when we started out to walk and I broke down with the foot, to carry on quite a communication, and our hopes raised- but they are dashed again this morning. Brave went off at 5 for the Doctor, for though the little thing was ravenously hungry, his stomach refused everything. But the Doctor did not cheer us. Certainly the dear child can't go on this way many days longer. Indeed a few hours may decide so I'll leave this open for a word at the last moment. It's now 10 a.m. and I have written this early that nothing might interfere with, thinking it quite likely that Nannie would not feel herself equal to a letter- so I'll save room for a word at the last moment this p.m. Her new nurse came last night- she has been without one since Lizzy went crazy.","Elie continues to forge ahead. She and her Ma are going next week to spend a few days with her friends at Kensington. The Bp. told me yesterday he should take my advice and return in the Manhattan week after next. He is very anxious that Nannie should go with them. I am highly gratified that you should so have won upon W. \u0026 E. It gives you something to hold on by, at least until you can get hold of a better tow line. When the Dr's say that Elie's well enough to try the seas I shall fix a day. Yr aft. M. P.S. 4.45. Our little 'Davy Jones' is no better. But he is in no pain. Nannie's taking a little nap and Nanna has gone out to ride. She has just come in from a wedding at the church. We'll write again by the next steamer.","3 Belsize Square \nLondon N.W. \n13 May '68","My dear Corbin, \nThanks, hearty thanks both to Hasbrouck and you for your kindness in re Lt. Paul's estate. You did exactly right, each of you and tell Hasbrouck I shall write him a letter of special thanks for his kindness and generosity. The property was his, and he might have kept it. Why not turn the bonds over to him for collection?","`The boy' is going to get well. He was downstairs yesterday. He has had such a time of it and has clung on to his little silver painter so manfully when all was so blue, and made such a brave struggle for precious life, that he has endeared himself to us all so much, we cannot now [couch] to give him up. Betty Dabney and other friends say don't come yet. Impeachment will be over in a few days, and I'll have time to read the new leaf that is to\nbe turned over before Elie is well enough for the trip - say last of June or first of July. As soon as its prudent to [venture] on her account, I'm disposed to sail, unless indeed that new leaf should contain something startling. Did you order those herrings for me? Don't disturb yourself about the ways and means for Nannie.","I am glad to see you taking hold of y'r new calling with so much vim. I think its well to leave the pay to Hasbrouck. I hope tho' when I come, we shall be able to chalk out something more to our fancy. If I am to develop resources and encourage industry in Va., what way more effective than introducing steam agricultural machinery. I intend, before I go away to see some of the manufacturers here of steam plows- which are also threshing machines- saws, mills \u0026 c. The price of one is some £ 3000. I believe - what would be the chance of introducing them in Va? What would be the duties on one? What's the chance of raising a company to start one? And how would you like to take the management of one? All these questions I ask [`ran just so'] for I have [matured] no plans. But I take it that once among the great desiderata of our people now is Labour saving agricultural machines -no? Elie keeps forging ahead. \nYr affectionate \nM.F. Maury","Liverpool \n2 July 1868","Dear Corbin, \nNanna is here [after eating] out. We are all well and the day is fine. We sail at 3.30. Then Va. is a 'slow coach. I have been [entrapped] into [here]. For the chance of this reaching you before our arrival I write to say we have an immense amount of baggage, say in all some 20 trunks and boxes besides carpet bags and bundles - many- can't you make some economical arrangements for storing it away or have a baggage wagon to take it off? or both? The hacks will carry off what we want to use. Perhaps it will be best the express wagon to come and take it at once -: I reckon it would be cheaper to send it off to Richmond that way at once, than it would be to [freight] about with us. What does Rutson advise? He knows. \nYrs in haste \nM.F. Maury","The last! and no mistake.","Liverpool 2nd July \nDear Corbin\nWe are off at 3½ p.m.-","We have much luggage.- Can't you have an Express wagon on the wharf to take it for Richmond? It will cost less to send it that way at once than it will to lug it about with us. - There's too much of it to go in 4th St. or any private house. Do what you and Rutson think wisest, cheapest and best.","All well, and weather superb. \nYours \nM.F. Maury","[Note by Rutson Maury] \n13th July—","Monday night.- \nThe above came as intended via Southampton , per \"Harmonia\", a very fast craft, which left there on 3rd July and arrived here this afternoon. She reports light, variable winds throughout the passage and dense fogs the last 4 days.-","I got the letter out of our box at 5½ p.m.-","Richmond \n3 Aug '68","Dear Corbin, \nI had a long talk with Charles \u0026 just as we finished W. Barton stopped in and introduced the subject himself. All the bonds have been endorsed by order of the court. That's all right unless it be decided hereafter that the payment in Confederate money was no payment. A special term for hearing this case had been fixed for this month- But [Cab ] had written to say he could not attend. B. promised to urge C. up to the mark- for it's impossible to get a hearing [in] the regular term- the case is so long it would crowd all\nothers out. The delay this time is not B's fault, \u0026 for that reason I told you not to write to\nB. until you heard from me. Cha's thinks M'Casky's case is much stronger than B. represents it, and that should the case go against him, the case will be carried up- If so,\nthere's a suit for y'r life time.","Chas thinks \u0026 so do I that in case there's no settlement this term, a compromise ought to be tried. He seems to think that the whole may be compromised for some $15 m\nor $20 m. Rather than stand and risk the uncertainties of the law, I think I should be inclined to pay the whole. As soon therefore as you learn that the case is not to come up as appointed, make J's coming of age \u0026 y'r own situation an excuse and try the temper of the other side for a compromise. Better let me [sound] for you. Maybe other parties will agree to arbitration. Nannie's letter with yr sent this morning. Next Monday go to Albe.- stay a week. Go to Lex then to the White, where I join Will, B. \u0026 the girls- We as guests.","All well- Love to N. the children \u0026 the H's.","Yrs \nM.F. Maury.","Richmond \n8 Aug 1868","Dear Nannie, \nHave this p.m. yours of the 6th. Kate is here. Tell Corbin I shall get John Herndon to [sound] about compromise as soon as the Aug. term be disposed of. We - all except y'r\nMa, leave for Albemarle Monday. Dabney's [Nannie] is at [Rugged] [Mts]. Lucy \u0026 Eliza both under the weather which is very hot","Rockbridge Baths \n4 Sep. 1868","Dear Nannie, \nI am grieved to hear you and the children have been so poorly. Yesterday morning I sent the girls down under escort of Jerry Morton's grandson- a cadet, and toured at Goshen till 5.20 p.m. for your Ma and Nannie Bell. We arrived here at a little after 8. Betty and Will went on via Charlottesville for a visit to Charlie Blackford. Mary \u0026 Alice came up with your Ma on a visit to Sally F.","Dabney's Nannie with their children is at the Mason's. Rose sick with chills. Tomorrow Smith comes to fetch me to Lexington. Totts or Elie, perhaps both will go with me. I am to be installed on the 10th and deliver an address with pomp \u0026 circumstance and with all my decorations. After that we shall return here and wait till frost for Richmond. I go to work immediately in preparing a preliminary report of the natural wealth \u0026 c of Va. such\nas its climates, productions and favored position. I strike for a line of steamers between Norfolk \u0026 Holland, expecting to turn a stream of immigration - German- thro Va. as it flows to Ohio and forts beyond. And so hasten the completion of James River Canal, and Va. Central to the Ohio branches getting some immigrants to stop by the way. Tell Corbin, C held this special term expressly, but lawyers were not ready. Jno Herndon will go to F'bg\nnext week. I have asked him to sound about a compromise. That I am seen is the best way of ending that matter. Ask him to get from Rutson the m.s. of P.G. and Astronomy\nand the first time he comes South to bring me them. I am not in a hurry for them. \"Where had you best live?\" In a New York City Boarding house when the dog days are over.\nTaking care to spend enough time in Va to keep up the idea of Va residence on ac't of them suits with which Corbin was threatened. Tell him the chances of being useful to the state in my own vocation are very fair. Everybody appears to be looking to politics for help. I almost [ ], exclusive to agencies outside of this political arena for material help. Stir up about J.B.'s grapes. Love to the H's with kisses to Maria. Tell Nanna I wish she was here to eat maple sugar. Yr. aft father. \nM.F. Maury","Richmond \n22 Sept '68","Dear Corbin, \nI returned yesterday with N.B. \u0026 Alice leaving all hands including Mary in Albemarle, say till 1st Oct. Stir up Nannie as soon as she gets well for that grape information for Jno B.","Saw John Herndon last night. He worked with the case vs. Corbin- read commissioner's report. Says it's all in your favor- and he thinks the case must come off next term, and\ndoes not, he nor Will, advise compromise. It's important for you to know this, before you get to Fredericksburg.","Be sure to let me see you as you pass through- give me the average price of grain wheat \u0026 corn- oats \u0026 c. for each month during this year- Can you? and oblige yrs truly \nM.F. Maury","Richmond \n4 Oct 68","Dear Corbin, \nThanks for the statistics. It's a useful table, nicely got up. If I was going to `keep' such a table, I would do it as a chart of engraved squares. How do you get your averages- from the quantity sold, or from the price on each day? I have been on crutches with the foot. The furniture over from Fredericksburg yesterday. Glad y'r business is on the increase. What do you \u0026 Nannie say to Betty's suggestion about xmas. Don't you want your £ 35?","Dick may be in New York last of next month. Expecting all hands down from the mountains, tomorrow or next day. Wife now having a bout with ague \u0026 fever. Be sure you stop to see me when you do go south.","Cal wheat is a larger grain \u0026 therefore makes more flour to the bush. than ours. Has not that something to do with the price?","That's a good letter of yours. Brodie is off to [ ] this week. Give a letter to Hasbrouck. \nLove to N \u0026 the [children]. \nYrs, M.","Richmond \n11 Oct 68","Dear Corbin, \nA letter last night from the admirable Rutson tells me you were to leave New York day before yesterday \u0026 be with us Tuesday. There is no sleeping place, but you must come\nto dinner \u0026 tea on arrival. Dabney is at the General's. I expect him down in the course of the week. I hope the Burtons did not submit to a postponement of the case in re Corbin. It would be cruel of the judge to permit any more trifling. We are all pretty well, my wife has not quite recovered from her bout with the chills.","Dying to see you, \nyrs affectionately \nM.F. Maury","Richmond Va. \n3 Dec. 1868","Dear Corbin, \nI suppose you have got back after I hope a trip that pays. I have heard thro' Rutson \u0026 [Carrie] of your having left New Orleans the day before Nannie's telegram reached there.","I hasten to write you. I learn confidentially that your tenant is insolvent- that everything that he has is in a fair way of being gobbled up by upcountry creditors, that the wheat crop has been sold and there are no signs of anything being done towards that [house]. That he has had to leave the house in which he was in Fredericksburg 'cause he couldn't pay the rent, for which he still owes. In short that he is wholly [unreliable], a bad case, \u0026\nthat unless you are pretty quick, the corn crop will be gone too \u0026 you may whistle for your $1000 \u0026 your house too.","So from all I know you had better run down and look after things. If you do I hope you will give us a hail.","The girls tell Nannie had a small party last night- about 50 dancers- sprinkled only with 5 or 6 married couples. Totts did the honors. Betty was top [ ] and they all four looked splendid. We missed you and her, Dick \u0026 Sue. It went off 1st rate. Dick left day before yesterday for Kanawha. May come down from the mountains some day, to take up Sue, who is getting well but still in bed. Lucy Ellen passes through today on her way to Savan'h- your Ma \u0026 I go down to the cars to meet her at 2.25. I gave yesterday to the Whig Preliminary Report No 1 Ph. Survey. I like it. Now for a favor- I should like to send a barrel of first rate apples to Tremlett, and 1/2 bbl. to Bold, in time for their xmas dinnerfreight and duties paid. Bold the consignee, must pay R. Road freight to Tremlett. Rutson will manage this when you get the Bbls. ready. Don't get any apples unless they are very good. Let them be pippins or Lady apples, which ever be the best. Hasbrouck could not get any in Newburgh. All well. Kiss the children.","Yrs affectionately, \nM.F. Maury","Richmond \n11 Dec. '68","Dear Corbin, \nThanks for the apples. You managed this nicely. When you want the £35 I. O. U. - go to Rutson. I have asked him to pay. I sent Nanna 10 cts in a letter- Did she get it? Your\ntenant's bill of sale that you ask for is no good. It is sufficient that the sheriff should find the mules \u0026 horses in his possession to pitch down upon him with his execution. It's only produce in the shape of rent that you can keep out of his clutches, \u0026 then it must be divided \u0026 your pile set off to itself. The wheat is gone, \u0026 you can't claim the balance of that in corn. All I know is what I gather from John about it. He thinks the case much more dispirited than you seem to do. T! Good night with love, \nYrs \nM.F. Maury","Richmond Va. \n23 Dec. 1868","Dear Corbin,\nNannie's letter to her mother recd yesterday tells us you are going to F.V. after xmas. \u0026 then to N.C. Be sure to give us a call. You do well to go- Bear in mind, that R's bills of sale or notes of hand are worth nothing as against the demands of the sheriff- and that you are safe in your rents only after you have set apart your share of the crop. But if R. sells it, or you don't divide it, the sheriff can clap his clutches upon it. As for the prison\nadvances better let them be bygones and ask Rutson for the £35 when-ever you get \"hard up\". C.B.R. talks about forking over in \"a very few days\"- I hope so - for the work already done comes to when it's paid for- $10 [m] in gold, though it's not all done yet, for you know I have not delivered all the m.s.s.","Lucy is still a great sufferer. Had a pretty good night, but is now wracked with pain.","I went last night to spend the evening with [Weckham] - against the grain- but one has to do things sometimes that are not altogether delightful. Ask Nana if she thinks old\n[Christinger] lives in New York, and how he can go from here there in a night-for he is now I know a stuffing of his pack, I've seen him put two doll babies in it for Alice. A happy xmas to you all, \nYrs \nM.F. Maury","Richmond Va. \n8 Jany `69","Dear Corbin, \nI am grieved to hear my warning proved so true. This pocketing of losses in times like these, is a hard thing. Have you yet come to any definite understanding with W \u0026 E? I think it is time you should have a talk with them and a distinct understanding. If you have it so, the chances are that somebody I know will get fleeced. I'll send you next week one of my pamphlets, which you can give them to read, and then tell them what a great man it is going to make of me in the South, the prestige it will give you, and then tell them what you want.","The silver and the trunk came yesterday. Sorry you did not have time for a run to Richmond. The Gen'l came down from the 'Rugged' last night. He brought me a [cheese] of [--] from Sally. Have not seen him yet. Sue dined with us yesterday. Then Lucy and all hands spend the evening at 'Zoras' tonight. Tell Nannie she was at a party last night, they played \"Chopin and Chopout\" and she doesn't know what that is. \nLove to Nannie \nYrs M.F. Maury","Richmond Va \n14 January 1869","Dear Corbin, \nI am sorry to have such an account of yr tenant. You will be lucky to get rid of him without more trouble. His contract shows that he is one of those who are unworthy of confidence - his London trip is I take it a sham.","I hope to send you in a few days copy of the Report. The Railway and Canal men have been watching the press and literally devouring the sheets as fast as they were printed. They think it will wake up a lively interest especially in the South and West. Smith - V.M.I. will be down to-morrow, we are going to send copies to Governors of the states and ask them to make it the subject of official action by calling it to the attention of legislatures \u0026.","The Report will I am sure tickle vox pop especially the planters, farmers and factors in the Mississippi Valley, and it ought to give you favor among them.","Indeed it may be worth considering whether it be not wise for you to look in the direction of Norfolk anyhow, for the Report makes a Dutch line of steamers from Flushing to\nNorfolk look very promising anyhow. In beating about the bush in my mind for something for Dick, I have been looking that way. I fancy this report will give us an influence which if we have the tact and the luck on our part may be made of commercial value. In the course of two or three weeks you will see by watching South-Western and N. Western papers how the thing works, and can then better shape your course.","If W. \u0026 E. have lost money it don't sound well for a partnership. Anyhow, I question whether it would not be better for you to be looking out for something else. I doubt whether a monthly salary would not be better than a partnership with them. A partnership would tie you down and in coming, as this Report and my other work here will bring, so [prominently] before your customers, I may have a chance in some unexpected way of helping you along, of which, if you're tied down by co-partnership, might be lost. In short the chances are that you may be able to do quite as well, South, pecuniarily and a great deal better socially than you are now doing. Therefore when the time comes for your talk, consider well the grounds you should take: a good monthly salary to be antedated: what think you? I suggest but don't [persuade].","This is my birth day tell Nannie. Sue's going up to F'bg next month. Mary Herndon is here, her brother is at V.M.I. We are all well and send love. I think that so called\n\"conservative [Va.] [ca ] impolite and foolish. \nyrs truly \nM.F. Maury","Richmond Va \n29 Jan. `69","Dear Corbin, \nPrinters here are slow. The Reports are not all out yet. I sent you two of the past batch to read and then give to `yr bosses.' I now send you one to keep.","It seems to have hit the public mind in Va anyhow. I hope you will have a talk soon about your pay. I do not much fancy a co-partnership - commercial - these times. For though you may put in nothing, financiers here are ticklish. Your house may break and so sweep away all of your Va. property. Moreover I think it worth something to keep yourself free, so that you may be in a position to take advantage of anything that may turn up.","Isn't the first payment due on those Minnesota lands Please inquire of Hasbrouck. Love to Nannie and the children \nYrs \nM.F. Maury","Richmond \n1 Feb `69","Dear Corbin, \nBrodie is here and I have yrs of Saturday. All well about Wade. [Still Sue doesn't care to travel]. Suppose you get two or three weeks leave - run down to Norfolk and try this:","I am urging Smith and his [ ] in the [ ] to send agents out to the states where interests are touched by preliminary No. 1 to ask the legislatures and the principle cities to order each a few thousand copies and so help to circulate the docs. If they will order we will get up a revised \u0026 improved edition especially for them. Norfolk, Petersburg and Richmond ought to order ea. 2000 copies so ought [Mahone] - begin by asking them to order 500 ea. Postmasters ought to order 1000, ditto Seaboard R.R.'s, and the line of steamers that ply between New York and Norfolk ought to order 500. I am proffering to Smith to put the New Edition @ $2 per copy, and give his agents 50¢ per copy upon all orders. Now if he comes into this how would you like to drum up in Va.? The doing of it, would pay expenses at any rate - `twould identify you and make you acquainted with the Norfolk people, and so may be give a string to your bow to send an arrow at W \u0026 E with. Jansen is working like a horse with the Dutch Va. line of steamers. You could preach that up at the same time. Money has to be and is to be raised for that. You can try that too - somebody must be employed for this - and why not you? So turn the idea over in your mind, and in case Smith says the word, be ready to broach the [ ] to old [Wade]. You can then come here - we post you up, have a meeting called and so Launch you. I can fancy that this business may not be altogether agreeable at first blush. But all you have to do is to put on a bold face and teach those people what they ought to do. Am glad to hear the children are O.K. again. Tell Nannie her Ma is in bed with a cold. Dick is in Lexington and all the rest well. \nYrs truly M.F. Maury","I send you ten more pamphlets.","Richmond , Va \n16 Feb. 1869","Dear Corbin, \nThanks to you and Hasbrouck for the $925.56/100. Its welcome I tell you.","I understand Charles has made all things straight with your tenant touching past rents.","W. requires you to put more faith in him than he puts in you. \"Take any \"ipse dixit\" and you make it all right\" - he says to you. But why does he not let you know what his plans are? Suppose they turn to naught - then there you are. For that reason I wanted you to have two strings to your bow. Look at C.B.R. promises are bountiful, Wait, Wait, and [`nary red'] since I came back. W. may be all right and his intentions may be ever so good, but you have to look out for yourself and when he comes to [shout up] his plans you may find them `[St py] with ifs.\" And would not have you break with him, but I would have you ask to be informed, so that if they don't strike your fancy you may be on the lookout for something else. Therefore I would take the first opportunity and ask him to tell\nyou the precise character of the arrangement that he has in view.","The Reports are in great demand. I send you a couple. Love to Nannie and the children. All well. \nYrs \nM.F. Maury","Richmond Va \n20 Apr `69","Dear Corbin, \nI feel uneasy about that warehouse swindling case. Let me know if you are in any way hurt by it. I suppose at any rate it interferes materially with your plans. I am told it ruins W \u0026 E. Please let me know all about. In haste, \nYrs \nM.F. Maury","Richmond VA \n30 Ap'l '69","Dear Corbin, \nI have been very much engrossed. Have just finished for Mr. Johnson a notice of my blessed Davy Jones.","Yrs of 28th came duly to hand. Was relieved to know that Wade \u0026 [Estey's] misfortune did not involve you. You know better than I can suggest what to do now.","It is within the power of the people to be represented in the Norfolk convention to say whether they will have direct trade with Holland. If they say `yes' and give the right sort of earnest, then the Dutch will probably establish a large house in Norfolk. In that case they\nwill probably want a businessman for associate, who is well acquainted in the South \u0026 West. Now the question is how can you manage to bring yourself to the acquaintance of the trading businessmen in Montgomery- Memphis - Knoxville, Chattanooga, Huntsville - Nashville, Louisville, Cincinnati \n[and-]. \nIf you or I had any authority to speak for the Dutchmen in the matter, it would be plain sailing, and we should know how to go to work. But there's no hurry, look out for the\nproceedings of the convention, \u0026 find out the leading houses in N.C. \u0026 the West, try as opportunity allows to get into correspondence of some sort with them- and if during the next 12 months you can bring yourself to their acquaintance, perhaps, if the Dutchman comes, you may have a chance to show him around.","Packing up for VMI.","I am afraid the day I'll move will not turn out so well. Nannie \u0026 Nan are very good friends now. Do you think that [boarding] them will make them any better? It's only in that aspect \u0026 the mosquitoes that I \"has my doubts about\"","All well and send love \nyrs \nM.F. Maury","Richmond VA \n22 May 1869","Dear Corbin, \nAbout the Piano- I wish you would get Ellen Lewis to help you and Nannie select a first rate one, to cost not over $800 - eight hundred $. Go for performance and richness of\ntone, not just for outside appearance. Bargain for freight paid here if they can, but for delivery on board steamer and packing up anyhow. It should be directed to Maury,\nLexington, and consigned with bill o'lading, to Col. Dillon (DILLON) James River Canal Office. His office is right at steam boat landing. You can draw at sight on R. H. Maury \u0026 Co. where I have given you a credit for $800. Yr draft to be signed M.F. Maury for yourself. Perhaps you may make a better arrangement with R. H. Maury himself who left last night for New York.","Please you and Nannie keep your eyes about you for carpets. They ought to be cheap now. Small figures and bright colors are [the] go for small rooms, small figures some [worsted]. [Then these] down stairs rooms should be good Brussels, or Wilton- the dining room and parlor the most costly, but none over $2 the yard, including the making which must be done there, \u0026 including also packing and delivery on board str. consigned as the piano is to be. They can be made by the enclosed draft which please take care of.","Brave's and the up-stairs rooms should be cheap remnants, 3 ply or Brussels, according to bargains. You know I like variety, therefore don't go for matching the rooms. Rugs also, and carpet-[slips] I reckon for the upstairs passage. Dick has coloured it you see for oil cloth- We have oil cloth for the bare passage already on its way up there. I have shut up all the doors in the Parlour except one. Please enquire for bargains \u0026 report progress before going further. All well. We expect to get off next Tuesday.","Yr Aft. \nP.T.O. M.F. Maury","[verso] \nAlso inquire as to the price of a neat electroplate water pitcher and tea kettle such as the one we used to have at the `Sup'","V.M.I. \n17 June `69","Dear Corbin, \nNannie's room is all ready, but we have heard nothing from her than what is mentioned in yours of 15th just to hand.","In re: carpets, I did not expect you to do more just now than to post me up as to prices \u0026 c. The girls wanted to have something to say as to colors, patterns, \u0026 c. Moreover I did not want to buy now, have no funds, no place to store them, and $500 for Dining room \u0026 Parlour is beyond my mark. Therefore unless you are committed for them, I don't want them. If however you are committed for them, bargain that they are not to be sent until\nwe are ready for them in the fall, and that they shall send with them all the scraps \u0026 pieces which are wasted in the cutting. We have already two rugs in the parlour \u0026 a [ ] [ ]. I take it that you have not ordered any of the other carpeting *. { (*I do not want it) in margin}. You did right not to order the iron bedstead, for I did not expect you to do that upon what I said. Caution the upholsterer not to make the mattress a hair's breadth\nlarger than the bed in the [ ]- a little smaller it will still fit- an inch larger, no!. You do not say anything about the andirons, [fender] \u0026 c. We have none of them at all and fires at night are often pleasant. The canal is in repair, and will not be open again from Richmond before 1st July- Therefore I had rather these things \u0026 the mattress should not be sent till then.","Rutson wrote me last Saturday -12- that Stewart's man had been to him with a bill for $500 odd for goods for me to know if I was good. R. said he would pay if I didn't- I replied to R. that I knew nothing about it, that I had authorized no such bill- not dreaming it was you \u0026 the carpets. If as I said you have made yourself liable for them insist that they shall be kept until called for. There is no place for them without putting them down. We don't\nwant to do that- 1st because we prefer bare floors. 2. Plasterers and other workmen have work to do which probably will not be done for months- 3. There is no place to store them. Therefore they must not be sent till we are ready for them.","The Piano has come - all safe- Elegant. Everybody pleased with it, and Elie is now making it \"talk\"! Thanks.","Which way do you go on the 22nd. Can't you come this way? There's plenty of room for you- Dick is in W. V. He \u0026 Sue have engaged lodgings at the Pendleton's.","I am invited to take charge of the University of Ala. at Tuscaloosa. Have it under consideration. My decision when they ask it will be something like this- Give me full swing and $10 m {10,000} a year for 5 years and I'll try to build you up- Before the war it had 350 boys- vs 25 now- so you see it's right low. You may well consider I'm not anxious to go- they offer $4m and I fancy they are not prepared to give $10,000. Please put the prices on Edgerton's list \u0026 return it. \nyrs truly \nM.F. Maury","V.M.I. \nSeptember 1st '69","Dear Corbin, \nUse the accompanying letter as you think best. I should like to have Gould sounded upon it \u0026 to know what he says. I send you the pamphlets. Please get from Stewart his carpet bill. It is getting most time for me to order them forward, but before I do that I want to raise the money for paying for them, \u0026 the first step is to know how much that is. Inquire also, if you please as to the discount he will allow if you pay him on the shipment of the\ncarpets instead of forwarding his bill here to be paid when they are delivered to me.","Nannie \u0026 Sue did not go to the Baths, because I fancy, I was not here to make them, \u0026 now they are looking so well that I do not think it necessary for them to go.","All well \u0026 send love.","V.M.I. 9th/9/'69","Dear Corbin, \nI suppose my letter last week in reply to yours about the Dutch steamers must have miscarried.","So here's at you about the carpets again. Have them shipped via steamer to Smith (Genl's brother), Norfolk- ask him to pay charges and forward by what the Gen'l calls his air[ ]- viz rail to Lynchburg \u0026 canal thence. If Stewart will allow discount, pay him there on presentation of bill o'lading. Rutson has been asked to honor your draft. Better see R. first to make sure for I am not in a hurry \u0026 don't care if the carpets don't arrive before the\n25th. If he won't discount, then let T. ship on the 20th as above and let \"charges follow\". I'll pay on delivery.","I wish you would get from him \u0026 have them put up in the same* { (* to save freight) at bottom of page} bundle with the carpets, \u0026 have charged on the carpet bill - 12 doz. table napkins - not extra fine or extravagant - but such as a gentleman ought to have on his table every day - Such for instance as cousin Ann has; perhaps she or [`Quincy'] will select them for me. Of course I don't care where you get them so they are good, decent, and not extravagant \u0026 so they come with the carpets - inside - without extra freight. If possible \u0026 to save freight the carpets should all be in one bundle, or in as few bundles as economy suggests. Nanny \u0026 the children all well.","Betty with her aunt will leave us next Tuesday. \nyrs M.F. Maury","N.B. It's 144 Table napkins that I want - linen all-","[On reverse of second sheet] \n\"Messrs Paten \u0026 Co \nMy friend Mr. Corbin wants 12 Dz napkins similar to sample, please give him the right kind \u0026 price. \nYrs, \nR.P. Richardson","V.M.I. \n10 Sept. 1869","Dear Corbin, \n12 doz. will be too many. 6 doz. napkins will do- Let them be all of the usual dinner size. If not too late therefore let the order be for 72 instead of 144 table napkins Dinner size. \nYrs, \nM.F. Maury","V.M. I. \nLexington, VA \n16 Sept. '69","Dear Corbin, \nYours of 13th rec'd. Napkins \u0026 consignment O.K. Thanks-","Nannie is still at the McD's. Is waiting till our new cook comes. Weather fine. Children well \u0026 my nerves distressingly 'shaky'. \nYrs, \nM.F. Maury","V.M.I. \nLexington, VA \n20/12/69","My dear Corbin, \nI was sorry to hear that Edgerton has gone 'by the board'. My observations teach me that the merchants who never fail are comparatively few- and they are either men of means outside of the capitol embarked in their business- or men who have friends to back them. I should be exceedingly sorry to see you entering into mercantile business in any way except as an agent or employee- and that is a business that is desirable only until you\ncome into possession of your inheritance so find out when you are. At any rate I hope you will enter into no \"entangling [obligation] before we meet which I hope will be soon. I still look for you before New-Year. Xmas week is a holy-day time in New York.","Please jog Hasbrouck's memory about the St. Paul bond. I am hard up \u0026 should like to have the money on the very day it falls due, if possible. 'The Boy' is the life of the housecoming out every day with something original. \nYrs \nM.F. Maury","VMI \n4th March 1870","Dear Corbin, \nI have asked Will to send you $200 which fall due on the 9th. I left word in Richmond with Bob to collect some dividends to send you the proceeds. Should he do so you can transfer it over to me and accept the enclosed $300 instead which with what Will will send and what I left with you makes $1000. \nIn haste \nM.F. Maury","V.M.I. \nApril 6th \n1871","Dear Corbin- \nI got last night a letter telling of the investment of the $321.34. Thank you. Will says, that the law treats it as usury to compound the interest in that way. Please ask John Herndon about it for I want to keep within the law.","My aim was to let you have just $1,000. It is therefore that I ask you to remit in case you should receive more than that.","Tell Nannie, that Elie is in bed with a headache, \u0026 Lucy is under the weather with a cold, \u0026 I don't hear them say a word about going down.","Heavy rain last night. In haste yours truly, \nM.F. Maury \n(pr M.H.M.)","[Postscript by Mary]\nI got my dear Sister Nannie's letter \u0026 will write after the Fair comes off.\nThe girls certainly expect to go down the middle of the month","V.M.Institute \nJuly 26th 1871","Dear Nannie, \nYour Ma got your letter this morning ain't we so glad, glader, glady. Tell Corbin he must come along too.","I returned from Ala. last Monday evening and took them all by surprise. Since graduating, Brave had made a fee and had gone off on a spree, and had gone off with Tots \u0026 Elie to the White \u0026 Capertons. I suppose his money will give out soon and we may expect them back the last of the week.","My going to Tuscaloosa, is still in abeyance. I found when I got to Montgomery that the Board of Regents at its meeting last June had gone farther in their injudicious course than I had fancied, for besides establishing chairs \u0026 filling them without conference with me, they had chalked out a plan of operations for the Univ. which appeared to me altogether impracticable.","The Board of Regents had not been called together as I had requested, but all the professors save 3 were there with Hodgson who is ex officio President of the Board of Regents. During our first session I found out that there was not only no money to fit up the Univ. but there was nothing to keep it a-going: for more than all its annual endowment had already been appropriated. The charges against the cadets were at figures so low that they would inevitably bring the Univ. in debt. A sum not exceeding $200 was to be the expense per cadet. So in the afternoon I formally proclaimed that I could not undertake the responsibility of such an institution \u0026 therefore begged leave to decline. Whereupon there was \"sensation.\" Some made hy-falutin speeches \u0026 professors asked \"what shall I do.\" One urging that he \"had given up his house\" another, \"his practice,\" another \"his business,\" another \"his college\" another that he \"was engaged to be married,\" all under the expectation that I would accept. The strong men of the city were\nbrought in who promised to make the legislature do the needful. And the judges of the Supreme Court who are said to hold the legislature in the hollow of their hands, black \u0026 white radicals \u0026 all- Sent word that they would do the needful at its next meeting. In short, the question was asked, that \"if they would raise a launching fund, change the fees, so as to be a source of revenue, instead of loss, and alter the course of instruction so as to suit my views, would I accept\"? Yes Well it was funny to see the plan they had laid down. They had three parallel course which were \"selectable\" and every boy that came was answered in terms \"you have paid your money, take your choice\" And they told me they had copied after the Univ. of Mississippi, which never did prosper, though it has a clear revenue of $77,000. So the plan that I propose requires the three Rs for admission\n\u0026 then curriculum all the way up to any specialty, that the student- being qualified to enter upon it- may select, all boys to be examined and to be put as high up as they are qualified to stand.","These matters are to be referred by letter to the Board of Regents, and if the majority pledge themselves by letter to stand by me , if I make the alterations \u0026 to sanction them at their next meeting in Nov. and then if the friends of the Univ. will raise a launching fund, I will go.","The earnest desire manifested by the good people of the state, for me to take charge of their Univ. was very gratifying.","It appears to me that almost all the good people in Ala. who have sons \u0026 means intend to rally around me, and among the events that were particularly gratifying was a proposition on the part of the professors to lend: some their whole salary: some $1000: and the others $500 to get the thing underway.","They were to let me know, in a telegram, whether my views would be met by the Regents. And thus the matter stands.","My plan for the present is modeled after V.M.I. with the open features of the Univ. of Va. In the mean time I am working like a Turk here in collecting statistics and transmitting \"useful and entertaining knowledge\" to \"Tusca.\"","I did not go to \"Tusca\", because my house had not been vacated by my radical\npredecessor, with his three students, but hastened back for the telegram.\nI traveled Saturday in the cars with Dabney \u0026 Family, they have broken up in New Orleans, and have come to Va. for the summer. They were to stop a few days in Lynchburg, then go to the Bath Alum.","Kisses to the children \u0026 love to all hands. I brought some maple-sugar for them, they must make haste and come up or it will be all gone, \nM.M.","V.M.I. Lexington Va. \nAugust 9th 1871 \nS.W. Corbin Esqr. \nFredericksburg Va","Dear Corbin \nI have this morning your letter of 3rd introducing Mr. Boulware. No letter was necessary. I had the pleasure of forming his acquaintance last Fall in Fredericksburg and was much pleased with him. All the chairs at Tuscaloosa are full.","We expect Dick back from W.V. tomorrow or next day. When is Nannie coming up? We expect Will to come next week. Can't she come with him? We don't mean to let you off: you must come and fetch Nannie back. Yesterday was \"Crits\" birthday: cords of presents---60 years old, and as young as a [sentence fragment]","I am busy with Tuscaloosa but begin to think it will not be ready by Oct. My illustrious predecessor is still in the President's house. Betty has mended vastly since she has been here. Ask Nanna and that boy when are they coming up? We are dying to see them.","In haste yours, \nM.F. Maury","V.M.I. Lexington VA \n17th Aug 1871","Dear Corbin, \nPlease don't remit but re-invest \u0026 let it roll up. You have always told me I could realize upon ten days notice.","The Goshen stage don't get in now until about 10'clock; We shall set up for Nannie \u0026 the children. Dick left for Richmond last night.","The funds of University Alabama are just like \"jack-o-my-lanterns\". I was to have had $40,000 to begin with \u0026 have got $16,000 maybe. It bothers me enough.","Ask Brodie when he gets to New York please to call at 156 \u0026 7 Crosby Street \u0026 enquire for C.B. Richardson \u0026 if he is not in for Prof Lawrence \u0026 ask for a copy of Geog No 3 New Edition, for my young friend his little grandson \u0026 take it with him to Savannah. I will write \u0026 tell them he's a-coming.","You must be sure \u0026 come to fetch Nannie back \nYours truly","V.M.I. 23 Sept '71","Dear Corbin, \nTwas a source of profound regret that none of us could get down to help render the last offices of friendship and affection to John. He died as he lived, like a Christian gentleman.","We had Brodie's room ready for him last night and felt disappointment when his letter came saying he had to go to Savannah.","Elie Lucy \u0026 I expect to leave for Tenn. about the 5th maybe 1st. I think you had better come up to escort Nannie \u0026 the children back- we should be mighty glad to see you. Want to talk over the Tenn. speech with you. There is a stage that leaves here twice a week at 11 AM for Goshen where it connects with a train due in Staunton at 8.45 P.M. There you stay all night \u0026 at 9 next morning leave for Richd. I think this is the best way to go for it saves that long night in the stage house. The boy has improved wonderfully \u0026 is a great pet.","Tell me the lowest price of wheat in Aug. last, with date, and the price now. Jno Herndon had my will, please ask Charles when he comes across it, to hand it to you. You can fetch it up with you.","The weather here is lovely. Give my love to Ellen Mercer Charles \u0026 Lucy.","Yrs. truly \nM.F. Maury","V.M.I. \nLexington \n11 Nov. 71","My dear Nannie, \nLet's hear that boy whistle- why that's like the cars. Let's hear you whistle like the darkies. Well! cut a somersault. How does he like the new house? and Nanna the dancing school? She must teach him all her steps, gaits and [moves].","We got back last night week- and if they will send us free tickets again Elie and I will go to the Agricultural Congress in Selma 12 Dec. Tell Corbin I am going to carry that plan- i.e.- do my best and so roll that ball over Henry \u0026 the rest of them. But the rascals they'll catch it up as soon as they see it rolling along finely and say it was theirs. I think [Thomps] is behaving most shabbily-plagiarism \u0026 piracy are mild terms to [ ] what he\nis doing. He used to make a living by lecturing on my works-carrying PG's under his arm. Now he not only steals my brains, and ignores my books, but gives other people the credit that belongs to me.","Sally F. and Sister E. have gone to the Pendletons. We have no coal yet.","I begin Monday to prepare my P.G. lecture - to be [based on the question] - \"What science has done for mankind.\"","Crit got a letter from Sue yesterday. Dick stays downtown all day. Totts is poorly- Have been working Crit, Mary, Lucy \u0026 Elie hard this week I tell you. The Lee quilt is to be raffled at the Letcher's tonight. We will draw it, I reckon- some of us have tickets- 24 chances- Totts had this morning a letter from Tom Bold - speaks well of Price. Frank Smith has gone over there. Will reports Betty as recovering fast \u0026 Nannie Bell in high glee over her new piano. Don't hear often from Brave. Love to Corbin, Sue, Mat and the\nchildren. \nYrs affectionately, \nM.F. Maury","V.M.I. 20 Dec. 1871","My dear little grandson that's named John Maury Corbin, some of this letter is for Nana too but I send it to you because xmas is a coming-","You just ought to be here- we are having so much fun- Last night your Ma's chimney caught afire- F i a r F i a r! Como. Maury's house is afiar! The drums beat, the fife squeaked \u0026 the cadets came tumbling up- some with \"guns\" to shoot the robbers- some with buckets to quench the fire. Oh it was so nice, but the fire went out just so before they could ever get here- And [then] it's so cold the river is frozen- all the girls- and Jimmy\nMoore \u0026 Genl Pendleton and all the other little boys go a skating. They take lunch, and have picknick on the ice. `The boy' can skate \u0026 the littlest Johnson is the best skater of them all- [ ]. And then it's been snowing \u0026 rainy \u0026 hailing- and what do you think it did yesterday at dinner in the dining room- there was money shower and the flakes were GreenBacks! You and Nana ought to have been here for 'scrambling'. They went like soap bubbles- and so you had to catch them quick nobody could get more than one flakeand\nsomebody saved these two for you two - not too and your Ma- She is to give you at least 10 cts out of it \u0026 Nanna 20 cts \u0026 Charlie 20 cts- for you to go down street by [yourselves] and buy just what you please.","She's to keep the rest","And do the best-","Can you write poetry?","Tell her your Aunt Eliza has been very poorly- is getting better. She hasn't been here since the day after we got back from Memphis.","I have been to see her once- walked- was laid up for a week part of the time unable to turn over in bed. Have sent for a carriage to go \u0026 see her this evening- She's afraid that Sally F. is going away from her \u0026 that helps to make her sick.","You all ought to be here these times- Your Uncle Charlie sent us some Blue wings- by the time they got here they had turned to Canvas Backs- they are so good!","Here comes somebody. A Merry Xmas to your Pa \u0026 Ma and sister \u0026 your own sweet little self. Who is Mat's sweetheart? I know Charlie's- Have you got one? What's her name? \nYour affectionate friend. \nM.F. Maury","V.M.I. 1 March (1872)","My dear Corbin, \nTake Nannie, Totts, Nanna \u0026 the boy into your counsels- read to them Elie's M.S. in confidence- take their vote- \"Fire or Sandy Little\" \u0026 if they say Sandy, hand it to him- on condition that he's to \"harry\" the Whig without letting Whig or anybody know who `Old Spotsylvanian' is. It's a shame that the Whig should be fooling that \"foolish little legislation\" so.","If you or Nannie do not want to S. [ ] so for y'r scrap book, hand it to Totts for 'hern'. Why don't those children answer my letters? I've got the whooping cough- used to have it in Ten. Catch it from the children at the house- [up] [ ]- [ ].","When is the height of the fishing season? Tell me- for if at that time I feel as young as the whooping cough \u0026 in the [ ] I may run down, pick up Totts \u0026 Ho for Glymont. Mrs. M. is pestering me mightily to go A - W A Y ! Got a letter this morning from Taffy imploring me not to let the yankees light Jno Bull.","Tell Totts -O now I wish I had some birds- all well \u0026 send love. Yrs M. F. Maury.","\u003e\u003e\u003e\u003e\u003eIf Sandy publish- send me a few extras.","V.M.I. 27 March '72","Dear Corbin, \nTotts had been telling us of \"the Boy's\" deafness and how badly Nannie was looking. I sent the cheque to \"buy exemptions\" so you did exactly right- and I hope it will buy [cards].","Tell Nana \u0026 the boy they ought to be here just to see me. I go about the house whooping like a red Indian on the war path- Does he remember his island? There it is- In the last three snows it was as naked as a rock- now why wouldn't the snow lie on it- can he tell?","Tell Totts Mrs. Sinclair is at the point of death. Betty Page has come up to help nurse her. We hope Nannie will run down to Richmond. [Credits] - Miss Mildred is engaged to Prof. Blair. College Calithumps on the night of 1st- two boys fought a duel- one shot tother two times. Old Hughes keeps [up] pinched for wood- Dick's at home on crutches sprained ankle. Va- I reckon- is going downhill all the time- and tho I fancy I can see ways for letting up- I don't see the wisdom for putting her in those ways, \u0026 so her course\nis downward ho!","This is a beautiful day- I am not well enough to venture out. Don't know when Lucy is coming- Love to all \nyrs. M.F. Maury","V.M.I. 10 Apl '72","My dear Nannie, \nWhy don't I come out and prevent people from stealing my brains torpedoes \u0026 all? Why don't the passenger at sea come out \u0026 stop pirates from pirating? Didn't Queen Vic her own dear self steal my torpedoes right before my face- and as for `[thunder]'-look at 'Thomps' \u0026 your dear yankees.","That's a fact- Corbin is a great financier- He has managed the estate with much ability and fine judgment \u0026 J P owes him 'a heap'. I suppose J.P. did not find enough to do in the office to occupy him- and I think idle hours drag more ways than one before a young man that is not yet fairly engaged in the battle of life.","And can the boy read? Ask him to read this letter. \nJIM BIT A FOX \nTHE CAT EAT A RAT. And go [up] [head].","I've got the whooping cough in my back \u0026 all over. And I've \"got no work to do-o\".","There is nothing [any] my table- Elie is writing a great speech for the National Agricultural Association which is to meet in St. Louis next month. Fish refuses to help my `ball' along. Elie's speech is going to roll it right over him. Don't those fellows in Washington hate me with a hate? And ain't it elegant to make 'em do, what you tell's em?","Mat repeated to me last night most beautifully the Death of Montrose. It reminded me so much of my blessed Davy Jones. My eyes filled with tears \u0026 my heart with emotions unutterable. Sue brings up \u0026 teaches Mat very well. He and your Nannie are the best child-readers I ever heard. You ought to be here just to see the sons in law- as many as twenty at a time- I hide under the bed-Crit jumps on the sofa Aunt Mary and the rest scramble up stairs. You are right- Totts is chief among 10,000 \u0026 altogether lovely. Where am I to go? Can't stay here another winter. Take away my house \u0026 my pay- and\nthen leave me to rent a house and do without the $1800! -how's the pot to be kept a going? The question is bothering me a good deal. The weather here is beautiful and the grass green- and the trees vocal at early matins. When are you coming up? I'd give a cow \u0026 calf to come down but the way is so hard \u0026 I so rickety. Everybody sends to you Corbin \u0026 the children \nyr aft M.F. Maury","V.M.I. 19 Apl '72","My dear Corbin, \nI made up my mind this morning to break out from my pleasant surroundings \u0026 happy relations here about 1st Sept. by which time it will not be imprudent to settle somewhere in Eastern Va. The high rents in Richmond Nannie's letter \u0026 the Taylor (?) houseopposite Uncle Charlie's- with its $250- set my mouth to watering for the old burg. In what sort of repair is it- Do the windows rattle? do the doors open \u0026 shut easily \u0026 without noise- How are the grates and fire places. Does the house smoke. Is it lighted with gas \u0026 has it a water closet? If nay, can it have all these things and I the refusal of it, till Sept.? I would ask you to engage it now but for the chance of my being offered something somewhere else which will strengthen my money power and enable me, with material surroundings - to be more comfortable than I could be upon my own only in Fredericksburg. How many rooms has the house? Can you rough sketch me the grand plan?","Could the boy read my letter- and ain't he coming up here to help us pack up, and show us the way to his house?","I send Nanna a newspaper. It is printed by [ ] Pratt, a little cripple- He is about her size- He has got a printing press and a font of type. He sets these and prints and edits all himself. I send her also a splendid composition by Alice. Alice is a physical geographer- A has told about a drop of water on the earth- Now can N. tell about one in the sky? Water is a beautiful thing I tell you. It is protean- and you think that in every new shape you see it, it's more lovely yet. Yesterday it was dropping down in little white pits, as hard as pits and hopping about the town more than the cadets. It made them scamper I tell you. Then it laid itself in the grass, and peeped at you for a little while-as much as to sayhere goes your [Tennessee] ice cream- come \u0026 catch me if you dare- and by the time you got there 'twas just nothing at all. That No 3 Geography you are studying is an old edition and a great many mistakes such as you and Molly found- have been corrected, maps like those at p.p. 21- 148 \u0026 152 have the scale all the way up and down the sides- it varies with the latitude- Thus reason on a piece of paper the distance for 20 between the equator \u0026 20 N. and then try it for 20 between 40 \u0026 60 N. Your Pa will show you. \nAll well and send love yrs \nM.F. Maury","V.M.I. 10 May '72","My dear Corbin, \nI give you many thanks for the trouble- all for naught- that you have so kindly undertaken in re Carter House. Dr Wellford's figures are too large, so I will get you to keep your eyes about you for one on easier terms.","I have most got my courage up to the sticking point for St. Louis. Here I feel somewhat like Sin Bad the sailor in his valley of Diamonds- so hard to get out. Dick took the cars this morning for Richmond. The weather is mighty hot. That was a first rate physical Geographical composition of N. I sent it to Alice. Bless her heart give her a kiss- and ask her to ask the boy if he knows what river that is that goes by Fredericksburg and where does it come from \u0026 where does it go to- and if she can write a composition and tell\nwhat's the use of rivers anyhow? Love to Nannie- all well- Tell her there's another [ ] of S.C. [rice] on the way. \nyrs, \nM.F. Maury","V.M.I. 12 May '72","My dear Corbin, \nI have no doubt of Carroll's fitness because you speak of him so highly. But rules work sometimes inconveniently. I have found it necessary to make rules for conduct, and one is not to recommend unless I can speak from personal knowledge \u0026 sufficient acquaintanceship. So I hope neither he nor you will take my rule amiss.","I expect to leave for St. Louis on 22. But the getting out of this valley is the trouble. The idea of getting out oppresses somewhat as Sin Bad the Sailor was oppressed in the Valley of Diamonds.","Thanks for your kind invitation, but I don't reckon we shall get away from here before the fall. Moreover we are hedging now so as to treasure up for the move. Today it's very hot. Lucy is under the weather. The church is to be pulled down tomorrow. Mrs. Burwell is here- and we are all well. \nyrs truly \nM.F. Maury","V.M.I. 19 May '72","My dear Children, \nI set off for St. Louis day after tomorrow- a day earlier than I intended for the purpose of spending Thursday at the Arlington in Washington to meet C.B.R. He is very much opposed to my `burying myself alive' and makes a proposition which amounts practically to an allowance sufficient to pay house rent say $1000 in Richmond. This is `[now] just so'. I'm to do nothing for it but just live in Richmond. I have not accepted nor declined it\nbut have it to stand just so tall after our talk.","C.B.R. and his Co are doing a roaring business. From all I hear they expect the Geographies alone to clear this year not less than $125,000.","We have been expecting a visit from Jim Monroe \u0026 his girls. He wrote word last Tuesday they were coming- and sent word that he would go with me to St. Louis, and that's all. I shall be sorry to miss them. Crit talks of going with me as far as Gordonsville on his way to Betty. But Betty don't write to say she \"can't get along without her\" so I should not be surprised if she don't go, though she had her trunk brought down three days ago intending to ship off in the 'Packet' tonight. Dick is still in Richmond. They have begun to pull down our church \u0026 we have 'nowhere to go'. Dabney expects to move this week to Nashville. He tells me he has a letter from [T.] saying he didn't think anything of my `ball' at first and that now he has changed his opinion and advised Dabney as to what I ought to do- a great [piece] of imprudence- I have no doubt he wants to get a chance to steal more thunder and have asked D. not to hold any correspondence with him upon the subject.","Tell Nana I did answer her beautiful composition and asked her to tell me the use of Rivers and make the boy tell where the Rapp. comes from \u0026 whither it goes. Don't she want to go to St. Louis \u0026 see the great big river that runs by there? What is its name. Totts is going on a visit to the [Cock's] of [Bowston]. Don't know when she's coming home. All well and send love \nYrs \nM.F. Maury","St. Louis \n30 May '72","My dear wife, \nThe Congress never before knew what an address was. It was delivered last night- and everything has been done exactly as I would have it. I was surly yesterday. Am having a bout with the foot in the elbow- was in bed half the day- and was not fit to speak and thought I should break down but am much better today. Charles escorts me to the Guthrie's tomorrow- I return Monday- 37 miles and then strike for you and home as hard as I can rattle. Have not decided which route to take. Col. Withers who C.B.R. sent to take care of me fancies to go through Tenn. I shall be governed a good deal by him for\nhe is so considerate and kind I can't get on well without him. If I go via Wash. shall touch at Fb'g- and at Richmond anyhow. Send this letter and the papers I mail with it up to Nannie to be passed on to V.M.I. for I [have] to [trim] the [wick]. Love to all. Who is 'Kate'? I haven't had time to see her. \nYrs M.F.","St. Chas. Co. Mo. \n1 June 72","Dear Corbin, \nI am to leave this Monday A.M. and St. Louis at 3 P.M. Straight onward for you \u0026 Nannie say 50 hours. \nyrs in haste, M.F.M.","send to my wife","V.M.I. 19 June '72","Dear Corbin, \nThanks for the 13 [Newses]: you and Nannie [regard] the [speech] nicely. Monday the Minor girls left in a carriage under Walker's escort, to spend the night at Goshen and proceed yesterday to Hanover. Crit without writing and accompanied by Totts, Nannie Bell \u0026 Alice took us quite by surprise Monday night. They found the Minor girls at Goshen- scorned the carriage and came straight on in the stage arriving here at 10 1/2 pm. as bright as the moon and as gay as larks. They left Betty still in bed. Will's trip to\nWytheville has been put off till 1st July. We are writing for Betty to come along up. I sent in resignation yesterday to take effect 10 Sept. The day before sent off new ed. of Geog. no. 3. and this morning have \"the foot\" also a letter from Dab- of 16- from Nashville where they all are saying little Dab is very ill with scarlet fever. This morning also I got a copy of the Physical Geography of the Sea in Italian, which [Gat a] has published in\nRome. He never knew what a book was before. Love to the children. \nYrs, M.F. Maury","V.M.I. 24 July (1872)","Dear Corbin \nWe are driving to see Nannie \u0026 the children. Look for Betty also. Sorry you don't come too. Plenty of room. Totts lie \u0026 I are off for [Yellow] next week- [thence to 6] or -13th Aug. for an Ag. Address- then back, then to Boston! 18 Sept. for another. Thence to St. Louis 1st Oct for another- so you see I am knocking the 'balls' along.","Don't bother yourself about the money. If I want it- we can discount old\n[Harmon].","Better come up and get those Farley Vale 'tadpoles' \u0026 Fredericksburg chills out of you. \nYrs, M.F. Maury","Knoxville Tenn. \nSunday Aug 11 (1872)","My dear wife, \nI arrived here last night at 11.30- It is now 9 A.M.- The ride did me a `heap of good' knocking the remains of that [severe] bout in the knee into the middle of next week. I left the girls lodged next door to, \u0026 in charge of, the Taylors- nice people. I [propose] to be back Saturday- to leave Monday and to be at home Tuesday. I had a fancy to spend Saturday night \u0026 Sunday at the White, for the sake of rubbing bright the links that bind me\nto the Maury's there - Uncle Phils' - and of seeing gentlemen [there] \u0026 'roll any balls'. Higgins who married one of them was very kind \u0026 [pressing] and told Totts he would come and fetch her any day she'd name \u0026 'Dilly' promised to take them into her room. I suggested to Totts that she should write for him to fetch them Saturday p.m. so we might arrive about the same time. They did not appear to take the hint that I wanted them to go- so I did not press. The trip is not so long as I was told it was- so I should not be surprised if I were to pick the girls up at the 'Yellow' Friday p.m. and be with you Saturday. How's Betty \u0026 when's Will coming up? I suppose I shall be putting out for \"The Hub\" about this time next month so if he don't come I shan't see him. Betty [resistive] that of going to the White by herself-V.M.I. is a better place than Springs for her anyhow. I can sleep in Barracks if need be- so tell her to be comfortable \u0026 stop that climbing. One\nmorning Totts was at the Bowling Alley- all of a sudden your son in law \u0026 his sister hitched up, bid me goodbye, and when Totts came back she was surprised to hear they had gone!","The trains here are just 12 hours apart- so I shall take the one at 11 1/2 today- and go to Dalton- due at 6- or to Atlanta due at midnight according to my feeling.","I think the girls are having though not a grand, yet far from a dull time. I left the Boston speech for Elie to flirt with. I met with no adventures on my way save an interesting looking youth, of 17, sent by the Tribune to carry Tennessee. He was on their city staff, was a practical printer- had worked at the fonts 3 1/2 years- learned shorthand, and was such an expert that he could take down 200 words in one minute. When he takes down a speech, doesn't know what it's about! He could take down a Chinaman's speech - as well as an Englishman's- but then he would have to have Chinese to report it.","Love \u0026 kisses to everybody. Dying to see [you] \n[Yr.] M.","V.M.I. 4 Sep. 72","Dear Corbin, \nI am suddenly called on to make a raise.","I have sent R.H. Maury \u0026 Co. Richmond an order requesting you to discount that paper and send them the proceeds.","They are to send you the order only in case it be necessary. So if you get it from them you will know what to do. They will want $1200. Expect Will \u0026 Betty tonight. \nYrs \nM.F. Maury","V.M.I. 8 Sept. 72","Dear Corbin, \nThanks for yrs of [recd] this morning. [Secure] at some time from R.H.M. Better let them carry at 8 prct. while ours run at 10-? So hold on for further orders.","I reckon houses in Fb'g will not fall much lower- and that purchase would be wise.","I congratulate you on security debts- think you have done first rate.","What do you think of buying in Richmond instead of Fb'g? property is going up there. I don't see when the tide is to turn for Fb'g.","I mail with this the Ga. speech. Whatever may be the local exceptions here \u0026 there, the south is as there stated going downhill.","Elie \u0026 I are off for Boston Thursday. Nannie writes and gives you chit-chat. \nyrs \nM.F. Maury","New York (Jim's) \n15 Sept '72","My dear wife, \nWe arrived here at 5 p.m. yesterday all safe \u0026 sound. Elie had `the [head]' say from 10 to 2. I got her a cup of coffee at Wilmington- also a sandwich and [they] set her up. We only stopped there 10m so there was no time for dinner- I brought her the coffee, after a while a man came hopping through the cars, selling papers \u0026 crying fresh fried oysterspiping hot, especially for this train- each box has 6 oysters- 6 crackers and a pickle. I bought the last box and that set Elie completely up. She's as bright as a lark this morning going to church 10 sqrs off. Too far for me. Jim and Pierpont have not returned. I shall leave here about 10 in the morning, spend the day at publisher's and then at 5 go to 4th street for dinner and the night. All of Jim's folks were at home- glad to see us - \u0026 send love. Elie told 'em she was hungry as a hawk- They had tea at 6.30 and the best beef steak I ever did taste. I went to bed at 9 - and got up at 8. Glorious night- for I made a [bed] out of it in Washington- left there at 8. Arlington expensive place- went there in a [bus] and came away in the [bus]- total cost including lodging \u0026 2 meals ea. $11. It's cool today. Leave this for Elie Love to Bettie, Nannie, Will, Lucy, Molly \u0026 Mary \u0026 all the children. So sorry I forgot to tell Lucy to copy [that] [Res.] from the letter book- they are\nthere in her hand at the end of the Boston Speech. yrs M.","[Letter continues in hand of Eliza H. Maury) \nI thought about that black dress once or twice, but felt quite satisfied I had put it back in the trunk after wearing it at the Waddells. Went to Grace Church today but didn't see Cousin Ann \u0026 Cousin Rutson. A beautiful Gothic Church with stained glass windows, fine music, \u0026 a real good sermon, I enjoyed it ever so much. Saw Mr. [Ned] Rives as I was coming out, but don't think he saw me. The girls gave me a very warm welcome \u0026 cousin Ellen too. Lucy \u0026 I have a room together \u0026 she makes a great fuss over me. This house\nis right next door to everything. Stuart's, Tiffanys, Cousin Ellen Lewis, Cousin Matts! Cousin Ellen Mercer's \u0026 every hing. Lucy admires my new trunk very much \u0026 says she is going to have on just like it. This is such a pretty house \u0026 so very nicely furnished. They rent it furnished but all the pictures \u0026 ornaments are their own \u0026 there are some very pretty ones among them- bronzes \u0026 things. The children seem unnaturally quiet to me, they scarcely speak above a whisper at the table. What do our children say to that?","Give my love to everyone \u0026 kiss my dear [Jim] for me. Tell Lucy Mr. Noland was here on his way to South America not long ago \u0026 gave Annie his photograph with a moustache, oh such a nice nice picture! \u0026 I haven't got one \u0026 my heart is broke. Good bye dear sweetness were you mad when I left my dress? It was horridly stupid of me; it has not been delivered yet but will come tomorrow I expect- Your own Beloved.","St. Louis. 10th Oct 1872","My dear Corbin, \nI have just time to say that I am too poorly to undertake the long journey East \u0026 propose going tomorrow to Jefferson City to Genl James Minor's to recuperate; he is George Minor's brother you know. \nYours- M.F. Maury \nper E.M."],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eMatthew Fontaine Maury papers, MS 0103, Virginia Military Institute Archives, Lexington, Virginia.\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["Matthew Fontaine Maury papers, MS 0103, Virginia Military Institute Archives, Lexington, Virginia."],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe Matthew Fontaine Maury papers consist primarily of letters written by Maury to various members of his family, including daughter Diana Fontaine Corbin (Maury) (1837-1900), son-in-law Spotswood Wellford Corbin (1835-1897), and wife Ann Hull Maury (Herndon) (1811-1901). Other correspondents include Maximilian (1832-1867), Emperor of Mexico, and Empress Carlotta.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIn addition to personal and domestic matters, topics include:\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLecture series\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCareer at the National Observatory in Washington, D.C.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConfederate service in Richmond, Virginia\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eActivities in England\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eColonization efforts in Mexico\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProfessorship at VMI\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e   \nThe papers also include related correspondence and printed material.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThis correspondence series was given to VMI as a single donation by a descendant of Diana Fontaine Corbin (Maury), \"Nannie,\" a daughter of Matthew F. Maury.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Fredericksburg, Virginia. Letter regards family news and the presidential election.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. The letter states that Diana Fontaine Corbin (Maury) must wait one year before an engagement can take place.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIn the letter, Ferdinand Maximilian, Archduke of Austria, thanks Matthew Fontaine Maury for sending a copy of \"Sailing Directions.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards Diana Fontaine Corbin's (Maury) new marriage.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards general family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from White Sulphur, Virginia. Letter regards general family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. The letter regards family news and mentions that Matthew Fontaine Maury will soon begin a lecture series in Ohio.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards general family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Rochester, New York. Letter regards the lecture series, which has a \"large and attentive audience.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Chicago, Illinois. Letter regards the itinerary for the rest of the lecture series.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Kalamazoo, Michigan. Letter regards a poor turnout at the Chicago, Illinois lecture due to weather.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Chicago, Illinois. Letter regards the lecture series and distance Mathew Fontaine Maury has traveled since leaving home.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Chicago, Illinois. Letter regards lecture series and travel to Cincinnati, Ohio.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Cleveland, Ohio. Letter regards general family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWrittenf from Cleveland, Ohio. Letter regards a disruption in train schedule that led to travel in a private car supplied by the president of the railroad.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from St. Louis, Missouri. Letter regards travel for the next week.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards the solution to a rebus (puzzle) enjoyed by the family.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards general family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter discusses plants that were lost in transit to the Corbins.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter discusses plants that were lost in transit to the Corbins.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards general family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards general family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter alludes to legal matters regarding the management of the estate.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards general family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards general family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards family health news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards legal matters and family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards family news. Letter contains postscript written by Ann Hull Maury (Herndon).\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards legal matters.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards legal matters.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards  signing a deed of trust upon the estate Farley Vale.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards the political situation in Virginia as it may affect property.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from London, England. Letter regards general news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from \"Steamer New York.\" Letter describes stay in England and an address before the Geographical Society.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards the outbreak of the Civil War.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards a  plan to organize home guard.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards Spotswood W. Corbin's war service plans and failure of \"guerilla scheme.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards Civil War news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Charlottesville, Virginia. Letter regards Spotswood W. Corbin's plans for service and housing.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards general news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards an extension of Spotswood W. Corbin's leave.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards Spotswood W. Corbin's service.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news and Spotswood W. Corbin's service.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards news of \"Dave's\" appointment.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards general news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Acknowledges receipt of letter.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eLetter regards that Dick was wounded in battle and will be out 6 weeks.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards general news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eLetter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eLetter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards situation in Fredericksburg, Virginia (Pope's order to arrest those who will not swear allegiance).\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Bowdon, England. Letter regards personal news and mentions that Yankees are trying to raise money in England.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from London, England. Letter regards a trip to Paris, France.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Bowdon, England. Letter regards the death of his son John Herndon Maury (Davy), who died in January 1863.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from England. Letter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from England. Lette regards general family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Bowdon, England. Letter regards the capture of Spotswood W. Corbin.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from \"The Parsonage, Belsize Park, London,\" England. Letter regards general news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from \"The Parsonage, Belsize Park, London,\" England. Letter regards health issues.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from \"Off San Domingo.\" Letter regards the end of the Civil War.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eContemporary copy of the decree by Emperor Maximilian that regards immigration and benefits granted to immigrants, and regulations regarding use of laborers.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eCopy of an addendum to emperial decree, in which Matthew Fontaine Maury outlines the climate, economy and other features of Mexico for the information of prospective immigrants.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Office of Colonization, 13 Calle San Juan de Letran, Mexico. Letter comments about colonization effort and false rumors that Matthew Fontaine Maury has requested a pardon from the United States government.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eCopy by Rutson Maury, with notations.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Office of Colonization, Mexico. Letter regards a potential trip to England, the situation in Virginia, and colonization.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Mexico. In the letter, Matthew Fontaine Maury urges Diana Fontaine Corbin (Maury) to consider establishing a settlement in Mexico.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eLetter fragment copied by Diana Fontaine Corbin (Maury). Letter regars colonization of Mexico.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eLetter fragment regards colonization in Mexico.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Mexico. In the letter, Matthew Fontaine Maury urges Diana Fontaine Corbin (Maury) to consider establishing a settlement in Mexico.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Mexico. Document announces an offer to Confederate settlers to purchase the estate of Santa Anna.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from theColonization Office, Mexico. Document concerns an offer to Confederate settlers to purchase the estate of Santa Anna.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from the Colonization Office, Mexico.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Mexico. Letter regards possible settlement in Mexico.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Mexico. Copy of a letter to Empress Charlotte (Carlotta) regarding colonization and internal improvements.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Cuernavaca, Mexico. Copy of letter from Empress Charlotte regarding Matthew Fontaine Maury's trip to England.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eCopy of letter from Maximilian regarding Matthew Fontaine Maury's settlement in Mexico.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Mexico. Letter regards trip to England and  colonization in Mexico.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Veracruz, Mexico. Letter regards travel across Mexico, ongoing colonization, and the political situation in Virginia.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Paris, France. Letter regards issues with the colonization of Mexico.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from England. In the letter Matthew Fontaine Maury voices that he has decided not to return to Mexico.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from London, England. Letter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from London, England. Letter regards Matthew Fontaine Maury's views of the South.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from London, England. Letter regards business and family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from London, England. Letter nentions renting Farley Vale.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from London, England. Letter regards family news and the possibility of Matthew Fontaine Maury taking a position at the University of the South in Tennessee.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from London, England. Letter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from London, England. Letter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from London, England. Letter regards family news and plans to help revive industry in Virginia with steam agricultural machinery.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Liverpool, England. Letter regards trip back to the United States.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Liverpool, England. Letter regards luggage and weather at sea. Also included is a note by Rutson Maury dated July 13.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards legal matters.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter fragment regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Rockbridge Baths, Virginia. In the letter, Matthew Fontaine Maury notes that VMI Superintendent Francis H. Smith will come tomorrow to take him to Lexington, Virginia, where he will be officially installed on the faculty of the VMI.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards grain prices and family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards the  insolvency of Spotswood W. Corbin's tenant and resulting problems.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards the insolvency of Spotswood W. Corbin's tenant and resulting problems.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards business and family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards business news and the publication of Matthew Fontaine Maury's report on the Physical Survey of Virginia.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards Matthew Fontaine Maury's report on the Physical Survey of Virginia.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards business news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards business news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards business news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards the acquistion of household goods for move  to Lexington, Virginia.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards the move to Lexington.  Matthew Fontaine Maury has been offered Presidency of University of Alabama, which he is considering.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards bills for household goods.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards carpets for home in Lexington.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards six dozen napkins for home in Lexington.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards general news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards Spotswood W. Corbin's business prospects.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards business news and discussion of potential for plantations in San Domingo, Dominican Republic.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards finances.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards Spotswood W. Corbin's financial matters.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards the situation at the University of Alabama and whether or not Matthew Fontaine Maury will take the position there.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news and references the position at the University of Alabama.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter references the position at the University of Alabama and business matters.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards travel plans and family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards travel to St. Louis, Missouri.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from St. Louis, Missouri. Letter regards Matthew Fontaine Maury's speech and travel plans.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from St. Charles County, Missouri. Letter regards travel plans.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Knoxville, Tennessee. Letter regards travel plans.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from Knoxville, Tennessee. Letter regards financial matters.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards financial matters.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from New York. Letter regards travel and includes a note by Eliza H. Maury.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from St. Louis, Missouri. Letter regards health issues and travel.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWritten from St. Louis, Missouri. Telegram regards travel plans.\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents"],"scopecontent_tesim":["The Matthew Fontaine Maury papers consist primarily of letters written by Maury to various members of his family, including daughter Diana Fontaine Corbin (Maury) (1837-1900), son-in-law Spotswood Wellford Corbin (1835-1897), and wife Ann Hull Maury (Herndon) (1811-1901). Other correspondents include Maximilian (1832-1867), Emperor of Mexico, and Empress Carlotta.","In addition to personal and domestic matters, topics include:\n Lecture series Career at the National Observatory in Washington, D.C. Confederate service in Richmond, Virginia Activities in England Colonization efforts in Mexico Professorship at VMI    \nThe papers also include related correspondence and printed material.","This correspondence series was given to VMI as a single donation by a descendant of Diana Fontaine Corbin (Maury), \"Nannie,\" a daughter of Matthew F. Maury.","Written from Fredericksburg, Virginia. Letter regards family news and the presidential election.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. The letter states that Diana Fontaine Corbin (Maury) must wait one year before an engagement can take place.","In the letter, Ferdinand Maximilian, Archduke of Austria, thanks Matthew Fontaine Maury for sending a copy of \"Sailing Directions.\"","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards Diana Fontaine Corbin's (Maury) new marriage.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards general family news.","Written from White Sulphur, Virginia. Letter regards general family news.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. The letter regards family news and mentions that Matthew Fontaine Maury will soon begin a lecture series in Ohio.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards general family news.","Written from Rochester, New York. Letter regards the lecture series, which has a \"large and attentive audience.\"","Written from Chicago, Illinois. Letter regards the itinerary for the rest of the lecture series.","Written from Kalamazoo, Michigan. Letter regards a poor turnout at the Chicago, Illinois lecture due to weather.","Written from Chicago, Illinois. Letter regards the lecture series and distance Mathew Fontaine Maury has traveled since leaving home.","Written from Chicago, Illinois. Letter regards lecture series and travel to Cincinnati, Ohio.","Written from Cleveland, Ohio. Letter regards general family news.","Writtenf from Cleveland, Ohio. Letter regards a disruption in train schedule that led to travel in a private car supplied by the president of the railroad.","Written from St. Louis, Missouri. Letter regards travel for the next week.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards the solution to a rebus (puzzle) enjoyed by the family.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards general family news.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter discusses plants that were lost in transit to the Corbins.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter discusses plants that were lost in transit to the Corbins.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards general family news.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards general family news.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter alludes to legal matters regarding the management of the estate.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards general family news.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards general family news.","Written from Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards family health news.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards legal matters and family news.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards family news. Letter contains postscript written by Ann Hull Maury (Herndon).","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards legal matters.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards legal matters.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards family news.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards family news.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards family news.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards  signing a deed of trust upon the estate Farley Vale.","Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards the political situation in Virginia as it may affect property.","Written from London, England. Letter regards general news.","Written from \"Steamer New York.\" Letter describes stay in England and an address before the Geographical Society.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards the outbreak of the Civil War.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards a  plan to organize home guard.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards Spotswood W. Corbin's war service plans and failure of \"guerilla scheme.\"","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards Civil War news.","Written from Charlottesville, Virginia. Letter regards Spotswood W. Corbin's plans for service and housing.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards general news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards an extension of Spotswood W. Corbin's leave.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards Spotswood W. Corbin's service.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news and Spotswood W. Corbin's service.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards news of \"Dave's\" appointment.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards general news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Acknowledges receipt of letter.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Letter regards that Dick was wounded in battle and will be out 6 weeks.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards general news.","Letter regards family news.","Letter regards family news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards situation in Fredericksburg, Virginia (Pope's order to arrest those who will not swear allegiance).","Written from Bowdon, England. Letter regards personal news and mentions that Yankees are trying to raise money in England.","Written from London, England. Letter regards a trip to Paris, France.","Written from Bowdon, England. Letter regards the death of his son John Herndon Maury (Davy), who died in January 1863.","Written from England. Letter regards family news.","Written from England. Lette regards general family news.","Written from Bowdon, England. Letter regards the capture of Spotswood W. Corbin.","Written from \"The Parsonage, Belsize Park, London,\" England. Letter regards general news.","Written from \"The Parsonage, Belsize Park, London,\" England. Letter regards health issues.","Written from \"Off San Domingo.\" Letter regards the end of the Civil War.","Contemporary copy of the decree by Emperor Maximilian that regards immigration and benefits granted to immigrants, and regulations regarding use of laborers.","Copy of an addendum to emperial decree, in which Matthew Fontaine Maury outlines the climate, economy and other features of Mexico for the information of prospective immigrants.","Written from the Office of Colonization, 13 Calle San Juan de Letran, Mexico. Letter comments about colonization effort and false rumors that Matthew Fontaine Maury has requested a pardon from the United States government.","Copy by Rutson Maury, with notations.","Written from the Office of Colonization, Mexico. Letter regards a potential trip to England, the situation in Virginia, and colonization.","Written from Mexico. In the letter, Matthew Fontaine Maury urges Diana Fontaine Corbin (Maury) to consider establishing a settlement in Mexico.","Letter fragment copied by Diana Fontaine Corbin (Maury). Letter regars colonization of Mexico.","Letter fragment regards colonization in Mexico.","Written from Mexico. In the letter, Matthew Fontaine Maury urges Diana Fontaine Corbin (Maury) to consider establishing a settlement in Mexico.","Written from Mexico. Document announces an offer to Confederate settlers to purchase the estate of Santa Anna.","Written from theColonization Office, Mexico. Document concerns an offer to Confederate settlers to purchase the estate of Santa Anna.","Written from the Colonization Office, Mexico.","Written from Mexico. Letter regards possible settlement in Mexico.","Written from Mexico. Copy of a letter to Empress Charlotte (Carlotta) regarding colonization and internal improvements.","Written from Cuernavaca, Mexico. Copy of letter from Empress Charlotte regarding Matthew Fontaine Maury's trip to England.","Copy of letter from Maximilian regarding Matthew Fontaine Maury's settlement in Mexico.","Written from Mexico. Letter regards trip to England and  colonization in Mexico.","Written from Veracruz, Mexico. Letter regards travel across Mexico, ongoing colonization, and the political situation in Virginia.","Written from Paris, France. Letter regards issues with the colonization of Mexico.","Written from England. In the letter Matthew Fontaine Maury voices that he has decided not to return to Mexico.","Written from London, England. Letter regards family news.","Written from London, England. Letter regards Matthew Fontaine Maury's views of the South.","Written from London, England. Letter regards business and family news.","Written from London, England. Letter nentions renting Farley Vale.","Written from London, England. Letter regards family news and the possibility of Matthew Fontaine Maury taking a position at the University of the South in Tennessee.","Written from London, England. Letter regards family news.","Written from London, England. Letter regards family news.","Written from London, England. Letter regards family news and plans to help revive industry in Virginia with steam agricultural machinery.","Written from Liverpool, England. Letter regards trip back to the United States.","Written from Liverpool, England. Letter regards luggage and weather at sea. Also included is a note by Rutson Maury dated July 13.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards legal matters.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter fragment regards family news.","Written from Rockbridge Baths, Virginia. In the letter, Matthew Fontaine Maury notes that VMI Superintendent Francis H. Smith will come tomorrow to take him to Lexington, Virginia, where he will be officially installed on the faculty of the VMI.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards grain prices and family news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards the  insolvency of Spotswood W. Corbin's tenant and resulting problems.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards the insolvency of Spotswood W. Corbin's tenant and resulting problems.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards business and family news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards business news and the publication of Matthew Fontaine Maury's report on the Physical Survey of Virginia.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards Matthew Fontaine Maury's report on the Physical Survey of Virginia.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards business news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards business news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards business news.","Written from Richmond, Virginia. Letter regards the acquistion of household goods for move  to Lexington, Virginia.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards the move to Lexington.  Matthew Fontaine Maury has been offered Presidency of University of Alabama, which he is considering.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards bills for household goods.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards carpets for home in Lexington.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards six dozen napkins for home in Lexington.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards general news.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards Spotswood W. Corbin's business prospects.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards business news and discussion of potential for plantations in San Domingo, Dominican Republic.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards finances.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards Spotswood W. Corbin's financial matters.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards the situation at the University of Alabama and whether or not Matthew Fontaine Maury will take the position there.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news and references the position at the University of Alabama.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter references the position at the University of Alabama and business matters.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards travel plans and family news.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards travel to St. Louis, Missouri.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from St. Louis, Missouri. Letter regards Matthew Fontaine Maury's speech and travel plans.","Written from St. Charles County, Missouri. Letter regards travel plans.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards family news.","Written from Knoxville, Tennessee. Letter regards travel plans.","Written from Knoxville, Tennessee. Letter regards financial matters.","Written from VMI, Lexington, Virginia. Letter regards financial matters.","Written from New York. Letter regards travel and includes a note by Eliza H. Maury.","Written from St. Louis, Missouri. Letter regards health issues and travel.","Written from St. Louis, Missouri. Telegram regards travel plans."],"userestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eManuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information\u003c/p\u003e"],"userestrict_heading_ssm":["Conditions Governing Use"],"userestrict_tesim":["Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information"],"physloc_html_tesm":["\u003cphysloc id=\"aspace_fd2a03b38d0537639ba5d5a285e66e93\"\u003eManuscripts Stacks\u003c/physloc\u003e"],"physloc_tesim":["Manuscripts Stacks"],"names_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives","Maury, Matthew Fontaine, 1806-1873","Maury, Ann Hull (Herndon), 1811-1901","Corbin, Diana Fontaine (Maury), 1837-1900","Corbin, Spotswood Wellford, 1835-1897","Maximilian, Emperor of Mexico, 1832-1867","Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890"],"corpname_ssim":["Virginia Military Institute Archives"],"names_coll_ssim":["Maury, Ann Hull (Herndon), 1811-1901","Corbin, Diana Fontaine (Maury), 1837-1900","Corbin, Spotswood Wellford, 1835-1897","Maximilian, Emperor of Mexico, 1832-1867"],"persname_ssim":["Maury, Matthew Fontaine, 1806-1873","Maury, Ann Hull (Herndon), 1811-1901","Corbin, Diana Fontaine (Maury), 1837-1900","Corbin, Spotswood Wellford, 1835-1897","Maximilian, Emperor of Mexico, 1832-1867","Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890"],"language_ssim":["English \n.    "],"total_component_count_is":149,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-05-21T00:11:36.434Z","odd_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eFredericksburg Va\u003cbr\u003e\n10 Nov 1840\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Mother,\u003cbr\u003e\nI shall devote my spare time this morning to you. I got up earlier than usual for the purpose of showing the cook how to manage the stove. The parlor stove I wrote you about is a great improvement upon the old plan. It sits in the dining room, \u0026amp; with less coal for the day than it used to take for our fire in the grate, keeps both dining room \u0026amp; parlor warm. The door between them is thrown open, \u0026amp; we sit in the parlor. The parlor fireplace\nis on the summer arrangement, fire screen, etc. up so that you see besides the economy of the fixture, we have gained in personal comfort to ourselves, \u0026amp; in the saving of labor \u0026amp; trouble to the servants neither do we have any dust to contend with. The cooking stove has not had its trial yet; but I have no doubt that we shall gain as much by that as with the other.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e'The boy' comes bravely on; Nannie, tho' not sick, is feeble. `The boy' is to be called Richard L. He is a fine looking fellow; \u0026amp; is decidedly the pet with his two aunts. I think Kate too is allowing him to divide the place in her affections, where little Annie, your little namesake, reigned supreme before. Since Nannie's illness I have taken to teaching Betty. She begins to read, \u0026amp; is very fond of entertaining us, by reading aloud at night her\nlittle stories for our amusement. She is docile, though one has to be firm with her and she soon finds out the length she may go with each one. They are both very affectionate children, though unlike in their disposition---I hear Annie's merry little voice saying \"Beakfak is weady, beakfak is weady\".-----Betty is devotedly fond of flowers; Annie cares very little about them--she takes more delight in associating with dogs \u0026amp; cats than in\narranging plants \u0026amp; flowers. They both often talk about their grandma, \u0026amp; grandpa. Annie is sitting in my lap she says I must tell you to send her some toy things. Cousin Ann wrote that they must say what she shall bring them from England. Betty said \"tell her she must bring her whatever she thinks proper. Annie said \"tell her to bring me some candy, \u0026amp; some sponge cake.\"\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAunt Gatewood did not make a visit to Louisa, as she intended. After she went from here to visit her daughter near Spotsylvania Court House she was taken sick; she had a severe attack there of chills \u0026amp; fevers, \u0026amp; after her recovery, she returned home. Uncle Minor writes in good spirits; the same may be said of Aunt Goodwin. Old Mrs. Crutchfield is in town on a visit to her daughter who married a son of Mr. Young who used 2 to keep a tavern here. She always inquires kindly after you. She is a nice old lady. it\nseems as though I am not to find an opportunity for sending Pa the clothes that cousin Ann left here for him. It is a very nice suit of black \u0026amp; besides tending to make him comfortable, I think he would be pleased with them. I do not perceive any improvement in the leg. If Nannie \u0026amp; I be well enough in the\nspring, I should like to make you a visit. Ask Betsy if she could make room for us \u0026amp; `the boy.'\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe political excitement which has been great with regard to the presidential election has subsided in a great measure. Pennsylvania \u0026amp; New York have both cast their votes for General Harrison---of course he then is elected already. I received a letter last night from Washington \u0026amp; from a Locofoco---he said it was given up there \u0026amp; that Mr. Van Buren acknowledged his defeat. For [Kemp's] gratification I will not close this letter till I go down town to hear the latest returns from Virginia \u0026amp; elsewhere.\nWell, I have returned---Maine, New York, \u0026amp; Pennsylvania have all gone for General Harrison. Virginia---\"Ephraim is joined to his idols, let him alone\"---returns are in from all but eight counties, which last spring gave a Locofoco majority of 45---The Van Buren ticket is 900 ahead.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eNannie, the children \u0026amp; all hands, send love to both of you, \u0026amp; to all the kith \u0026amp; kin.\u003cbr\u003e\nYour affectionate son,\u003cbr\u003e\nM. F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eObservatory\u003cbr\u003e\nWashington\u003cbr\u003e\n6 Feb 1857\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Sir,\u003cbr\u003e\nYour letter was received day before yesterday. I meet you with its frankness which it invites.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe 'failing' to which you allude is a grievous one; it constitutes the chief but not an insuperable objection to the continuation of your visits to my daughter. She is wise and discreet, I defer to her judgment and approve of the answer which she has given you and by which she requires one year to elapse before she shall be pressed for an answer to your suit. She is a dear child.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThis will give us time Mr. Corbin to become better acquainted with you.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIn the meantime permit me in the indulgence of that solicitude which the relation you are seeking to establish are calculated to excite in your behalf, to express the hope that if you have not, you will lay off and pursue a regular course of reading \u0026amp; study.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eVery truly yrs.\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSir!\u003cbr\u003e\nI avail myself with real pleasure of the opportunity given me by your kind offer of the \"Sailing Directions\" to express to you my warm and sincere thanks for it, to tell you how since years I observed with intent interest and admiration your noble and unequalled efforts in order to hasten the improvement of the scientifical part of our profession.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI trust you will accept this little present, as a token of my gratitude towards a man whom all seafaring nations are bound to look upon with respect and thankfulness.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eBelieve me Sir\u003cbr\u003e\nYours truly\u003cbr\u003e\nFerdinand Maximilian\u003cbr\u003e\nArch Duke of Austria\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMilan\u003cbr\u003e\nDec the 10 1857\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eObservatory\u003cbr\u003e\n9 May 1858\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy Dear Nannie,\u003cbr\u003e\nYours was a sweet letter. It and Mr. Corbin‟s did our hearts good. We miss you so much! The flowers look lonesome, and the songs of the birds sound loud. This is little Lucy‟s birthday – seven years old. It will be ten years I reckon before she will be cutting out. Her Ma pitched into her and the \"boy\" i last evening. She found a moss rose in flower this morning. Davy and the boy went fishing in the wagon at the Little Falls yesterday. They were gone all day but didn‟t get a nibble. Molly is rubbing her chin with a lotion. I hope the appliance will drive those bumps away. As near as I can calculate it‟s just about seven years since you went away. I have not\nseen Betty since, and we have heard from Dick but once and Glumii twice. Went to the Capitol with cousin Anne and Mary Friday. Mit and Ellen are with us. Ellen is going this morning to the [_uney‟s] to make a long or short visit as the time may go. Your Ma and I only want a little stirring up to perpetrate a visit to Dabney next Thursday or Friday to stay till Monday.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eOur hearts were touched by the conduct of those excellent people who greeted you with so much kindness, consideration and affection on your arrival at Moss Neck. Such a welcome must have gone far towards making you feel comfortably at home right off the reel. Life is made up of trifles, and our greatest happiness often depends upon a word, the glance of an eye, the\ntone of the voice, or what is more expressive but more indescribably still, the manner. What a boon, a pleasure and a blessing are pleasant manners! They give grace and confer happiness. They embellish, set off and adorn character far more than jewels and precious stones. Cultivate day by day pleasantness of manners. Let us analyze it. Of what or in what does pleasantness of manner – that trait which give grace and elegance to woman, comeliness and the power of doing good.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAfter church Davy, your Ma and I dined alone. The children stayed down to the Sunday School anniversary. But I was speaking of the Christian graces and human virtues and those traits which you should cultivate and which embellish and adorn the character. The one great point which after duty to God you are to keep constantly in view is to identify yourself with your\nhusband, and strive mutually each to make yourselves the companion of the other. There is but one way to do this, and that is by teaching yourself, my dear, to take an intelligent interest in those affairs and occupations which are from time to time engaging his thoughts and time. The husband's affairs are in the married life the \"affairs of state.\" He provides; and to say the least, the wife who seeks to be posted up in everything that concerns him, especially in the everyday affairs of life, does nothing more than render gracefully a grateful homage. Do you my love first set the example and if you do not win back tenfold, I have much mistake the character of the\nman who won your affections. You must learn the servants by name, the cattle and the fields too. You must learn of Wellford in the morning what he is going about for the day and take that lively interest in his occupations which you would do were they your own. The \"farm book\" will help you to do that. And if its dry details be mastered for the first year, they will be dry no longer – for then you can tell him when to sow, how the seasons and the signs are, etc. Then hospitalities and good-neighborhood, a smile of welcome and a gentle voice from mine hostess makes a sauce that is savory for everything. And the poor, I do not mean more especially objects of charity, but those who are in a more humble sphere of life than it has pleased God t place you – never lack, as in your little heart I am sure you never do – in consideration for them. I must not caution you against the bad taste of patronizing for your manner of life and good breeding secure you against that. What I meant to say is merely to caution you against the\nfoolish habit of waiting to be spoken to. Speak to everyone without waiting.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThere is no trait perhaps which is more winning than that of a generous confidence. Self examination, constant, close self examinations are indispensable. There are some of them that may be made all the better with the assistance of our husband. Make Them. Confidence begets confidence.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI would have you both bear in mind that this is the time for you to accommodate and adjust yourselves to each other, and with two such comely dispositions to work upon, this may be soon accomplished and that so thoroughly that all your future life will abound in good result.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThen too my dear you must not forget to treat with affection and show solicitude for all of Mr. Corbin's own friends and relations. They are disposed to be kind and good to you, meet them a little more than half way.\nAs for reading, with your good taste you cannot go well amiss. Only in selecting authors, do not select merely for amusement – select for profit also.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI am writing you a very disjointed sort of letter my love, but I have been thinking so much of you, and missing you so much and loving you so tenderly since you went away, and my heart was so full and head so empty that I hardly know what I have said.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDid you plant the yellow jasmine at Farley vale? The \"boy\" will go down on his \"own hook\" Tuesday – Great boy that.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYou and Wellford should write every mail to us – Goodbye, God bless you both. Yr. aff. Dad\u003cbr\u003e\nM. F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e[The \"boy\" is Matthew F. Maury, Jr.]\u003cbr\u003e\n[Glum is Eliza Hall Maury]\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eObservatory\u003cbr\u003e\n31 May 1858\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Nannie,\u003cbr\u003e\nYou and Mr. Corbin are as still as mice. Even \"the boy\" has fallen into that 'Sleepy Hollow' down there in Carolina - Wake up, you Rips- Don't you know that you've had a terrible hail storm along the river, and that it has made a clean sweep right \u0026amp; left of your neighbor's crops -? What did it to yours? We should like to know. Then don't you know that your Ma has been afflicted with all sorts of imaginings - that she has been on the [ca\n] several times of being down upon you like a streak of lightening and hauling you up by telegraph to see how sick that [wetting made] you? Don't you know that we have been all married \u0026amp; [gaining on] marriage and that [we are gone/was our goal] - [Tom] \u0026amp; [the]\n[park] as - Tennessee [Mat] \u0026amp; a nice girl \u0026amp; that Dick Holland is trying to and [can't], that his sister [Dee] is coming to spend the winter with us - that you \u0026amp; Mr. Corbin are to [matr ] -that there's a courting couple walking round the grounds every evening- that there's no such thing as sunshine nowadays- that the wheat is all turning to straw---- Dear me child, wake up and tell us how you are \u0026amp; where you are -- the last time we heard of\nyou, you were riding 'long the road side --But where's \"the boy\" \u0026amp; where's his pen? I can tell you what- if we don't hear from him soon and often we shall be sending after him-\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI am turning down a layer of every row in the garden. A slip from every vine \u0026amp; [conifer] and the [ ] \u0026amp; the [ ], to be planted next spring at a country place of ours in Virginia. I don't reckon you know where it is. It's down on the North side of the Rappahannock River if you know where that is. It will be a pretty good place for roses.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYour Ma was in bed all last week till Saturday. Totts has been at home for two weeks with a sore foot, and [Davy] missed two or three days from school with winter chills- The sun flowers are coming up \u0026amp; he has got well. Mit \u0026amp; Ellen are with us still--The trip to Carlisle is knocked on its head. I hear nothing of N. Carolina these times. The little parson's wife \u0026amp; son (M.F.M of K'y) are with us. Kiss the \"boy\" \u0026amp; Mr. Corbin write I am your afft. Dad.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWhite Sulphur\u003cbr\u003e\n15 Aug '58\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear wife,\u003cbr\u003e\nI received yesterday your no. 2 with Nannie's letter. Bless Dick and Davy's heart for the attention and comfort they give you. Great boys are Dick and Dave. Sorry Sr. E. does not mend more rapidly. Sally F. and Nannie Gordon are talking of the Sweet Springs tomorrow.\nThe difficulty is this: both places are crowded. If they give up their rooms here and can't get in there, they can't get back here. Nannie looks thin has a cold but is well in other regards except a bad cough. William I never saw looking half so well. Black Sallie is also enjoying her visit. Dick and your cousin Georgia take to each other. She wants him to escort her back to Washington. Bob and his family are here - \"Sophy\" and\nhers- and many of your last summer acquaintances all of whom inquire after you. Nannie is very pleasantly spoken of and Wm Dick and I will leave Wednesday or Thursday for Ridgeway. Send letters there. Mr. Norwood preaches this morning. I wish I could be of service to Thompson.\u003cbr\u003e\nI want to go home.\u003cbr\u003e\nLove to Sr E and all the children\u003cbr\u003e\nWhere is Betty?\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e[Sir E is Matthew Fontaine Maury's niece Ellen Herndon, the daughter of William Lewis Herndon]\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eObservatory\u003cbr\u003e\nWashington\u003cbr\u003e\n12 Sept 1858\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Nannie\u003cbr\u003e\nYou and Corbin are as still as mice. If you are coming, why don't you come along?\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe General and Sally got home yesterday. [Wrottesly] sends his love. Charles has been in this country. Dabney and Nannie are with us. He has been ordered on a board\nto try prisoners in Washington and he hopes to be ordered on another for Tactics and to tarry for some months yet. Dick Holland appears to be enjoying his visit. Our Dick has also relished it keenly. Dave has set into school, the \"boy\" not, and I am leaving Totts\nand Glum in Dick's hands till I get through with the \"heft\" of my book work when I shall take them up in the old fashioned way, and go back to breakfast lectures. Lucy gathers fruit and flowers and makes herself happy in giving them away. Betty is at Jessie's and after her time is up then she is to make Jno B. a visit at the University and then to Richmond. Bless her heart she is trying to eke out her time as best she may. Your Ma\nwas never looking so well or more beautiful. Fanny is cooking again and we have no dining room suit yet, \"don't [tease]\" Margaret Anderson. I am going to go lecturing up in Ohio from Nov. 22 to Dec. 3 Have not begun to get ready yet. I want to deliver 6 lectures a week for two weeks. ---raise money enough to send Dick to school, pay off bills and leave some \"shots in the locker\". I think I may be able to make out enough to\nfurnish Farley Vale if you will let me do it in a plain way. At least I can buy all the furniture for the estate that you will probably want. Let me know about it, for I do not like the idea of his purchasing any of it and so lay himself liable to be taken hold of by the tongue of slander and malice, and of finding his acts and deeds misinterpreted by mischief makers. Now if you can rough it along upon $500 or $1000 - here's at you.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI have an elegant fight on hand! Bachei has been stealing the M.S. property of the Observatory and trying to forestall me. It's an elegant fight. Bob - bless old Bob- has gone with our band to Church. It's time for him to be back for the white folks - so good by - with love to Corbin.\u003cbr\u003e\nYour aff daddy\u003cbr\u003e\nM F Maury\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e[Alexander D. Bache is the Head of the United States Coastal Survey]\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eObservatory\u003cbr\u003e\nWashington\u003cbr\u003e\nSunday night 3 Oct 58\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Nannie,\u003cbr\u003e\nYour last letter announcing that you would be here the last of this week created as great a sensation and as much joy as if old Santa Claus himself had have stepped forward \u0026amp; announced that he intended to have xmas at the same time- It made glad hearts \u0026amp; smiling faces I tell you- It was physick to your Ma - regular Doctors truck - She has been asking for some time - has not been to church for two or three weeks- indeed she has been quite poorly- and the sight of you will do her a `monstrous heap of good' so hurry along. Thank Mr. Corbin for his letter; we will talk over matters when you come- Quando-\nO Quando? Name the day.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eBetty \u0026amp; the baby were up Friday-but as cousin Fanny Perry \u0026amp; Ellen spent the day with us \u0026amp; your Ma had to go to bed sick, I did not see much of her- I carried her a flower to church. Lucy watches for Dave on the commons \u0026amp; goes to meet him every P.M. as he comes from school. Totts \u0026amp; Glum do philosophy at breakfast \u0026amp; yr Ma thinks the recitations prevents digestion. The boy listens \u0026amp; takes quite as much interest in the lesson as they do. I am busy with lectures, sailing directions, fights \u0026amp; correspondence. Your Ma pronounces the 10 first pages of No. 1 Lecture passable. Sr. E is with us, but is\npoorly. She looks badly. Totts is reading to Glum, Dave to himself. Lucy \u0026amp; the Boy have gone to bed. So too yr Ma. Yours coming will cheer her up, \u0026amp; help to make her well. Sally F. has not been up for a long time. We have not had any frost yet- How comes on that Farm Journal? I have some nice grape vines in pots for Mr. C. to take back to Farley Vale- The gardener is also preparing Rose layers \u0026amp; rose cuttings- I am thinking of some pear trees also- But I am afraid the gate will be left open, and that you will let the horses or the cows eat them up- Love to Mr. C.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eGoodnight- Hurry along to yr affect. M.F.M.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRochester New York\u003cbr\u003e\n18 Nov 1858\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear wife,\u003cbr\u003e\nHow-dy! I staid all night in Phila. \u0026amp; in Albany. Arrived in [Auburn] about 3 P.M. yesterday. There, much to my surprise I was met at the cars by a barouche, deputations and soldiers \u0026amp; with music \u0026amp; banners escorted to my lodgings. The Rev. Mr. E. H. Creesy D. O. was my host, he had lived in Tennessee - under Bp. (Bishop) Otey. It appears I was civil to the Willard Guards when they were in Washington at the Inauguration. Hence the military\nescort. At night I lectured to a large and attentive audience in the At. Tel. and I reckon gave satisfaction for I only saw one sleepy head \u0026amp; that one was asleep when I commenced. I slept in the room where Bp. Hobart died- and came off at 7 this morning, arriving here at 11. I lecture here tonight then take the cars at 10 P.M. for Ann Arbor. Lecture there to-morrow night \u0026amp; so on to Chicago.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eNow how are you all getting on? Has Nannie gone- and is Betty with you- \u0026amp; Totts \u0026amp; Glum \u0026amp; Dave \u0026amp; the Boy \u0026amp; Lucy How are they all? I must take a little nap if I can. God bless you all yr afft.\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eChicago,\u003cbr\u003e\n20 Nov. 1858\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear wife,\u003cbr\u003e\nHere I am in the midst of a great snow shower- This is my lecture evening- Tickets 50 cts. Am afraid of empty benches. I am to stop at Col. Graham's, but as I had things to attend to- I will not go till after lecture.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThere was a great crowd in Rochester- Had a sick headache- \u0026amp; when the committee waited on me to escort me to lecture I entertained them by \"cascading\"- However I got through \u0026amp; left in the cars at 3:45 A.M. Traveled all day- Reached Ann Arbor at 8 P.M. Found an audience waiting for me- hopped out, went straight to lecturing- delighted the audience-rode a [rail] to a party, took a hot supper and on back to the cars at 10- travelled\nall night-in a sleeping car \u0026amp; reached this place a 9 this morning. So here I am - I have just had dinner- am going to try a nap presently- it is only 2 o'clock.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI told Moore of the [R ] to send you a cheque- write yr name across the back of it, send it to the General and ask him to get the money for you.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWhere's my Betty \u0026amp; where's my Nannie? I hope if the latter visits, the former comes.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMrs. [Bland] has been [reading] along [here]. I do not know with what success.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI find nothing here from you. My head quarters will be care of B. H. Plixotto, Cleveland, till 30th. On the 22nd I lecture here-23 in Kalamazoo-24 no place fixed-Perhaps Indianapolis-25 Cleveland. 26-La Porte Ind-I reckon 27 here, 29 Cincinnati. \u0026amp; c.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe weather is very cold- Kiss all my children \u0026amp; tell me you all are well \u0026amp; happy- I want to astonish you with a present- Tell Totts \u0026amp; Lizinka \u0026amp; Lucy \u0026amp; the Boy to put their heads together \u0026amp; tell me what to bring. This is the House, where Dick \u0026amp; I stopped. This is a furious storm. Give my love to Mary \u0026amp; Sr. E. I hope they both continue to mend \u0026amp; [ ] must [that] [ ] [evening] of hers- it has [tormented] her enough.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eGod bless you. I am mighty tired of staying away from home.\u003cbr\u003e\nyr- M.F.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eKalamazoo, Mich. 23 Nov 58\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear wife,\u003cbr\u003e\nI received, yesterday, your letter of 17. That was my Auburn night. It's a great while ago. So Nannie went off and you are all comfortable. That's a blessing - except poor little Glum. What say you to sending her up to Frank Minor's?\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI had a time of it in Chicago! Last night it rained worse than it snowed Saturday night, and the attendance was as slim. If it had been good weather I should have made $600 or $800 I reckon, as it was I made a little over $50 only! I stopped at Col Graham's you know. He gave me a party last night nice party- He was a soldier - he would have me waked up in time for the cars at 6. He never got left. He would have breakfast for me at least the cook would. But bless your heart honey not a soul waked up til the knock came -\nso I was up and dressed and off in about ten minutes. When I arrived here Senator Stewart with a committee was at the cars to escort me to the Hotel. He and his wife leave for Washington Saturday. They will stop at the St. Charles. I wish you and Betty would call on her. She is very plain, but I want to invite them up to spend the day when I get back. You have got to make up your mind old lady to turn over a new leaf. I tell you. I shall want friends this winter and you have got to cultivate them for me. So you had\nbetter set to and make calls, renew acquaintances and leave many cards. Get a nice hack and go like a lady, and don't over do the thing by breaking yourself down. Take several days.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eBetty is a sweet child. Kiss her for attending to the English [roses].\nI want to write to Nannie, if I can get some paper. Make the Boy, Glum and Totts find Kalamazoo on the map and trace me from place to place. I'll go and look for some paper. Good bye. Think about Lizinka and Ridgeway.\u003cbr\u003e\nLove to all yrs\u003cbr\u003e\nM.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eChicago\u003cbr\u003e\n27 Nov 58\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear wife,\u003cbr\u003e\nSince last I wrote I have lectured in Kalamazoo, Indianapolis, Cleveland, \u0026amp; La Porte- Make the children find the places- Tonight I lecture here- It is now 10 A.M. \u0026amp; raining- I go to Col Graham's directly. Hope to find a letter from you. Have had but one yet. Since last I wrote I have not had time to write you. I am very well- a slight cold. I do long to get over this task.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e2 P.M. I am at Col. Graham's again- They are very kind. You never did see such gloomy weather- It has been gloomy since here I have been, for I have been in the lake country for more than a week. It is now snowing \u0026amp; storming furiously. But I do not lecture on my own hook to night, that's one comfort. I have so far not been able to find any letters here. I do not see what the papers say of the lectures generally, for I lecture and am off, and when I get back then the papers are out of date- had a packed house in Cleveland- They had to stop selling tickets- \u0026amp; turn off- House full.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eHere is the summing up- I have travelled since I left home 1844 miles, have been from home 12 days.--10 days on my lecture ground \u0026amp; have lectured 9 times- and have made $540. and the next 9 days, shall if rails will carry me fast \u0026amp; far enough shall make $1000 I hope. I am dying to see you all. Kiss my darling Betty for me- Is she with us why don't she write? I suppose Moore sent the check for $60- The truth is I have not had the time to send your acct. I forgot to sign purser's receipt for pay. So if you want money, get Mr. Harrison to fill up the enclosed and get my month's pay for you. Kiss every one of the children.\u003cbr\u003e\nyour affectionate.\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eChicago Ill\u003cbr\u003e\n28 Nov 58\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear wife,\u003cbr\u003e\nThis is Sunday about 2 p.m. I reckon. It has stormed furiously ever since yesterday- as the day before. I go off at 8 p.m. for Cincinnati. Pretty good audience last night, though it was a dreadful night. I enjoyed the whole night's rest mightily. I shan't spend another night in bed, till I get to St. Louis I reckon. They tell me here that I have improved vastly in\nappearance since last Sunday. I wonder how you all are - got letters - Wells and Sr. Ellen, sent from the Observatory. Two more weeks now and I'll be working my way homeward.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI am mightily tired writing - have been at it now since I got here. If I go down stairs a lady will talk me to death. What a blessed thing a little quiet is. Kiss all my children for me and give love to Sr. E Mary and the Gerard's.\u003cbr\u003e\nGod bless you\u003cbr\u003e\nYour aff\u003cbr\u003e\nM F Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eCleveland\u003cbr\u003e\n1 Dec (1858)\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Nannie,\u003cbr\u003e\nHave just time to thank you for your nice letter to your Ma, to hurrah for Dec. 15. Send her \u0026amp; say I hope to be stopping in a day or two after you \u0026amp; Mr. C. get there --- You see I am choosing the proper time.\u003cbr\u003e\nGod bless you\u003cbr\u003e\nyr. afft. Daddy\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eCleveland\u003cbr\u003e\n1 Dec 1858\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear wife:\u003cbr\u003e\nI arrived here yesterday at noon and seem to have bewitched the people last night; as I did those of Cincinnati the evening before.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThere was waiting for me here a large package of letters, in it 3 from you, 22, 23, \u0026amp; 26- with one from that smart little witch \"poosy\". Bless her heart, tell me what present to bring her \u0026amp; all. Nannie's is a charming letter. Am so glad she is coming home the 15th- I shall be turning my way homeward about that time.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eLast Monday there was a change of R. Road times, which has played sad havoc with mein consequence of which I can't get to Detroit for a $112 lecture to night but take over at Toledo for $50. I left Chicago at 8 p.m. Sunday for Cincinnati. when I was due at noon Monday. But bridges had been washed away I did not get to Indianapolis till 1 p.m. 112 miles for Cin. I was to lecture there at 7 1/2, and all the trains had gone. So I thought I\nwould see if I could not charter an engine \u0026amp; go down on it express- I found the Pres of the Road, told him who I was, \u0026amp; what I wanted. He fitted up an elegant car, sent me down in it, alone, \u0026amp; would not let me pay a cent- I arrived at 7, and found an immense audience, lectured, got in the car directly after came here, lectured, and had an elegant night's rest.\nI lecture in Chicago again Saturday, \u0026amp; Monday in St. Louis, on the 11th here \u0026amp; Buffalo 10 \u0026amp; 13, I reckon.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eBetty is elegant for coming to stay with you, wish I was there to help you along with the gals. What does Frank Minor mean by saying 25th \"cousin Ann coming next week\".\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI send you some slips. Mr. Murphy promised to send you Cincinnati. papers- God bless you all yr. aft.\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e[Postscript]\u003cbr\u003e\nDon't go out in that wagon any more. When you feel well enough make calls. Take Diana along \u0026amp; leave my card everywhere.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSt. Louis Mo.\u003cbr\u003e\n6 Dec. 1858\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear wife,\u003cbr\u003e\nI arrived here two hours ago. I find your letter of 2nd and Scip's. Hurrah for Scip. The mails in this part of the country are all so irregular that I have to go to the Telegraph a good deal. They call for me to lecture presently. I go away Wednesday morning, but where to I don't know- perhaps to Springfield, or Terre Haute, or Vincennes or perhaps- I can't say. But anywhere where the most money is to be made. I am dying to see you all.\ni shall be visiting the kin to-morrow so I shall have no time to write. My movements for this week are very uncertain- All I can say at present, is I expect to be in Cleveland Saturday. What is the name of the Tea I must get? I have seen Dick Ludlow \u0026amp; Mr. Berkeley. I mean to be at home next week---ain't that elegant.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe good night's rest last night \u0026amp; the quiet day refreshed me much- But I was heartily tired of being lionized in Cincinnati.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eBless Betty's heart for staying with you. When is Nannie coming up? Hurrah for Davy \u0026amp; the children, \u0026amp; the books \u0026amp; the lessons-\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eLecture time-\u003cbr\u003e\nGood night, yr, M\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eObservatory\u003cbr\u003e\nFeb 17, 1859\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Nannie,\u003cbr\u003e\nWe miss you every day, \u0026amp; invitations for Miss Maury keep a' coming. Frank and Lucy A are coming tomorrow. I bought a pair of shoes, had my hair cut and dined with your Ma at the Gerard's. The \"boy\" has Spanish at breakfast class. I have finished writing Sailing Directions. I sent you the last [Rural].\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWe have had a time with the gold pin rebus. The first is a [fras] \"From\"- Lt. Myers found out that.-- the three next - in\u003cbr\u003e\nhos- spit-(spitbox)-able-(table) (Lt. McCauley-)the next- propose -\u003cbr\u003e (prophouse - Glum) - half soled - beings - in - fidels- (Totts)-\u003cbr\u003e Traducers - ([Tres_____] - me) \u0026amp; naves - ( [ ]-Mc)-. I fled\u003cbr\u003e\nunder (Dave) in-ex-tri-cable(me) em-bar-as(s) -men-ts (me) to- Iowa (Mc)-.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e4 - 5 - 16 - \u0026amp; 17- are not satisfactory- Mc reads 4'\u003cbr\u003e\n\"gamblers\" -gable-[unders] no good- prop-house - shoe - on i.e. proposition has been suggested for the gaiter on the shoe (5). no go. Manshoeon - mansion. Also no go- Glum says he knows you have solved it, \"From inhospitable\". - hurra!- hurra!!. I've just got it- 4 is house, Latin \"domess\" \u0026amp; sticks- \"domestics- \"From inhospitable domestics, half soled beings, traducers, infidels \u0026amp; Knaves I fled under inextricable embarrassments- to Iowa.\"\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eHalf soled may do for 5 - but it's a gaiter boot- Certainly \"To Iowa\" for \"I\" \u0026amp; A is flat- Find it out \u0026amp; get the [pun].\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe Aubicks \u0026amp; the Roys invite you \u0026amp; Mr. Corbin to parties.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eJeff Maury has sent me two boxes of Havanah Sigars! O ho! Dabney is now with Rosethey go back in the morning-Lucy takes cyphering lessons from Dave. Another officer has been ordered to the Observatory- Minnie Mason sent you a note this evening asking for flowers for the [ ] ball - Diana sent them- Mrs. Lanier has come. - Good night-Love to Mr. C. \u0026amp; you.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eObservatory\u003cbr\u003e\n16 Mar `59\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Nannie,\u003cbr\u003e\nYour welcome letter of Monday last came this morning and received much solicitude. We were dying to hear from you. Your Ma has been ailing for 10 days, for the last 3 in bed of a stitch in the right side. We suppose it to be an affair of the muscles. Your letter did a heap of good.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMr. Watt is busy packing up plants for you. Plant the roses that are wrapped in moss just as they are moss and all. The vines - little twigs - are to be planted under the river bank. They have the purple flowers over the arbor \u0026amp; will climb the highest trees. Pull the moss away from the stems of the roses - not from the roots. I pay freight on them at least shall tell Mr. Watt to. Betty's going to house-keeping! Davey is going to be a lawyer. The \"boy\" ain't interested now when he hears Shakespeare read by anybody else but Fanny Kemble. Sister E came up for Church Sunday and staid til yesterday. Betty is up to-day. Molly is lonesome. She has been at your Ma to pop down upon you. I reckon she'll take you by surprise some of these days. Tell Brodie he had better visit Lucy \u0026amp; Betty here. That would be a nice visit. Uncover your jasmine. Love to Mr. C. God bless you, yr aff Father\u003cbr\u003e\nMFM\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eObservatory\u003cbr\u003e\n22 March `59\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Nannie,\u003cbr\u003e\nYour waif of Tuesday last came to hand this morning. I am exceedingly annoyed about the plants. I send you the receipt. Tell Mr. Corbin he must be sure to make the Co. pay. The market value of the plants was, Mr. Watt says about $40. If they can be found soon they will live. But Mr. Corbin unless they are forth coming this week should refuse to receive them. He must make the Co. pay, for it is outrageous carelessness. They were delivered last week Tuesday p.m. just after 5 by Mr. Watts \u0026amp; 'Cap' on board the boat. I\nshall send this evening to inquire about them. In the mean time tell Mr. Corbin to stir up at people at your end of the line. Yr Ma is up again. Mrs. Young of S.C. was here yesterday inquiring kindly for you. Sr. E has been quite sick. Send last batch of copy to the printer today. The new medal came Saturday-But I can't write. I am annoyed about the miscarriage of the plants.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eLove to Mr. C. Afft.\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F.M.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eObservatory\u003cbr\u003e\n23 March 59\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Nannie\u003cbr\u003e\nI went yesterday to the steam boat about the plants - 2 boxes and a bundle - could get no information. They are most likely to be in the Depot at Fredericksburg. I reckon Jno [Shippen] asked for plants or flowers. I send an invoice . They are put down dirt cheap. The roses ought to be put down at 30cts ea. Tell Mr. Corbin he must be sure to the Co. pay or deliver in good order.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYour Aunt E. is quite sick. Sent for the Dr. night before last at 1 A.M. Was better somewhat yesterday. Yr Ma is bright again, she dined yesterday at the General's.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThis is Betty's day. Tell Mr. C. to pursue the plants. It's a sad loss to lose them.\u003cbr\u003e\nYr M.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eObservatory\u003cbr\u003e\n12 Apr '59\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Wife\u003cbr\u003e\nGot your yesterday's letter this morning. All hands were invited to Sallie's to-day. Dave and I went. Mary thought we all would be too many. They are all coming up. Sr. E \u0026amp; S.F. see Charles to spend the day tomorrow. Dinner ordered - soup, fish and roast beef. Totts will rig up a dessert - ice cream I believe. Morning - 13th Got Nannie's letter just now. Kiss her for it. I am sorry to hear about Dick. But such indulgences will not do and cannot be tolerated in one holding a place of trust like his. It is an affair in which\nfeeling cannot interfere.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eStopped last evening on my way home at took tea at Caldwell's. Began with the Historical plays last night. Certainly I'll send tickets for Nannie. Sr. E \u0026amp; Sally rode out yesterday. I write this supposing it will be your last before going to Farley Vale. What are to be your mail days? You would like to go down knowing that \"all's well\" - I hope you will be so well and enjoy the visit so much. We are all dying to see you all. Can't you bring Nannie home with you. You may stay with her tell her till 1 May if she will\ncome along home with you.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eKiss her \u0026amp; Lucy \u0026amp; love to Mr. C., Charles \u0026amp; his father, Brodies \u0026amp; his'n, Jno \u0026amp; his'n, Saint \u0026amp; her'n.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eGood bye - yr aft. husband\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eObservatory\u003cbr\u003e\nWashington\u003cbr\u003e\nAp'l 14, '59\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Daughter,\u003cbr\u003e\nYour sweet letter came yesterday and to-day another from you Ma. I am mighty glad she is having a jolly time - we are dying to see her, but don't want her to come home before the first of May when you are to come with her. Dabney goes down tomorrow. I thought of you and the violets when he came to take leave, but concluded not to trouble him in the premises. He only came up to dinner yesterday and we only gave him soup, fish and ice cream. We have the rest of the dinner today. Yesterday was damp and Willie was sick which prevented our company. He is better. Rose staid up here last night, \u0026amp; Mary down there. Betty is not up to day- rainy- Totts got a letter yesterday from Glum. They did not [share it here] \u0026amp; Mary Herndon has gone off with it to the General's \u0026amp; I can't send it. She was well- had received the $20-and liked my letters so much- it took such a long time to read them!\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy \"Brave\" is very well \u0026amp; happy. He bought a jug of molasses yesterday. I found my [ ] [powder]. Have not made a pass at the P.G. for schools yet. Save child's letter- Let yr Ma bring it back. Sent a note for you by Dabney-\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe Lord [ ] ball did not pay- $1000 short. Had a request this morning to pony up. Can't do it.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eLove to Mr. C- Kiss Lucy \u0026amp; buss yr Ma. [ ]\u003cbr\u003e\n[ ] yrs\u003cbr\u003e\naff Dad\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eObservatory, Washington\u003cbr\u003e\nApl 16, '59\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Wellford,\u003cbr\u003e\nI received yesterday your very kind letter of the 14th. It would indeed be a great treat to run down for a week or two, but I do not well see how it can be accomplished. I have heard some things which led me to suppose that there might be a scene made at the next court that would not be pleasant. It throws you the prospect I mean - in a position of great delicacy, as well as into one in which great caution on your part will be required. Caution so prudent and wise that those who would (if there should be such) find fault\nwith you may not have the slightest pretext.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIf there is any change in the management of the estate of course you can take some part in bringing about that change. Without knowing much about it, I am clearly of opinion that with your management alone the estate may be relieved of its embarrassments much sooner than it can be by any other kind of managers. I go for the one man power and don't think much of a dual executive. Should any change be made, and should it be proposed that you should take the entire management of both farms, I hope you will not decline.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDabney went down to King George yesterday. I have been interrupted in the writing of this. It is now time for the mail- so that just cuts me off with love to all.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYrs sincerely\u003cbr\u003e\nM. F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eObservatory\u003cbr\u003e\nWashington\u003cbr\u003e\n19 Apl '59\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear wife,\u003cbr\u003e\nMr. Watt and I are preparing such a surprise for you and Lucy!. We miss you every day. We miss you in the morning, we miss you in the evening, we miss you at breakfast. I haven't had a flower since she went away! We miss you at dinner, we miss you at tea, we miss you by night and by day, we miss you all the time, but you must stay till you bring Nannie. Sally F., Jack, the boys and the General took us by surprise yesterday. Beef steak, mutton chops, soup and pudding. Betty rather pitched into Mary for so poor a dinner. Bad taste in Betty. Davy is unwilling to take Latin from Jno. Minor. The \"boy's\"\nreply was Solomon-ish - \"Just as you think proper sir\" - What say you? Sent Glum's things down to Kirkwoods' last night for Gilmer - shall send to see if he took them. Totts put some white wax in the bundle, Totts is a great girl. Read 3 Acts in Richard II last night- and sent the `boy' off to bed at 9. The frost has not hurt us yet. Jim Morton called up yesterday. Mr. McCauley has set up in the Grocer's business at St. Paul. Sr. E is so\nso. I wrote to Ann Thomas and begged that she would make Betsy come along. We hear nothing more from Glum. I am now waiting for David and the mail. we expect letters in it from you and her. Here he comes! Now for them.\u003cbr\u003e\nA letter from Frank - none from you.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAll well and send love\u003cbr\u003e\nYr aft [friend]\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F.M.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eObservatory\u003cbr\u003e\nWashington\u003cbr\u003e\n22 Apl '59\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear sweet little Nannie,\u003cbr\u003e\nYour \"one-horse\" letter saying that your Ma \u0026amp; all are well came this morning. It has no date to it- so we infer it was written since hers of 14 \u0026amp; 16- But my dear child I am not a Yankee - why do you set me to guessing? I have sent to have a pair of crutches- I do wonder what has gone with my old ones. The pain has all gone out of my ankle- but I can't walk. But the worst of it is big ankles are so shocking. Totts doctored it up last\nnight with hops - Totts is a great gal.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI finished King Henry IV last night. That \"old Feldspar\" as the boy calls Falstaff gave great satisfaction. \"Feldspar\"! So much for Physical Geography. The breakfast lessons have been quite interesting to Totts- We have got through to Botany. That is not one of my specialties, and I shall glance off from it after a breakfast or two. My \"Brave\" wanted to know this morning if any great men ever studied Latin. \"O yes-\" \"Who?\" \"General\nWashington studied Latin- I studied Latin-\" \"That will do- I just want to be as great as you are\"- The young flatterer! There was no school today. Dave went on. As he came a heavy rain came up \u0026amp; he got into one of the water pipes on the avenue to keep dry.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eCome down for the Crit! I wish I could- I suppose you will be fetching her along up this way about the last of next week- That's about the 1st of May- always stand to your bargains. Was it not said that you were to return with her then? I'll give you tomotto plants- \u0026amp; egg plants, oh \u0026amp; every sort o' plants. It's been raining so- Ap'l showers- I have not been able to get the doctor up to say what ails this ankle.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eLucy is a witch- why don't she write a letter to a fellow? Mary has gone to church to day- I have some black Hamburg grape cuttings- If they take you shall have some.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eGod bless you all\u003cbr\u003e\nyrs aft\u003cbr\u003e\nDad M\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e4 July '59\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nI returned from a trip over the Balt \u0026amp; Ohio R.Road Saturday evening. Found all well- Betty still here-The baby improved \u0026amp; both enjoying the visit very much.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eA letter came from Nannie while I was gone. I did not see it- it was torn up. But from what her mother tells me of it, it increases our solicitude to a painful extent. She is morbidly sensitive \u0026amp; evidently very low spirited. We think the best thing would be for you to bring her to us.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003ePersons in her situation require to be cared for \u0026amp; looked after in manners \u0026amp; ways which no one can do half so well as a mother. It is of great consequence that she should be with her mother now- and we hope that you also will admit the importance of it \u0026amp; bring her at once. If you do not come as soon as a letter would reach us, write and tell us when to expect you. It is important that you should do this for some of our own arrangements depend on certainty as to Nannie's movements.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eFrom the tone of Nannie's letter her mother does not think that she should be consulted at all- but that you should take her right up \u0026amp; bring her to us. The gloomy and desponding mood that comes over her now \u0026amp; then is to be avoided by all means- ugly consequences may be the result- Therefore we are so [honest] in urging you to bring her to us at once. It is of great importance to her.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eGive her our most tender love, solicitude \u0026amp; affection with a thousand kisses. We have letters this morning praising Dick \u0026amp; making us very proud.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThey have established a new chair- Physical Geography \u0026amp; Agricultural science \u0026amp; offered it to me. I have not decided to accept. Yrs truly,\u003cbr\u003e\nM. F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eObservatory\u003cbr\u003e\nWashington\u003cbr\u003e\n16 Nov. 1859\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Mr. Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nI was glad to hear as by Nannie's letter I do that the prospects for an early division of the estate seem so favorable. It is clearly to the interest of the parties concerned, and it is gratifying that they are of one mind.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWhat follows is based upon the supposition that the four of you have agreed to share with you in cancelling the notes which you two have endorsed for your father. This being a fixed fact you are removed from the condition of one having antagonistic interests in the concerns and placed in the category of one whose duties and whose interests are of accord. Both the one and then the other now require the closest scrutiny into the indebtedness of the estate, in order that every claim that is not good in law may be thrown out. And it remains for your consideration whether when the Commissioners report comes up you should not have someone there well posted up, to urge the throwing out of all claims the least doubtful, and especially those for which you are bound. However this can be talked over when you come up which I hope will be long before Xmas. I am wishing somebody near by would invite me to lecture - so I might raise the wind for a visit from Dick and Dave at Xmas. I sent John Minor the Alabama speech in print yesterday with the request that he would hand it over to Nannie when he has done blowing me up about it. Sally Fontaine is not so well. The General got home yesterday - killed no \"bars\" and only brought home two \"old hars\" -Betty had gone for\ndinner yesterday. But we - your Ma and I - could not go - headaches- better today. We are reading Shakespeare o'nights- Letters from Dick \u0026amp; Dave. Totts \u0026amp; Betsy go to the [dentist] \u0026amp; all to school- except Lucy. She studies geography at home. William plays the guitar \u0026amp; sings. Sr. E. had letters yesterday from Dabney. All well but \"Injuns\" about. All hands sent in love with kisses to Nannie. Good bye- God bless you.\u003cbr\u003e\nYr.\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eObservatory\u003cbr\u003e\nWashington\u003cbr\u003e\n5 Feb 1860\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Nannie:\u003cbr\u003e\nI got Mr. Corbin's letter several days gone. Tell him the 16th is quite convenient to me. I had promised Cip that he might go with us on the 9th - so it was quite a disappointment to him, was the postponement. I shall go down I think by the night train of the 15th and as I will not have time to go down to Farley Vale will have to come up to Fredericksburg. Crit is having a tussle with the head ache - got up with it this morning, went to church and has been wrestling with the thing ever since. Willie has been sick - a - bed for a week. Low fever - getting better. Cip burnt his finger with candy, and the girls didn't go to school but one day last week on accounts of the cold. Betty and Will dined here yesterday. Mary Herndon has been to Memphis. Jones is coming to [illegible] next Thursday. The Farmer\nis very low and the General is still there. The Physical Geography continues to engage and interest me. Lucy is [ ing]. Glum 's bird sings - I call it her owl. Nannie Bill is a \"honey\"? We are invited to Henry's parties. The Aubick's gave an elegant [_mous] party last Friday – Hauled the little Doctor home – Told me he had on his table invitations for every evening in the week and for some two days. Jennie Young and her sister Sallie are\nin Stuttgart studying six hours every day. Where's yr [Bobs \u0026amp; Tops?] We have not heard anything more of your sister Sue. Maria Newburgh's party comes off about the middle of the month so reports Dave. Everybody sends love to you and Mr. Corbin. It's night, your Ma has gone to bed. Hope she will be well in the morning.\u003cbr\u003e\nGood night. Your aft. Dad,\u003cbr\u003e\nM. F. Maury.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e[Postscript by Ann Hull Maury (Herndon)]\u003cbr\u003e\nMorning- am up, and better, but poorly at that. I wish I could come down with your Papa but indeed I am not equal to it. We heard through Mrs. Mason (and she from her son at College) that Mary Minor is coming to see you, but you seem not to have heard of it. Your letter to Molly was so pleasant. Sally E. is quite mistaken about the price of my work stand. It cost $13. I don't think you can yet find one for $8 but you can try. I am so glad\nyou had a pleasant visit to Town. How came you to stay at your Uncle B's again; you must stay at your Uncle C's the next time not that I in the least object to your going to yr. Uncle B's but N. G. said when she was here that you never did go to your Uncle C's and you had been invited there so often. I love our Aunt Lucy dearly for her kindness to my precious child.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eObservatory\u003cbr\u003e\n14 March 1860\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Mr. Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nI used the word also, but \"repudiation\" is not the word-- Mississippi repudiates her lawful debts. It is not the lawful but the debts that have been made against the estate without the authority of law that I would have rejected it. I am glad to hear that the other parties come so readily into the plan. There is I imagine no time to be lost- and the initiatory steps cannot be taken too soon. I imagine your Uncle William will not come into the plan because he has no right in law to consent to any such arrangement for J. If he consents, he himself will be personally liable to J. for the amounts.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI am not surprised to hear that others would like to have Farley Vale. But I reckon it is the best way to let it go to the highest bidder. It certainly is the fairest.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWhat does Cip do all day long and why don't he write to a fellow. I am sorry that the Holly berries are all gone. I shall be glad to have any that you can start up- I have written to Tenn. for some beech nuts. I have a fancy for a beech hedge. The beech holds its leaves during winter and the lee of its hedge is almost equal to a green house-\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eGive my love to Nannie- I write to her mother by this mail.\u003cbr\u003e\nAffectionately yrs\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eObservatory\u003cbr\u003e\n17 Apl 1860\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Mr. Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nI still think you should insist on greater dispatch. Suppose you apply before the 19 July for a decree and the court refuses on the ground that K is not of age. Will that lessen your claim when she is of age? I think not. Try now and if you fail- no harm is done to the July effort. It cannot hurt much to try now, and a decree now would be worth money to you.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eLewis Walker in Rives' neighborhood wants to sell his farm so Frank Minor tells me-\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI think you would do well as soon as you get Mr. Burton underway to mount yr horse and ride up to Lewis Walker's. Go up to Nelson \u0026amp; Amherst- also in the lower countrylook at places- let it be known that you want to buy land- and then when you do sell you can have your eyes open.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThink you had better do that at once i.e. as soon as you set Mr. B. to work for the May term. it's an important matter take a month or six weeks for the trip. Nannie can come to us. On horseback the trip can cost you very little. Any idea of duty as a trustee should not interfere with such a trip. Tell Nannie we all go down to the General's today.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIs not yr Father the guardian of K \u0026amp; J till they come of age? And can the court appoint one without his request?\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAll well \u0026amp; good here. In haste. Yrs truly,\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eObservatory\u003cbr\u003e\n12 May 60\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Nannie,\u003cbr\u003e\nThis morning your Ma and Lucy got a most pressing invitation from Jno. B. to come to the convocation. An omnibus is to run between the church and the university and they are also to have morning and evening services in the Chapel. The \"Crit\" is flirting in bed with the Rappahannock chills - But she has decided to go, and to take you in Lucy's place if you'll join her. She has a free ticket for you there and back. I have written to [Jesse] B. to encourage Mary with the hope that you will come instead of Lucy. Sally F\nand Cousin Ellen are going. Your Ma will join them and go up under Tim's escort Tuesday. Your Aunt Mary will be there with the Lynchburg people - and we will expect you up Monday to dinner.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe children are well of the mumps and will sit in the school Monday again. We hope the plants were safely received. All well and send love to Mr. Corbin.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYr aft father\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eTelegraph if you are coming - yes or no - you need not prepay it. It will come to me without that.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSend this to Nannie.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eObservatory\u003cbr\u003e\nJuly 9, 1860\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Nannie,\u003cbr\u003e\nBless your heart for that letter. I'd give an eyetooth to see you. Ask your Ma to please have another one pulled and keep you till I come. Am glad to hear of Dick's arrival. I'll send the letter from him by Sr.E. who says she is going Wednesday - Am truly sorry about the chills. Hope your Ma will keep then inside. They have been troubling me also this cold weather. Tell Jno Minor I went to see Bob this morning. He was touched by his kindness and grateful to a degree. I am to try tomorrow to get a clerkship for him in the\nCensus Bureau.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYou said never a word about your Uncle Charles' wife- poor bird! N.B. stutters as Dave did.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eNext week will be the 19th. I suppose you will be up then to court. Though things look so smooth in favor of paying off and dividing I can but fear something is to thwart it after all.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eBetty did not go a - sherry - cobblering last night. Today I read [p] 230 of new ed. P.G. - in the last edition there are 389pp. I do not know how many there will be in this - But 400 at least I reckon.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSee a letter I got this morning from my \"Injun\" yr friend Mr S.\u003cbr\u003e\nKiss everybody\u003cbr\u003e\nyour Dad, in haste -\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e[Note on verso of letter]\nAll well. Aunt E. expected today must meet her\u003cbr\u003e\nin haste\u003cbr\u003e\nJHM {?John Herndon Maury MIA 1863}\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eObservatory\u003cbr\u003e\n6 Aug. '60\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear wife\u003cbr\u003e\nGot this morning yrs of 4th. Tell Totts I was reading yesterday that admirable, sweet precious little book. The Household of Sir Thos More and thought of her as my Megg.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eTell Jno \u0026amp; Brodie \u0026amp; Lucy, and all the rest of the \"Great Easterners\" of the family that we want to go [to] [ ] Wednesday - day after tomorrow - Leave here at 7 -40 AM. take the steamer in Balt at 10 AM Arrive alongside the Gr. at noon. Stay 2 hours, get back to Balt. in time for the Washington train at 4.20 p.m. Round trip $2.50. I have not seen Betty since I got yr letter and therefore can't make any arrangements as to accommodations. Betty does not know whether she is going. I reckon it would be a nice trip for Dick \u0026amp; Dave. If you think so, and they too, let them come along. Upon second thought Wednesday will be too soon. Thursday will be the day. I'll write Tom Bold we\nare coming Thursday. I'll bear Nannie's expenses too if she will come along - tell her I want her \u0026amp; Betty to go and to go myself out of civility to Bold. The trip would knock you up.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThursday at 7.40 AM we shall go - let me know who will come. Love to all.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYrs.\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIf the boys \u0026amp; Nannie come, they should leave F'b'g Wednesday A.M. What of the trunk I'm to buy?\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eObservatory\u003cbr\u003e\nOct 1, 1860\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Mr. Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nBy the mail of this morning I got yr's of 29th Sept.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYou are right not to go security for the parties named. My engagements are such as to prevent my coming down. Nor is that necessary.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI am not quite clear as to the amt. for which you want security. But be that as it may - show the papers to Jno. or Chas. Herndon. Ask them to draw up a deed of trust upon Farley Vale in my favor, and the negroes too if you want me to endorse for them - and have them regularly recorded. Then you can send or bring - better do the latter - the documents.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI leave the city Saturday morning - Can't you bring Nannie along - I think the sight of her would make her mother well - she had been under the weather ever since the trip North - and has not been well enough to be at the table with us more than two or three times since she came up. She is better to day, though in bed. It's a rainy \"nasty\" day you know. She was made quite happy this morning to keep the \"boy\" at home from school on account of the drizzle - about 9 - 10 it had set in for a regular pour - he came over to\nsay she wanted him to go down the City! Somehow the rain does not seem to be as wet that way it is over toward Georgetown.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI understand that there will be a prior lien upon F.V. and on to the estate - That makes no odds - I write in haste to get to night's mail. Love to Nannie. Why doesn't she let us hear from her? to Mary Herndon Sister E. \u0026amp; all hands\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYrs truly\u003cbr\u003e\nM. F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eObservatory\u003cbr\u003e\nWashington\u003cbr\u003e\n22 Oct 1860\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Mr. Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nWhen I last wrote I was just on the eve of taking wing for Tennessee. I did not have time to write both to Charles \u0026amp; you, so I wrote him \u0026amp; sent the letter open through you. Now I write almost in as much haste, for I expect to leave for New York Thursday morning and to embark for England on Saturday.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003ePolitical affairs are in a very unsatisfactory state- so much so that shall have the country feeling quite uneasy. The state of your affairs helps to increase this uneasiness. I have had nothing in reply to my letter to Charles, but in the mere matter of endorsation you have given me all the security that I required, and such as under a more settled state of things would be considered by the most cautious timidity as ample. Nevertheless there is talk of disunion and how far property- land \u0026amp; negroes- in Virginia is to be affected by disunion both acts and deeds, it is simply impossible to foresee. It may not be depreciated at all- or it may be depreciated 1/3, 1/2, or 9/10th nobody can tell. No one you know ever objects to too much security. You are making it a rule of life \u0026amp; wisely not to go security- you do not wish to hypothecate your property for any new debts and there are many contingencies on the occurrence of which it would be better for you\nNannie \u0026amp; me if I had a lien also on your negro property as collateral for the land. You understand I have no right to require this. But it can't harm you, may do you or Nannie good, \u0026amp; will add to my own comfort. Of course, I mean a lien to come in after present obligations for which that negro property may be bound.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIf you think well of this proposition, get Charles to attend to it \u0026amp; let the expenses be mine. Drop me a letter care of Maury Brothers New York in reply \u0026amp; tell Nannie she shall hear from me before I sail.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eGoodbye\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs truly\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003ePerhaps it may be as well to state that when I offered to endorse I expected to endorse for both land \u0026amp; negroes and of course have a lien upon all- This I am still willing to do so as to get the endorsed security.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eLondon\u003cbr\u003e\n21 Nov '60\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear wife,\u003cbr\u003e\nYesterday \u0026amp; the day before I was the happiest man in all London. Your two letters, Sister E's, our -Dick's - [Glum's]-Cip's- Nannie's to you, Mr. Corbin's to me- the latest 5 Nov-all came. Bless your dear hearts every one. I am so glad to hear you are on the mend, and so gratified to those darling precious friends for taking such good care of you. Kiss Sally Fontaine for me. I am just through with book. And have accepted an invitation to return on the New York Nov 28. Tomorrow go to Wrottesley whither I will write.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eGod bless you,\u003cbr\u003e\nM\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSteamer New York\u003cbr\u003e\nAt Sea, 9 Dec 1860\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Nannie\u003cbr\u003e\nThis is our eleventh day out. When we left England we expected to arrive at New York tomorrow; but we have had a rough time of it, we are now nearly a 1000 miles off and do not expect to get in before Thursday. This is Sunday 11 a.m. and a beautiful day. I wanted to take them all by surprise by stepping in upon them Tuesday the 11th and as good luck would have it told \"Crit\" not to expect me before the 15 or 16th- so the \"journey up the mountain\" will be prevented by it, for I hoped to be in Wash. before or by\nthe 15th.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThank Mr. Corbin for his letter. Rutson Maury forwarded with an endorsation reporting \"all well\"- so it brought me the first news from home which was great joy for I was very unhappy about your Ma- It's all right tell him. I was at Wrottesley- Jansen \u0026amp; I- when your letter came. I delivered your message- he grinned. You can't imagine how cordial they all were- \"40 time\" herself came in the carriage to meet us at Codsall, \u0026amp; they sent us in their own carriage to the cars in Wolverhampton- the old lady insisting that we had not wrappings enough and fitting us out with hers even to London. She begged us to stay longer- so did they all. Her niece Miss Simpson was there. She took us to [Chiltington]. She hummed \"Nelly Bly\" for us as we went said you taught it to her \u0026amp; she had given away many copies of it. Davis the Butler has got rich and has set up on his \"own hook.\" Webb the footman has his place- Simpson the gardener is to be married Xmas, and my Lord has built for him just in the edge of the forrest the sweetest little cottage you can\nimagine. While I was there Tom Bold was to see me in London.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIf you had been in London this time, you would have thought somebody had come to town I tell you. Rail ways were placed at my service to see sights and engineers to show them \u0026amp; \" put me thro'.\" The Navy officers there were planning [on] great blow out for me in return for \"you all's\" civilities to the prince, and they are going to send an expedition to the South Pole for me. At least Washington who is the proper person to move on it-pledged me his word so to do, saying he thought he could carry it. I made an address without notes before the Geographical Society. Had a great crowd. Ladies,\nLords, gentlemen. Was breakfasted – dinner-ed \u0026amp; tea-ed-- oh it was a jolly time! but I would not give one day in my own sweet home with my blessed wife and sweet children for the whole of it.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWhen will you \u0026amp; Mr. C. be up- come soon- stay long. I am trying to pull the wires to get New York to send a messenger down south to enquire of the people there what's the matter? asking them to state their grievances- the terms \u0026amp; c. on which they would be willing to remain in the Union. I may be too late, for my latest date as to things at home is 15 Nov- New York Herald. Things I have no doubt have assumed many new phases since then, but unless good me in each section muster themselves, I fear the Union is gone. I shall write to my Dave today to come home at Xmas. I enjoyed Jansen's visit vastly. I made many charming acquaintances, but none more so than Lady Ashburton \u0026amp; her Lord. I am to \"come to them\" when I go back. His mother has just had 50,000 trees blown down on her \"plantation\" in Scotland. Isn't it elegant. Our old landlady Miss Everall is just married to Scott Adir the fancy [Wollen] man. I went to the store \u0026amp; asked for her- there was a titter among the clerks \u0026amp; confusion with Scott. Jansen said he was jealous- didn't see her . Love to all hands.\u003cbr\u003e\nyr Dad.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond\u003cbr\u003e\n25 Apl 1861\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Wellford,\u003cbr\u003e\nYou can best serve the cause by staying at home, planting corn \u0026amp; potatoes, than you can by coming here. There is a great press here. The people along the river are wanted at home to form police, guard, \u0026amp; c.\u003cbr\u003e\nIn great haste. yrs.\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDon't come\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond\u003cbr\u003e\n27 Apl 1861\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear wife-\u003cbr\u003e\nSaw Lt. Carr this morning. He was Dave's Captain. Dave was a first rate soldier- enjoyed the trip, and got back all safe \u0026amp; sound.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI look for Dick from Washington this morning. He went for our things. He has an appoint of \"1st Lt. of Volunteers for Services in Council Chamber.\" So you see how he is tied down in Richmond and can't go to the wars - now I do hope that will make you quiet and comfortable. Corbin is back too \u0026amp; Dave. Why my dear we are as happy as the day is long. Ain't we? Very busy today. Hope for a quiet time tomorrow.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eKiss my Lucy. What is that boy a'doing? Why didn't the girls write - are you going down with Nanny - Had you not better come up next Saturday for church - maybe I'll meet you.\u003cbr\u003e\nYr M\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eTell Nannie I got all her letters and to thank Mason for all of them.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond\u003cbr\u003e\n18 May 1861\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nYour letter of 15 came to hand last night. I shall go up to Fredericksburg this evening if nothing unforeseen occurs to prevent. I hope to find you there, but in case I should not go or going should not find you I write this in answer to your many questions now.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYou did right to decline Col. [Ruggles] [ ] present offer, for he had no authority of law to make such an appointment.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIf you raise a company you will be mustered into the service as volunteers, and will then be furnished with arms.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSo far I have not succeeded in giving practical effect to my place of organizing all the remaining white population in the border \u0026amp; tide water counties into a home guard to act in case of inroads \u0026amp; marauders as guerrillas. I did hope to bring into this organization all able bodied men \u0026amp; boys between 15 \u0026amp; 60. The law opposed difficulties in the way of this, and I did hear that Gen'l Lee who highly approved of the plan is going to carry it into effect by calling them out as militia. What the precise details of the militia organization are to be, I cannot say. But I suppose that as its objects are the same it does not in the main differ much from the guerilla plan. I think so highly of this plan that I have sought to have it turned over to us navy officers looking upon it as the most honorable \u0026amp; useful service that the times offer to us.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThis too is I think the best service for you, and for reasons both public \u0026amp; private. It is highly important service and a double duty to the state--you fight for \u0026amp; help to raise bread for the people at the same time. Sallying forth with [sword] in hand today--tomorrow with the pruning hook or sickle. The private reasons are: your whole fortune is imperiled, and it will require all the personal attention and the best management of which you are\ncapable to save you from ruin. I myself being a cripple have to conform myself to circumstances and to accept such occupation as those circumstances will allow. So it is with you- you by leaving home to serve the state now, would probably do it at the sacrifice of your entire fortune- and that you are not prepared to do. The true course and the brave course for you is cheerfully to adjust yourself to circumstances \u0026amp; then do the best you can.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eTom Maury has just called me out with a telegram that his child is dead.\u003cbr\u003e Yrs, M.F. Maury.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond\u003cbr\u003e\n20 June `61\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nI got your note last night and went the first thing this morning to see the Governor. If he musters you into service, you will fall under the President who can send you where he pleases. Thus the Governor:\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI heard a member of the convention from Tidewater complaining yesterday that two companies in one of the lower counties had been mustered into service with the express understanding that they were to remain in their own county and they had been ordered away. They were volunteers. So you will understand that no bargain can be made with you as volunteers, short of 1 year's service to go wherever the President chooses to order you.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAs to guerrillas: the convention has that subject up now and he, the Governor can do nothing.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThus you have a full account of the result of the interview. Thorburn has [gave] up the country- after referring your letter to the Gov. I thought it useless to mention the matter to him. If you conclude to go as volunteers how would Jack Maury do as your Capt.? He is at Gloucester Pt.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI am very sorry to see our guerilla scheme fail, but the connotation is we have both done our best and all that can be done.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eLove to Nannie\u003cbr\u003e\nyrs M.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe Council was abolished yesterday and I am relieved of duties.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond\u003cbr\u003e\n18 July 1861\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear wife,\u003cbr\u003e\nI have just learned from the Sec. War that the boys at the university are not to be taken into service. They remain undisturbed. I shall so write Dave this day.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI shall go down to the central cars today at 2 1/2 hoping to meet Dab. He can have his folks at the junction. Come here spend 2 or 3 hours \u0026amp; join them in the 5 p.m. train for Fredericksburg.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eHollins has charge of the Naval defenses of James River- and will be cavorting about I suppose, \u0026amp; Dick with him. This will be more agreeable than a stay at one place.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThere are many flying rumors about the street this morning such as the landing of 30,000 troops at Norfolk, 20,000 at Aquia Creek \u0026amp; c- and that they are moving upon Richmond. It is now 12.20 and no official dispatch has been received, so there is nothing in it. But I wish you all would fancy to make a visit to Albemarle until the denouement takes place. I suppose the enemy will run upon us somewhere soon and the sooner the better for us in\nmy poor judgment.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eNow you know I don't want to give alarm and I know no more about the enemy's plan than the newspapers tell us. Still our armies cannot remain much longer as they are and I had rather see my people a little further off. God bless you\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F.M.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eCharlottesville, Va: Ridgway\u003cbr\u003e\n18 Sept 1861\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Nannie,\u003cbr\u003e\nYour two letters came yesterday. The great drawback to what you call \"a celebrity\" is this being called on by friends for `influence' and help, where you are powerless. [?Kennedy's] inquiry I imagine had no such bearing as you seem disposed to give it. I know Mr. Corbin is missed all the time, and you may know that I am not going to permit any opportunity of having him to pass unheeded by. I understand that he did not want a commission at first when he was trying to raise that company - and now I suppose it difficult except in the Confederate Service and there I am powerless. Bless your heart for offering us your house. I have not been able to find - yet - suitable accommodations in Charlottesville. Moreover I am distressed by what they tell me of typhoid fever there - and moreover Fredericksburg is \"powerful sweet\". I am waiting for the word from Richmond to go ahead with the submarines. There is no chance for a Ltcy. in the Navy for Mr. Corbin. I think a good of his affairs. The give us solicitude. Dave and C. Minor went off a'recruiting yesterday. I think you had better come to us. We will take care of you for a year and that will help Mr. C. along with his interest.\u003cbr\u003e\nYr. Dad.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond\u003cbr\u003e\n20 Nov 1861\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear wife\u003cbr\u003e\nI do not go to the Miss. just yet if at all. The committee has the matter of steam launches up. I shall wait here for the result of their deliberations. I cannot speak positively about you and home Saturday.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eTom left for Manassas Wednesday morning. He took the turkey and all.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eNan and Lewis and the general were here. Now returns to Bowling Green this morning. Lewis went this morning to Norfolk. Jack came up from York River yesterday. He returns tomorrow.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe hoop skirts cost $6.00 -[Bill] waits further orders before giving $12.00 for the two.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMiss Fanny Perkins left the day I arrived. She went down to Norfolk Wednesday morning with the General's check in her corset and the other \"preciouses' behind the photographsin her album.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eHow are my sick? All still mending I hope. Kisses to everyone.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYr. affectionate, M.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond\u003cbr\u003e\n9 Dec `61\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nYour leave is extended to the 1st Jan. unless Kennedy should sooner require your services. The leave with his letter to you go up to him this evening. Buchanan grants you the leave. I have seen it. So there is no mistake. K. no doubt will send it you.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDave is off in the morning.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eLove to Nannie,\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs. in haste\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSend it to C.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eFor Nannie\u003cbr\u003e\nPrivate \u0026amp; Confidential\u003cbr\u003e\nDec. 9.1861\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear child,\u003cbr\u003e\nMilly's death is a sad blow. You will feel it as such and miss her mightily. A law has passed authorizing the appointment of 50 Navy Lts. to serve during the war. I do not know what rules is to be adopted with regard to appointments; but it has occurred to me that Mr. C. might stand a chance if he would like the place. If so, let him file his application with Mr. Mallory and interest his member of Congress on his behalf. If I know that you and he desire the place, that is enough. I'll help it and if I can.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSay to Blackford that the only understanding between us was that I was to stay there until I could find a place to suit us both and that he would live with us - one offsetting the other. That he had better get some of our mutual friends to fix the visit. It had better be by the month, for he may want to sell and I man find a more suitable house. We lack another room or two sadly - We'll will attend to the execution of any papers that are required in the processes. God bless you my daughter\u003cbr\u003e\nM.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond\u003cbr\u003e\n30 Jan.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear wife,\u003cbr\u003e\nWill came yesterday and told me that you were poorly and also of the great thinning out. You must feel very quiet if not lonesome. I don't get much from Will about the school. Of course they are done with Mr. J.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI'll leave it entirely to you as to whether one or both shall come home. They should come soon and we should know the day so that Dave may be at the cars. Dave is a precious fellow. He has been a great comfort to me, but he and I do not think that this clerking of his is exactly the thing for him. I think I shall give the place to Bob who returned last night. I have written to Lynch asking him to take Dave with him for a little while. We are waiting\nto hear from him. The answer is daily expected for I wrote about 10 days ago. L's answer will determine the Lad's course, whether it will be back to you, or down to the south - or rather the Sounds of N.C. Tell Nannie I have exhausted myself upon Corbin both with Buchanan and the Inc. What I said seemed to go in one ear and come out of the other - S.C. must muster up his political influences and push them. 25 or 30 of the 50 Lts. that are to be made will come from the \"Old Navy\" including cases like Smith's and from the Masters and Mid of C.N. The rest are I believe to be made out of the resv. C. will come in with them if at all I suppose.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe \"Doc\" got off this morning, much to my relief.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI have got a pair of shoes at last which I can wear when the foot is only 1/2 swollen. I have them on this morning for the first time. I have ordered another and a larger pair, so I have them of three sizes.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI know my brood is doing fine in Latin. How is Lucy and the Musik Glum and the philosophy Totts and the writing. A Kiss to everyone I am dying to see you all but can't tell about coming.\u003cbr\u003e\nYr Aft M\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDid Jno get the money Dave collected for him?\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond\u003cbr\u003e\n1 May 1862\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin:\u003cbr\u003e\nI have this morning yr's of 29th. Wrote you yesterday - nothing from Fredericksburg since Dave went up there this morning hoping to take a peep of an hour or so upon the blessed group. I shall expect him back to-morrow. His appointment will probably be made out by that time. When he will put out west of course he will bring letter which I shall hasten down to you.\u003cbr\u003e\nIn haste\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs MFM\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe examination as I understand it relates only to midshipmen.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond\u003cbr\u003e\n4 May `62\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eJas. M. Johnson [Hd.] carpenter of Rootes party left sick at Custis' Quarters reports himself for Norfolk today - without money. I lend him $3. which he promises to return to you 1st pay day. Please get it. Dave I expect will be off in the morning.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIt is the case of yr[house on fire at night]. Your duties for the moment are and ought to be the all absorbing subjects with you. Not only yr prosperity, but your life and liberty are at stake. And you will be lucky and ought to be happy to escape with the last two.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eA letter from Dick - all well.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYrs.\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F.M.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e- That's right. Keep your mind occupied. Don't despond or despair. The enemy has the power to possess himself of Richmond - of the Miss River and of all the Tidewater country. Look upon that as more than likely.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond Virginia\u003cbr\u003e\n5 May\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin:\u003cbr\u003e\nI have just time to say this is [the] 3rd or 4th. Have yr's of 2nd. The army came over into Fredericksburg yesterday. Nothing since direct from our folk since Dave was there. He will perhaps go off in the morning.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIn haste yrs\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond\u003cbr\u003e\n24 May\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin:\u003cbr\u003e\nNothing from Fredericksburg since Brodie's letter of 13th. I have an idea that the place is evacuated. I tried yesterday and the day before to get Totts back with the aim of sending her there- Mr. White wrote to say the Alsop's went last Wednesday and he thought there would be no difficulty about Totts. I am afraid now to bring her down. I may be down to the Bluff tomorrow. Gave Lt Davidson of the [ ] a letter from you yesterday. Jack has\ngone down to take command of the battery below you.\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs. in haste\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e1 June '62\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nDick was hit yesterday in the right arm, breaking one of the bones, His wound is very much such as one as Dabney's only not so bad. I went out and brought him in. He was wounded early in the fight, but not until he had resisted the charge and driven back two Yankee regiments. Dick is a gallant fellow and has won the name \"immortal\" for his regiment - so says the Yankee General Hancock. His horse was killed under him and he was struck 4 times. He will be well in about 6 weeks. He is in my room laughing and talking as I write.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy admirable Pettigrew was killed. I write in haste. Send word to Jack about Dick. Nothing from home.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYrs.\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F.M.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond\u003cbr\u003e\n5th June 1862\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nThis morning brings in yrs of 3rd. Dick is walking about the streets and is doing well. No chance to Fredericksburg and nothing from them. I hope to get off to Albemarle with Dick next week. Jackson gives us a bright spot. In all the directions around the horizon the clouds lower upon us.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYrs. M.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e19th June\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin:\u003cbr\u003e\nThis will not come to hand in time for you this morning.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDick and I hope to get off for Ridgeway Saturday. I tried today an order for 3 Irish servants to be sent from New York. Dabney is acting Major General. Price and his staff are loud in his praise of Dab and Cave.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI [?] Nannie's letter for time was short.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eJuly 14 (1862)\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin:\u003cbr\u003e\nLooked for you yesterday, but your two letters came this morning. George has arrived at Ridgway from Fredericksburg. Dick has sent him back to get his marriage license. Nothing from Nannie or Betty. Yankee pickets are about Bowling Green. Will is home in status quo. Gen Minor has letters from Fredericksburg of 11. [Nannie] [Gardner] was very ill with typhoid fever. Harry Hasbrouck is our prisoner. I have his photograph picked up on the battlefield. I only know the mail does not go to Fredericksburg. I hope to get off this week. A letter from Dave of 3 Oct. Doing well.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThanks for Nannie's letter. Betty had a letter from Nannie after her arrival in Fbg. I suppose Dick will be married as soon as he gets his license.\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs. truly\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F.M.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond\u003cbr\u003e\n19 July\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin:\u003cbr\u003e\nI am sorry I did not see [you] again. I am off to Ridgway in the morning. Letter from my wife of 16 - Dick's license had not arrived. It was due that day. Betty is still in Carolina. Don't know when she goes back. My wife will return next week, say the last, I reckon.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI write in haste. Read last night - letters from Dave and Dab of y. Still there, well and rejoicing over Richmond. Let us hear from you at Ridgway. My [ ] for news from home will be mainly thru you and Will.\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs.\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F.M.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond\u003cbr\u003e\nExchange Hotel\u003cbr\u003e\nRoom No 12\u003cbr\u003e\n29 July (1862)\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin:\u003cbr\u003e\nPope's order No 11 - brought me and my wife down to-day. Our people will have to come out of Fredericksburg now. They can't stand that. I want to get authority to-morrow to send up there. So come up to town as soon as you can after the receipt of this \u0026amp; we will lay our plans. Give my compliments to Lee and say you coming will be a personal favor –\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYrs in haste\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eExchange Hotel - No 12\u003cbr\u003e\n30 July\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin:\u003cbr\u003e\nPope's order to arrest everybody in Fredericksburg that will not swear allegiance makes it necessary to get our people out. I am here for that. Come up to day. I want your help. Get his permission to ask for a leave of 10 days, if you find it necessary, at any rate come up to day.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYrs.\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBowdon England\u003cbr\u003e\n1 May 63\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin:\u003cbr\u003e\nI was glad to get your letter. It was very satisfactory and interesting.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI now fancy that I see no end to the war, until the Yankees get themselves into trouble with some other nation, or until after the 4th March of `65. John Bull is drifting into war and the public mind here is beginning to chafe under the doings of Wilkes and his [c ]. Still if there is war it will not be through any the least spark of sympathy for us. I think the Government is determined to stop any more Alabamas if it can - and I think the feeling of the country is with the Government in that matter, as it is in all others that touch its conduct towards us.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eCan't you find time to find a better place for our folks, as in Lynchburg or some other town a little further from the enemy's lines. They are now much nearer than is agreeable. Then they want to be in reach of schools and a little more society for the young ones than they can have in the country. Pray let there be a family council \u0026amp; then see what you can do to carry out what may be decided to be the best. If they board, let them if possible\nhave a parlor to themselves.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWilkinson don't come any further than the island nearest you, but I will bear in mind yr request.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI am trying now to get a box off for the ladies on a vessel that takes this - one that Crenshaw is sending out. I have a letter from him this morning dated 3 days ago, saying she would sail in a few days - So I have sent an express message to Ferguson in Manchester who took the lists more than a month ago with a promise to fill them - I have asked him to send all 3. Bob's, Lewis' and mine if he has them ready, if not ready, I have asked him to double my order for dresses and to make them suitable to the memory of\nmy precious Davy Jones. He said the money was of no consequence when I gave him the lists, but perhaps the want of it prevented him from attending to it, however I sent him the money for mine - all I had, and told him that I expected in a week or 10 days to have the money for the others, and to send my box anyhow. I don't know the name of the vessel but it's Crenshaw's. They will tell you the name in Richmond and the box will be marked c . \"R.H. Maury, Richmond\". Do ask them to keep a look out for it.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eBobby Walker is here trying to raise a Yankee loan of £50,000,000. Moneyed men here say some that he can't \"place it\" some that he can, if he will get Peabody and [Br gs ] black \u0026amp; [ ] - to take hold and spend a £100,000 or so in floating it. My own notion is he will spend money like fury to get his loan to go - and I see what looks to me like a sign that he had already been \"[ploughing]\" with some of the yearlings of the Times. Saw them stepping out of the way in its city article of yesterday to explain away certain things.\nIt looks suspicious. This \"City Article\" as it is called is more read by moneyed men than all other parts of the paper. The \"City Article\" is the first thing they look at.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSo I am on the lookout for something [further]. This morning's Times will be here before the mail closes and if there be any more indications I'll clip them out for you.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003ePlease let Nannie copy such parts of the letter as relate to public affairs and send them to Mr. Seddon. I wrote him Dec. 11 Jan 20- \u0026amp; 31 March - and ask him to see that the new Navy Bill does not operate prejudicially in one's absence.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eExplain to R.A.M. about the boxes. I wrote nearly a month ago for money from [Jody] for him \u0026amp; L. as I had it not.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWhere is Jack stationed now? Give my love to Jack - He is a kind hearted fellow.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThis is May-Day. Some ladies called in their carriage to take me to see the country people - May-But I had not the [ ] and I proposed to stay at home and [ ] home.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSend also to Ludlow the slips that you think he would like to see. Love to Uncle Jordan and Nannie and all hands.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYrs. truly\u003cbr\u003e\nMF\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI go to London Monday of Tuesday and then to France. It goes hard to part with Brave. But he likes his school, is getting interested with the boys - and his vacation will commence 13 June - Six weeks hence when he will join me again.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eLondon England\u003cbr\u003e\n7 July 1863\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Nannie:\u003cbr\u003e\nCarter stopped in upon us today with your and Corbin's letter. Bless my Davy's sweet face - his [coal] is [quenched], his light is put out - his pitch broken, and his spirit returned unto God who gave it. I doted on that splendid countenance. Twas a rich pleasure to me always to steal glances at it when he knew it not. I read in it unutterable things and always a pleasant present and a pleasing future Oh-ho! Lord Wrottesley is in town.\nBrave called today to say we would breakfast with him in the morning. Brave said `Sir' to him and he took him up. We learn by Carter that Murdough had got in. Thanks for that - Corbin will find his pistol in the trunk sent by him, but not the saber. It is difficult to find one good [natured] enough to charge himself with such a piece of luggage. I saw his cousin in Paris. He was very civil. I liked him and his family very much. One of his daughters - the yellow haired one particularly quite took my fancy. I was miserable in\nParis. Exceedingly depressed all the time - so much that Brave said to me one night in tears - that I had treated him with reserve ever since he come there. Bless the child's heart. I had no heart for anything. I was making no progress about my business I was doing nothing to help the case - and my actions were controlled by me, that were unequal to the task. All this and the fact that I am kept here all the time with hands tied for the want of means and that I am told to build this and buy that as tho' I had the Bank of England to draw from. All this - the fact that I am of no use - oppressed me exceedingly.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe small parcel by Hudson, Elie tells me has been received. The next was also a small one - say 7- by Ramsey in Apl- What became of that? The next by the [Venice]- [Crenshaw's] ship- in I know- the next was by the Advance- [Crosson's] ship in charge of Hughes the brother of Tom's friend. She was in Bermuda last month-and the last by Murdough who is in. I have had but two letters from you. Love to Corbin with thanks for his letter. I hear he is a great worker and gives satisfaction.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBowdon (England)\u003cbr\u003e \n4 Aug 1863\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear no. \"dos\",\u003cbr\u003e\nJust as we were leaving Liverpool yesterday a parcel of home letters was handed to me.\nYours of Jun 14, Corbin of 15, Totts 10th 13 and Elie's no date at all. Totts to the Brave. This is the second letter from you.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eJust before we left London Mrs. [G ] with her youngest daughter \"Carie\" arrived there from Baltimore. They are great secessionists - you remember they used to give children's parties in the first ward and that Dave particularly and I believe Totts used to go to them. The first thing that Miss Carie said was an inquiry after Dave. She only remembered me as his father. When I told her - her mother exclaimed - + don't you believe he's drowned they've got him cooped up to spite you. You don't know their villainy or their spite against you. The idea and their positive air gave me a glimpse of hope, which started up, lasted for a moment and it was all dark again.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAnother batch of letters. Lt. Carter brought them from L'pool just at 6. Meiklejohn was dining with us, so we put them away and have now about 10 just got through with them. I reading and [checking] over them to Brave. There is one form you of 25 May to me and of June 6th to Brave. One from Totts to him and one to me one from Nannie Belle to him. All on the thin blue paper and from his Ma to him and one to me with the copy by Elie of\nD's letter of the 14th Feb - giving all the account he could of the loss. It is singular that just as I was telling of Mrs. G. for I had only got to the +. D's letter should have come encouraging the same idea. 5th {pencilled in margin} I had never before heard of the cartridge boxes - the rubber cloth and the tracks of the mare as to or from a boat. Had I heard of that at first I should have clung to hope as you and Totts and yr Ma have done.\nIt evidently gave D. hope for the flag followed. But what did Burnett think. Burnett the Texas Trailer. At what gait was the man going that two miles after having crossed the crevasse - at what gait when she returned - was there any sign of a scuffle, of a halting or a quickening of pace where the cartridge boxes were - what does he mean by cartridge `boxes'? cartridge papers? I think the trailer could tell by the tracks for two miles whether\nthe horse was riderless. The tracks about the turning place would indicate that most likely. Then why should the mare keep along just two miles and then turn back.. The man in the boat might have seen him coming, and concealing themselves [till] he came up - and then calling a halt he might have found himself so completely in their power as to make all attempt at escape useless - and so he might have reined up. But then what would have been the use of the cartridges? On the contrary if he had been fired at or\nshot, the tracks would have showed a sudden change in the gait of the steed. I read from this account of Bob's that on that two mile stretch below the crevasse, the horse as she went down was guided by the rider, and that therefore the probabilities, nay I should say the chances, the almost certain chances are that that precious boy was not drowned in the crevasse. When the mare returned to the brook, was she riderless? How near did the returning tracks go to it? Did they enter it? If they don't, he perished there - if not, then he was made away with, somewhere between the brook and the end of the two miles below. Thank my merciful Father for this precious crumb of consolation, for now I feel almost persuaded that my brave boy had a chance of fighting for his life, and if so, then I know he did quit himself like a man as he was.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYou see my love I have been building up this theory on these straws that D almost casually as it were has held out. The tracks down the road, the cartridge boxes, the rubber cloth and the tracks down to the boats.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eLet us suppose that D. means cartridge boxes and not paper, then the rubber cloth, was it Yankee? The boat party had taken off their cartridge boxes and spread the bit of rubber cloth to lie on. My Dave came upon them suddenly and so fell into their hands. Were there any signs of a scuffle of men in a high state of excitement moving about. And the rubber cloth - was it of the cartridge boxes [ ] - and did the tracks of the men pass them?\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI say he rode the mare that far, because she was seen soon after he had crossed - by 3:30 p.m. near the canal without her rider- and was found then at 10 the next morning. She wanted to get back - and after she lost her rider on the 27 - she made for Vicksburg. Had he been taken alive he would surely have been taken up to headquarters. He would have been too great a prize - no He was dealt foully by and they were afraid to report it.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI send D. a letter written some days ago. I may not have time to add more - but any how send him copy of the copy of this, till you are he gets it. Ask him to send it to Major Burnett, and after discussing the whole case over with him, ask him to let us know what the Major says. Love to C. to Betty and 10 Tell N.B. hers was a sweet letter to the Brave.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eKiss everybody. I am worried about L.A.'s \"spies\"-\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eEngland\u003cbr\u003e\nFeb. 15, `64\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear \"Nig\":\u003cbr\u003e\nThat was a capital bargain. How came they to let him pay off? He ought to be made Sec. Treasury if he can financier in that way. The bonds that F.B. had? I hope he looked after them, and that they gave you and him a most comfortable fire to warm by.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYesterday morning Brave brought down a Legendre that he had brought over with him- Davie's. In the evening he was criticizing some of the propositions and demonstrations and proposed to burn it up. I happen to look on the fly page in the book and there was my precious Dave's own hand writing \"Charlotte is my dulce.\"\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eS-H- and in full below, and a sum that he had been doing. I suppose that the `Dulce' was the „Charlotte‟ that Kate or Sarah [ ] used to talk to him about. He had the book at the University. So Brave was ordered to put it away among our \"preciouses\" - I have written 2½ diverse times and grieve to know that he doesn't get my letters. My last was 26 Dec. It related to that famous brooch pin affair - was a great secret, and I hope that it has not\nmiscarried. No further development has occurred in that matter and you may rely upon it. I shall suffer it to proceed no further, unless it be clear that I can be more useful there than I can be here, or rather than I am permitted to be here. Any premature disclosure would as you may readily imagine give rise to any amount of scandal- to encounter which with equanimity all those virtues which made Duncan `so clear in his High office' - I must rely upon angels and \" my Innocents\" for defense, for if I enter into that scheme, my lips will be sealed. And in all this I rely upon the reticence, the prudence and the judgment of you all. If it comes to anything, you will know of it from other quarters long before you will\nfrom me. The possibility that you might so hear induced me to tell you of it before hand. I know it would set somebody to climbing the mountain, and I thought it was better to climb with the lights before you there in the dark.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYour Petersburg letter of Dec 11 to Brave is our latest date. [`Sophy'] is in New York having her old laces renovated.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e4 March 6 p.m.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Wellford:\u003cbr\u003e\nI have just received this from Paris. It is a little scrap which you may like to preserve. I have no new developments in the matter of the brooch pin.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eBrave and I are mourning over the loss of our things by [Cameron] in the Petersburg - Another pair of specs for Mary among them. It's always so Brave says with our Xmas boxes. Love to you - Yrs\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBowdon, England\u003cbr\u003e\n4 Aug. `64\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear N:\u003cbr\u003e\nI dreamed last night that your troubles were all over. I hope they are with all my heart. They have not only been the cause of the most tender and anxious solicitude but of many painful emotions also - which I would fain forget.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI send you the last I have heard of Corbin. I can't find out when or how he was made prisoner. I have asked R. to let him have any funds he may want, and I will return the same through his cousin [J.]B. in Liverpool. I do not know whether any exchange of prisoners is now going on. I am rather under the impression that there is another hitch of some sort in the way.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe first notice I had that he was certainly captured was by his notice from Pt. Look Out to R.H.M. cut from the N.Y. Daily News of 28 June and sent me by an officer in Paris. I rec'd it 16 July in the cars as I left London for Lland[ ]. Bob in his letter of June 23rd makes no mention of him. So I infer he must have been captured between that and the 26th or 27th. You however should not give yourself any trouble nor go to climbing any mountains on that score, for I have no doubt he will, with such assistance as I can give,\nbe able to provide very well for his material comforts.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI went down to [A ] day before yesterday to get some tooth brushes to send by an officer who is going home, and I don't like to see such a good opportunity to pass without sending something. So I thought of tooth brushes- All the shops are in [Albrincham] none in Bowdon, Mit said, O don't get them here, get them in Manchester. You get them so much better. He got a friend to get them for you-all right. Tell him to get the best brushes as to hair, such as gentlemen and ladies ought to us, and add to them 6 nail\nbrushes. They have just come, were bought at wholesale prices, and for the nail brushes behold the little shoe brushes. I wish they had been white, I should like 5 \u0026amp; 6 to have a nice white one. But I reckon you can make them do.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eBrave said the other day, \"Sister B is an elegant woman I tell you. I should like to have such a one for my wife\" \"Why-?\" \" Oh she keeps her things in such nice order, and looks good in anything\" So charge 5 \u0026amp; 6 to be neat and clean, but I fancy they are, and that they will look mighty good in one of these nail brushes set off by an ivory handled tooth brush. Bless their hearts I wish I could bring myself instead of sending these nice brushes for the narsty Yankees to get. Brave is commencing Greek and French this half.\nHe is not quick, but has what is better than quickness viz. industry and perseverance, the will to make good resolutions and the force to carry this out. I now, since I have been sick take 4 meals a day, breakfast at 8, lunch at 1½, dinner at 5½ and tea at 9, Brave breakfasts and teas and soups. God bless you. Love to Sr. E \u0026amp; S.F.M. and all hands.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThe Parsonage\u003cbr\u003e\nBelsize Park\u003cbr\u003e\nLondon, N.W. [England]\u003cbr\u003e\n30 Dec 64\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nHow are you and Jack these dreary times, well and bright I hope. I have no later dates, since I last wrote you. I saw Arthur Sinclair and Pegram last night. The latter left in Oct. I learned more from them as to how our folks get on, than I had learned before. My friend is named T r e m l e t t, not Triplett. Your first letter they knew was for me and sent it to Bowdon right away. I have settled with Rutson for the $167.85 and the $20 advanced by\nJno W. to you and Jack the $20 to Jack, the rest to you, total $187.85. Brave grows fast and sends love. God bless you both\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs afty M. Fontaine\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThe Parsonage\u003cbr\u003e\n[Belsize Park\u003cbr\u003e\nLondon, N.W., England]\u003cbr\u003e\n3 Feb. 65\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Mr. Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nI have been ill for nearly a month, but hope now I am all right again except in strength, and the roast beef and pudding will soon rectify. My last letters from home are four days older than yours. I had comforted myself with the belief that you and Jack had been exchanged. I think you are bound for that tailor bill whether the cape reaches you or not, for as I understand you ordered them to be sent and they were sent at your and not the tailor's risk. Love to Jack in which Brave joins me to both. I have refunded to R. all he has advanced for either of you.\u003cbr\u003e\nYr. aft. M. Fontaine\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eOff San Domingo\u003cbr\u003e\n19 May 1865\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Sir:\u003cbr\u003e\nWe expect to be in Havana next Monday. I have seen New York papers of 2nd. Taking for true what they say this Confederacy has come to a miserable wreck. I write this now for the chance of finding in Havana a vessel ready to take it away. Brave, will go home from Havana, but it will take a day or two there for him to get thro' with his business. In the mean time my friends will be anxious to know what I intend to do. I do not know where they are. I take the liberty of sending this to you thinking you will guess whence it comes, and hoping you will not consider it inconsistent with your new relations, to give it the proper direction.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI was utterly astounded at the brick-row tumble of our armies; and at the ignoble end of the Confederacy I am grieved and mortified beyond expression, My friends will know to whom and to what I attribute the great calamities that have been brought upon us. They need not have been. But as gloomy as the record is, and as black as is the mirror of the future, now is the time to be stout and brave and to rub it bright. The soil of Virginia has now for me no charms save those which memory flings around it. At present it is red with blood and bitter with the tears of those who were and are very precious, and its future is black with misery and utterly horrid. I have no wish to see it, and long to withdraw from it those who graced it, and those who made it very dear to my heart. In my judgment the only course that becomes them and that is left to those noble sons and daughters who have graced the fall of the noble old state is expatriation. There are too many voices coming up in bloody, to cry from her battlefields to admit any to tarry there now, who can get away. And I go from Havana with the design of finding for them a new country, and of obtaining such advantages as will induce 1000s to come. And among the first are my wife's brothers my own kin and our immediate friends especially such as those of Ridgway and others. Please consult your friend [L.E.] upon this subject. The discussion of it involves many considerations, considerations not so much of the present as of the future. The future of every true hearted Virginian is a life dragged out under the yoke amidst secret spies and truculent informers. Remaining on the [soil] their doom is that of a proscribed race.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe best service that I can now make the state is to propose an asylum to which her sons can flee and sit under their own vines and fig trees. Your nephew goes home over for the purpose of developing our plans and with the hope of seeing it received with favor by those whose presence and society would make us at home in any country. My wife has a diamond and [chain]. They will tell her if she will consult them who I seek to plant that home.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI wish 2 you would join me, if possible, and for several reasons - One is he is a better farmer than I am, and another is I shall if at all successful have more to do that I can attend to. Discuss the subject frankly and freely among our own friends, but privately and by letter, not publically nor in print, until I have something clear and definite to propose - which I hope to be at least this much:- [Leave] to come into the country with our effects\nwithout any duties of any sort, a grant of Lands exemption for a term of years from taxation and military conscription \u0026amp;. Perhaps other terms more or less advantageous may be obtained. In the mean time broach the subject to the two generals, big and little - to Will's uncles and brothers, to Jessie, to the \"Squires\" boys and his sisters - to Jno. B. his brothers and nephews to Frank and his and their whole circle of friends - not forgetting mechanics of various sorts. I hope to be ready for the pioneers to come early in the winter if not before. They can make ready for a larger number to follow a few months later and they for a still larger number and soon. Tell L.E. I intend to pick out a settlement so sickly that everybody will want the Doctor and pay him too and so healthy that the old people will just dry up and blow away. Hey Ho!\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eImportant from Mexico\u003cbr\u003e\nWe, Maximilian, Emperor of Mexico in consideration of the sparseness of the population in the Mexican territory, in proportion to its extent; desiring to give to immigrants all possible security for property and liberty, in order that they may become good Mexicans, sincerely attached to their new country; and having heard the opinion of our Board of Colonization, do decree, as follows:\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eArticle 1. Mexico is opened to immigration from all nations.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eArticle 2. Immigration agents shall be appointed, who will be paid by the government, and whose duty it will be to protect the arrival of the immigrants, install them on the lands assigned them and assist them in every possible way in establishing themselves. These agents will receive the orders of an Imperial Commissioner if Immigration, specially appointed by us, and to whom, through our Minister of Improvement (Fomento) all communications relating to immigration shall be addressed.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eArticle 3. Each immigrant shall receive a duly executed title incommutable, of landed estate, and a certificate that it is free of mortgages.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eArticle 4. Such property shall be free from taxes for the first year, and also from duties on transfers of property, but only on the first sale.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eArticle 5. The immigrants may be naturalized as soon as they shall have established themselves as settlers.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eArticle 6. Immigrants who may desire to bring labourers with them, or induce them to come, in considerable numbers, of any race whatever, are authorized to do so; but those laborers will be subject to special protective regulations.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eArticle 7. The effects of immigrants, their working and broad animals, seeds, agricultural implements, machines and working tools, will enter free of custom house and transit duties.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eArticle 8. Immigrants are exempted from military service for five years. But they will form a stationary militia, for the purpose of protecting their property and neighbourhoods.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eArticle 9. Liberty in the exercise of their respective forms of religious worship is secured to immigrants, by the Organic Law of the Empire.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eArticle 10. Each of our Ministers is charged with carrying out such parts of this decree as relate to his department.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eGiven at Chapultepec on the 5th of September 1865.\u003cbr\u003e\nMaximilian\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eTo the Minister of Improvement.\u003cbr\u003e\nBy the Emperor,\u003cbr\u003e\nManuel Orozco y Berra,\u003cbr\u003e\nSub-secretary, in the absence of the Minister of Improvement\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eRegulations\u003cbr\u003e\nUnder article 6, of the foregoing decree, we ordain as follows:\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e1. Under the laws of the Empire, all persons of colour are free by the mere act of their touching Mexican territory.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e2. They shall make contracts with the employer who has engaged, or may engage them, by which such employer shall bind himself to feed, clothe and lodge them, and give them medical attendance, and also pay them a sum of money, according to whatever agreements they may enter into with him, and more over he shall deposit in the savings bank hereinafter mentioned, for the benefit of the labourer, a sum equivalent to one fourth of his wages, the laborer shall on his part obligate himself to his employer to perform the labour for which he is employed, for a term of not less than five nor more that ten years.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e3. The employer shall bind himself to support the children of his labourers. In the event of the father's death, the employer will be regarded as the guardian of the children, and they will remain in his service until they become of age, on the same terms as those agreed on with their father.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e4. Each labourer shall receive a book certified by the local authority, in which book his description, the statement of his place of labour, and a certificate of his life and habits, will be entered. In the case of a change of employer, the consent of the former employer shall be entered in this book.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e5. In case of the death of the employer, his heirs or whoever may acquire his estate, shall be bound to the labourer in the same manner in which such employer was and labourer in his part shall be bound towards such new proprietor, on the same terms as in his former contract.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e6. In case of desertion, the labourer when arrested, shall be placed, without pay, on public works, until his employe presents himself to claim him.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e7. In case of any injustice of the employer towards the labourers, he shall be brought before a magistrate.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e8. Special police commissioners will watch over the execution of these regulations, and officially prosecute all violators thereof.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e9. A savings bank will be established by the government for the following objects.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e10. The employers shall deposit in said bank, every month, for the benefit of the labourers, a sum equivalent to one fourth of the wages which each is entitled to, under his contract of employment.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e11. The labourers can deposit, in addition, in the savings bank, in money, such sum as they may desire.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e12. These deposits shall bear interest at the rate of 5 percent per annum.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e13. At the end of his engagement, and on presentation of his book, the labourer shall receive the entire amount of his savings.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e14. If at the end of his engagement the labourer wishes to leave his money in the savings bank, he can then receive the interest accrues, or if he wishes to leave this also, it will be added to his capital, and also draw interest.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e15. In case a labourer should die intestate or without heirs, his property shall pass to the treasury of the government.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eGiven at Chapultepec, on the 5th of September 1865.\u003cbr\u003e\nMaximilian\u003cbr\u003e\nTo the Minister of Improvement\u003cbr\u003e\nBy the Emperor:\u003cbr\u003e\nManuel Orozco y Berra\u003cbr\u003e\nSubsecretary, in the absence of the Minister of Improvement.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThe following Regulations and Instructions have also been approved by His Majesty the Emperor. [signed by M.F. Maury]\u003cbr\u003e\nSeptember 11th 1865.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e1. The lands offered for Colonization are divided into three classes:\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e2. 1st those that are of the public domain and have never been reduced to\ncultivation:\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e3. 2nd Those that have been more or less improved as Haciendas, the right to\ndispose of which, the Government has acquired, either by purchase or otherwise:-\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e4. 3rd Private lands and Haciendas, the proprietors of which are disposed to offer them to immigrants on liberal terms for colonization. Many Haciendas that are, or have been, under cultivation, may be bought on easy terms, for less that $1 per acre.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e5. These private Haciendas or plantations, sometimes embrace several hundred\nsquare miles; those of the smaller sizes often afford lands and room for a settlement of a dozen or more families.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e6. Immigrants are advised to establish themselves, at first, in settlements or communities, as will for mutual protection and assistance, as for the benefit of churches and schools, and the convenience of mills, blacksmith shops, etc. etc.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e7. It is the policy of the Government to encourage settlement upon private, as will as upon public lands; and the same rights, privileges and exemptions are offered to immigrants who may settle on the former, as are granted to those who settle upon the latter.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e8. Lands of Class 1. are offered in alternate sections, as donations to actual settlers, and in quantities varying from 160 acres for single men, to 640 for the heads of families according to circumstances, to be explained presently.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eImmigration\u003cbr\u003e\n9. The Government not only invites all well disposed persons to come and assist in the occupation of its vacant places; but His Majesty, the Emperor, touched by the spectacle of good men struggling with adversity in other lands, tenders hospitality and homes especially to these. Moved by the generous impulses of his nature, he offers them material assistance, to enable them to reach this bountiful and beautiful land. To those of them who wish to change their skies, make Mexico their homes, and identify themselves with the country, a free passage for their families and their effects by\nsea, is offered.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e10. Immigrants are therefore divided into two classes: A. \u0026amp; B. - The former being of those first alluded to, who. by misfortune, have last all their substance; and the latter, those who are less straightened in their means.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e11. Not only a free passage by sea is offered to Class A., but when they arrive in the country, a travelling allowance of a Real the league, there to their new homes, will be made for each member of their families, counting as members also, their apprentices.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e12. Lands of Class 1. will be donated to these immigrants by alternate sections, viz: 160 acres to a single man, and 320 to a man with a family, with a pre-emption right to as much more in each case.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e13. Immigrants of Class A. who, after arriving in the country, may prefer to settle upon Haciendas or other lands are a liberty to do so; but in that case, they will be required to refund, with interest, the money that may have been advanced in assisting them to reach their new domiciles.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e14. Immigrants of Class B., who are those that can afford to pay their own\nexpenses, have the whole country before them. They may establish themselves\nwherever they can find suitable and available lands. If they prefer the unimproved lands of the public domain, they also can have them free in alternate sections, but only for actual settlement, at the rate of 320 acres for a single man, and 640 to a man with a family, with a pre-exemption right to as much more in each case.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e15. These donations of land to persons whether of Class A. or B., are made on condition, and with the understanding, that the donee shall, in good faith, proceed forthwith to occupy, subdue and cultivate the land so donated.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e16. The lands of the public Haciendas will be offered at government prices, and pro - rata, according to the actual cost of purchase by the Government.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e17. As it regards private lands and Haciendas, the field of selections is much larger, Immigrants are free to make their own bargains with proprietors, the Government waiving its fees on such transactions, as per Art. of the Decree.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e18 As it regards the public Haciendas, a reservation of improved lands will be made from each, to serve; during the first years, as a common for the free use of the colonists. The size of the Common will be determined by the number of families the lands of the Hacienda may be sufficient to accommodate. It will be large enough to give them breadstuffs and vegetables at once, and until they can bring their own lands into cultivation. It will be large enough also to afford space for a village in case the immigrants\nshould find it desirable, as probably at first they will, to establish themselves in villages. No rent will be charged for the first years for the use of this Common.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e19. This Reserve or Common is ultimately intended for educational purposes;\nand, after the first years, a ground rent of ten per cent upon the value of the land, but not upon the improvements, will be required.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAgencies\u003cbr\u003e\n20. Agents for immigrations will be stationed at convenient points abroad, for the purpose of affording information to the immigrant there, as to this country, its lands, the best way of reaching them, and upon all other subjects pertaining thereto.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e21. Persons wishing to emigrate, will first apply to the most convenient agent, The applicant must state his occupation: whether agricultural, mercantile, mechanical or professional. He must also give his age, with the name, sex and age of each member of his family, including apprentices. If he requires assistance for the journey, he must state his circumstances, and give satisfactory references as to his character and standing in the community.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003ePermits\u003cbr\u003e\n22. The permit of the Immigration Agent is necessary to entitle the immigrant to the privileges of the decree. Unless he brings with him such a permit into the country, he will neither be entitled to lands, to free entry at the customs-house, nor to any other privileges beyond those accorded to mere strangers.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eEffects.\u003cbr\u003e\n23. Immigrants with such permits may bring in, duty free, all their personal and household effects; their live stock, their implements of husbandry, tools and instruments of all sorts, used by them in the pursuit of their trade, art, profession or calling. But they may not bring, without the payment of duty, any merchandize or thing for sale, exchange or barter.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e24. Before embarking, if coming by sea, or leaving home, if coming by land, the immigrant should furnish the agent for Immigration a complete list of persons and effects thaty of Mexico, will be completed. A charter for another rail-way, from the Capital to the Pacific Ocean, has been granted to responsible parties.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e25. Immigrants arriving in port, or crossing the line will find an agent there, whose duty it is to give them such assistance, and afford them such further information as they may require to speed them on their way.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eApprentices\u003cbr\u003e\n26. The agents for immigration will give no permits for Apprentices: unless the indentures shall conform to the terms of the decree, and be otherwise not inconsistent with the laws of the Empire; unless the indenture be attested by three respectable witnesses, certifying that the Apprentice was free, and that he, his parent or guardian, as the case may be, entered into the contract for apprenticeship, freely, and without threat, fear or intimidation; and unless the agent himself shall be satisfied that the \"patron\" is a humane man and a proper person, made so by his habit and education, for the care of such Apprentices.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e27. In all cases, the \"patron\" must furnish a descriptive list of his Apprentices, taking the time and terms of their indentures, with their names, sexes, and ages. He must exhibit to the agent, the indentures in duplicate, or in duly certified copies, one of which the agent shall deliver to the Apprentice, and retaining another, shall return the third to the patron.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e[verso] Regulations \u0026amp; Instructions to be published with the Decree.\nIn connection with the foregoing, I beg leave to add, for the information of those who are displaced to avail themselves of the very liberal terms offered by this Decree, a few remarks on the physical geography, the agricultural resources and industrious pursuits of this beautiful country:\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe Empire of Mexico lies between the parallels of 15° and 32° of the North latitude.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe shores are bathed by the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea on one hand, and by those of the Pacific on the other.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIt is celebrated for its mines of silver and gold; copper, iron and lead also abound; but though its mineral wealth has dazzled the world, its mineral wealth is, as a source of riches, by no means equal to its soil.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIts climates are genial and its harvest perpetual; under good husbandry, the yield is bountiful, being 50, 100, and sometimes 200 fold. On the way up from Vera Cruz to the Capital in May, I saw the cereals in all the ways of cultivation between the hands of the sower and the arms of the reaper.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe seasons in Mexico are not marked by the vicissitudes of heat and cold so distinctly as they are by their characteristics of wet and dry. The coolest time of the year in this City is about the end of the dry season in April and May. The rainy season throughout the country commences generally with June and ends with September; still, there are occasional showers both before and after.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIn the tierra caliente- the rainy season is the sickly season.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eBetween the mountains and the sea there is, on both coasts, a flat country, varying in breadth from 10 to 60 miles or more. These lowlands reach back to the mountains which form the edge of the Table-land or great central plateau. This low country corresponds to that which, in Virginia and the Carolinas, lies between the Blue Ridge and the sea. It is the hot country of Mexico, the tierra caliente. Everything which delights in rich soils, bright\nskies, warmth and moisture, finds a genial habitat there.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAscending the mountains, which are timbered all the way up, you reach the table-land, an immense plain from five to eight thousand feet above the level of the sea, and hundreds of mils in breadth. In length, it is commensurate with the Empire; and in the lap of its western declivities, lies the tierra caliente of the Pacific coast. This table-land is the tierra\ntemplada, or the temperate regions of the Empire. Its climates are delightful: a happy mean between hot and cold, where cloth clothes are not uncomfortable by day, nor a blanket or two too heavy by night. Nevertheless, fire is never to be required, even in the coldest weather, for the houses generally are built without chimneys or fireplaces. It is very healthy.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe surface of this table-land is diversified with hills and dales, with an occasional snow clad peak; so that one, by descending into the valleys, may find, at the difference in level of a few hundred yards, and in the distances of a few miles, the productions and staples of all climates and latitudes, from those of Virginia and Missouri down to the shore of the\nGulf of Mexico, and there through the West Indies to the Equator or Brazil.\nEmigrants for Mexico, come at what season they may, will always be in time to plant something; but the best season for crop planting is generally in the spring, and the best time for coming is in the dry season, from October to May, when the newcomer may live in tents, put his seed into the ground and till June to build and get his family comfortably housed, by the time the rains set in.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe staples of agriculture in Mexico are like its climates: according to height above the sea level, somewhat controlled also by latitude. They are: corn, wheat, barley and oats; cotton, sugar and coffee; hemp, rice, tobacco, cocoa, cochenille, pimento, indigo, oranges, fruits and vanilla. On the dry table-lands, where nothing else scarcely will grow, flourishes the lordly Maguey or Pulque plant, the glory and wonder of Mexican flora. A single plant of this marvelous production is worth from $4 to $12, according to age and size. It yields but for a single season, and then dies. Some of the wealthiest establishments in Mexico are these Pulque plantations.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThere is no lack of range and pasture for herds of cattle: goats, sheep, cows, and horses do well. Nay, gentlemen who are from the grazing lands of the Western States, and who have travelled through the northern part of Mexico, assure me, that they have never seen so fine a stock country.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe forests abound in useful trees and ornamental woods, among them, the mahogany and the india-rubber tree. As for fruits and vegetables, they are of great variety and excellence. The immigrant can find climates and soils suitable to any cultivation that he may choose to adopt. From the sea to the top of the tablelands, he will find these soils and climates ranged in belts suitable for sugar, coffee, tobacco, and the like. These declivities are generally the best watershed lands, and are fit for cultivation all the way up.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe population of the Empire, counting in round numbers, is estimated at eight millions, about seven millions of which belong to what may be called the laboring classes.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAgricultural labor, however, is poorly paid: the average rate of wages being from 25 to 37 cents a day, the laborer finding himself. His skill is rude. I have seen him sawing with an ax, plowing with a stick, hoeing his corn with a shovel, and his wife grinding with a pebble. He yokes his oxen by the horns to the plow or cart; and fetches and carries cheaply on his own back, or on that of mule and donkeys.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eOwing to the unsettled state and the constant revolutions in which the country has been for more than forty years, the people now find themselves with energies paralyzed, haciendas neglected and industry itself at a stand-still. There is no lack of evil-minded persons in all countries, and great political revolutions, as experience elsewhere shows, never fail to call forth such. Mexico has not escaped them; and bandits, or guerrillas as\nthey are called, go about the country in certain parts, levying blackmail and forced contributions upon peaceable and defenseless people. To avoid any molestation from these, immigrants, especially the first comers, should travel in company and establish themselves, for mutual protection and convenience, in settlements of not less than a dozen or two. They should bring with them their farming implements, and encourage in every settlement the establishment of blacksmith and other shops, the erection of mills,\netc. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe Emperor is governing mildly and wisely. Internal improvements are encouraged. Education is fostered; and all useful enterprises are sure to find in their Majesties earnest and active support. A railway is in the process of construction from Vera Cruz to the city of Mexico. Fifty miles of it, from Vera Cruz to the foot of the table-land are already in operation; next year another section, from Pueblo to the City of Mexico, will be completed. A charter for another railway, from the Capital to the Pacific Ocean, has been granted to responsible parties.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAn able corps of civil engineers has recently been organized, and steps taken for the repair and construction of wagon roads in various parts of the Empire. Telegraphic lines are also encouraged, and several are already in operation.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe Mexican Times, a weekly paper printed in English and devoted to colonization, will, in a few days, make its appearance from the press of this city. Those who wish to come to Mexico, will find in it much useful information relating to the country.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIt will, however, afford me much pleasure to give to those who may desire it, any special information that it may be in my power to give, and until the agencies alluded to in the Decree and Regulations, be filled. Their letters will receive prompt attention if directed to the care of Col. Talcott [Tolcott], Engineer in chief of the Imperial Mexican railway.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eCity of Mexico\u003cbr\u003e\n11 Sept. 1865\u003cbr\u003e\n(signed) M. F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003efr. Manhattan - recd. by R.M. 18 Nov a.m. in company with a shorter letter to himself and a short note to Mr. Thos. Bold, but none others.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eTo Mr. S.W. Corbin\u003cbr\u003e\nOffice of Colonization\u003cbr\u003e\n13 Calle San Juan de Letran\u003cbr\u003e\nMexico 31 Oct 1865\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Corbin\u003cbr\u003e\nDick and party arrived here all safe about a week ago. Pip has a little bout with chills: - the rest are well. - The Yankee papers now have it that \"Professor Maury, the vilest of traitors has asked for pardon.\" - In the name of sense what do I want with a \"pardon\"? I have no idea of going to the U.S. now, whatever I may do in the future: and when I want to come back its quite time enough to talk about a \"pardon.\" Therefore, pray you and\nNannie let all my friends know that the greatest mortification that they can cause me is to talk about asking Mr. Johnson for anything for me, or to talk about pardon.-\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI am not a seer, nor can I control events. I may want to go to the U.S.: I may want to go to Siberia: but when the time comes, then there will be time enough also to decide as to the way.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI have asked, and the Emperor has ordered the authority to be given, to make Dick my Sub. at $2500.\"(salary.)\" I have not been officially informed of it yet: but he has been hard at it in the traces.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAs to the success of Colonization, those \"ifs\" which have hitherto prevented me from calling you and Nannie here, are still in the way.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMexico has been trying for 40 years to put the tide of immigration this way, it can't. - I have from the beginning told the Emperor I must have full sway in the matter. - otherwise I couldn't. This sway has not been given yet: and in the mean time many immigrants have come,- knocked, and no one opening. they have gone away. - As I have always said, if colonization fails, Mexico is no place for me. But before I set about to hunt a place to die, I wish to make the experiment. Where that place is, I cannot tell: - it may be Farley\nVale - it may be Old England. - But of I stay here that long, I shall want you to come out a little after this time next year, look at the country and bring Nannie. - It will take you two months: - 2 weeks to come, a month to stay, and 2 weeks to go.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI am now in a condition to support my family again in their wonted comfort; and that's a great blessing for a man who has done all the foolish things attributed to \"Matthew F.\" This is early. I have not seen Dick. I wait with some curiosity to see if Dab: and Will between them, will in that free country of theirs, dare to publish our Decrees etc., etc. - Kiss \"(I know not whether it is \"Maria or 'Mama\", or what)\" for me.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYours affectionately,\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e[Note by the copyist]\nThere are 3 copies hereof; of which one goes to Nannie, another to Betty, and the 3rd will go to Mrs. M.F. - on 22 Nov [ ] Cunard str. from Boston. The letter to myself encloses a draft for £100 to repay my advances for Dick. Except that it does not name the application for Dick, the invitation to Mr. \u0026amp; Mrs. Corbin or the remarks about Will and Dab: it is to the same purport as this: and I sent a copy of it today (18th)Nov.) to Mrs. M.F. under cover to Mr. Bold. R.M.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eOffice of Colonization\u003cbr\u003e\nMexico\u003cbr\u003e\nNov. 27th 1865\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear wife:\u003cbr\u003e\nThe last steamer from New York brought us three days ago from the indefatigable Rutson copies of your dear letters to Bettie and Cousin Ann, and Tom Bold's letter to Rutson, reporting you as his guest till Xmas and all well. Also letters from Nannie and Cousin Ann, press copies of which even also sent to you.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI reckon, maybe I have \"gone [clean] daft,\" that my children and friends should think it necessary to write me such letters and make me such appeals. But it looks to me mightily like I have done, and am doing the thing that is right, wisest and best - Surely it was worth some sacrifice of feeling on your part as well as mine, and the endurance of a little longer separation to get Dick so snugly established as he is likely to be here-\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy own; no, our own mutual interests require that I should be in England at no distant day, and not being a prophet I could not foresee the turn that things would take, which would compel me to be here now, instead of half way across the sea towards your sweet embraces and my children's arms-\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe rainy season sets in the last of May and continues till Oct. Nov- this too is the sickly season, Yellow Fever both in Vera Cruz and West Indies - This is the time of year when immigration must stop and when therefore I can best be spared from my duties here - Now, between these months of May and October, I should be afraid to risk a voyage from here to England or the reverse.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI was afraid to leave you in Virginia because I was afraid and am afraid of troubles there. See what is going on in South Carolina and La. now. From the accounts I received from you and the children as to the difficulties on the score of servants, and other matters, I could not bear the idea of your encountering this winter in Virginia, surrounded as I fancied you would be, with such material discomfort - You remember my continued anxiety upon this subject during the war; and how last Spring I urged you to go North, surround yourself with material comforts and await events.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eTherefore having to go to England at the earliest moment practicable (and that will be in the Spring on account of the sickly season and official duty here and I can't venture back, until the dangers of Yellow Fever are over) I thought England the best place for you to wait; and I thought they to join you in Dec.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIn this sketch I make no allusion to the other reasons which we have so freely discussed before, and for which it was also wisest and best for you and the children to go to England - Bless my little Lucy's heart, I did not know before that she stammered—\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eNow then:- suppose I were to heed Bettie and Nannie, Cousin Ann and Rutson and write for you to come. You might be able to leave by the Str. of 1st Jan - but more probably not before February - That would bring you here about 4th March - And then, by the last of April at furthest I should have to leave for England - where on account of Yellow Fever by the way back, I should have to stay till Oct. You would then be left here with a people\nspeaking an unknown tongue for six or seven months and these six or seven months we had better spend together in \"merrie old England\" I think, that in dodging each other behind \"Albion's chalky cliffs\" and the sierras of Mexico - Don't you? –\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAnother thing: - and this is among my muttered thoughts, and if, and if and if all these ifs should conjoin, I may not come back - This though is way down deep among the remote contingencies of the future - It is not to be mentioned, except with injunctions, even to the most reticent, for still more reticence, for there is not enough of consistency about it, even for you to hang a hope upon - I can only contemplate it so far as to let the possibility of it enter into my calculations, so that should that possibility turn out a reality, I should not be taken by surprise.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eHey Ho! This thing of being so opposed by friends, when one \"feels it in his bones,\" that he is doing what is right, wisest and best; this having to defend and explain and excuse oneself, and all in vain: - the feeling added to and piled up above this, that I am prejudged and condemned by children and friends who don't know - makes me feel, - oh! so flinty! I am right - and I must keep so. I sink myself I live for the reflected pleasure which the happiness and approving smiles of my wife and children alone can give - And the hope of this sustains, cheers and comforts me. And if they will but have patience with me, and God will spare me, this I will do yet - I hope—\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDick is a great help and comfort to me - Bless his heart, he wins upon me every day - so crippled! yet so patient, so devoted to his new duties and so hardworking - He surprises and delights me with his business tact and capacity. He is so handsome too and in his nice new clothes looks the gentleman every whit-\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eHere, my dear, precious darling wife, is a great reward to you and consolation too, for this vexations separation;- and a proud, nay a glorious vindication too of the wisdom so far, of the course pursued by your husband in coming here - Suppose, instead of coming here last Spring, I had remained in England, or gone to Halifax to bide my time - Perhaps we should have been together now in England, - But what would have become of him? You know I became very uneasy about the tendency of his habits in consequence of the taste engendered by those immense doses of medicine which when wounded he was compelled to take. With those habits upon him, I trembled at the idea of seeing him risk alone and unaided, as he must have done, the battle of life there in Va. - Under such ordeals, there was no telling what might have become of him - Suffice it to say, the apprehensions and the fear that he would give way, haunted me - Now I find he is safe from that at any rate. He has position, with head and hands full of honorable and useful employment - with emoluments all things considered such as you and I, even in the balmy days of our \"munificent provision' never enjoyed - He was consulting me today about buying some Cordova lands- I had it in my mind to bring Corbin here and induce him to settle upon them. And tho I believe he and Nannie would have come, if I had but urged them, yet in the face of so much opposition, I did not have the heart to do it - In the olden times Cordova was the garden spot of New Spain. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003ePrice, Perkins, Shelby, Harris and all our people who have been there say it has the most delightful climate and the finest soil they ever saw. There stands on one side of it and but a little way off, the Peak of Orizaba with its cap of everlasting snow, and on the other the sea in full view-\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWhen slavery was abolished suddenly fifty years ago- as with us- down it went - and its splendid Haciendas and baronial old mansions are now in ruins. They were heavily in debt to the church and as the church property has been confiscated, not by the Emperor, he took possession of these estates for colonization- The railway hence to Vera Cruz passes right through there and I am now selling them to immigrants as fast as they can\nbe surveyed, at $1 the acre, on five years credit. There are about 40 of our people already there. Perkins has bought him a house and has sent for his wife - so has Shelby, and so has a number of others - Mr. Holdman and Episcopal clergyman with his family - nice people, has been engaged by the settlement as pastor, teacher etc and I am going to reserve land for a church, school house, cemetery etc.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThus you see my dear, sweet wife, colonization is not a chimera- By the time these lands are paid for they will be worth even if no more come to the Empire, $10, $20, $30 aye $100 the acre - for they produce everything under the sun, and yield perpetual harvests. What do you think of coffee growing wild, of fig trees 100 feet high, and 3 feet in circumference - and the most luscious pine apples at a cent apiece? Yet they tell me all these things are there. Now if I could have gotten Corbin here on one of these stately old\nHaciendas - he would with his skillful husbandry have made it bud and blossom again, and thus we should have found us a nest again. There is a great rush for this settlement, and it is here that Dick wanted to go, but as he was my son, I advised him against it, because there are not lands enough for them all. However I am going to extend the settlement and then Corbin and Nannie can come.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eLafayette Caldwell who used to be draftsman at the Observatory has sent for his family, Magruder for his, and there is a number of families already here. Some of them established in this city, but they are going to break up, and go down to this \"new\" dear old Spottsylvania.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eNow if I can only get lands surveyed in time and there is a probability of this, -\"Here is your New Virginia\"- There are other settlements forming in other parts of the Empire. Colonization is a success if we can only find instruments and get surveyors to bring the lands into market. The people of the South are restrained from prudential considerations from speaking of their intentions. But we have letters. Thousands are dying to come. And I hope to have a decree this week which will put them in motion. Hurrah! -----30th The decree has come with an appropriation of $2,000,000.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e[Verso]\nN York [ ] [ ]\u003cbr\u003e\nThis was sent to my sister for her and for my perusal (exclusively) and with the same injunction of reticence as to the \"-if, if \u0026amp; if\" matter - to apply to you and to Nannie we were requested to send this for you and for her perusal.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eMexico\u003cbr\u003e\n30 Nov. 1865\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Nannie,\u003cbr\u003e\nMany thanks my loving darling for your last letter. The \"Ticup-o-pitchin [In]\", though you have done less of it than others. I send for you and Betty an extract from my letter to y'r Ma, induced by your and her letters and one from Cousin Ann. My friends in England have now [confessed] themselves satisfied that in coming here I did the best thing that under the circumstances could be done. And your Ma being now out of the way of having\nthe move discussed, criticized, and condemned will be much happier. You know how her mind is [ ] by divided councils. In the letter I received from her yesterday, just after mine from which the extract is taken, had been mailed. It contained the \"hypes\" of my Molly dear, and darling Elie.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI wish now that I had induced Corbin to come, and settle on one of the Cordoba estates.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIs the spirit of manliness clear gone out of those noble Virginia people. Can't Corbin raise a settlement and come now under the new decree. It authorizes me to loan 1/3 of the [] money to any settlements of not less than 25 families who will come here buy a hacienda and settle upon it. The most splendid Haciendas are to be bought for $2. or $3 hundred thousand dollars [i.e.] at the rate of not over $4 or $5 the acre. 1/5 down and\nany credit you like as an illustration suppose a community of 25 families or more, will send Corbin and others here to select a place for them. They find a Hacienda to their liking at say $150,000. This office will give him a certificate that $50,000 will be bound for 15 years to the settlement, to be proportional among them, as soon as the 25 families appear. His cash payment will be $10, 15- 20- or 30,000$ according as he may bargain with the vendor. The balance of the $50,000 can go to the working of the farm. He and\nthe rest can stay, put in a crop and get ready for the rest to follow. I am to have $2,000,000 for this purpose. I sent the decree to R.H. Maury to be published. If it be not published ask him for it, and do the best you can.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSend this and your Ma's letter to Betty - and stop all of you telling the Crit that she is miserable and that I ought not to do this, and it's [better] to do that - praise everything she does. My troubles now - up the mountains- are about chairs, and that brass-eyed young Bold. But I don't think yr Ma will stay there, until now. But Tott's [ ] [looks] mighty [ ] I\ntell you.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eGod bless you all my dear children. We will build our house together yet I hope.\u003cbr\u003e\nYr affectionate father, M.F.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eReasons for establishing colonies in Mexico.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e1. Va is not a fit place to live in now. All must come to Mexico. If they stay in Va they will have to free their nigs, will have to pay taxes heavier than in Mexico will very likely have a nig tax collector coming around, will be always haunted by the Yankees, will have to pay the Yankee war debt, will have to help pay pensions to the widows and orphans of the men that have been fighting against us and do nothing for ours and will perhaps have our lands confiscated. The Spartans of the war who remain in Va will be in the category of a conquered race.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e2. All must come to Mex. Pa is going to Max and get form him grants of land in different part of Mex for the best blood of Va. and the South to go to. He will get Max to allow them to come to Mex and bring all their effects with them free of duty, get them exempted from taxes and conscription in the army for a term of years. Besides these he will get such other privileges as my be practicable including those of religion.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e3. Brother Wellford must come right off the reel to pick the lands for us to settle on. Some steady young men who are not afraid to work must be sent to get ready for the rest to come. Must set all the nigs free and then bring them along as persons owing passage money to be paid in labour. Then they can be held as peons till the debt is discharged. That is you pay them but can compel them to work for you as long as they owe you money or labour. Must get mechanics of all sorts to come with their tools and uncle John or Uncle Charlie or Brother Will or someone else must stay behind to wind up the affairs of all.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThose persons that intend to leave the Confed anyhow had better send someone to him at once; but he wants no one to come simply on his representation. Indeed the idea is that those people that wish to settle together and intend to leave the country any how should appoint a certain on and send him to Pa who can offer him better privileges that he could get by himself. Then if Max don't suit him he can go back and report to the people that sent him and they will be just where they started from.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eMexico\u003cbr\u003e\n7 Dec. 1865\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear sweet brave Nannie:\u003cbr\u003e\nI laid awake most of the time last night a thinking over that letter of yrs from Ridgway that came yesterday. Rutson gave you good reasons for your ma not passing by F.V. on her way to Mexico.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAbout yr. coming here, I was trying last night to work it out. I sent you by the [Ltr] which left Vera + yesterday a copy of the New Decree that is to be and my address with suggestions in relation thereto for Corbin's action.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSuppose this plan don't take. I think still that Corbin can do better here than there under present aspect of affairs. That supposing he can't raise a settlement of 25. to come, he had better work up to this idea. Stay and gather his crop next year. and sell F.V. in case he can get a good price. If he can't then let him reap his crop and leave his land, and come say about this time next year. In the mean time what will you do? Here's my pillow\nthought of it - vision o' the night.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eF.V. will be a bad place for you to weather next summer and fall, and rainy season. I am laying my plans to leave in the B'r steamer of 1st April. It would not be desirable for you to come later than May on account of Yellow fever in V \u0026amp;. I landed the last of May and some of my fellow passengers took it and died. The end of your troubles in Va. is not yet. Now then how do you and Corbin like this idea? You come out here next spring and so escape the chills of F.V. Here's your home. If Corbin can rent or sell on good terms, he can come with you, but if not he can stay to gather his crops and then come, with the intention of staying here two or three years anyhow. During that time he can manage to get along here, and hold his own. So that should it be desirable for him to return, as time passes by, he can return. In these two or three years the people will have adjusted themselves to this new condition of things, and he then see how it looks. And in this time he will not be able to make much in Va. anyhow.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAnd then the next year we will get Betty and Mary to make us a visit. Wouldn't it be \"jolly\"? You will get this i.e. - you may, by the 23rd. Write to Rutson and ask him to send it by 1st Steamer to Havana under cover to Mexican consul there - the way this goes - and from there here. There's a steamer every week. As I said, let me know, for your coming is for my treat.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI am glad you had the Decrees \u0026amp; c published. Tell Corbin I am now negotiating for Santa Anna's Hacienda near Jalapa. 300,000 acres and a superb one it is, at say $7.50 cts the acre, on condition of putting 200 families there. The country round about is healthy. The climate is superb, and nature so prolific, bountiful and [benignant], that she chases you about with fruits and flowers in her hand. Now if he will put himself at the head of 200 families and come, I. Max- will advance him one third the purchase money in cash, out of which he can pay his first installment and establish his people. In a few years they will all be rich, for we intend to build a railway thru to V.+\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe final offer is to be made me this week. Then you are as near to N. Orleans as you are now. Think over these things and let me know you can't imagine how Dick has improved in appearance. He looks so well, so handsome and genteel. He has a great tact for business, and works like a horse bless his heart. Love to Brodie, Lucy Ellen and the 'gals' with a 1001 good wishes to `Ducks' bless her heart. To Jno and Charles and theirs, to Mary, Sr. E. and SF., to Dabney , wife and children and to everybody. Send all my letters to Betty. Why don't you tell me of my dear friends Frank Minor and Lucy Ann.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e10th- I wish with all my heart I could appoint Corbin - but it is necessary for the Agent to [hire] him in Richmond or Norfolk, [and] $1,200 would not pay Corbin for quitting. Corbin- I send you and him an offer of a splendid estate please publish. It is Santa Anna's splendid Hacienda now in ruins near Jalapa. All the officers of the Army who were here with old Scott will tell you of its magnificence. Their agent is afraid St. Anna will withdraw\nthe offer or thwart him if he finds out that he is offering it in so practical a shape. Therefore, while you may tell it to friends don't say in print that the estate is Santa Anna's. If Corbin can make up a company under the new decree sent you last mail, I'll advance him what the decree allows as soon as he plants his 200 families there.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThis is an offer. I have no doubt if you send someone, he will get better terms. And to send first is the proper way.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eJack reported himself yesterday by telegram for Orizaba, dead broke. Rutson had asked me to send him a lift.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYr aft.\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAn offer of 350,00 acres of land is made to Confederate settlers who wish to establish themselves in Mexico.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThese lands the most fertile of the Empire, are crossed by three rivers. They are situated on the line of rail-road from Vera Cruz to the Capital, and are near the road from V Cruz to Jalapa. They are in the healthy part of Sierra Caliente, and produce equally well coffee, cocoa, indigo, cotton and sugar cane, as well as all the tropical fruits and vegetables.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe proprietor will sell them to settlers as soon as the letter shall have filled with the Agents of Colonization in the United States or Mexico subscriptions for 200,000 acres at the following rate:\u003cbr\u003e\nThe first 50,000 acres chosen at ---- $1.75\u003cbr\u003e\n\" second \" \" \" \" ---- 1.50\u003cbr\u003e\n\" third \" \" \" \" ---- 1.25\u003cbr\u003e\n\" fourth \" \" \" \" ---- 1.00\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe first subscribers will have the right to choose at the above rates with the understanding that not less than 320 acres shall be sold to any of them.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWhen the 200,00 acres shall have been subscribed for, and chosen the rest shall be sold at a price to be agreed upon between the seller and the purchaser.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe payments shall be made in the following manner:\u003cbr\u003e\nThe third part of the value shall be paid in cash at Mexico, Ver Cruz or New Orleans. The rest thereof shall be paid in four years time causing the payments thereof to be effected in equal parts and yearly, that is to say one sixth of the value of the property adding thereto the interest at the rate of six percent.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAs villages and towns will be formed on these lands, a lot will be given gratis to each settler in said villages or towns. Said lots shall be chosen and allotted by Mr. Maury the Imperial Commissioner of Colonization.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe surveying and the cost of the title of the property will be at the expense of the settlers.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eCity of Mexico\u003cbr\u003e\nDec 9th 1865-\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eColonization Office\u003cbr\u003e\n13 San Juan de Letran Mexico\u003cbr\u003e\nDec 10th 1865\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe Hacienda offered herewith known to have been one of the finest and most celebrated in Mexico It presents, especially to the former planters of the South, a fine opportunity for establishing a flourishing American settlement. Those who are disposed to visit the country for the purpose of colonizing it under the Imperial Decree to promote immigration will receive every encouragement from this Office. The offer is made by respectable\nparties, and persons wishing to treat, will be put in communication by addressing the Commissioner\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eApprentices as per Imperial Decree of September 5th 1865 would do well here, though there is no lack of native labour.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eM.F. Maury\u003cbr\u003e\nImperial Commissioner\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eMexico\u003cbr\u003e\n1 Jan 1866\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nMy letter of the 18 ultimo, proposing start after present crop you should let or lease F.V. and come here to watch events - crossed yours to the self some time. It appears to me for reasons in my letter to Nannie that it's the best thing for her to come in the spring and for you to follow in the fall.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIt will be more consistent with yourself respect to abandon that country at least for the present. Don't stay there and help fasten the yoke upon your own neck that my precious Davy Jones gave up his life in trying to shake off. Don't stultify yourself, but come here to look over - and then when you see what means of Govt. the victors will impress, you can decide whether you will accept it. For God sake don't you help them, whether others may. This looking on will last probably till `69, in the same time, you can't make anything at F.V. You can barely live - but that you can do here.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYou mention the \"ifs \u0026amp; ifs \u0026amp; ifs\": I recd letters yesterday from England, that give a semblance of reality to one of those \"ifs\". It is probable that I shall be sent for by the New Atlantic Telegraph Co. and if be that I shall ask leave of absence till the fall and take the\nstr of 1 Feb. But I shall have Dick and you in charge of the house, and my room for you and Nannie. But I am not gone yet. And you shall hear more about it before I do go. In the mean time continue to write care of Y.P. Oropesa, Colonization Agent Vera Cruz.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI have a letter asking here for room for 10,000 of those noble [Carolinian] families, that fought and lost as we did and who two years ago, left their desolated houses to the victors and sought refuge like me of true pluck in a foreign land. Bless their hearts I'll do my best to help them to homes in these lovely climes. Tell Nannie to swap this letter with Betty for one to Will. \"So Tidem\" Good night\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs\u003cbr\u003e\nMaury\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSue \u0026amp; pip send words of New Years calls \u0026amp; gifts. They are great belles.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSend to Betty \u0026amp; Will\u003cbr\u003e\nThere's only this one copy\u003cbr\u003e\nSo Betty after studying it must send it to Nannie\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e\"To her Majesty The Empress.\u003cbr\u003e\nMadam:\u003cbr\u003e\nI have the honour to transmit for the information of your Majesty, the communication made to this office by Mr. T.C. Hindman of which I had the honour of speaking yesterday.\nIt relates to colonization, in connection with a system of internal improvements, a land survey and a census of the Empire. The subjects are of high importance, and the\nsuggestions expressed by the author of the paper, are worthy of careful consideration.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIt has not escaped Her Majesty's observation, how the Empire is gaining ground and acquiring strength: That it is gaining the confidence of the people of stability, no better evidence can be afforded that the potent fact, that capital is leaving its hiding places, and seeking investments in various enterprises throughout the Empire.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe times therefore seem propitious for inaugurating those great measure of policy the adoption of which would impart new vigour to this nascent life.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe revenues of the Empire may be increased and its prosperity promoted by revision of the whole excise system; and one of the first steps towards this is a census which will tell the number of the people, and the value of the property.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAnother step, requiring years for its accomplishment, but nevertheless redounding the glory of our Emperor; the good of His people, and the welfare of His Empire, is a landsurvey: - for the two fold purpose of [cadastre], and of separating the lands of the crown from those of the subjects.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAnother pillar in the edifice which I am so anxious to see raised up here by His Majesty, to our honour and His glory, is a judicious system of internal improvements, self supporting, and sustained by the wealth which itself [creates]\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAs an illustration, let us take the case of an imaginary farmer in Cuernavaca: - It costs him annually in freight alone to send his crop to market in the City, say $10,000 - If there were a Railway, his freight bill would be perhaps $1000 instead of $10,000; and his hacienda\nwould probably be trebled in value. Now if the owner of such a hacienda, was required to invest, in the shares of the Company, a certain portion of in increased value given to his property by the road - and the law were applied to all lands within a certain distance of the road, its construction would be secured without further tax upon the public treasury. The people would find in a little while, that this so called tax, instead of being a burden, was\nreally a benefaction; for the stock-holders thus created by the paternal care of His Majesty, would stand upon a different footing from any other stock holder; for they would draw treble dividends: - first, from the earning of the road; and next upon the principle that a \"penny saved is a penny gained,\" in paying at the rate of $1,000 instead of $10,000 annually for transportation of produce to market: - and last, in the increase of value which\ntheir lands derive from the existence of the road. Certain states in my native \"sunny south\" adopted this system: it worked like a charm and produced magic effects.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAnother pillar to the superstructure which His Majesty is so nobly striving to raise, is a revision of the revenue laws, in homage of free trade: and the establishment of the warehousing system.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThese measures, with colonization, will make us great; and the undersigned having some little knowledge of a practical sort, connected with them, hold, it together with the homage due from the most loyal of subjects, at the service of Their Majesties\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eM.F. Maury\u003cbr\u003e\nJanuary 18th 1866.\u003cbr\u003e\nImperial Commissioner\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eCuernavaca, January 29th 1866\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Sir:\u003cbr\u003e\nI have spoken to the Emperor respecting our conversation of Friday last, and he wishes me to tell you, first, that he grants you a complete leave of absence to arrange your affairs in England, and allows you to set off by the next French packet, but that if he returns to Mexico in the meanwhile, he hopes yet to have the pleasure of seeing you; secondly, that he quite agrees with your purchasing the instruments for studying the rainy season, and thirdly that he approves of any effort you may make to introduce the \"cinchona\" tree and authorized you to have sent from Kew a few specimen of this valuable plant.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eHoping to have fulfilled my errand to your satisfaction, I only want to renew my best wishes for your voyage and successful exertions in England whilst I remain\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYours sincerely,\u003cbr\u003e\nCharlotte\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eMexico\u003cbr\u003e\n2 Feb. 1866\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear children:\u003cbr\u003e\nI have taken my seat in the coach of the 8th expecting to sail from Vera Cruz in the F'r Str. of 13 and to arrive at [San Nazaire] about 10 March to lie about till the fall say the last of Oct. I want send you Max and my Carlota's princely letters. I expect to bring all hands with me when I return and so to Corbin at that Corbin and Nannie may join us in Havana on the way.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI leave Dick in charge of affairs. He is writing a book for the information of those who wish to come to Mexico. He has his heart very much in it. Dick is a fine character and I admire its beauty more and more every day. He is very full just now of buying some of these beautiful islands that dot the lake with acre spots, and go into the market gardening business.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYou see by the letter of the Empress that I am aspiring to the glory of planting a [tribe].\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eColonization is going on is spite of the want of public lands; our projects are dotting the Empire with settlements here and there. My own Carlotta Colony at Cordoba is flourishing. The settlers there are now being joined by their families from your country. 'Old Jubal' is here and I have offered him a place as agent. He is writing a history which your masters will not allow to be read or believed.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI have various inexpensive irons in the fire still. Some of them may come to a welding heat some of these days. If they do, we'll all be glad; and if they don't we will be none the worse.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI think the best thing for Corbin to do is to come down next fall and watch events. I take it that the South will be all at sea at least until after the next President takes his seat. Love to Sr. E, Mary, Brodie, Jno, Bob and all hands. God bless you all,\u003cbr\u003e\nYr. affectionate M.F.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003email to Will or Corbin\u003cbr\u003e\nHavana Arrived 9\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eVeracruz, Mexico\u003cbr\u003e\n1 March 1866\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Children\u003cbr\u003e\nThe English steamer in which I have paid my passage £49.10 is now over-due two days, and her day of sailing again is day after to-morrow.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI left Mexico Saturday the 24th at 2 A.M. arrived at [Puebla] at 7 p.m. when I \"pernocted\" in a room with diverse others for $2. Was called at 1 A.M. and off again at 2, over a very rough road -a very fatiguing journey. Passed between long ridges of my lordly maquay shooting up it magnificent flower stalks, as large and as high and as straight as a common telegraph pole. Indeed unless you were near enough to see the wires I found it often difficult to tell one from the other. This `first of Flora\" with its enormous height and proportions is pushed up in the course of 6 or 7 days. To compare great things with small, imagine an immense asparagus stalk say one day old and before its head has swollen out sufficiently to begin to burst and shoot out branches, well imagine it to 18 or 20 inches in circumference, 30 or 40 feet high and you have it as I generally saw them, rising out its magnificent tuft of foliage 30 feet around and 12 feet high. Occasionally the more forward ones had commenced to shoot out, from the top and horizontally their splendid flower brackets and to assume the appearance of splendid and gigantic candelabras from which the genie of the hoary hooded orizaba which with his night cap of snow was looking down upon us, intended to light up the plains through which the coach was teetering its toilsome way. Ascending the Western slopes of the [`Cumibres'], the highest range between Mexico and the Gulf, we left its `boast of Bacchus\" and entered the cloud region. It was blowing a furious gale, the wind was howling amongst the rocks and cliffs, and driving a cold and penetrating mist through a white darkness so thick that you could see\nnothing beyond the distance of a few feet. It was piercing cold: I had on 3 flannel shirts, but as we began to climb, I began to draw around and button tight and finally found\nmyself wrapped in cloak and blanket and uncomfortably cool. Presently we dropped down through this thick cloud stratum into bright sun shine and the coolest air that is was possible for heart of men to conceive. This was the lovely little valley of [Acu ] at our feet, and spreading out miles away into the plains of Orizaba which are 4000 feet above the sea. The valley was quilted over by swirling crops in all the stages of growth form the sprouting corn to the ripe grain. The reapers were in golden fields of the yellowest and\nthe brightest barley I ever saw, the wheat was just coming up; and immense herds of cattle as they fed on the rich pasturage lent a charm to the landscape that made it\naltogether lovely. Passing a cascade of milk white foam as it leaped from the mountains.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWe entered the valley and felt what old Job had said about the scent of water - we were in the midst of fruits and flowers. Orange trees loaded with ripe fruit. And the peach tree is all the glory of blossom. Hedges and copens of roses, fuschias, arborvitaes, rhododendrons. Oh a wilderness of the loveliest flowers and the gayest colors, and such only as I used to think in Tennessee had never grown anywhere except in the garden of \"Beauty and the Beast\" - and it too has its beast, for two months ago it had been then in the shape of an earth-quake and shaken down the adobe huts of the village, which owners were reconstructing of some rustic materials, such as bamboo, reeds - palm [fronds] straw and hides. After passing through these beauties for 12 or 15 miles, and at\n6½ p.m. drove into Orizaba in the midst of a rain storm - Coffee, tobacco, the cereals, and the banana with other fruits seemed to be the principle article of cultivation. Here I pernocted again in another [ ] whereas before there was little chance for sleep. Was called at 5, off at 6, and at 10 breakfasted at Cordoba, and I arrived at Pas del Macho where I pernocted again as unsatisfactorily as before. And so the next day at 6 started in the cars for this place. Total expenses $45.50 the $0.50 being spent for extra's such as a cup of chocolate or so between the early hours of starting and the late one of breakfasting. There were fresh arrivals of immigrants, all the hands were taken up. Cordoba looked lively \u0026amp; everybody in high spirits. Two ship loads had just arrived. Sheridan had refused to let them embark at New Orleans as he was determined to break up that Maury nest of Confederates which was agitating the public mind of the South \u0026amp;\npreventing the people there from quietly submitting to subjugation. I thank him for the encouragement. The Mexican plan is spreading over the South. We are going to have happy homes, a fine country, \u0026amp; a bright future here. Let those who lack gall or who having it, have steeped it in honey, stay. I seek to plant my posterity here.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDick has got land in my Carlota colony, 640 acres. He has sent to China for labourers- 12 or 15 to work it, and to Virginia for young Crutchfield to take charge of it. I have such good irons in such good fires, that some of them will surely be got to welding heat. If so, I hope to find comfortable homes, and a bright future here for you all at last. Corbin and Nannie will come in the steamer that is to leave New York Oct 8. They will without stopping here a night, take the cars to Paso del Macho- 50 miles-they are then by stage 5 hours from Cordoba, where they will arrive say 21st or 22nd and wait a week for us. We will be due here say on the 27th. Corbin can spend this week profitably \u0026amp; both of them pleasantly in visiting the Colony, examining the coffee plantations \u0026amp; c. [Then] will take a [whole] stage for Puebla, by which time the railway thru to Mexico will be completed- so will teeter over the cumbres and among the maguey in a stage coach.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy letter to \"the people at home\" has never been published. It should be. So should the anachronistic one to Dr. Dabney. Let my brave backers- Nannie \u0026amp; Corbin- do the thing that is right and send copies of them to Jno Tyler of the Whig or someone else who has a bone in his back to publish. Among the misfortunes that have befallen our people, I regard as not the least, the advice that has been given by the best men among them, viz.- to stay at home \u0026amp; help the enemy to establish his power \u0026amp; complete our degradation. The Yankees have conquered Virginia, it's theirs, we are subjugated, \u0026amp; have no rights except such as the victors in mercy may vouchsafe to give. If the whole South is not a conquered territory then I have never read in history of one that was conquered, and Dabney \u0026amp; them who like him consider it to be their duty \u0026amp; their interest to help build up that Yankee despotism called the Union, owe it to the grace and mercy of their conquerors, that their conquerors do not cross from the map the very name of Virginia, blot out all former state lines, make new provinces and call a part of what was Virginia the state of Winnepisscogee, South Carolina Peasquod, \u0026amp; such like Yankee innovations \u0026amp; that nothing should remain to remind the vanquished of the ancient renown.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eParis\u003cbr\u003e\n21 May 1866\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Corbin:\u003cbr\u003e\nThe last I heard of you was about two weeks ago, through a letter from Brodie Herndon, who thought Nannie was as earnest for Mexico as ever, but that you were cooling off a little. All right.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe banker with whom I had deposited my `little money' went down in the London panic week before last, and I lost all the money \u0026amp; more too that I brought away from Mexico. I am here trying to make some more.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy last letters from Dick are up to Apl. 6th.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eNo sooner had I left, than intriguers set to work and colonization was going on so badly, and the opposition of the minister was so vexatious that he talked of giving up the office. Immigrants were returning in disgust and the very thing was happening that I told the Emperor would happen unless he acted with more energy. In short complaints were being uttered against me in the U.S. so I hear. Now I had as you know been discouraging any of our people from coming unless they could come with a little ready money. And I had long ago told them not to rely upon good lands but to buy abandoned Haciendas.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAll the promises and inducements that I have held out to immigrants were made by authority of H. majesty, and if they have not been made good I am the aggrieved party.\nNow I tell you and Nannie confidentially, that what has happened since I left Mexico has shaken my resolution about going back. I don't see what good I can do there except in the way of colonization, and if our people are flocking back as rumor has it, with curses hard \u0026amp; deep upon Mexico, it will be more than I can do to change such a current. I have no alternative in view- nor am I decided- Indeed I have not said anything in this view to my wife \u0026amp; children, and am saying it to you now, so that you too may cast about \u0026amp; not be taken `quite aback' should I decide that Mex. is `no go.' I do not wish you to speak of it to any one, simply because my own mind is not made up nor can it be without further \u0026amp; fuller information. If I should be compelled to give Mexico up, it will be a hard blow I tell you. I know not where to go or what to be at. I shall be here a week or ten days, perhaps two weeks before I set off to return to England. I must be in London 5 June, when I expect to here from Dick up to the 1st ins. 'So tider' \u0026amp; sleepy. God bless you both, yrs.\u003cbr\u003e\nM. F.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e11 Aug. 1866\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nI wrote you from Paris 21 May telling you to hold on, as I probably should not return to Mexico. I have as you know decided not to go back there in the face of bad faith to me, bad treatment of our people and bad turns that everything has taken. I have never heard that you received the letter. It is the only one within that time, that I have written to any of my children, except Dick. This onset upon us as soon as my back was turned in Mexico,\nwas a terrible blow. It put me to sea again, and I have been so hard at work or so busy preparing to get to work that I have not had time for writing much. I suppose I shall stay here and write school books for a New York publisher. That will give something to do for a year or two- but will not interfere with my flirting with other matters wherein there are promises. Dick poor fellow is left in Mexico as flat as possible. I want to get him out of that. But where he is to go or what to do after that is a problem that puzzles me much. Perhaps I may find occupation for him in Central America. But I shall be able to speak more positively upon that point by the time the rains are over \u0026amp; it will be safe to come down to the sea-board. He must come away in the fall anyhow. The breakdown in Mexico damaged your plans as well as my own. What are you going to do now. I always as you know regarded F.V. as not the most judicious purchase in the world, chiefly on the score of health and locality. I don't think affairs in the U.S. as either settled, or stable. The government is obliged to be broken up as it now exists. Still I don't see what better you can do than to hold on, and try to make a living there. I hope indeed if the New York publisher- Richardson- be a responsible man, and I have no reason to doubt, I should be able to assist you with a few hundred $ as far as that will go towards setting yourself up. I reckon I shall be able to let you have $1000, but of this I can speak positively by the time I hear from you and hear what your plans, wishes, and wants are.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIn the first place I hope you know exactly how you and F.V. stand with regard to the estate. I hope you have your release and consequently my security-ship touching your\nindebtedness in black and white and in regular ship-shape style. Not Mr. B's word \u0026amp; opinion merely but the regular Documents. If you have the note, urge the having of it, and if the plea will help you, say that the assistance promised by me depends upon that. I am afraid you will not live long enough to escape from the tangled inheritance imposed by that unfortunate estate. Even if the school-book plan goes well, I should not be able to let you have the $1000 all in a lump, but by driblets, but say all between this and Xmas. See Charles Herndon and find out what sort of obligation - by lien if need be you ought to be given - (not by personal securities) - so in case of need. This loan may have purposes over other claims upon you. So if things turn out ugly, I can protest that money. We are all well. Molly had this morning an invitation to visit Scotland and `not put her hands in her pocket. I am going to put Brave in a school of chemistry and Lucy to a boarding school. I have all the [other] news of family affairs to the rest and will [write] Love and blessings upon all yr. folks.\u003cbr\u003e\nYr aft M.F.M.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 Belsize Square\u003cbr\u003e\nLondon N.W.\u003cbr\u003e\n9 Dec. 1866\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Nannie,\u003cbr\u003e\nYour and Mary's letter afforded much gratification and did us a heap of good. Elie has all of Nan-na's pretty sayings at heart. She will repeat them to the congregation to\nnight. I reckon for she Totts Lucy and the Brave have gone to church. Your Ma has a cold and is sitting by pouring over the maiden and married life of Mary Powell. The editor had a right to refuse to publish and Will did right to hand him my paper. Never my child tamper with principle for the sake of the expediency. I have no copy of that letter but the time will when you will wish you had \u0026amp; would give jewels for it. Suppose Sir Thos. More [Harindon], Montrose (this last always calls up my blessed Davy Jones \u0026amp; his beautiful recitative) but supposed they had not acted up to principle because of fear when the time came, what should we have cared for them. Perhaps that letter would have strengthened the wavering, at any rate it would have shown that one at least could dare to speak.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIt's as well- for I am not yet prepared to make Corbin the advances I spoke of-tho' I hope soon to be. I expected and still desire to kill 4 birds with that stone.\u003cbr\u003e\nFirst to help you \u0026amp; him with a little left.\u003cbr\u003e\n2. To enable him to stir B up and get his affairs \u0026amp; papers with him all right, for I fear that these payments made by him during the war do not, or rather have not cancelled\nthe debt to the estate.\u003cbr\u003e\n3. I wanted Charles' opinion in the matter, with the assurance that a lien could be so drawn as to make me a preferred creditor.\u003cbr\u003e\n4. And in case of misfortune to enable me to step in and give that much to you \u0026amp; him.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI hope to sent the M.S. of the first geography off by xmas, and to be able to let Corbin have a part of the $1000 at least by the time he can pick the above 4 named birds chosen and to our satisfaction. I do not think as I told him before the war that F.V. is a desirable place for him. I think so chiefly for the same reasons now that I thought so then. Events have vindicated the soundness of my views ante bellum. I presume therefore he is now on the look out for a sale or a swap. If he thinks the 4 birds are all right and want $200 about Xmas `mighty bad' \u0026amp; will report to Rutson, I'll ask R. to advance him the money from me. Love to everybody Brodie-Charles-and ---------. I am quite proud to hear such good things of `Tim'. I always thought Tim with his big mouth would make a good preacher. God bless you. Yr affect father M.F. Maury.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 Belsize Square\u003cbr\u003e\nLondon N.W.\u003cbr\u003e\n19 May 1867\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nRutson with his usual kind thoughtfulness and industry told me yesterday of your letter in reply to his offer to [use] his loan of $200. I see by that that your are undecided as to your future plans. As far as I can make out, you have abandoned the idea at least for the present of rebuilding at Farley Vale. That seems to me to be a wise decision. The question with you, seemed to be, between buying and renting in town. In the present state of affairs buying does not commend itself to me, for two reasons: While that suit is pending, you do not know where you are. This fact, irrespective of the social, industrial\nand political whirlpool which is wracking the South, should give you pause about any such investment just now. Nannie I suppose will come to us, and that will give you time to look about.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eBut for that suit, I dare say the purchase of a house in town would be a good investment. You know better as to that than I do. I am not able - though I have tried - to\nsee things thro' Brodie's \u0026amp; Rutson's \u0026amp; Will's and other friendly spectacles that have been so kindly offered. For me, the future of the South is very dark. I am no more able to look into it than you are. But I try to get an idea of it by looking quite in the opposite direction\nand examining those agricultural countries that once had and now no longer have, slaves, or serfs, or peon labour; and the conclusion that I came to is, that town property in the South may hold its own, and even rise, but land in the country must go down, down until the taxes will be intolerable. If you ask me to state the process of reasoning by which I arrive at this conclusion, I will ask you to say why do you think otherwise, seeing that in all\nthose agricultural countries where slave labour once was \u0026amp; is not, the value of farming lands has gone down to nothing. In Spanish America \u0026amp; in Jamaica the most splendid\nplantations have gone back to the bush and are wild lands again. But the South, we flatter ourselves, is neither Spanish America, nor Jamaica. That's true. But they are\nbeacons- and we must not shut our eyes to the light which their experience casts before us. But admit my reasoning to be wrong; and I am far from claiming clearness for it- there is still another view drawn from broader premises in favor of an enhancement in the South of town, as compared with country, property. I have travelled about the world\n\"some\", and have always aimed to have my eyes about me. And in no agricultural country, have I ever found any country society in which a gentleman or a lady of refined\ntastes and habits could find the least congeniality. The reasons are obvious. You have heard my anecdotes of \"Mr. Smith, Brown, Jones\" et.al- rich New York farmers, that had \"retired to town\" to live, because Mrs. Smith had got tired keeping boarding house for, and waiting on farm hands. Let me be not misunderstood- I am not speaking of\ngentlemen of fortune who live in town or do business there and have their \"country seats\" but I am speaking of the farmers, the tillers of the soil, the bone and sinew of an\nagricultural country. How is it with the Pa. farmers? How with the Ohio \u0026amp; the West?\nDon't you know that a labourer in the country will not service your `country farm' in the\nU.S. except upon terms of perfect equality? He must sit at the same table and warm by\nthe same fire with the \"boss \u0026amp; his gals\". Go among the Pa. farmers, or any where else\namong the farmers of the far states, and you will see the colored labor \u0026amp; the white upon\nthe most perfect terms of equality and the wife and daughters of the farmer serving meals\nto them both and standing behind their chairs, as they sit at [meat]. You and other Va. gentleman are not yet quite prepared for wife and daughter to do that. But that we who\nlive in this country have to come to it is as clearly indicated as is the march of any other human want. Barriers have already been broken down between the blacks \u0026amp; the whites which two years ago, your wisest statesmen did not have the sagacity to think were in the round of possibilities. And do the lines of demarcation between the races- [vouch] only the skin and certain antipathies (antagonisms shall I call them?) are being done away\nwith, \u0026amp; that too with a rapidity that the whole South deemed impossible. Is it to be presumed from what you have already seen, and from what everybody who has studied\nhuman nature knows, -?-is it to be supposed, that white \u0026amp; black hirelings are, in the end, going to work side by side in the field upon any other terms but that of perfect equality? If our [lots] \u0026amp; [ships] in the \"great House' so must [wish] the other. I can readily imagine that many a country gentleman, [piercing] the shadows of these events- for they are very plain- is already for \"returning to town\". Therefore I say it's more likely that town property\nwill increase in value than the country property. And but for that suit, I should be less disinclined to say buy a house in town now.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMany changes have come over our people which they did not expect; and in my judgment, many more are in store for them, for which they are not even now prepared. All that refined and elegant country society which was the pride \u0026amp; boast of Va. has, sooner or later, to abandon the country and \"retire to town.\" In sea ports of the world that\nI have been, have I never found among the farmers, in the farm house, in the country, any society at all comparable for intelligence and cultivation to the country society of the South. On coming here to England, where there are so many industries besides agriculture, one of the first things that would strike you, would be its high state of\ncultivation and improvement. Elegant fields, wide domains, flocks and herds (splendid plantations you would think they were) and then you would begin to look for the Mansion, the splendid house to which all this belonged, as contra-distinguished from the \"Country seat\" of some gentleman of fortune who is not a farmer. But you would not find it. Most of the people whose labour made the landscape so [ ing] are grouped together in a little\nvillage. I remember in passing through Indiana with Dick in 1857, that I was reminded of what I saw in Germany in 1855: a country under superb cultivation but scarcely a farm house - and never one at all in keeping with the manor. But you were amazed at the number of small towns and little villages. You remember how that the census of New York and other Northern States which are taken intermediate as [between] the U.S. census, astonished the whole country in 1855. In many parts, the rural population\nappeared to be actually decreasing while the actual population was largely on the increase- It was the farmers \"retiring to town\"- not actually giving up farming, but coming to town for the sake of society, and to buy [exemptions]. And instead, as the political economists argued, its being a sign of decreasing prosperity, it was the very reverse. Instead therefore of your lordly plantations and large farms at the South, the country as it is filled up in the process of time by natural increase and immigration, is to be dotted over with villages like all the free labour agricultural countries that I have ever seen. And whether you are to have any sudden immigration is to depend upon the wisdom and sagacity of your law makers.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI have thought it as well, dear Wellford, to lay these views before you, that you might ponder them, sift them, and if they embrace anything worth the having, that you may [turn] it to account in your own private affairs. These are views that would shock many of our people. But I don't write them for the vox pop. I write them for you, and the personal friends around you such as Brodie Herndon et al who may care to know them. I hope I shall always have the courage to look things in its face and draw legitimate conclusions. Nothing can keep up the value of land in the South but a large influx of people to [till] there. Since I went to Mexico the subject of immigration has been a speciality. And I can tell you that there must be some steps taken by you wise men and [] very different from any yet, else you will not live to see enough to do you any good. Cousin Anne has indefinitely postponed her trip, Nannie I hope will have set off to us before this reaches you. If not let her come in the same liner her Ma did. Rutson will see her on board and Cousin Ann will speak the Captain and the Stewards, and I will meet her at L'pool, and so she can come without an escort. Give our best love to Brodie and Lucy, and tell her I'd give anything for one of those cosy little chats with her - Brodie to listen. Mit is still in L'pool. All hands send love,\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs truly M.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy love to [Sandy Little]\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMay 21 Mit came to us last night - Here's something for you to turn over in you r mind. I am not sure, but I believe that Dick has to manage for his Co. a cocoa or a coffee plantation. I don't know which - How would you like to [put] yourself up about it with the idea of taking charge of it. I'll mention it to him and you can [ ] by str of 10 June. [Yr M]\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eNo. 3 Belsize Square\u003cbr\u003e\n22 Sept 1867\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin-\u003cbr\u003e\nTremlett and I thought we were on a good trail for you the other day. Semmes wrote that there was no English insurance agency in Memphis. Off we went to beat up the [ ] \u0026amp; some of these solid fellows and put them to the establishment of agencies in Tenn., La., Va. etc. for Semmes, Dabney you \u0026amp; c. But we found that 4 of the more\nventuresome ones were already there. Nannie wrote you about them, and told you how to proceed in case there was an opening in Richmond \u0026amp; the place seemed inviting to you.\nThe pay is on per customer or business done and therefore I cannot advise one way or another as I have no idea as to the amount of business that might be done in Richmond.\nIt is better as you know to work for nothing than to rust and though the wish to help to put you in the way of something that will pay is ever present it does not seem likely soon to be gratified. Elie is still forging ahead slowly. She has been very ill. Nana is very bright a\nsort of privileged character \u0026amp; pet of the parish. Her mother is very sobersided and loath to take as much outdoor exercise as health seems to require in these latitudes. Lucy is at school and Brave sets in tomorrow week. Brave is getting a fine education. Molly is not\nvery strong and her mother is pulled down a good deal by nursing. As for me \"I'm right smart\". Love to Betty all at Brodie's- Charles \u0026amp; everywhere. Your affectionate,\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 Belsize Square.\u003cbr\u003e\nLondon N.W.\u003cbr\u003e\n29 Jany '68\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nYour Newburgh letter was very welcome. Kiss my Maria for me, and tell her, that after caring for her good father and mother as a duteous daughter should, and as she is\nsure to do that she is not to make any rash resolutions as to what she'll do etc- that we shall want her at the University of the South.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYou have acted well and wisely in [renting] F.V. and I have so told Rutson. The Jamaica planters were paid for their negroes and had 7 years notice to prepare for\nemancipation. None of them are there now who could get away. One of them told me last night that his plantations yielded him $30,000 a year- that he sold it on emancipation about 30 years ago for $5000 \u0026amp; that the purchaser- his former manager- still owes some $2500. As I told you from Mexico neither one of the three great experiments that are now going on in the south is promising enough to tempt any of our people into it, who can afford to stand off \u0026amp; look on as you propose to do. Now if you can only find something that will enable you to live and lay by yr rents, you will be doing what any son of the southern gentry that stick to their old plantations will be able to do. And when your lease expires you will find that events will have vindicated this forecast. The Dutch since that war began emancipated their slaves--in Surinam and Jansen tells me that that colony is already Africanised. The South is no place- especially in this country - for any gentleman with wife and daughters to\nlive - if he can get away- to live now, nor will it be until the contest that is now brewing and going on there between blacks \u0026amp; whites, is finally settled. Why then do I go to Tenn.? Because I hope to have boys enough there to make that out of the way place, safe. I have no doubt Hasbrouck is acting in Minnesota for the best. I am content tell him with any arrangements that he may make. Elie I do hope, is now in a fair way to recover. All the rest are well- Nannie has gone out to work- and Nanna is a great pet in the neighborhood. She is very full of fun. Your affectionate,\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eBelsize Square\u003cbr\u003e\nLondon, N.W.\u003cbr\u003e\n8 Feb. `68\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nI write this in connection with what Nannie tells me you said in your last letters about you coming. If you come in the [International] line, the line my family came in , and take a return ticket which lasts for a year I believe, it will cost you about $100 in gold - not so much than it would take you to live in New York while you are at sea, coming and going - and unless you find something to do, or have a fair prospects of finding something by staying, I fancy the brood would be agreeable and wise. A friend of mine in Lpool is the agent of this line of steamers and therefore I shall go in it. I have not heard yet form the\nTrustees about the University. And until I do, I shall fix no time for going over. Though it will not be earlier than May I reckon at any rate. I base my idea of yr coming very much if the supposition that I am going to Tennessee and will be able to have house room for you there by next winter, if in the meantime we can't rig up something better. Of course we shall be glad to see you. And it certainly it would be more agreeable all round for you to\ncome, and it might be more economical too - for if Nannie comes to you and you go to the expense of establishing her there, then the breaking up to come to the University in case it be thought advisable and I hope it will, may prove more expensive than yr trip here. Still I am too timid to be very absolute as to what is best. Judge you. yrs. [fond] Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 Belsize Sq'r\u003cbr\u003e\nLondon N.W.\u003cbr\u003e\n15 Ap'l `66 [1868]\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nNannie and the boy have both been having a hard time of it for the last two or three weeks. She as nurse and he as patient. The little fellow has been very ill, with congestion of the brain super-induced by teething. We were afraid we should lose him, but he seems now on the fair road to recovery again. He is very much better than he was\nthree days ago, and so hopes have brightened. Elie continues to forge ahead and we begin to think about a time for turning our face westward. Probably not Tennessee ward, but westward in time for peaches. At any rate I have stipulated with Elie to be there in time for that provided she will get well enough for the voyage - and she seems to be in a fair way for that. I hope you will be able to rough it along in your new vocation at least until we all get back. At our last dates you were in Charleston. It's the letter in which you mention the [ ] phosphates. I received a box of them some time ago from New York, but as there was no account of them, I did not know where or why they came- [ ] Dr. Jarrett's letter [now] come to hand, but as you mentioned R.H. Maury, Dr. Ravenel - St. Julien. I suppose-and other friends in connection with them - I immediately put myself in communication with one of the largest phosphate dealers in London. He responded [readily] to the new [ ] so I have turned over the box to him, and shall probably soon know what he has to say about them. There is not the least chance of an outsider as I\ngetting orders for yr principles. The only way of doing that is through special agents, friends and correspondents of their own who can speak by the card. Nothing later from\nDick than you have heard. When we come we leave Brave behind to finish his education. Nana has just returned from a play in the \"Parsnip's Grounds\" She is an interesting little thing and a great favorite in Belsize. Nannie and I have just returned from a walk in the green fields and all send their love.\u003cbr\u003e\nYr affectionate\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eNo. 3 Belsize Sqr\u003cbr\u003e\nLondon N.W.\u003cbr\u003e\n25 Ap'l 68\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nI have not seen Nannie this morning. She and her mother are both much [worsted] by nursing, and she did not come down to breakfast. She's asleep and it has not been sent\nto her yet. Her little boy has been having a hard time of it. He has been now in a state of stupor for two weeks from congestion of the brain with violent attacks now and then of sickness at the stomach- just lying quietly and taking no notice. Yesterday he began to crow and coo and, as his mother told me when we started out to walk and I broke down with the foot, to carry on quite a communication, and our hopes raised- but they are dashed again this morning. Brave went off at 5 for the Doctor, for though the little thing was ravenously hungry, his stomach refused everything. But the Doctor did not cheer us. Certainly the dear child can't go on this way many days longer. Indeed a few hours may decide so I'll leave this open for a word at the last moment. It's now 10 a.m. and I have written this early that nothing might interfere with, thinking it quite likely that Nannie would not feel herself equal to a letter- so I'll save room for a word at the last moment this p.m. Her new nurse came last night- she has been without one since Lizzy went crazy.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eElie continues to forge ahead. She and her Ma are going next week to spend a few days with her friends at Kensington. The Bp. told me yesterday he should take my advice and return in the Manhattan week after next. He is very anxious that Nannie should go with them. I am highly gratified that you should so have won upon W. \u0026amp; E. It gives you something to hold on by, at least until you can get hold of a better tow line. When the Dr's say that Elie's well enough to try the seas I shall fix a day. Yr aft. M. P.S. 4.45. Our little 'Davy Jones' is no better. But he is in no pain. Nannie's taking a little nap and Nanna has gone out to ride. She has just come in from a wedding at the church. We'll write again by the next steamer.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003e3 Belsize Square\u003cbr\u003e\nLondon N.W.\u003cbr\u003e\n13 May '68\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nThanks, hearty thanks both to Hasbrouck and you for your kindness in re Lt. Paul's estate. You did exactly right, each of you and tell Hasbrouck I shall write him a letter of special thanks for his kindness and generosity. The property was his, and he might have kept it. Why not turn the bonds over to him for collection?\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e`The boy' is going to get well. He was downstairs yesterday. He has had such a time of it and has clung on to his little silver painter so manfully when all was so blue, and made such a brave struggle for precious life, that he has endeared himself to us all so much, we cannot now [couch] to give him up. Betty Dabney and other friends say don't come yet. Impeachment will be over in a few days, and I'll have time to read the new leaf that is to\nbe turned over before Elie is well enough for the trip - say last of June or first of July. As soon as its prudent to [venture] on her account, I'm disposed to sail, unless indeed that new leaf should contain something startling. Did you order those herrings for me? Don't disturb yourself about the ways and means for Nannie.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI am glad to see you taking hold of y'r new calling with so much vim. I think its well to leave the pay to Hasbrouck. I hope tho' when I come, we shall be able to chalk out something more to our fancy. If I am to develop resources and encourage industry in Va., what way more effective than introducing steam agricultural machinery. I intend, before I go away to see some of the manufacturers here of steam plows- which are also threshing machines- saws, mills \u0026amp; c. The price of one is some £ 3000. I believe - what would be the chance of introducing them in Va? What would be the duties on one? What's the chance of raising a company to start one? And how would you like to take the management of one? All these questions I ask [`ran just so'] for I have [matured] no plans. But I take it that once among the great desiderata of our people now is Labour saving agricultural machines -no? Elie keeps forging ahead.\u003cbr\u003e\nYr affectionate\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eLiverpool\u003cbr\u003e\n2 July 1868\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nNanna is here [after eating] out. We are all well and the day is fine. We sail at 3.30. Then Va. is a 'slow coach. I have been [entrapped] into [here]. For the chance of this reaching you before our arrival I write to say we have an immense amount of baggage, say in all some 20 trunks and boxes besides carpet bags and bundles - many- can't you make some economical arrangements for storing it away or have a baggage wagon to take it off? or both? The hacks will carry off what we want to use. Perhaps it will be best the express wagon to come and take it at once -: I reckon it would be cheaper to send it off to Richmond that way at once, than it would be to [freight] about with us. What does Rutson advise? He knows.\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs in haste\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThe last! and no mistake.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eLiverpool 2nd July\u003cbr\u003e\nDear Corbin\nWe are off at 3½ p.m.-\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWe have much luggage.- Can't you have an Express wagon on the wharf to take it for Richmond? It will cost less to send it that way at once than it will to lug it about with us. - There's too much of it to go in 4th St. or any private house. Do what you and Rutson think wisest, cheapest and best.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAll well, and weather superb.\u003cbr\u003e\nYours\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e[Note by Rutson Maury]\u003cbr\u003e\n13th July—\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMonday night.-\u003cbr\u003e\nThe above came as intended via Southampton , per \"Harmonia\", a very fast craft, which left there on 3rd July and arrived here this afternoon. She reports light, variable winds throughout the passage and dense fogs the last 4 days.-\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI got the letter out of our box at 5½ p.m.-\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond\u003cbr\u003e\n3 Aug '68\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nI had a long talk with Charles \u0026amp; just as we finished W. Barton stopped in and introduced the subject himself. All the bonds have been endorsed by order of the court. That's all right unless it be decided hereafter that the payment in Confederate money was no payment. A special term for hearing this case had been fixed for this month- But [Cab ] had written to say he could not attend. B. promised to urge C. up to the mark- for it's impossible to get a hearing [in] the regular term- the case is so long it would crowd all\nothers out. The delay this time is not B's fault, \u0026amp; for that reason I told you not to write to\nB. until you heard from me. Cha's thinks M'Casky's case is much stronger than B. represents it, and that should the case go against him, the case will be carried up- If so,\nthere's a suit for y'r life time.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eChas thinks \u0026amp; so do I that in case there's no settlement this term, a compromise ought to be tried. He seems to think that the whole may be compromised for some $15 m\nor $20 m. Rather than stand and risk the uncertainties of the law, I think I should be inclined to pay the whole. As soon therefore as you learn that the case is not to come up as appointed, make J's coming of age \u0026amp; y'r own situation an excuse and try the temper of the other side for a compromise. Better let me [sound] for you. Maybe other parties will agree to arbitration. Nannie's letter with yr sent this morning. Next Monday go to Albe.- stay a week. Go to Lex then to the White, where I join Will, B. \u0026amp; the girls- We as guests.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAll well- Love to N. the children \u0026amp; the H's.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYrs\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond\u003cbr\u003e\n8 Aug 1868\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Nannie,\u003cbr\u003e\nHave this p.m. yours of the 6th. Kate is here. Tell Corbin I shall get John Herndon to [sound] about compromise as soon as the Aug. term be disposed of. We - all except y'r\nMa, leave for Albemarle Monday. Dabney's [Nannie] is at [Rugged] [Mts]. Lucy \u0026amp; Eliza both under the weather which is very hot\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRockbridge Baths\u003cbr\u003e\n4 Sep. 1868\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Nannie,\u003cbr\u003e\nI am grieved to hear you and the children have been so poorly. Yesterday morning I sent the girls down under escort of Jerry Morton's grandson- a cadet, and toured at Goshen till 5.20 p.m. for your Ma and Nannie Bell. We arrived here at a little after 8. Betty and Will went on via Charlottesville for a visit to Charlie Blackford. Mary \u0026amp; Alice came up with your Ma on a visit to Sally F.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDabney's Nannie with their children is at the Mason's. Rose sick with chills. Tomorrow Smith comes to fetch me to Lexington. Totts or Elie, perhaps both will go with me. I am to be installed on the 10th and deliver an address with pomp \u0026amp; circumstance and with all my decorations. After that we shall return here and wait till frost for Richmond. I go to work immediately in preparing a preliminary report of the natural wealth \u0026amp; c of Va. such\nas its climates, productions and favored position. I strike for a line of steamers between Norfolk \u0026amp; Holland, expecting to turn a stream of immigration - German- thro Va. as it flows to Ohio and forts beyond. And so hasten the completion of James River Canal, and Va. Central to the Ohio branches getting some immigrants to stop by the way. Tell Corbin, C held this special term expressly, but lawyers were not ready. Jno Herndon will go to F'bg\nnext week. I have asked him to sound about a compromise. That I am seen is the best way of ending that matter. Ask him to get from Rutson the m.s. of P.G. and Astronomy\nand the first time he comes South to bring me them. I am not in a hurry for them. \"Where had you best live?\" In a New York City Boarding house when the dog days are over.\nTaking care to spend enough time in Va to keep up the idea of Va residence on ac't of them suits with which Corbin was threatened. Tell him the chances of being useful to the state in my own vocation are very fair. Everybody appears to be looking to politics for help. I almost [ ], exclusive to agencies outside of this political arena for material help. Stir up about J.B.'s grapes. Love to the H's with kisses to Maria. Tell Nanna I wish she was here to eat maple sugar. Yr. aft father.\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond\u003cbr\u003e\n22 Sept '68\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nI returned yesterday with N.B. \u0026amp; Alice leaving all hands including Mary in Albemarle, say till 1st Oct. Stir up Nannie as soon as she gets well for that grape information for Jno B.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSaw John Herndon last night. He worked with the case vs. Corbin- read commissioner's report. Says it's all in your favor- and he thinks the case must come off next term, and\ndoes not, he nor Will, advise compromise. It's important for you to know this, before you get to Fredericksburg.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eBe sure to let me see you as you pass through- give me the average price of grain wheat \u0026amp; corn- oats \u0026amp; c. for each month during this year- Can you? and oblige yrs truly\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond\u003cbr\u003e\n4 Oct 68\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nThanks for the statistics. It's a useful table, nicely got up. If I was going to `keep' such a table, I would do it as a chart of engraved squares. How do you get your averages- from the quantity sold, or from the price on each day? I have been on crutches with the foot. The furniture over from Fredericksburg yesterday. Glad y'r business is on the increase. What do you \u0026amp; Nannie say to Betty's suggestion about xmas. Don't you want your £ 35?\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDick may be in New York last of next month. Expecting all hands down from the mountains, tomorrow or next day. Wife now having a bout with ague \u0026amp; fever. Be sure you stop to see me when you do go south.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eCal wheat is a larger grain \u0026amp; therefore makes more flour to the bush. than ours. Has not that something to do with the price?\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThat's a good letter of yours. Brodie is off to [ ] this week. Give a letter to Hasbrouck.\u003cbr\u003e\nLove to N \u0026amp; the [children].\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs, M.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond\u003cbr\u003e\n11 Oct 68\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nA letter last night from the admirable Rutson tells me you were to leave New York day before yesterday \u0026amp; be with us Tuesday. There is no sleeping place, but you must come\nto dinner \u0026amp; tea on arrival. Dabney is at the General's. I expect him down in the course of the week. I hope the Burtons did not submit to a postponement of the case in re Corbin. It would be cruel of the judge to permit any more trifling. We are all pretty well, my wife has not quite recovered from her bout with the chills.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDying to see you,\u003cbr\u003e\nyrs affectionately\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond Va.\u003cbr\u003e\n3 Dec. 1868\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nI suppose you have got back after I hope a trip that pays. I have heard thro' Rutson \u0026amp; [Carrie] of your having left New Orleans the day before Nannie's telegram reached there.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI hasten to write you. I learn confidentially that your tenant is insolvent- that everything that he has is in a fair way of being gobbled up by upcountry creditors, that the wheat crop has been sold and there are no signs of anything being done towards that [house]. That he has had to leave the house in which he was in Fredericksburg 'cause he couldn't pay the rent, for which he still owes. In short that he is wholly [unreliable], a bad case, \u0026amp;\nthat unless you are pretty quick, the corn crop will be gone too \u0026amp; you may whistle for your $1000 \u0026amp; your house too.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSo from all I know you had better run down and look after things. If you do I hope you will give us a hail.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe girls tell Nannie had a small party last night- about 50 dancers- sprinkled only with 5 or 6 married couples. Totts did the honors. Betty was top [ ] and they all four looked splendid. We missed you and her, Dick \u0026amp; Sue. It went off 1st rate. Dick left day before yesterday for Kanawha. May come down from the mountains some day, to take up Sue, who is getting well but still in bed. Lucy Ellen passes through today on her way to Savan'h- your Ma \u0026amp; I go down to the cars to meet her at 2.25. I gave yesterday to the Whig Preliminary Report No 1 Ph. Survey. I like it. Now for a favor- I should like to send a barrel of first rate apples to Tremlett, and 1/2 bbl. to Bold, in time for their xmas dinnerfreight and duties paid. Bold the consignee, must pay R. Road freight to Tremlett. Rutson will manage this when you get the Bbls. ready. Don't get any apples unless they are very good. Let them be pippins or Lady apples, which ever be the best. Hasbrouck could not get any in Newburgh. All well. Kiss the children.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYrs affectionately,\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond\u003cbr\u003e\n11 Dec. '68\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nThanks for the apples. You managed this nicely. When you want the £35 I. O. U. - go to Rutson. I have asked him to pay. I sent Nanna 10 cts in a letter- Did she get it? Your\ntenant's bill of sale that you ask for is no good. It is sufficient that the sheriff should find the mules \u0026amp; horses in his possession to pitch down upon him with his execution. It's only produce in the shape of rent that you can keep out of his clutches, \u0026amp; then it must be divided \u0026amp; your pile set off to itself. The wheat is gone, \u0026amp; you can't claim the balance of that in corn. All I know is what I gather from John about it. He thinks the case much more dispirited than you seem to do. T! Good night with love,\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond Va.\u003cbr\u003e\n23 Dec. 1868\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\nNannie's letter to her mother recd yesterday tells us you are going to F.V. after xmas. \u0026amp; then to N.C. Be sure to give us a call. You do well to go- Bear in mind, that R's bills of sale or notes of hand are worth nothing as against the demands of the sheriff- and that you are safe in your rents only after you have set apart your share of the crop. But if R. sells it, or you don't divide it, the sheriff can clap his clutches upon it. As for the prison\nadvances better let them be bygones and ask Rutson for the £35 when-ever you get \"hard up\". C.B.R. talks about forking over in \"a very few days\"- I hope so - for the work already done comes to when it's paid for- $10 [m] in gold, though it's not all done yet, for you know I have not delivered all the m.s.s.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eLucy is still a great sufferer. Had a pretty good night, but is now wracked with pain.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI went last night to spend the evening with [Weckham] - against the grain- but one has to do things sometimes that are not altogether delightful. Ask Nana if she thinks old\n[Christinger] lives in New York, and how he can go from here there in a night-for he is now I know a stuffing of his pack, I've seen him put two doll babies in it for Alice. A happy xmas to you all,\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond Va.\u003cbr\u003e\n8 Jany `69\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nI am grieved to hear my warning proved so true. This pocketing of losses in times like these, is a hard thing. Have you yet come to any definite understanding with W \u0026amp; E? I think it is time you should have a talk with them and a distinct understanding. If you have it so, the chances are that somebody I know will get fleeced. I'll send you next week one of my pamphlets, which you can give them to read, and then tell them what a great man it is going to make of me in the South, the prestige it will give you, and then tell them what you want.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe silver and the trunk came yesterday. Sorry you did not have time for a run to Richmond. The Gen'l came down from the 'Rugged' last night. He brought me a [cheese] of [--] from Sally. Have not seen him yet. Sue dined with us yesterday. Then Lucy and all hands spend the evening at 'Zoras' tonight. Tell Nannie she was at a party last night, they played \"Chopin and Chopout\" and she doesn't know what that is.\u003cbr\u003e\nLove to Nannie\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs M.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond Va\u003cbr\u003e\n14 January 1869\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nI am sorry to have such an account of yr tenant. You will be lucky to get rid of him without more trouble. His contract shows that he is one of those who are unworthy of confidence - his London trip is I take it a sham.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI hope to send you in a few days copy of the Report. The Railway and Canal men have been watching the press and literally devouring the sheets as fast as they were printed. They think it will wake up a lively interest especially in the South and West. Smith - V.M.I. will be down to-morrow, we are going to send copies to Governors of the states and ask them to make it the subject of official action by calling it to the attention of legislatures \u0026amp;.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe Report will I am sure tickle vox pop especially the planters, farmers and factors in the Mississippi Valley, and it ought to give you favor among them.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIndeed it may be worth considering whether it be not wise for you to look in the direction of Norfolk anyhow, for the Report makes a Dutch line of steamers from Flushing to\nNorfolk look very promising anyhow. In beating about the bush in my mind for something for Dick, I have been looking that way. I fancy this report will give us an influence which if we have the tact and the luck on our part may be made of commercial value. In the course of two or three weeks you will see by watching South-Western and N. Western papers how the thing works, and can then better shape your course.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIf W. \u0026amp; E. have lost money it don't sound well for a partnership. Anyhow, I question whether it would not be better for you to be looking out for something else. I doubt whether a monthly salary would not be better than a partnership with them. A partnership would tie you down and in coming, as this Report and my other work here will bring, so [prominently] before your customers, I may have a chance in some unexpected way of helping you along, of which, if you're tied down by co-partnership, might be lost. In short the chances are that you may be able to do quite as well, South, pecuniarily and a great deal better socially than you are now doing. Therefore when the time comes for your talk, consider well the grounds you should take: a good monthly salary to be antedated: what think you? I suggest but don't [persuade].\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThis is my birth day tell Nannie. Sue's going up to F'bg next month. Mary Herndon is here, her brother is at V.M.I. We are all well and send love. I think that so called\n\"conservative [Va.] [ca ] impolite and foolish.\u003cbr\u003e\nyrs truly\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond Va\u003cbr\u003e\n29 Jan. `69\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nPrinters here are slow. The Reports are not all out yet. I sent you two of the past batch to read and then give to `yr bosses.' I now send you one to keep.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIt seems to have hit the public mind in Va anyhow. I hope you will have a talk soon about your pay. I do not much fancy a co-partnership - commercial - these times. For though you may put in nothing, financiers here are ticklish. Your house may break and so sweep away all of your Va. property. Moreover I think it worth something to keep yourself free, so that you may be in a position to take advantage of anything that may turn up.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIsn't the first payment due on those Minnesota lands Please inquire of Hasbrouck. Love to Nannie and the children\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond\u003cbr\u003e\n1 Feb `69\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nBrodie is here and I have yrs of Saturday. All well about Wade. [Still Sue doesn't care to travel]. Suppose you get two or three weeks leave - run down to Norfolk and try this:\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI am urging Smith and his [ ] in the [ ] to send agents out to the states where interests are touched by preliminary No. 1 to ask the legislatures and the principle cities to order each a few thousand copies and so help to circulate the docs. If they will order we will get up a revised \u0026amp; improved edition especially for them. Norfolk, Petersburg and Richmond ought to order ea. 2000 copies so ought [Mahone] - begin by asking them to order 500 ea. Postmasters ought to order 1000, ditto Seaboard R.R.'s, and the line of steamers that ply between New York and Norfolk ought to order 500. I am proffering to Smith to put the New Edition @ $2 per copy, and give his agents 50¢ per copy upon all orders. Now if he comes into this how would you like to drum up in Va.? The doing of it, would pay expenses at any rate - `twould identify you and make you acquainted with the Norfolk people, and so may be give a string to your bow to send an arrow at W \u0026amp; E with. Jansen is working like a horse with the Dutch Va. line of steamers. You could preach that up at the same time. Money has to be and is to be raised for that. You can try that too - somebody must be employed for this - and why not you? So turn the idea over in your mind, and in case Smith says the word, be ready to broach the [ ] to old [Wade]. You can then come here - we post you up, have a meeting called and so Launch you. I can fancy that this business may not be altogether agreeable at first blush. But all you have to do is to put on a bold face and teach those people what they ought to do. Am glad to hear the children are O.K. again. Tell Nannie her Ma is in bed with a cold. Dick is in Lexington and all the rest well.\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs truly M.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI send you ten more pamphlets.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond , Va\u003cbr\u003e\n16 Feb. 1869\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nThanks to you and Hasbrouck for the $925.56/100. Its welcome I tell you.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI understand Charles has made all things straight with your tenant touching past rents.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eW. requires you to put more faith in him than he puts in you. \"Take any \"ipse dixit\" and you make it all right\" - he says to you. But why does he not let you know what his plans are? Suppose they turn to naught - then there you are. For that reason I wanted you to have two strings to your bow. Look at C.B.R. promises are bountiful, Wait, Wait, and [`nary red'] since I came back. W. may be all right and his intentions may be ever so good, but you have to look out for yourself and when he comes to [shout up] his plans you may find them `[St py] with ifs.\" And would not have you break with him, but I would have you ask to be informed, so that if they don't strike your fancy you may be on the lookout for something else. Therefore I would take the first opportunity and ask him to tell\nyou the precise character of the arrangement that he has in view.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe Reports are in great demand. I send you a couple. Love to Nannie and the children. All well.\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond Va\u003cbr\u003e\n20 Apr `69\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nI feel uneasy about that warehouse swindling case. Let me know if you are in any way hurt by it. I suppose at any rate it interferes materially with your plans. I am told it ruins W \u0026amp; E. Please let me know all about. In haste,\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond VA\u003cbr\u003e\n30 Ap'l '69\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nI have been very much engrossed. Have just finished for Mr. Johnson a notice of my blessed Davy Jones.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYrs of 28th came duly to hand. Was relieved to know that Wade \u0026amp; [Estey's] misfortune did not involve you. You know better than I can suggest what to do now.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIt is within the power of the people to be represented in the Norfolk convention to say whether they will have direct trade with Holland. If they say `yes' and give the right sort of earnest, then the Dutch will probably establish a large house in Norfolk. In that case they\nwill probably want a businessman for associate, who is well acquainted in the South \u0026amp; West. Now the question is how can you manage to bring yourself to the acquaintance of the trading businessmen in Montgomery- Memphis - Knoxville, Chattanooga, Huntsville - Nashville, Louisville, Cincinnati\u003cbr\u003e\n[and-].\u003cbr\u003e\nIf you or I had any authority to speak for the Dutchmen in the matter, it would be plain sailing, and we should know how to go to work. But there's no hurry, look out for the\nproceedings of the convention, \u0026amp; find out the leading houses in N.C. \u0026amp; the West, try as opportunity allows to get into correspondence of some sort with them- and if during the next 12 months you can bring yourself to their acquaintance, perhaps, if the Dutchman comes, you may have a chance to show him around.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003ePacking up for VMI.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI am afraid the day I'll move will not turn out so well. Nannie \u0026amp; Nan are very good friends now. Do you think that [boarding] them will make them any better? It's only in that aspect \u0026amp; the mosquitoes that I \"has my doubts about\"\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAll well and send love\u003cbr\u003e\nyrs\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eRichmond VA\u003cbr\u003e\n22 May 1869\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nAbout the Piano- I wish you would get Ellen Lewis to help you and Nannie select a first rate one, to cost not over $800 - eight hundred $. Go for performance and richness of\ntone, not just for outside appearance. Bargain for freight paid here if they can, but for delivery on board steamer and packing up anyhow. It should be directed to Maury,\nLexington, and consigned with bill o'lading, to Col. Dillon (DILLON) James River Canal Office. His office is right at steam boat landing. You can draw at sight on R. H. Maury \u0026amp; Co. where I have given you a credit for $800. Yr draft to be signed M.F. Maury for yourself. Perhaps you may make a better arrangement with R. H. Maury himself who left last night for New York.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003ePlease you and Nannie keep your eyes about you for carpets. They ought to be cheap now. Small figures and bright colors are [the] go for small rooms, small figures some [worsted]. [Then these] down stairs rooms should be good Brussels, or Wilton- the dining room and parlor the most costly, but none over $2 the yard, including the making which must be done there, \u0026amp; including also packing and delivery on board str. consigned as the piano is to be. They can be made by the enclosed draft which please take care of.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eBrave's and the up-stairs rooms should be cheap remnants, 3 ply or Brussels, according to bargains. You know I like variety, therefore don't go for matching the rooms. Rugs also, and carpet-[slips] I reckon for the upstairs passage. Dick has coloured it you see for oil cloth- We have oil cloth for the bare passage already on its way up there. I have shut up all the doors in the Parlour except one. Please enquire for bargains \u0026amp; report progress before going further. All well. We expect to get off next Tuesday.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYr Aft.\u003cbr\u003e\nP.T.O. M.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e[verso]\u003cbr\u003e\nAlso inquire as to the price of a neat electroplate water pitcher and tea kettle such as the one we used to have at the `Sup'\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I.\u003cbr\u003e\n17 June `69\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nNannie's room is all ready, but we have heard nothing from her than what is mentioned in yours of 15th just to hand.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIn re: carpets, I did not expect you to do more just now than to post me up as to prices \u0026amp; c. The girls wanted to have something to say as to colors, patterns, \u0026amp; c. Moreover I did not want to buy now, have no funds, no place to store them, and $500 for Dining room \u0026amp; Parlour is beyond my mark. Therefore unless you are committed for them, I don't want them. If however you are committed for them, bargain that they are not to be sent until\nwe are ready for them in the fall, and that they shall send with them all the scraps \u0026amp; pieces which are wasted in the cutting. We have already two rugs in the parlour \u0026amp; a [ ] [ ]. I take it that you have not ordered any of the other carpeting *. { (*I do not want it) in margin}. You did right not to order the iron bedstead, for I did not expect you to do that upon what I said. Caution the upholsterer not to make the mattress a hair's breadth\nlarger than the bed in the [ ]- a little smaller it will still fit- an inch larger, no!. You do not say anything about the andirons, [fender] \u0026amp; c. We have none of them at all and fires at night are often pleasant. The canal is in repair, and will not be open again from Richmond before 1st July- Therefore I had rather these things \u0026amp; the mattress should not be sent till then.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eRutson wrote me last Saturday -12- that Stewart's man had been to him with a bill for $500 odd for goods for me to know if I was good. R. said he would pay if I didn't- I replied to R. that I knew nothing about it, that I had authorized no such bill- not dreaming it was you \u0026amp; the carpets. If as I said you have made yourself liable for them insist that they shall be kept until called for. There is no place for them without putting them down. We don't\nwant to do that- 1st because we prefer bare floors. 2. Plasterers and other workmen have work to do which probably will not be done for months- 3. There is no place to store them. Therefore they must not be sent till we are ready for them.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe Piano has come - all safe- Elegant. Everybody pleased with it, and Elie is now making it \"talk\"! Thanks.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWhich way do you go on the 22nd. Can't you come this way? There's plenty of room for you- Dick is in W. V. He \u0026amp; Sue have engaged lodgings at the Pendleton's.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI am invited to take charge of the University of Ala. at Tuscaloosa. Have it under consideration. My decision when they ask it will be something like this- Give me full swing and $10 m {10,000} a year for 5 years and I'll try to build you up- Before the war it had 350 boys- vs 25 now- so you see it's right low. You may well consider I'm not anxious to go- they offer $4m and I fancy they are not prepared to give $10,000. Please put the prices on Edgerton's list \u0026amp; return it.\u003cbr\u003e\nyrs truly\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I.\u003cbr\u003e\nSeptember 1st '69\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nUse the accompanying letter as you think best. I should like to have Gould sounded upon it \u0026amp; to know what he says. I send you the pamphlets. Please get from Stewart his carpet bill. It is getting most time for me to order them forward, but before I do that I want to raise the money for paying for them, \u0026amp; the first step is to know how much that is. Inquire also, if you please as to the discount he will allow if you pay him on the shipment of the\ncarpets instead of forwarding his bill here to be paid when they are delivered to me.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eNannie \u0026amp; Sue did not go to the Baths, because I fancy, I was not here to make them, \u0026amp; now they are looking so well that I do not think it necessary for them to go.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAll well \u0026amp; send love.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I. 9th/9/'69\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nI suppose my letter last week in reply to yours about the Dutch steamers must have miscarried.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSo here's at you about the carpets again. Have them shipped via steamer to Smith (Genl's brother), Norfolk- ask him to pay charges and forward by what the Gen'l calls his air[ ]- viz rail to Lynchburg \u0026amp; canal thence. If Stewart will allow discount, pay him there on presentation of bill o'lading. Rutson has been asked to honor your draft. Better see R. first to make sure for I am not in a hurry \u0026amp; don't care if the carpets don't arrive before the\n25th. If he won't discount, then let T. ship on the 20th as above and let \"charges follow\". I'll pay on delivery.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI wish you would get from him \u0026amp; have them put up in the same* { (* to save freight) at bottom of page} bundle with the carpets, \u0026amp; have charged on the carpet bill - 12 doz. table napkins - not extra fine or extravagant - but such as a gentleman ought to have on his table every day - Such for instance as cousin Ann has; perhaps she or [`Quincy'] will select them for me. Of course I don't care where you get them so they are good, decent, and not extravagant \u0026amp; so they come with the carpets - inside - without extra freight. If possible \u0026amp; to save freight the carpets should all be in one bundle, or in as few bundles as economy suggests. Nanny \u0026amp; the children all well.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eBetty with her aunt will leave us next Tuesday.\u003cbr\u003e\nyrs M.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eN.B. It's 144 Table napkins that I want - linen all-\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e[On reverse of second sheet]\u003cbr\u003e\n\"Messrs Paten \u0026amp; Co\u003cbr\u003e\nMy friend Mr. Corbin wants 12 Dz napkins similar to sample, please give him the right kind \u0026amp; price.\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs,\u003cbr\u003e\nR.P. Richardson\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I.\u003cbr\u003e\n10 Sept. 1869\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\n12 doz. will be too many. 6 doz. napkins will do- Let them be all of the usual dinner size. If not too late therefore let the order be for 72 instead of 144 table napkins Dinner size.\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs,\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M. I.\u003cbr\u003e\nLexington, VA\u003cbr\u003e\n16 Sept. '69\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nYours of 13th rec'd. Napkins \u0026amp; consignment O.K. Thanks-\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eNannie is still at the McD's. Is waiting till our new cook comes. Weather fine. Children well \u0026amp; my nerves distressingly 'shaky'.\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs,\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I.\u003cbr\u003e\nLexington, VA\u003cbr\u003e\n20/12/69\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nI was sorry to hear that Edgerton has gone 'by the board'. My observations teach me that the merchants who never fail are comparatively few- and they are either men of means outside of the capitol embarked in their business- or men who have friends to back them. I should be exceedingly sorry to see you entering into mercantile business in any way except as an agent or employee- and that is a business that is desirable only until you\ncome into possession of your inheritance so find out when you are. At any rate I hope you will enter into no \"entangling [obligation] before we meet which I hope will be soon. I still look for you before New-Year. Xmas week is a holy-day time in New York.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003ePlease jog Hasbrouck's memory about the St. Paul bond. I am hard up \u0026amp; should like to have the money on the very day it falls due, if possible. 'The Boy' is the life of the housecoming out every day with something original.\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eVMI\u003cbr\u003e\n4th March 1870\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nI have asked Will to send you $200 which fall due on the 9th. I left word in Richmond with Bob to collect some dividends to send you the proceeds. Should he do so you can transfer it over to me and accept the enclosed $300 instead which with what Will will send and what I left with you makes $1000.\u003cbr\u003e\nIn haste\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I.\u003cbr\u003e\nApril 6th\u003cbr\u003e\n1871\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin-\u003cbr\u003e\nI got last night a letter telling of the investment of the $321.34. Thank you. Will says, that the law treats it as usury to compound the interest in that way. Please ask John Herndon about it for I want to keep within the law.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy aim was to let you have just $1,000. It is therefore that I ask you to remit in case you should receive more than that.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eTell Nannie, that Elie is in bed with a headache, \u0026amp; Lucy is under the weather with a cold, \u0026amp; I don't hear them say a word about going down.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eHeavy rain last night. In haste yours truly,\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003cbr\u003e\n(pr M.H.M.)\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e[Postscript by Mary]\nI got my dear Sister Nannie's letter \u0026amp; will write after the Fair comes off.\nThe girls certainly expect to go down the middle of the month\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.Institute\u003cbr\u003e\nJuly 26th 1871\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Nannie,\u003cbr\u003e\nYour Ma got your letter this morning ain't we so glad, glader, glady. Tell Corbin he must come along too.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI returned from Ala. last Monday evening and took them all by surprise. Since graduating, Brave had made a fee and had gone off on a spree, and had gone off with Tots \u0026amp; Elie to the White \u0026amp; Capertons. I suppose his money will give out soon and we may expect them back the last of the week.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy going to Tuscaloosa, is still in abeyance. I found when I got to Montgomery that the Board of Regents at its meeting last June had gone farther in their injudicious course than I had fancied, for besides establishing chairs \u0026amp; filling them without conference with me, they had chalked out a plan of operations for the Univ. which appeared to me altogether impracticable.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe Board of Regents had not been called together as I had requested, but all the professors save 3 were there with Hodgson who is ex officio President of the Board of Regents. During our first session I found out that there was not only no money to fit up the Univ. but there was nothing to keep it a-going: for more than all its annual endowment had already been appropriated. The charges against the cadets were at figures so low that they would inevitably bring the Univ. in debt. A sum not exceeding $200 was to be the expense per cadet. So in the afternoon I formally proclaimed that I could not undertake the responsibility of such an institution \u0026amp; therefore begged leave to decline. Whereupon there was \"sensation.\" Some made hy-falutin speeches \u0026amp; professors asked \"what shall I do.\" One urging that he \"had given up his house\" another, \"his practice,\" another \"his business,\" another \"his college\" another that he \"was engaged to be married,\" all under the expectation that I would accept. The strong men of the city were\nbrought in who promised to make the legislature do the needful. And the judges of the Supreme Court who are said to hold the legislature in the hollow of their hands, black \u0026amp; white radicals \u0026amp; all- Sent word that they would do the needful at its next meeting. In short, the question was asked, that \"if they would raise a launching fund, change the fees, so as to be a source of revenue, instead of loss, and alter the course of instruction so as to suit my views, would I accept\"? Yes Well it was funny to see the plan they had laid down. They had three parallel course which were \"selectable\" and every boy that came was answered in terms \"you have paid your money, take your choice\" And they told me they had copied after the Univ. of Mississippi, which never did prosper, though it has a clear revenue of $77,000. So the plan that I propose requires the three Rs for admission\n\u0026amp; then curriculum all the way up to any specialty, that the student- being qualified to enter upon it- may select, all boys to be examined and to be put as high up as they are qualified to stand.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThese matters are to be referred by letter to the Board of Regents, and if the majority pledge themselves by letter to stand by me , if I make the alterations \u0026amp; to sanction them at their next meeting in Nov. and then if the friends of the Univ. will raise a launching fund, I will go.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe earnest desire manifested by the good people of the state, for me to take charge of their Univ. was very gratifying.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIt appears to me that almost all the good people in Ala. who have sons \u0026amp; means intend to rally around me, and among the events that were particularly gratifying was a proposition on the part of the professors to lend: some their whole salary: some $1000: and the others $500 to get the thing underway.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThey were to let me know, in a telegram, whether my views would be met by the Regents. And thus the matter stands.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy plan for the present is modeled after V.M.I. with the open features of the Univ. of Va. In the mean time I am working like a Turk here in collecting statistics and transmitting \"useful and entertaining knowledge\" to \"Tusca.\"\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI did not go to \"Tusca\", because my house had not been vacated by my radical\npredecessor, with his three students, but hastened back for the telegram.\nI traveled Saturday in the cars with Dabney \u0026amp; Family, they have broken up in New Orleans, and have come to Va. for the summer. They were to stop a few days in Lynchburg, then go to the Bath Alum.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eKisses to the children \u0026amp; love to all hands. I brought some maple-sugar for them, they must make haste and come up or it will be all gone,\u003cbr\u003e\nM.M.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I. Lexington Va.\u003cbr\u003e\nAugust 9th 1871\u003cbr\u003e\nS.W. Corbin Esqr.\u003cbr\u003e\nFredericksburg Va\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin\u003cbr\u003e\nI have this morning your letter of 3rd introducing Mr. Boulware. No letter was necessary. I had the pleasure of forming his acquaintance last Fall in Fredericksburg and was much pleased with him. All the chairs at Tuscaloosa are full.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWe expect Dick back from W.V. tomorrow or next day. When is Nannie coming up? We expect Will to come next week. Can't she come with him? We don't mean to let you off: you must come and fetch Nannie back. Yesterday was \"Crits\" birthday: cords of presents---60 years old, and as young as a [sentence fragment]\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI am busy with Tuscaloosa but begin to think it will not be ready by Oct. My illustrious predecessor is still in the President's house. Betty has mended vastly since she has been here. Ask Nanna and that boy when are they coming up? We are dying to see them.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIn haste yours,\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I. Lexington VA\u003cbr\u003e\n17th Aug 1871\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nPlease don't remit but re-invest \u0026amp; let it roll up. You have always told me I could realize upon ten days notice.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe Goshen stage don't get in now until about 10'clock; We shall set up for Nannie \u0026amp; the children. Dick left for Richmond last night.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe funds of University Alabama are just like \"jack-o-my-lanterns\". I was to have had $40,000 to begin with \u0026amp; have got $16,000 maybe. It bothers me enough.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAsk Brodie when he gets to New York please to call at 156 \u0026amp; 7 Crosby Street \u0026amp; enquire for C.B. Richardson \u0026amp; if he is not in for Prof Lawrence \u0026amp; ask for a copy of Geog No 3 New Edition, for my young friend his little grandson \u0026amp; take it with him to Savannah. I will write \u0026amp; tell them he's a-coming.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYou must be sure \u0026amp; come to fetch Nannie back\u003cbr\u003e\nYours truly\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I. 23 Sept '71\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nTwas a source of profound regret that none of us could get down to help render the last offices of friendship and affection to John. He died as he lived, like a Christian gentleman.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWe had Brodie's room ready for him last night and felt disappointment when his letter came saying he had to go to Savannah.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eElie Lucy \u0026amp; I expect to leave for Tenn. about the 5th maybe 1st. I think you had better come up to escort Nannie \u0026amp; the children back- we should be mighty glad to see you. Want to talk over the Tenn. speech with you. There is a stage that leaves here twice a week at 11 AM for Goshen where it connects with a train due in Staunton at 8.45 P.M. There you stay all night \u0026amp; at 9 next morning leave for Richd. I think this is the best way to go for it saves that long night in the stage house. The boy has improved wonderfully \u0026amp; is a great pet.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eTell me the lowest price of wheat in Aug. last, with date, and the price now. Jno Herndon had my will, please ask Charles when he comes across it, to hand it to you. You can fetch it up with you.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe weather here is lovely. Give my love to Ellen Mercer Charles \u0026amp; Lucy.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYrs. truly\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I.\u003cbr\u003e\nLexington\u003cbr\u003e\n11 Nov. 71\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Nannie,\u003cbr\u003e\nLet's hear that boy whistle- why that's like the cars. Let's hear you whistle like the darkies. Well! cut a somersault. How does he like the new house? and Nanna the dancing school? She must teach him all her steps, gaits and [moves].\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWe got back last night week- and if they will send us free tickets again Elie and I will go to the Agricultural Congress in Selma 12 Dec. Tell Corbin I am going to carry that plan- i.e.- do my best and so roll that ball over Henry \u0026amp; the rest of them. But the rascals they'll catch it up as soon as they see it rolling along finely and say it was theirs. I think [Thomps] is behaving most shabbily-plagiarism \u0026amp; piracy are mild terms to [ ] what he\nis doing. He used to make a living by lecturing on my works-carrying PG's under his arm. Now he not only steals my brains, and ignores my books, but gives other people the credit that belongs to me.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSally F. and Sister E. have gone to the Pendletons. We have no coal yet.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI begin Monday to prepare my P.G. lecture - to be [based on the question] - \"What science has done for mankind.\"\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eCrit got a letter from Sue yesterday. Dick stays downtown all day. Totts is poorly- Have been working Crit, Mary, Lucy \u0026amp; Elie hard this week I tell you. The Lee quilt is to be raffled at the Letcher's tonight. We will draw it, I reckon- some of us have tickets- 24 chances- Totts had this morning a letter from Tom Bold - speaks well of Price. Frank Smith has gone over there. Will reports Betty as recovering fast \u0026amp; Nannie Bell in high glee over her new piano. Don't hear often from Brave. Love to Corbin, Sue, Mat and the\nchildren.\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs affectionately,\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I. 20 Dec. 1871\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear little grandson that's named John Maury Corbin, some of this letter is for Nana too but I send it to you because xmas is a coming-\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYou just ought to be here- we are having so much fun- Last night your Ma's chimney caught afire- F i a r F i a r! Como. Maury's house is afiar! The drums beat, the fife squeaked \u0026amp; the cadets came tumbling up- some with \"guns\" to shoot the robbers- some with buckets to quench the fire. Oh it was so nice, but the fire went out just so before they could ever get here- And [then] it's so cold the river is frozen- all the girls- and Jimmy\nMoore \u0026amp; Genl Pendleton and all the other little boys go a skating. They take lunch, and have picknick on the ice. `The boy' can skate \u0026amp; the littlest Johnson is the best skater of them all- [ ]. And then it's been snowing \u0026amp; rainy \u0026amp; hailing- and what do you think it did yesterday at dinner in the dining room- there was money shower and the flakes were GreenBacks! You and Nana ought to have been here for 'scrambling'. They went like soap bubbles- and so you had to catch them quick nobody could get more than one flakeand\nsomebody saved these two for you two - not too and your Ma- She is to give you at least 10 cts out of it \u0026amp; Nanna 20 cts \u0026amp; Charlie 20 cts- for you to go down street by [yourselves] and buy just what you please.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eShe's to keep the rest\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAnd do the best-\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eCan you write poetry?\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eTell her your Aunt Eliza has been very poorly- is getting better. She hasn't been here since the day after we got back from Memphis.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI have been to see her once- walked- was laid up for a week part of the time unable to turn over in bed. Have sent for a carriage to go \u0026amp; see her this evening- She's afraid that Sally F. is going away from her \u0026amp; that helps to make her sick.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eYou all ought to be here these times- Your Uncle Charlie sent us some Blue wings- by the time they got here they had turned to Canvas Backs- they are so good!\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eHere comes somebody. A Merry Xmas to your Pa \u0026amp; Ma and sister \u0026amp; your own sweet little self. Who is Mat's sweetheart? I know Charlie's- Have you got one? What's her name?\u003cbr\u003e\nYour affectionate friend.\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I. 1 March (1872)\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nTake Nannie, Totts, Nanna \u0026amp; the boy into your counsels- read to them Elie's M.S. in confidence- take their vote- \"Fire or Sandy Little\" \u0026amp; if they say Sandy, hand it to him- on condition that he's to \"harry\" the Whig without letting Whig or anybody know who `Old Spotsylvanian' is. It's a shame that the Whig should be fooling that \"foolish little legislation\" so.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIf you or Nannie do not want to S. [ ] so for y'r scrap book, hand it to Totts for 'hern'. Why don't those children answer my letters? I've got the whooping cough- used to have it in Ten. Catch it from the children at the house- [up] [ ]- [ ].\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWhen is the height of the fishing season? Tell me- for if at that time I feel as young as the whooping cough \u0026amp; in the [ ] I may run down, pick up Totts \u0026amp; Ho for Glymont. Mrs. M. is pestering me mightily to go A - W A Y ! Got a letter this morning from Taffy imploring me not to let the yankees light Jno Bull.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eTell Totts -O now I wish I had some birds- all well \u0026amp; send love. Yrs M. F. Maury.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e\u0026gt;\u0026gt;\u0026gt;\u0026gt;\u0026gt;If Sandy publish- send me a few extras.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I. 27 March '72\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nTotts had been telling us of \"the Boy's\" deafness and how badly Nannie was looking. I sent the cheque to \"buy exemptions\" so you did exactly right- and I hope it will buy [cards].\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eTell Nana \u0026amp; the boy they ought to be here just to see me. I go about the house whooping like a red Indian on the war path- Does he remember his island? There it is- In the last three snows it was as naked as a rock- now why wouldn't the snow lie on it- can he tell?\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eTell Totts Mrs. Sinclair is at the point of death. Betty Page has come up to help nurse her. We hope Nannie will run down to Richmond. [Credits] - Miss Mildred is engaged to Prof. Blair. College Calithumps on the night of 1st- two boys fought a duel- one shot tother two times. Old Hughes keeps [up] pinched for wood- Dick's at home on crutches sprained ankle. Va- I reckon- is going downhill all the time- and tho I fancy I can see ways for letting up- I don't see the wisdom for putting her in those ways, \u0026amp; so her course\nis downward ho!\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThis is a beautiful day- I am not well enough to venture out. Don't know when Lucy is coming- Love to all\u003cbr\u003e\nyrs. M.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I. 10 Apl '72\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Nannie,\u003cbr\u003e\nWhy don't I come out and prevent people from stealing my brains torpedoes \u0026amp; all? Why don't the passenger at sea come out \u0026amp; stop pirates from pirating? Didn't Queen Vic her own dear self steal my torpedoes right before my face- and as for `[thunder]'-look at 'Thomps' \u0026amp; your dear yankees.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThat's a fact- Corbin is a great financier- He has managed the estate with much ability and fine judgment \u0026amp; J P owes him 'a heap'. I suppose J.P. did not find enough to do in the office to occupy him- and I think idle hours drag more ways than one before a young man that is not yet fairly engaged in the battle of life.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAnd can the boy read? Ask him to read this letter.\u003cbr\u003e\nJIM BIT A FOX\u003cbr\u003e\nTHE CAT EAT A RAT. And go [up] [head].\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI've got the whooping cough in my back \u0026amp; all over. And I've \"got no work to do-o\".\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThere is nothing [any] my table- Elie is writing a great speech for the National Agricultural Association which is to meet in St. Louis next month. Fish refuses to help my `ball' along. Elie's speech is going to roll it right over him. Don't those fellows in Washington hate me with a hate? And ain't it elegant to make 'em do, what you tell's em?\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMat repeated to me last night most beautifully the Death of Montrose. It reminded me so much of my blessed Davy Jones. My eyes filled with tears \u0026amp; my heart with emotions unutterable. Sue brings up \u0026amp; teaches Mat very well. He and your Nannie are the best child-readers I ever heard. You ought to be here just to see the sons in law- as many as twenty at a time- I hide under the bed-Crit jumps on the sofa Aunt Mary and the rest scramble up stairs. You are right- Totts is chief among 10,000 \u0026amp; altogether lovely. Where am I to go? Can't stay here another winter. Take away my house \u0026amp; my pay- and\nthen leave me to rent a house and do without the $1800! -how's the pot to be kept a going? The question is bothering me a good deal. The weather here is beautiful and the grass green- and the trees vocal at early matins. When are you coming up? I'd give a cow \u0026amp; calf to come down but the way is so hard \u0026amp; I so rickety. Everybody sends to you Corbin \u0026amp; the children\u003cbr\u003e\nyr aft M.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I. 19 Apl '72\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nI made up my mind this morning to break out from my pleasant surroundings \u0026amp; happy relations here about 1st Sept. by which time it will not be imprudent to settle somewhere in Eastern Va. The high rents in Richmond Nannie's letter \u0026amp; the Taylor (?) houseopposite Uncle Charlie's- with its $250- set my mouth to watering for the old burg. In what sort of repair is it- Do the windows rattle? do the doors open \u0026amp; shut easily \u0026amp; without noise- How are the grates and fire places. Does the house smoke. Is it lighted with gas \u0026amp; has it a water closet? If nay, can it have all these things and I the refusal of it, till Sept.? I would ask you to engage it now but for the chance of my being offered something somewhere else which will strengthen my money power and enable me, with material surroundings - to be more comfortable than I could be upon my own only in Fredericksburg. How many rooms has the house? Can you rough sketch me the grand plan?\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eCould the boy read my letter- and ain't he coming up here to help us pack up, and show us the way to his house?\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI send Nanna a newspaper. It is printed by [ ] Pratt, a little cripple- He is about her size- He has got a printing press and a font of type. He sets these and prints and edits all himself. I send her also a splendid composition by Alice. Alice is a physical geographer- A has told about a drop of water on the earth- Now can N. tell about one in the sky? Water is a beautiful thing I tell you. It is protean- and you think that in every new shape you see it, it's more lovely yet. Yesterday it was dropping down in little white pits, as hard as pits and hopping about the town more than the cadets. It made them scamper I tell you. Then it laid itself in the grass, and peeped at you for a little while-as much as to sayhere goes your [Tennessee] ice cream- come \u0026amp; catch me if you dare- and by the time you got there 'twas just nothing at all. That No 3 Geography you are studying is an old edition and a great many mistakes such as you and Molly found- have been corrected, maps like those at p.p. 21- 148 \u0026amp; 152 have the scale all the way up and down the sides- it varies with the latitude- Thus reason on a piece of paper the distance for 20 between the equator \u0026amp; 20 N. and then try it for 20 between 40 \u0026amp; 60 N. Your Pa will show you.\u003cbr\u003e\nAll well and send love yrs\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I. 10 May '72\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nI give you many thanks for the trouble- all for naught- that you have so kindly undertaken in re Carter House. Dr Wellford's figures are too large, so I will get you to keep your eyes about you for one on easier terms.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI have most got my courage up to the sticking point for St. Louis. Here I feel somewhat like Sin Bad the sailor in his valley of Diamonds- so hard to get out. Dick took the cars this morning for Richmond. The weather is mighty hot. That was a first rate physical Geographical composition of N. I sent it to Alice. Bless her heart give her a kiss- and ask her to ask the boy if he knows what river that is that goes by Fredericksburg and where does it come from \u0026amp; where does it go to- and if she can write a composition and tell\nwhat's the use of rivers anyhow? Love to Nannie- all well- Tell her there's another [ ] of S.C. [rice] on the way.\u003cbr\u003e\nyrs,\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I. 12 May '72\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nI have no doubt of Carroll's fitness because you speak of him so highly. But rules work sometimes inconveniently. I have found it necessary to make rules for conduct, and one is not to recommend unless I can speak from personal knowledge \u0026amp; sufficient acquaintanceship. So I hope neither he nor you will take my rule amiss.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI expect to leave for St. Louis on 22. But the getting out of this valley is the trouble. The idea of getting out oppresses somewhat as Sin Bad the Sailor was oppressed in the Valley of Diamonds.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThanks for your kind invitation, but I don't reckon we shall get away from here before the fall. Moreover we are hedging now so as to treasure up for the move. Today it's very hot. Lucy is under the weather. The church is to be pulled down tomorrow. Mrs. Burwell is here- and we are all well.\u003cbr\u003e\nyrs truly\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I. 19 May '72\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Children,\u003cbr\u003e\nI set off for St. Louis day after tomorrow- a day earlier than I intended for the purpose of spending Thursday at the Arlington in Washington to meet C.B.R. He is very much opposed to my `burying myself alive' and makes a proposition which amounts practically to an allowance sufficient to pay house rent say $1000 in Richmond. This is `[now] just so'. I'm to do nothing for it but just live in Richmond. I have not accepted nor declined it\nbut have it to stand just so tall after our talk.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eC.B.R. and his Co are doing a roaring business. From all I hear they expect the Geographies alone to clear this year not less than $125,000.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWe have been expecting a visit from Jim Monroe \u0026amp; his girls. He wrote word last Tuesday they were coming- and sent word that he would go with me to St. Louis, and that's all. I shall be sorry to miss them. Crit talks of going with me as far as Gordonsville on his way to Betty. But Betty don't write to say she \"can't get along without her\" so I should not be surprised if she don't go, though she had her trunk brought down three days ago intending to ship off in the 'Packet' tonight. Dick is still in Richmond. They have begun to pull down our church \u0026amp; we have 'nowhere to go'. Dabney expects to move this week to Nashville. He tells me he has a letter from [T.] saying he didn't think anything of my `ball' at first and that now he has changed his opinion and advised Dabney as to what I ought to do- a great [piece] of imprudence- I have no doubt he wants to get a chance to steal more thunder and have asked D. not to hold any correspondence with him upon the subject.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eTell Nana I did answer her beautiful composition and asked her to tell me the use of Rivers and make the boy tell where the Rapp. comes from \u0026amp; whither it goes. Don't she want to go to St. Louis \u0026amp; see the great big river that runs by there? What is its name. Totts is going on a visit to the [Cock's] of [Bowston]. Don't know when she's coming home. All well and send love\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSt. Louis\u003cbr\u003e\n30 May '72\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear wife,\u003cbr\u003e\nThe Congress never before knew what an address was. It was delivered last night- and everything has been done exactly as I would have it. I was surly yesterday. Am having a bout with the foot in the elbow- was in bed half the day- and was not fit to speak and thought I should break down but am much better today. Charles escorts me to the Guthrie's tomorrow- I return Monday- 37 miles and then strike for you and home as hard as I can rattle. Have not decided which route to take. Col. Withers who C.B.R. sent to take care of me fancies to go through Tenn. I shall be governed a good deal by him for\nhe is so considerate and kind I can't get on well without him. If I go via Wash. shall touch at Fb'g- and at Richmond anyhow. Send this letter and the papers I mail with it up to Nannie to be passed on to V.M.I. for I [have] to [trim] the [wick]. Love to all. Who is 'Kate'? I haven't had time to see her.\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs M.F.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSt. Chas. Co. Mo.\u003cbr\u003e\n1 June 72\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nI am to leave this Monday A.M. and St. Louis at 3 P.M. Straight onward for you \u0026amp; Nannie say 50 hours.\u003cbr\u003e\nyrs in haste, M.F.M.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003esend to my wife\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I. 19 June '72\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nThanks for the 13 [Newses]: you and Nannie [regard] the [speech] nicely. Monday the Minor girls left in a carriage under Walker's escort, to spend the night at Goshen and proceed yesterday to Hanover. Crit without writing and accompanied by Totts, Nannie Bell \u0026amp; Alice took us quite by surprise Monday night. They found the Minor girls at Goshen- scorned the carriage and came straight on in the stage arriving here at 10 1/2 pm. as bright as the moon and as gay as larks. They left Betty still in bed. Will's trip to\nWytheville has been put off till 1st July. We are writing for Betty to come along up. I sent in resignation yesterday to take effect 10 Sept. The day before sent off new ed. of Geog. no. 3. and this morning have \"the foot\" also a letter from Dab- of 16- from Nashville where they all are saying little Dab is very ill with scarlet fever. This morning also I got a copy of the Physical Geography of the Sea in Italian, which [Gat a] has published in\nRome. He never knew what a book was before. Love to the children.\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs, M.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I. 24 July (1872)\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin\u003cbr\u003e\nWe are driving to see Nannie \u0026amp; the children. Look for Betty also. Sorry you don't come too. Plenty of room. Totts lie \u0026amp; I are off for [Yellow] next week- [thence to 6] or -13th Aug. for an Ag. Address- then back, then to Boston! 18 Sept. for another. Thence to St. Louis 1st Oct for another- so you see I am knocking the 'balls' along.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDon't bother yourself about the money. If I want it- we can discount old\n[Harmon].\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eBetter come up and get those Farley Vale 'tadpoles' \u0026amp; Fredericksburg chills out of you.\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs, M.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eKnoxville Tenn.\u003cbr\u003e\nSunday Aug 11 (1872)\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear wife,\u003cbr\u003e\nI arrived here last night at 11.30- It is now 9 A.M.- The ride did me a `heap of good' knocking the remains of that [severe] bout in the knee into the middle of next week. I left the girls lodged next door to, \u0026amp; in charge of, the Taylors- nice people. I [propose] to be back Saturday- to leave Monday and to be at home Tuesday. I had a fancy to spend Saturday night \u0026amp; Sunday at the White, for the sake of rubbing bright the links that bind me\nto the Maury's there - Uncle Phils' - and of seeing gentlemen [there] \u0026amp; 'roll any balls'. Higgins who married one of them was very kind \u0026amp; [pressing] and told Totts he would come and fetch her any day she'd name \u0026amp; 'Dilly' promised to take them into her room. I suggested to Totts that she should write for him to fetch them Saturday p.m. so we might arrive about the same time. They did not appear to take the hint that I wanted them to go- so I did not press. The trip is not so long as I was told it was- so I should not be surprised if I were to pick the girls up at the 'Yellow' Friday p.m. and be with you Saturday. How's Betty \u0026amp; when's Will coming up? I suppose I shall be putting out for \"The Hub\" about this time next month so if he don't come I shan't see him. Betty [resistive] that of going to the White by herself-V.M.I. is a better place than Springs for her anyhow. I can sleep in Barracks if need be- so tell her to be comfortable \u0026amp; stop that climbing. One\nmorning Totts was at the Bowling Alley- all of a sudden your son in law \u0026amp; his sister hitched up, bid me goodbye, and when Totts came back she was surprised to hear they had gone!\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe trains here are just 12 hours apart- so I shall take the one at 11 1/2 today- and go to Dalton- due at 6- or to Atlanta due at midnight according to my feeling.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI think the girls are having though not a grand, yet far from a dull time. I left the Boston speech for Elie to flirt with. I met with no adventures on my way save an interesting looking youth, of 17, sent by the Tribune to carry Tennessee. He was on their city staff, was a practical printer- had worked at the fonts 3 1/2 years- learned shorthand, and was such an expert that he could take down 200 words in one minute. When he takes down a speech, doesn't know what it's about! He could take down a Chinaman's speech - as well as an Englishman's- but then he would have to have Chinese to report it.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eLove \u0026amp; kisses to everybody. Dying to see [you]\u003cbr\u003e\n[Yr.] M.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I. 4 Sep. 72\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nI am suddenly called on to make a raise.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI have sent R.H. Maury \u0026amp; Co. Richmond an order requesting you to discount that paper and send them the proceeds.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThey are to send you the order only in case it be necessary. So if you get it from them you will know what to do. They will want $1200. Expect Will \u0026amp; Betty tonight.\u003cbr\u003e\nYrs\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eV.M.I. 8 Sept. 72\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nThanks for yrs of [recd] this morning. [Secure] at some time from R.H.M. Better let them carry at 8 prct. while ours run at 10-? So hold on for further orders.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI reckon houses in Fb'g will not fall much lower- and that purchase would be wise.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI congratulate you on security debts- think you have done first rate.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWhat do you think of buying in Richmond instead of Fb'g? property is going up there. I don't see when the tide is to turn for Fb'g.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eI mail with this the Ga. speech. Whatever may be the local exceptions here \u0026amp; there, the south is as there stated going downhill.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eElie \u0026amp; I are off for Boston Thursday. Nannie writes and gives you chit-chat.\u003cbr\u003e\nyrs\u003cbr\u003e\nM.F. Maury\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eNew York (Jim's)\u003cbr\u003e\n15 Sept '72\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear wife,\u003cbr\u003e\nWe arrived here at 5 p.m. yesterday all safe \u0026amp; sound. Elie had `the [head]' say from 10 to 2. I got her a cup of coffee at Wilmington- also a sandwich and [they] set her up. We only stopped there 10m so there was no time for dinner- I brought her the coffee, after a while a man came hopping through the cars, selling papers \u0026amp; crying fresh fried oysterspiping hot, especially for this train- each box has 6 oysters- 6 crackers and a pickle. I bought the last box and that set Elie completely up. She's as bright as a lark this morning going to church 10 sqrs off. Too far for me. Jim and Pierpont have not returned. I shall leave here about 10 in the morning, spend the day at publisher's and then at 5 go to 4th street for dinner and the night. All of Jim's folks were at home- glad to see us - \u0026amp; send love. Elie told 'em she was hungry as a hawk- They had tea at 6.30 and the best beef steak I ever did taste. I went to bed at 9 - and got up at 8. Glorious night- for I made a [bed] out of it in Washington- left there at 8. Arlington expensive place- went there in a [bus] and came away in the [bus]- total cost including lodging \u0026amp; 2 meals ea. $11. It's cool today. Leave this for Elie Love to Bettie, Nannie, Will, Lucy, Molly \u0026amp; Mary \u0026amp; all the children. So sorry I forgot to tell Lucy to copy [that] [Res.] from the letter book- they are\nthere in her hand at the end of the Boston Speech. yrs M.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e[Letter continues in hand of Eliza H. Maury)\u003cbr\u003e\nI thought about that black dress once or twice, but felt quite satisfied I had put it back in the trunk after wearing it at the Waddells. Went to Grace Church today but didn't see Cousin Ann \u0026amp; Cousin Rutson. A beautiful Gothic Church with stained glass windows, fine music, \u0026amp; a real good sermon, I enjoyed it ever so much. Saw Mr. [Ned] Rives as I was coming out, but don't think he saw me. The girls gave me a very warm welcome \u0026amp; cousin Ellen too. Lucy \u0026amp; I have a room together \u0026amp; she makes a great fuss over me. This house\nis right next door to everything. Stuart's, Tiffanys, Cousin Ellen Lewis, Cousin Matts! Cousin Ellen Mercer's \u0026amp; every hing. Lucy admires my new trunk very much \u0026amp; says she is going to have on just like it. This is such a pretty house \u0026amp; so very nicely furnished. They rent it furnished but all the pictures \u0026amp; ornaments are their own \u0026amp; there are some very pretty ones among them- bronzes \u0026amp; things. The children seem unnaturally quiet to me, they scarcely speak above a whisper at the table. What do our children say to that?\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eGive my love to everyone \u0026amp; kiss my dear [Jim] for me. Tell Lucy Mr. Noland was here on his way to South America not long ago \u0026amp; gave Annie his photograph with a moustache, oh such a nice nice picture! \u0026amp; I haven't got one \u0026amp; my heart is broke. Good bye dear sweetness were you mad when I left my dress? It was horridly stupid of me; it has not been delivered yet but will come tomorrow I expect- Your own Beloved.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSt. Louis. 10th Oct 1872\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMy dear Corbin,\u003cbr\u003e\nI have just time to say that I am too poorly to undertake the long journey East \u0026amp; propose going tomorrow to Jefferson City to Genl James Minor's to recuperate; he is George Minor's brother you know.\u003cbr\u003e\nYours- M.F. Maury\u003cbr\u003e\nper E.M.\u003c/p\u003e"]}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vilxv_repositories_3_resources_593_c02"}},{"id":"vihart_repositories_4_resources_407_c01","type":"Series","attributes":{"title":"Correspondence","abstract_or_scope":{"id":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vihart_repositories_4_resources_407_c01#abstract_or_scope","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":"\u003cp\u003eSeries 1: Correspondence, 1830-2011, is comprised of more than 300 individual letters. The majority of the earlier ones involve Sarah \"Sallie\" Scott Bassett and/or her husband R.H. Bassett. Together their combined correspondence comprises eight folders and spans the years 1850-1913.\u003c/p\u003e","label":"Abstract Or Scope"}},"breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vihart_repositories_4_resources_407_c01#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"ref_ssi":"vihart_repositories_4_resources_407_c01","ref_ssm":["vihart_repositories_4_resources_407_c01"],"id":"vihart_repositories_4_resources_407_c01","ead_ssi":"vihart_repositories_4_resources_407","_root_":"vihart_repositories_4_resources_407","_nest_parent_":"vihart_repositories_4_resources_407","parent_ssi":"vihart_repositories_4_resources_407","parent_ssim":["vihart_repositories_4_resources_407"],"parent_ids_ssim":["vihart_repositories_4_resources_407"],"parent_unittitles_ssm":["Blackley Family papers"],"parent_unittitles_tesim":["Blackley Family papers"],"text":["Blackley Family papers","Correspondence","Series 1: Correspondence, 1830-2011, is comprised of more than 300 individual letters. The majority of the earlier ones involve Sarah \"Sallie\" Scott Bassett and/or her husband R.H. Bassett. Together their combined correspondence comprises eight folders and spans the years 1850-1913.","These letters cover the years of the American Civil War and shed light on how the conflict affected their lives. In addition to letters from Captain R.H. Bassett, there are dozens of notes written home to Sallie from her brother Garrett Scott, brother-in-law Noah Bassett, and her cousin John Nix. All of these men spent time serving in the 4th Texas Regiment of the famed Texas Brigade. While their letters contain minimal military focused discussions, they do highlight camp life, personal struggles of being separated from each other, personal and public incidents, and family news. The military discussion is really limited to mention of the dead and wounded from battles and engagements. However, R.H. does write a letter to Sallie as he arrives on the battlefield at Gettysburg. He expresses excitement to build off the Confederates successes that afternoon. Battles and engagements discussed include Antietam (September 17, 1862), Chancellorsville (April 30 to May 6, 1863), Gettysburg (July 1-3, 1863), and Chickamauga (September 18–20, 1863).","Lizzie Scott Neblett was the older sister of Sallie Bassett and many letters between the sisters not previously examined, both before and after the American Civil War, can be found within this collection. Their letters shed light on relationship struggles, farm life, local news, and family connections.","While few in number, the surviving letters of Lizzie and Sallie's father, James Scott, provide significant insight into Texas prior to its in 1846. In the first, James writes his wife, Sarah, from the convention in Austin, Texas, where the debates about joining the United States were taking place. He offers few specifics as \"Nothing in which you would take any interest has occurred here and therefore I will not say anything about the proceedings…\" In second of these letters, James is writing to a Colonel B. Rush Wallace and gets far more political in discussion and tone. He talks at length about concern over the merits of becoming Whig or Democrat once they are thrust into the existing political climate of their new nation.","Of particular interest is an 1888 letter written by Ida Carter, presumably William M. and Belle Bassett Blackley's \"Black Mamy,\" is addressed to a Col. Bassett Blackley, in care of W. M. Blackley. Carter begins the letter \"Dear Little Bassett.\" This letter seems to suggest that the Blackleys did in fact have another child, Bassett Blackley, prior to Belle. If that is the case, Bassett Blackley may have died in childhood.","Of the twentieth-century correspondence, most of it was sent or received by Chas Blackley. While his letters span most of the century, the bulk are centered between the years 1930-1944. The letters that Chas Blackley wrote while visiting Europe in 1934 are of particular interest due to the changing political climate with the rise of the Nazis in Germany. Through his correspondence, diaries, and photographs there is an opportunity to see an American view of this transformative time. In one letter to his sister, Mary, dated August 21, Chas Blackley writes of the hanging of Nazis in Vienna, Austria for a failed coup that took place mere weeks before his arrival and that it \"has retarded history making considerably.\" He also spoke of the  Heimwehr , the home guard, patrolling the streets with their rifles and \"keeping a sharp to windward.\""],"title_filing_ssi":"Correspondence","title_ssm":["Correspondence"],"title_tesim":["Correspondence"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1830-2011"],"normalized_date_ssm":["1830/2011"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Correspondence"],"component_level_isim":[1],"repository_ssim":["James Madison University"],"collection_ssim":["Blackley Family papers"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"child_component_count_isi":173,"level_ssm":["Series"],"level_ssim":["Series"],"sort_isi":1,"parent_access_restrict_tesm":["Please contact the Special Collections Reference Desk before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection (library-special@jmu.edu)."],"parent_access_terms_tesm":["The copyright interests in this collection have been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu)."],"date_range_isim":[1830,1831,1832,1833,1834,1835,1836,1837,1838,1839,1840,1841,1842,1843,1844,1845,1846,1847,1848,1849,1850,1851,1852,1853,1854,1855,1856,1857,1858,1859,1860,1861,1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867,1868,1869,1870,1871,1872,1873,1874,1875,1876,1877,1878,1879,1880,1881,1882,1883,1884,1885,1886,1887,1888,1889,1890,1891,1892,1893,1894,1895,1896,1897,1898,1899,1900,1901,1902,1903,1904,1905,1906,1907,1908,1909,1910,1911,1912,1913,1914,1915,1916,1917,1918,1919,1920,1921,1922,1923,1924,1925,1926,1927,1928,1929,1930,1931,1932,1933,1934,1935,1936,1937,1938,1939,1940,1941,1942,1943,1944,1945,1946,1947,1948,1949,1950,1951,1952,1953,1954,1955,1956,1957,1958,1959,1960,1961,1962,1963,1964,1965,1966,1967,1968,1969,1970,1971,1972,1973,1974,1975,1976,1977,1978,1979,1980,1981,1982,1983,1984,1985,1986,1987,1988,1989,1990,1991,1992,1993,1994,1995,1996,1997,1998,1999,2000,2001,2002,2003,2004,2005,2006,2007,2008,2009,2010,2011],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eSeries 1: Correspondence, 1830-2011, is comprised of more than 300 individual letters. The majority of the earlier ones involve Sarah \"Sallie\" Scott Bassett and/or her husband R.H. Bassett. Together their combined correspondence comprises eight folders and spans the years 1850-1913.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThese letters cover the years of the American Civil War and shed light on how the conflict affected their lives. In addition to letters from Captain R.H. Bassett, there are dozens of notes written home to Sallie from her brother Garrett Scott, brother-in-law Noah Bassett, and her cousin John Nix. All of these men spent time serving in the 4th Texas Regiment of the famed Texas Brigade. While their letters contain minimal military focused discussions, they do highlight camp life, personal struggles of being separated from each other, personal and public incidents, and family news. The military discussion is really limited to mention of the dead and wounded from battles and engagements. However, R.H. does write a letter to Sallie as he arrives on the battlefield at Gettysburg. He expresses excitement to build off the Confederates successes that afternoon. Battles and engagements discussed include Antietam (September 17, 1862), Chancellorsville (April 30 to May 6, 1863), Gettysburg (July 1-3, 1863), and Chickamauga (September 18–20, 1863).\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eLizzie Scott Neblett was the older sister of Sallie Bassett and many letters between the sisters not previously examined, both before and after the American Civil War, can be found within this collection. Their letters shed light on relationship struggles, farm life, local news, and family connections.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eWhile few in number, the surviving letters of Lizzie and Sallie's father, James Scott, provide significant insight into Texas prior to its in 1846. In the first, James writes his wife, Sarah, from the convention in Austin, Texas, where the debates about joining the United States were taking place. He offers few specifics as \"Nothing in which you would take any interest has occurred here and therefore I will not say anything about the proceedings…\" In second of these letters, James is writing to a Colonel B. Rush Wallace and gets far more political in discussion and tone. He talks at length about concern over the merits of becoming Whig or Democrat once they are thrust into the existing political climate of their new nation.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eOf particular interest is an 1888 letter written by Ida Carter, presumably William M. and Belle Bassett Blackley's \"Black Mamy,\" is addressed to a Col. Bassett Blackley, in care of W. M. Blackley. Carter begins the letter \"Dear Little Bassett.\" This letter seems to suggest that the Blackleys did in fact have another child, Bassett Blackley, prior to Belle. If that is the case, Bassett Blackley may have died in childhood.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eOf the twentieth-century correspondence, most of it was sent or received by Chas Blackley. While his letters span most of the century, the bulk are centered between the years 1930-1944. The letters that Chas Blackley wrote while visiting Europe in 1934 are of particular interest due to the changing political climate with the rise of the Nazis in Germany. Through his correspondence, diaries, and photographs there is an opportunity to see an American view of this transformative time. In one letter to his sister, Mary, dated August 21, Chas Blackley writes of the hanging of Nazis in Vienna, Austria for a failed coup that took place mere weeks before his arrival and that it \"has retarded history making considerably.\" He also spoke of the \u003cemph render=\"italic\"\u003eHeimwehr\u003c/emph\u003e, the home guard, patrolling the streets with their rifles and \"keeping a sharp to windward.\"\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Contents"],"scopecontent_tesim":["Series 1: Correspondence, 1830-2011, is comprised of more than 300 individual letters. The majority of the earlier ones involve Sarah \"Sallie\" Scott Bassett and/or her husband R.H. Bassett. Together their combined correspondence comprises eight folders and spans the years 1850-1913.","These letters cover the years of the American Civil War and shed light on how the conflict affected their lives. In addition to letters from Captain R.H. Bassett, there are dozens of notes written home to Sallie from her brother Garrett Scott, brother-in-law Noah Bassett, and her cousin John Nix. All of these men spent time serving in the 4th Texas Regiment of the famed Texas Brigade. While their letters contain minimal military focused discussions, they do highlight camp life, personal struggles of being separated from each other, personal and public incidents, and family news. The military discussion is really limited to mention of the dead and wounded from battles and engagements. However, R.H. does write a letter to Sallie as he arrives on the battlefield at Gettysburg. He expresses excitement to build off the Confederates successes that afternoon. Battles and engagements discussed include Antietam (September 17, 1862), Chancellorsville (April 30 to May 6, 1863), Gettysburg (July 1-3, 1863), and Chickamauga (September 18–20, 1863).","Lizzie Scott Neblett was the older sister of Sallie Bassett and many letters between the sisters not previously examined, both before and after the American Civil War, can be found within this collection. Their letters shed light on relationship struggles, farm life, local news, and family connections.","While few in number, the surviving letters of Lizzie and Sallie's father, James Scott, provide significant insight into Texas prior to its in 1846. In the first, James writes his wife, Sarah, from the convention in Austin, Texas, where the debates about joining the United States were taking place. He offers few specifics as \"Nothing in which you would take any interest has occurred here and therefore I will not say anything about the proceedings…\" In second of these letters, James is writing to a Colonel B. Rush Wallace and gets far more political in discussion and tone. He talks at length about concern over the merits of becoming Whig or Democrat once they are thrust into the existing political climate of their new nation.","Of particular interest is an 1888 letter written by Ida Carter, presumably William M. and Belle Bassett Blackley's \"Black Mamy,\" is addressed to a Col. Bassett Blackley, in care of W. M. Blackley. Carter begins the letter \"Dear Little Bassett.\" This letter seems to suggest that the Blackleys did in fact have another child, Bassett Blackley, prior to Belle. If that is the case, Bassett Blackley may have died in childhood.","Of the twentieth-century correspondence, most of it was sent or received by Chas Blackley. While his letters span most of the century, the bulk are centered between the years 1930-1944. The letters that Chas Blackley wrote while visiting Europe in 1934 are of particular interest due to the changing political climate with the rise of the Nazis in Germany. Through his correspondence, diaries, and photographs there is an opportunity to see an American view of this transformative time. In one letter to his sister, Mary, dated August 21, Chas Blackley writes of the hanging of Nazis in Vienna, Austria for a failed coup that took place mere weeks before his arrival and that it \"has retarded history making considerably.\" He also spoke of the  Heimwehr , the home guard, patrolling the streets with their rifles and \"keeping a sharp to windward.\""],"_nest_path_":"/components#0","timestamp":"2026-05-21T00:22:06.237Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vihart_repositories_4_resources_407","ead_ssi":"vihart_repositories_4_resources_407","_root_":"vihart_repositories_4_resources_407","_nest_parent_":"vihart_repositories_4_resources_407","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/JMU/repositories_4_resources_407.xml","title_ssm":["Blackley Family papers"],"title_tesim":["Blackley Family papers"],"unitdate_ssm":["1830-2020"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1830-2020"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["SC 0232","/repositories/4/resources/407"],"text":["SC 0232","/repositories/4/resources/407","Blackley Family papers","Staunton (Va.)  -- History -- 19th century","Staunton (Va.)  -- History -- 20th century","Staunton (Va.)  -- History -- 21st century","Virginia -- Genealogy","Texas -- Genealogy","Texas -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865","United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Campaigns","Augusta County (Va.) -- Social life and customs -- 19th century","Augusta County (Va.) -- Social life and customs -- 20th century","Augusta County (Va.) -- Social life and customs -- 21st century","Augusta County (Va.) -- History -- 19th century","Augusta County (Va.) -- History -- 20th century","Augusta County (Va.) -- History -- 21st century","Military training camps -- United States","World War, 1939-1945","Radio stations -- Virginia -- Harrisonburg","Radio stations -- Virginia -- Staunton","Photography","Travel -- 20th century","Letters (correspondence)","Photographs","Diaries","Scrapbooks","Printed Ephemera","Drafts (documents)","Pamphlets","Brochures","Scripts (documents)","Newspaper clippings","Maps (documents)","Color patches (military patches)","Certificates","Diplomas","Postcards","Family papers","Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Collection is open for research with the exception of one file contained within the correspondence series that is restricted until January 1, 2035 at the request of the donor.","Access to original media, photographic negatives, and slides contained within this collection is restricted; reformatted access copies of these materials may exist, or researchers may request digital access copies be made.","Please contact the Special Collections Reference Desk before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection (library-special@jmu.edu).","File is restricted from research use until January 1, 2035 at the request of the donor.","Access to original photographic negatives contained within this collection is restricted; reformatted access copies of these materials may exist, or researchers may contact library-special@jmu.edu to request reformatted access copies.","Digital images of nineteenth-century correspondence and papers are available upon request.","Duplicates and out of scope materials were returned to the donor.","Duplicates and out of scope materials were returned to the donor.","The collection is arranged in seven series:","Correspondence, 1830-2011 Personal Papers, 1857-2016 Ephemera, 1856-2004 Photographs, circa 1861-1989 Scrapbooks, 1862-1931 2020-0121 Accession, 1930s-2019 2020-0702 Accession, 1882-2020","Murr, Erika, L., ed.,  A Rebel Wife in Texas: The Diary and Letters of Elizabeth Scott Neblett, 1852-1864 . Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 2001.","The Blackley Family Papers document the related Scott, Bassett, Blackley, Hoge, and Nix families of mostly Texas and Staunton, Virginia between 1830 and 2016. James Scott (1799-1856) was a Tennessee native and former Mississippi Supreme Court chief justice who married Sarah Lane (1803-1880) and settled in Anderson, Texas. James was a prominent Texas judge who was friends with Davie Crockett. While in Mississippi and Texas, James and Sarah had six children. The eldest, Elizabeth \"Lizzie\" (1833-1917), was born in Mississippi in 1833, Sarah \"Sallie\" (1843-1914), born April 9, 1843 in Texas, and one of their brothers, Garrett (1838-1862), born in 1838, contribute the most to this collection of letters.","Lizzie married William H. Neblett (1826-1871), a farmer and attorney, in 1852. He eventually left her to go fight for the Confederacy. Her domestic struggle on the home front during the Civil War is the subject of Erika L. Murr's book, A Rebel Wife in Texas: The Diary and Letters of Elizabeth Scott Neblett, 1852-1864 (2001).","In 1862, Sallie married Robert Houston \"R.H.\" Bassett (1836-1870). R.H. went on to enlist and serve in the famed Hood's Texas Brigade from 1861 to his wounding in 1864. He worked briefly as the adjutant general to Major General John Bell. While leading the regiment, he was wounded at the Battle of Chickamauga by an artillery shell fragment that lodged in his shoulder. This would effectively end his role in the war. Following the conclusion of the conflict and his recovery from the wound, R.H. tried his hand at politics in a bid to represent Grimes County, Texas in Congress. Their first child, Robert, died tragically in 1864 at only eight months old. R.H. died in 1870 because of health complications that appear related to edema.","R.H.'s brother, Noah (1839-1886), also served in the Texas Brigade. The correspondence between R.H., Sallie, and Noah provides a lucid account of the Army of Northern Virginia's major campaigns and operations, including developments related to the Battles of Antietam, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and Chickamauga.","Garrett Scott, Sallie Scott's brother, died in action at the Battle of Antietam September 17, 1862 while serving in the Texas Brigade. His letters from the early years of the war offer yet another perspective of campaign and camp life.","R.H. and Sallie's daughter, Barbara \"Belle\" Bassett (1865-1958), married William Mason Blackley (1863-1898) in 1884 and lived in Staunton, Virginia before moving to Washington, D.C. Research suggests they only had one child, Belle Blackley (1890-1967), whom never married and lived out her life in Washington, D.C. However, an 1888 letter contained in this collection written by Ida Carter, the Blackley's \"Black Mamy,\" is addressed to a Col. Bassett Blackley, in care of W. M. Blackley. Carter begins the letter \"Dear Little Bassett.\" This letter seems to suggest that the Blackleys did in fact have another child, Bassett Blackley, prior to Belle. If that is the case, Bassett Blackley may have died in childhood.","The bulk of the twentieth-century material was created by or concerns William Mason Blackley's nephew, Charles \"Chas\" Phillips Blackley Sr. (1909-1999), his wife Catherine Matthews Blackley (1914-2010), and their son and daughter-in-law Charles \"Chuck\" Phillips Blackley (b. 1951) and Patricia Fry Blackley (b. 1952).","Charles \"Chas\" Phillips Blackley Sr. was born in Staunton, Virginia in 1909. His parents died from the Spanish Flu when he was 10. Their deaths required Chas and his sister Mary Gilkeson Blackley to move in with their aunt, Fannie Blackley Cushing in Staunton. These materials cover his travels throughout the Pacific and Asia aboard a \"tramp steamer\" with boyhood friend, George Earman in 1930, his 1927-1929 military training in the little discussed Citizens Military Training Camps (CMTC), time at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI), his 1934 travels in Europe, World War II military service, and ownership and operation of WSVA, the first radio station in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Chas sold his share in WSVA and moved to Staunton, Virginia where he started the WTON radio station. Beyond his official jobs, Chas spent much of the early 1930s as an amateur playwright and author. Chas and Catherine Matthews were married in 1938.","While traveling Europe via train in 1934, Chas met David Kahn, a young Presbyterian judge of Indian descent. They would become lifelong friends. Mr. Kahn went on to become a governor of an Indian province under British rule and later head the Department of Sanitation for Calcutta. He and his wife visited their children, who had moved to the United States, and Mr. and Mrs. Blackley often until his health would not allow it. Evidence of their lifelong friendship can be found most clearly in this collection's correspondence and photographs.","Chas' WWII experience saw him drafted at age 35 and shipped to Camp Crowder, Missouri for training. He would eventually be transferred to Washington, D.C. where he worked as a private in the basement of the Pentagon. According this son, his superiors frequently called him upstairs to request autographed photos of American Broadcasting Company (ABC) celebrities. He was able to oblige them because of WSVA's status as an ABC affiliate.","Catherine Matthews Blackley was originally from Cambridge, Maryland and came to the Shenandoah Valley to attend the State Teacher's College at Harrisonburg (now James Madison University). She graduated in 1935 with a degree in home economics. For a short time she taught in Norfolk, Virginia before marrying Chas Blackley in 1938 and buying a home on Port Republic Road in Harrisonburg. After Chas was drafted and shipped to Camp Crowder, Mrs. Blackley traveled to Neosho, Missouri to be with her husband. While in Missouri, she volunteered with the Red Cross to help care for wounded soldiers. She continued this service after Mr. Blackley was transferred to Washington, D.C. After the war, they returned to the Valley and Catherine became a member of the Staunton School Board and was very active in volunteer work.","Charles \"Chuck\" Phillips Blackley Jr. was a professional engineer and graduate of Virginia Tech. He provided services in Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland. Chuck married Patricia Fry in 1971. At the time he sold his office it was the largest engineering company in the region outside of Richmond, Roanoke, and Northern Virginia.","Patricia Fry Blackley graduated from James Madison University in 1987 and became a licensed real estate appraiser. After Chuck stepped away from his engineering office he teamed up with his wife and the couple became full-time photographers and writers. Their work can be found in hundreds of magazines, books, and calendars.","The collection as a whole required only limited preservation treatment. Some of the correspondence and papers did require Mylar sleeves. The 3D objects are housed together in one box with special housings created to protect them long-term. Most of the nineteenth-century letters required flattening to make them more accessible and to allow for proper digitization as per the donor agreement. Also, many of the diplomas and older photographs were removed from their frames for proper storage. Original order of materials was maintained wherever possible, taking into account provenance, storage needs, and accessibility for researchers.","Photographs and cabinet cards were removed from a leather photo album with \"Fannie S. Blackley Session 1881-'82\" embossed on the front cover. Some of the cabinet cards were identified with a Post-It note. Those identifications were written in pencil on the back of the cabinet cards. The photo album was not retained due to significant condition issues.","Charles C. Phillips Civil War Papers. MS 0327. Virginia Military Institute Archives.","Murr, Erika, L., ed.,  A Rebel Wife in Texas: The Diary and Letters of Elizabeth Scott Neblett, 1852-1864 . Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 2001.","Lizzie Scott Neblett Papers, 1848-1935, Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin.","Yourself and family are invited to attend the feast of Mondamin corn festival . n.p.: Staunton, Va.: J. Harry Drechsler, pr., [1890], 1890. JAMES MADISON UNIV's Catalog, EBSCOhost (accessed May 2, 2017).","The Blackley Family Papers, 1830-2020, consists of hundreds of letters that span from 1830 to 2011; diaries; official United States, Confederate, and Texas documents; literary works; newspaper clippings; postcards; ephemera; and photographs. These papers document the related Scott, Bassett, Blackley, Hoge, Matthews, and Nix families of Texas and Staunton, Virginia.","Series 1: Correspondence, 1830-2011, is comprised of more than 300 individual letters. The majority of the earlier ones involve Sarah \"Sallie\" Scott Bassett and/or her husband R.H. Bassett. Together their combined correspondence comprises eight folders and spans the years 1850-1913.","These letters cover the years of the American Civil War and shed light on how the conflict affected their lives. In addition to letters from Captain R.H. Bassett, there are dozens of notes written home to Sallie from her brother Garrett Scott, brother-in-law Noah Bassett, and her cousin John Nix. All of these men spent time serving in the 4th Texas Regiment of the famed Texas Brigade. While their letters contain minimal military focused discussions, they do highlight camp life, personal struggles of being separated from each other, personal and public incidents, and family news. The military discussion is really limited to mention of the dead and wounded from battles and engagements. However, R.H. does write a letter to Sallie as he arrives on the battlefield at Gettysburg. He expresses excitement to build off the Confederates successes that afternoon. Battles and engagements discussed include Antietam (September 17, 1862), Chancellorsville (April 30 to May 6, 1863), Gettysburg (July 1-3, 1863), and Chickamauga (September 18–20, 1863).","Lizzie Scott Neblett was the older sister of Sallie Bassett and many letters between the sisters not previously examined, both before and after the American Civil War, can be found within this collection. Their letters shed light on relationship struggles, farm life, local news, and family connections.","While few in number, the surviving letters of Lizzie and Sallie's father, James Scott, provide significant insight into Texas prior to its in 1846. In the first, James writes his wife, Sarah, from the convention in Austin, Texas, where the debates about joining the United States were taking place. He offers few specifics as \"Nothing in which you would take any interest has occurred here and therefore I will not say anything about the proceedings…\" In second of these letters, James is writing to a Colonel B. Rush Wallace and gets far more political in discussion and tone. He talks at length about concern over the merits of becoming Whig or Democrat once they are thrust into the existing political climate of their new nation.","Of particular interest is an 1888 letter written by Ida Carter, presumably William M. and Belle Bassett Blackley's \"Black Mamy,\" is addressed to a Col. Bassett Blackley, in care of W. M. Blackley. Carter begins the letter \"Dear Little Bassett.\" This letter seems to suggest that the Blackleys did in fact have another child, Bassett Blackley, prior to Belle. If that is the case, Bassett Blackley may have died in childhood.","Of the twentieth-century correspondence, most of it was sent or received by Chas Blackley. While his letters span most of the century, the bulk are centered between the years 1930-1944. The letters that Chas Blackley wrote while visiting Europe in 1934 are of particular interest due to the changing political climate with the rise of the Nazis in Germany. Through his correspondence, diaries, and photographs there is an opportunity to see an American view of this transformative time. In one letter to his sister, Mary, dated August 21, Chas Blackley writes of the hanging of Nazis in Vienna, Austria for a failed coup that took place mere weeks before his arrival and that it \"has retarded history making considerably.\" He also spoke of the  Heimwehr , the home guard, patrolling the streets with their rifles and \"keeping a sharp to windward.\"","Series 2: Personal Papers, 1857-2015, is comprised of personal papers, diaries, and other documents that highlight the careers and interests of the family members. R.H. Bassett's papers include Confederate government and military documents pertaining to promotions, recruitment, and resignation.","Another unique piece of this collection from the early period is the Belle Bassett Diary, 1873-1879, which offers a glimpse of the post-war years for a child growing up in the South.","Chas Blackley, in addition to his letters from the trip to Europe, also kept a diary of his experiences. This diary covers the personal and public incidents of his travels.","More information about individual members of family is available here in the form of detailed histories of specific family lines (Blackley, Bassett, Hoge, etc.), through family trees, and biographical information.","Other items of note from Chas Blackley are the many manuscripts of novels and plays that he wrote in the early-to-mid 1930s.","Series 3: Ephemera, 1856-2004, houses many unique items such as hundreds of stamps (U.S., Confederate, and international), brochures, certificates, awards, diplomas, and pamphlets from events such as the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics and the 1933 World's Fair in Chicago, and dance cards. The aforementioned diplomas and certificates document the Blackley family's achievements and graduations from various schools and universities, including the University of Virginia, the State Teacher's College at Harrisonburg, and Virginia Tech. Many of the manuals and booklets used in Chas' various military training can be found in this series.","There are also newspaper clippings that share stories directly related to family members or address significant events of the time. These include awards won by the family, news about new jobs or graduations, historic events like D-Day, and John F. Kennedy's assassination.","One of the more locally relevant pieces is a pamphlet entitled \"Dedication of the Shenandoah National Park\" (1936). It lists the planned dedication speech from President Franklin D. Roosevelt given at Big Meadows as the key event.","This series also includes one oversize box of 3D ephemeral objects. Objects of interest include a Kodak No. 2 Folding Autographic Brownie camera (1917-1926) owned by Chas Blackley and inscribed with the names of Blackley and the SS  Gertrude Kellogg , Dr. Charles Coatesworth Phillips' small leather medicine case with glass bottles that he took on house calls, several pairs of glasses, a glass plate photograph of Susie E. Phillips, and assorted World's Fair ephemera.","Stored separately are multiple flags that are likely from Chas' 1930 voyage in the Pacific. There is a large and small Japanese flag, a small Chinese [pre-communist revolution] flag, and a small Philippine national flag. An additional flag dates to WWI and features the United States flag surrounded by smaller flags of all our allies from that conflict.","Series 4, Photographs, circa 1861-1989, includes photographic prints, negatives, and slides that document the Scott, Bassett, Blackley, Hoge, Matthews, and Nix families of Texas and Staunton, Virginia. Files are arranged chronologically and undated groupings of images are listed alphabetically at the end of the series. Files are labeled to reflect the subject of the photos; original arrangement and description of people and places as received from the donor was maintained whenever possible. Some photographs contain identifying text written on the back of the image, though many photos are unidentified. ","Photographs within this series document Chas Blackley's trips to Asia and the Pacific in 1930 as well as his journey through Europe in 1934. Other photographs document the Civilian Military Training Camp (CMTC) experience at Ft. Eustis, Virginia, from 1928.","Photographs created by or picturing Catherine Matthews Blackley contain images of campus and student life at the State Teacher's College at Harrisonburg (now JMU) dating from the early 1930s.","Series 5: Scrapbooks, 1862-1931, is comprised of one scrapbook created by R.H. Bassett, and three scrapbooks created by Chas Blackley. The scrapbook created by R.H. Bassett dates from 1862-1869 and contains mostly newspaper clippings related to Bassett's work in local and state politics in Grimes County, Texas, after a wound at the Battle of Chickamauga in 1864 ended his role in the American Civil War. \nThe three remaining scrapbooks were created by Chas Blackley, and document aspects of his life in the years between 1928-1931. The CTMC and VMI scrapbook documents Chas Blackley's military training at the Citizen's Military Training Camp (CTMC) from 1927-1929 as well as his time enrolled at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI). Two scrapbooks document Chas Blackley's 1930 travels with childhood friend  George Earman throughout the Pacific and multiple Asian nations aboard the steamer SS  Gertrude Kellogg .","The series largely documents Chas Blackley's involvement with radio stations WSVA and WTON and comprises photographs, correspondence, and printed ephemera. A file concerning Susan Blackley, Chas Blackley's daughter, is included and relate to her work as the horticulturalist for the city of Staunton. Photographs document Susan's time as a bartender at H.A. Winston's in Wilmington, Delaware.","Includes newspaper clippings covering Susan's work as a horticulturist for Staunton as well as photographs of Susan as a bartender at H.A. Winston's in Wilmington, Delaware.","Includes negatives.","Includes negatives.","Comprises papers and photographs related to the immediate and extended Blackley family. Materials also concern the Fry and Matthews families.","Materials related to Eugene Fry, father of Patricia Fry Blackley.","All published monographs have been cataloged individually and placed in Special Collections' rare book collection. Catherine Matthews Blackley's  Schooma'am  yearbooks were removed and housed with the yearbook collection. They are retained due to heavy annotations.","The copyright interests in this collection have been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).","The Blackley Family Papers, 1830-2020, consists of hundreds of letters that span from 1830 to 2011; diaries; official United States, Confederate, and Texas documents; literary works; newspaper clippings; postcards; ephemera; and photographs. These papers document the related Scott, Bassett, Blackley, Hoge, Matthews, and Nix families of Texas and Staunton, Virginia.","James Madison University Libraries Special Collections","State Teachers College at Harrisonburg (Harrisonburg, Va.) -- Students","United States. War Department. Citizens' Military Training Camps","Virginia Military Institute -- Students","Confederate States of America. Army. Texas Brigade","Virginia Polytechnic Institute -- Students","WTON (Radio station : Staunton, Va.)","WSVA (Radio station : Harrisonburg, Va.)","Blackley family","Blackley, Chuck","Blackley, Charles Phillips, Sr., 1909-1999","Blackley, Pat","Harvey, Paul, 1918-2009","English"],"unitid_tesim":["SC 0232","/repositories/4/resources/407"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Blackley Family papers"],"collection_title_tesim":["Blackley Family papers"],"collection_ssim":["Blackley Family papers"],"repository_ssm":["James Madison University"],"repository_ssim":["James Madison University"],"geogname_ssm":["Staunton (Va.)  -- History -- 19th century","Staunton (Va.)  -- History -- 20th century","Staunton (Va.)  -- History -- 21st century","Virginia -- Genealogy","Texas -- Genealogy","Texas -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865","United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Campaigns","Augusta County (Va.) -- Social life and customs -- 19th century","Augusta County (Va.) -- Social life and customs -- 20th century","Augusta County (Va.) -- Social life and customs -- 21st century","Augusta County (Va.) -- History -- 19th century","Augusta County (Va.) -- History -- 20th century","Augusta County (Va.) -- History -- 21st century"],"geogname_ssim":["Staunton (Va.)  -- History -- 19th century","Staunton (Va.)  -- History -- 20th century","Staunton (Va.)  -- History -- 21st century","Virginia -- Genealogy","Texas -- Genealogy","Texas -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865","United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Campaigns","Augusta County (Va.) -- Social life and customs -- 19th century","Augusta County (Va.) -- Social life and customs -- 20th century","Augusta County (Va.) -- Social life and customs -- 21st century","Augusta County (Va.) -- History -- 19th century","Augusta County (Va.) -- History -- 20th century","Augusta County (Va.) -- History -- 21st century"],"creator_ssm":["Blackley family","Blackley, Chuck","Blackley, Charles Phillips, Sr., 1909-1999"],"creator_ssim":["Blackley family","Blackley, Chuck","Blackley, Charles Phillips, Sr., 1909-1999"],"creator_persname_ssim":["Blackley, Chuck","Blackley, Charles Phillips, Sr., 1909-1999"],"creator_famname_ssim":["Blackley family"],"creators_ssim":["Blackley, Chuck","Blackley, Charles Phillips, Sr., 1909-1999","Blackley family"],"places_ssim":["Staunton (Va.)  -- History -- 19th century","Staunton (Va.)  -- History -- 20th century","Staunton (Va.)  -- History -- 21st century","Virginia -- Genealogy","Texas -- Genealogy","Texas -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865","United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Campaigns","Augusta County (Va.) -- Social life and customs -- 19th century","Augusta County (Va.) -- Social life and customs -- 20th century","Augusta County (Va.) -- Social life and customs -- 21st century","Augusta County (Va.) -- History -- 19th century","Augusta County (Va.) -- History -- 20th century","Augusta County (Va.) -- History -- 21st century"],"access_terms_ssm":["The copyright interests in this collection have been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu)."],"acqinfo_ssim":["Charles P. Blackley Jr. of Staunton, Virginia donated this material in various accretions between 2015-2020."],"access_subjects_ssim":["Military training camps -- United States","World War, 1939-1945","Radio stations -- Virginia -- Harrisonburg","Radio stations -- Virginia -- Staunton","Photography","Travel -- 20th century","Letters (correspondence)","Photographs","Diaries","Scrapbooks","Printed Ephemera","Drafts (documents)","Pamphlets","Brochures","Scripts (documents)","Newspaper clippings","Maps (documents)","Color patches (military patches)","Certificates","Diplomas","Postcards","Family papers"],"access_subjects_ssm":["Military training camps -- United States","World War, 1939-1945","Radio stations -- Virginia -- Harrisonburg","Radio stations -- Virginia -- Staunton","Photography","Travel -- 20th century","Letters (correspondence)","Photographs","Diaries","Scrapbooks","Printed Ephemera","Drafts (documents)","Pamphlets","Brochures","Scripts (documents)","Newspaper clippings","Maps (documents)","Color patches (military patches)","Certificates","Diplomas","Postcards","Family papers"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["14.37 cubic feet 30 boxes, 2 flat folders"],"extent_tesim":["14.37 cubic feet 30 boxes, 2 flat folders"],"genreform_ssim":["Letters (correspondence)","Photographs","Diaries","Scrapbooks","Printed Ephemera","Drafts (documents)","Pamphlets","Brochures","Scripts (documents)","Newspaper clippings","Maps (documents)","Color patches (military patches)","Certificates","Diplomas","Postcards","Family papers"],"date_range_isim":[1830,1831,1832,1833,1834,1835,1836,1837,1838,1839,1840,1841,1842,1843,1844,1845,1846,1847,1848,1849,1850,1851,1852,1853,1854,1855,1856,1857,1858,1859,1860,1861,1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867,1868,1869,1870,1871,1872,1873,1874,1875,1876,1877,1878,1879,1880,1881,1882,1883,1884,1885,1886,1887,1888,1889,1890,1891,1892,1893,1894,1895,1896,1897,1898,1899,1900,1901,1902,1903,1904,1905,1906,1907,1908,1909,1910,1911,1912,1913,1914,1915,1916,1917,1918,1919,1920,1921,1922,1923,1924,1925,1926,1927,1928,1929,1930,1931,1932,1933,1934,1935,1936,1937,1938,1939,1940,1941,1942,1943,1944,1945,1946,1947,1948,1949,1950,1951,1952,1953,1954,1955,1956,1957,1958,1959,1960,1961,1962,1963,1964,1965,1966,1967,1968,1969,1970,1971,1972,1973,1974,1975,1976,1977,1978,1979,1980,1981,1982,1983,1984,1985,1986,1987,1988,1989,1990,1991,1992,1993,1994,1995,1996,1997,1998,1999,2000,2001,2002,2003,2004,2005,2006,2007,2008,2009,2010,2011,2012,2013,2014,2015,2016,2017,2018,2019,2020],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eResearchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Collection is open for research with the exception of one file contained within the correspondence series that is restricted until January 1, 2035 at the request of the donor.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAccess to original media, photographic negatives, and slides contained within this collection is restricted; reformatted access copies of these materials may exist, or researchers may request digital access copies be made.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePlease contact the Special Collections Reference Desk before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection (library-special@jmu.edu).\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eFile is restricted from research use until January 1, 2035 at the request of the donor.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eAccess to original photographic negatives contained within this collection is restricted; reformatted access copies of these materials may exist, or researchers may contact library-special@jmu.edu to request reformatted access copies.\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Conditions Governing Access","","","Conditions Governing Access","Access Restrictions"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Collection is open for research with the exception of one file contained within the correspondence series that is restricted until January 1, 2035 at the request of the donor.","Access to original media, photographic negatives, and slides contained within this collection is restricted; reformatted access copies of these materials may exist, or researchers may request digital access copies be made.","Please contact the Special Collections Reference Desk before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection (library-special@jmu.edu).","File is restricted from research use until January 1, 2035 at the request of the donor.","Access to original photographic negatives contained within this collection is restricted; reformatted access copies of these materials may exist, or researchers may contact library-special@jmu.edu to request reformatted access copies."],"altformavail_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eDigital images of nineteenth-century correspondence and papers are available upon request.\u003c/p\u003e"],"altformavail_heading_ssm":["Other Formats Available"],"altformavail_tesim":["Digital images of nineteenth-century correspondence and papers are available upon request."],"appraisal_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eDuplicates and out of scope materials were returned to the donor.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eDuplicates and out of scope materials were returned to the donor.\u003c/p\u003e"],"appraisal_heading_ssm":["Appraisal","Appraisal"],"appraisal_tesim":["Duplicates and out of scope materials were returned to the donor.","Duplicates and out of scope materials were returned to the donor."],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe collection is arranged in seven series:\u003c/p\u003e","\u003clist numeration=\"arabic\" type=\"ordered\"\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eCorrespondence, 1830-2011\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003ePersonal Papers, 1857-2016\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eEphemera, 1856-2004\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003ePhotographs, circa 1861-1989\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003eScrapbooks, 1862-1931\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003e2020-0121 Accession, 1930s-2019\u003c/item\u003e\n      \u003citem\u003e2020-0702 Accession, 1882-2020\u003c/item\u003e\n    \u003c/list\u003e"],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement"],"arrangement_tesim":["The collection is arranged in seven series:","Correspondence, 1830-2011 Personal Papers, 1857-2016 Ephemera, 1856-2004 Photographs, circa 1861-1989 Scrapbooks, 1862-1931 2020-0121 Accession, 1930s-2019 2020-0702 Accession, 1882-2020"],"bibliography_html_tesm":["\u003cbibref\u003eMurr, Erika, L., ed., \u003cemph render=\"italic\"\u003eA Rebel Wife in Texas: The Diary and Letters of Elizabeth Scott Neblett, 1852-1864\u003c/emph\u003e. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 2001.\u003c/bibref\u003e"],"bibliography_heading_ssm":["Bibliography"],"bibliography_tesim":["Murr, Erika, L., ed.,  A Rebel Wife in Texas: The Diary and Letters of Elizabeth Scott Neblett, 1852-1864 . Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 2001."],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe Blackley Family Papers document the related Scott, Bassett, Blackley, Hoge, and Nix families of mostly Texas and Staunton, Virginia between 1830 and 2016. James Scott (1799-1856) was a Tennessee native and former Mississippi Supreme Court chief justice who married Sarah Lane (1803-1880) and settled in Anderson, Texas. James was a prominent Texas judge who was friends with Davie Crockett. While in Mississippi and Texas, James and Sarah had six children. The eldest, Elizabeth \"Lizzie\" (1833-1917), was born in Mississippi in 1833, Sarah \"Sallie\" (1843-1914), born April 9, 1843 in Texas, and one of their brothers, Garrett (1838-1862), born in 1838, contribute the most to this collection of letters.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eLizzie married William H. Neblett (1826-1871), a farmer and attorney, in 1852. He eventually left her to go fight for the Confederacy. Her domestic struggle on the home front during the Civil War is the subject of Erika L. Murr's book, A Rebel Wife in Texas: The Diary and Letters of Elizabeth Scott Neblett, 1852-1864 (2001).\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eIn 1862, Sallie married Robert Houston \"R.H.\" Bassett (1836-1870). R.H. went on to enlist and serve in the famed Hood's Texas Brigade from 1861 to his wounding in 1864. He worked briefly as the adjutant general to Major General John Bell. While leading the regiment, he was wounded at the Battle of Chickamauga by an artillery shell fragment that lodged in his shoulder. This would effectively end his role in the war. Following the conclusion of the conflict and his recovery from the wound, R.H. tried his hand at politics in a bid to represent Grimes County, Texas in Congress. Their first child, Robert, died tragically in 1864 at only eight months old. R.H. died in 1870 because of health complications that appear related to edema.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eR.H.'s brother, Noah (1839-1886), also served in the Texas Brigade. The correspondence between R.H., Sallie, and Noah provides a lucid account of the Army of Northern Virginia's major campaigns and operations, including developments related to the Battles of Antietam, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and Chickamauga.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eGarrett Scott, Sallie Scott's brother, died in action at the Battle of Antietam September 17, 1862 while serving in the Texas Brigade. His letters from the early years of the war offer yet another perspective of campaign and camp life.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eR.H. and Sallie's daughter, Barbara \"Belle\" Bassett (1865-1958), married William Mason Blackley (1863-1898) in 1884 and lived in Staunton, Virginia before moving to Washington, D.C. Research suggests they only had one child, Belle Blackley (1890-1967), whom never married and lived out her life in Washington, D.C. However, an 1888 letter contained in this collection written by Ida Carter, the Blackley's \"Black Mamy,\" is addressed to a Col. Bassett Blackley, in care of W. M. Blackley. Carter begins the letter \"Dear Little Bassett.\" This letter seems to suggest that the Blackleys did in fact have another child, Bassett Blackley, prior to Belle. If that is the case, Bassett Blackley may have died in childhood.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThe bulk of the twentieth-century material was created by or concerns William Mason Blackley's nephew, Charles \"Chas\" Phillips Blackley Sr. (1909-1999), his wife Catherine Matthews Blackley (1914-2010), and their son and daughter-in-law Charles \"Chuck\" Phillips Blackley (b. 1951) and Patricia Fry Blackley (b. 1952).\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eCharles \"Chas\" Phillips Blackley Sr. was born in Staunton, Virginia in 1909. His parents died from the Spanish Flu when he was 10. Their deaths required Chas and his sister Mary Gilkeson Blackley to move in with their aunt, Fannie Blackley Cushing in Staunton. These materials cover his travels throughout the Pacific and Asia aboard a \"tramp steamer\" with boyhood friend, George Earman in 1930, his 1927-1929 military training in the little discussed Citizens Military Training Camps (CMTC), time at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI), his 1934 travels in Europe, World War II military service, and ownership and operation of WSVA, the first radio station in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Chas sold his share in WSVA and moved to Staunton, Virginia where he started the WTON radio station. Beyond his official jobs, Chas spent much of the early 1930s as an amateur playwright and author. Chas and Catherine Matthews were married in 1938.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWhile traveling Europe via train in 1934, Chas met David Kahn, a young Presbyterian judge of Indian descent. They would become lifelong friends. Mr. Kahn went on to become a governor of an Indian province under British rule and later head the Department of Sanitation for Calcutta. He and his wife visited their children, who had moved to the United States, and Mr. and Mrs. Blackley often until his health would not allow it. Evidence of their lifelong friendship can be found most clearly in this collection's correspondence and photographs.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eChas' WWII experience saw him drafted at age 35 and shipped to Camp Crowder, Missouri for training. He would eventually be transferred to Washington, D.C. where he worked as a private in the basement of the Pentagon. According this son, his superiors frequently called him upstairs to request autographed photos of American Broadcasting Company (ABC) celebrities. He was able to oblige them because of WSVA's status as an ABC affiliate.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eCatherine Matthews Blackley was originally from Cambridge, Maryland and came to the Shenandoah Valley to attend the State Teacher's College at Harrisonburg (now James Madison University). She graduated in 1935 with a degree in home economics. For a short time she taught in Norfolk, Virginia before marrying Chas Blackley in 1938 and buying a home on Port Republic Road in Harrisonburg. After Chas was drafted and shipped to Camp Crowder, Mrs. Blackley traveled to Neosho, Missouri to be with her husband. While in Missouri, she volunteered with the Red Cross to help care for wounded soldiers. She continued this service after Mr. Blackley was transferred to Washington, D.C. After the war, they returned to the Valley and Catherine became a member of the Staunton School Board and was very active in volunteer work.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eCharles \"Chuck\" Phillips Blackley Jr. was a professional engineer and graduate of Virginia Tech. He provided services in Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland. Chuck married Patricia Fry in 1971. At the time he sold his office it was the largest engineering company in the region outside of Richmond, Roanoke, and Northern Virginia.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003ePatricia Fry Blackley graduated from James Madison University in 1987 and became a licensed real estate appraiser. After Chuck stepped away from his engineering office he teamed up with his wife and the couple became full-time photographers and writers. Their work can be found in hundreds of magazines, books, and calendars.\u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Biographical / Historical"],"bioghist_tesim":["The Blackley Family Papers document the related Scott, Bassett, Blackley, Hoge, and Nix families of mostly Texas and Staunton, Virginia between 1830 and 2016. James Scott (1799-1856) was a Tennessee native and former Mississippi Supreme Court chief justice who married Sarah Lane (1803-1880) and settled in Anderson, Texas. James was a prominent Texas judge who was friends with Davie Crockett. While in Mississippi and Texas, James and Sarah had six children. The eldest, Elizabeth \"Lizzie\" (1833-1917), was born in Mississippi in 1833, Sarah \"Sallie\" (1843-1914), born April 9, 1843 in Texas, and one of their brothers, Garrett (1838-1862), born in 1838, contribute the most to this collection of letters.","Lizzie married William H. Neblett (1826-1871), a farmer and attorney, in 1852. He eventually left her to go fight for the Confederacy. Her domestic struggle on the home front during the Civil War is the subject of Erika L. Murr's book, A Rebel Wife in Texas: The Diary and Letters of Elizabeth Scott Neblett, 1852-1864 (2001).","In 1862, Sallie married Robert Houston \"R.H.\" Bassett (1836-1870). R.H. went on to enlist and serve in the famed Hood's Texas Brigade from 1861 to his wounding in 1864. He worked briefly as the adjutant general to Major General John Bell. While leading the regiment, he was wounded at the Battle of Chickamauga by an artillery shell fragment that lodged in his shoulder. This would effectively end his role in the war. Following the conclusion of the conflict and his recovery from the wound, R.H. tried his hand at politics in a bid to represent Grimes County, Texas in Congress. Their first child, Robert, died tragically in 1864 at only eight months old. R.H. died in 1870 because of health complications that appear related to edema.","R.H.'s brother, Noah (1839-1886), also served in the Texas Brigade. The correspondence between R.H., Sallie, and Noah provides a lucid account of the Army of Northern Virginia's major campaigns and operations, including developments related to the Battles of Antietam, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and Chickamauga.","Garrett Scott, Sallie Scott's brother, died in action at the Battle of Antietam September 17, 1862 while serving in the Texas Brigade. His letters from the early years of the war offer yet another perspective of campaign and camp life.","R.H. and Sallie's daughter, Barbara \"Belle\" Bassett (1865-1958), married William Mason Blackley (1863-1898) in 1884 and lived in Staunton, Virginia before moving to Washington, D.C. Research suggests they only had one child, Belle Blackley (1890-1967), whom never married and lived out her life in Washington, D.C. However, an 1888 letter contained in this collection written by Ida Carter, the Blackley's \"Black Mamy,\" is addressed to a Col. Bassett Blackley, in care of W. M. Blackley. Carter begins the letter \"Dear Little Bassett.\" This letter seems to suggest that the Blackleys did in fact have another child, Bassett Blackley, prior to Belle. If that is the case, Bassett Blackley may have died in childhood.","The bulk of the twentieth-century material was created by or concerns William Mason Blackley's nephew, Charles \"Chas\" Phillips Blackley Sr. (1909-1999), his wife Catherine Matthews Blackley (1914-2010), and their son and daughter-in-law Charles \"Chuck\" Phillips Blackley (b. 1951) and Patricia Fry Blackley (b. 1952).","Charles \"Chas\" Phillips Blackley Sr. was born in Staunton, Virginia in 1909. His parents died from the Spanish Flu when he was 10. Their deaths required Chas and his sister Mary Gilkeson Blackley to move in with their aunt, Fannie Blackley Cushing in Staunton. These materials cover his travels throughout the Pacific and Asia aboard a \"tramp steamer\" with boyhood friend, George Earman in 1930, his 1927-1929 military training in the little discussed Citizens Military Training Camps (CMTC), time at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI), his 1934 travels in Europe, World War II military service, and ownership and operation of WSVA, the first radio station in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Chas sold his share in WSVA and moved to Staunton, Virginia where he started the WTON radio station. Beyond his official jobs, Chas spent much of the early 1930s as an amateur playwright and author. Chas and Catherine Matthews were married in 1938.","While traveling Europe via train in 1934, Chas met David Kahn, a young Presbyterian judge of Indian descent. They would become lifelong friends. Mr. Kahn went on to become a governor of an Indian province under British rule and later head the Department of Sanitation for Calcutta. He and his wife visited their children, who had moved to the United States, and Mr. and Mrs. Blackley often until his health would not allow it. Evidence of their lifelong friendship can be found most clearly in this collection's correspondence and photographs.","Chas' WWII experience saw him drafted at age 35 and shipped to Camp Crowder, Missouri for training. He would eventually be transferred to Washington, D.C. where he worked as a private in the basement of the Pentagon. According this son, his superiors frequently called him upstairs to request autographed photos of American Broadcasting Company (ABC) celebrities. He was able to oblige them because of WSVA's status as an ABC affiliate.","Catherine Matthews Blackley was originally from Cambridge, Maryland and came to the Shenandoah Valley to attend the State Teacher's College at Harrisonburg (now James Madison University). She graduated in 1935 with a degree in home economics. For a short time she taught in Norfolk, Virginia before marrying Chas Blackley in 1938 and buying a home on Port Republic Road in Harrisonburg. After Chas was drafted and shipped to Camp Crowder, Mrs. Blackley traveled to Neosho, Missouri to be with her husband. While in Missouri, she volunteered with the Red Cross to help care for wounded soldiers. She continued this service after Mr. Blackley was transferred to Washington, D.C. After the war, they returned to the Valley and Catherine became a member of the Staunton School Board and was very active in volunteer work.","Charles \"Chuck\" Phillips Blackley Jr. was a professional engineer and graduate of Virginia Tech. He provided services in Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland. Chuck married Patricia Fry in 1971. At the time he sold his office it was the largest engineering company in the region outside of Richmond, Roanoke, and Northern Virginia.","Patricia Fry Blackley graduated from James Madison University in 1987 and became a licensed real estate appraiser. After Chuck stepped away from his engineering office he teamed up with his wife and the couple became full-time photographers and writers. Their work can be found in hundreds of magazines, books, and calendars."],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Blackley Family Papers, 1830-2020, SC 0232, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Blackley Family Papers, 1830-2020, SC 0232, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA."],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe collection as a whole required only limited preservation treatment. Some of the correspondence and papers did require Mylar sleeves. The 3D objects are housed together in one box with special housings created to protect them long-term. Most of the nineteenth-century letters required flattening to make them more accessible and to allow for proper digitization as per the donor agreement. Also, many of the diplomas and older photographs were removed from their frames for proper storage. Original order of materials was maintained wherever possible, taking into account provenance, storage needs, and accessibility for researchers.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003ePhotographs and cabinet cards were removed from a leather photo album with \"Fannie S. Blackley Session 1881-'82\" embossed on the front cover. Some of the cabinet cards were identified with a Post-It note. Those identifications were written in pencil on the back of the cabinet cards. The photo album was not retained due to significant condition issues.\u003c/p\u003e"],"processinfo_heading_ssm":["Processing Information","Processing Information"],"processinfo_tesim":["The collection as a whole required only limited preservation treatment. Some of the correspondence and papers did require Mylar sleeves. The 3D objects are housed together in one box with special housings created to protect them long-term. Most of the nineteenth-century letters required flattening to make them more accessible and to allow for proper digitization as per the donor agreement. Also, many of the diplomas and older photographs were removed from their frames for proper storage. Original order of materials was maintained wherever possible, taking into account provenance, storage needs, and accessibility for researchers.","Photographs and cabinet cards were removed from a leather photo album with \"Fannie S. Blackley Session 1881-'82\" embossed on the front cover. Some of the cabinet cards were identified with a Post-It note. Those identifications were written in pencil on the back of the cabinet cards. The photo album was not retained due to significant condition issues."],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e\u003cextref type=\"simple\" actuate=\"onRequest\" show=\"new\" href=\"http://archivesspace.vmi.edu/repositories/3/resources/780\"\u003eCharles C. Phillips Civil War Papers. MS 0327. Virginia Military Institute Archives.\u003c/extref\u003e  \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMurr, Erika, L., ed., \u003cemph render=\"italic\"\u003eA Rebel Wife in Texas: The Diary and Letters of Elizabeth Scott Neblett, 1852-1864\u003c/emph\u003e. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 2001.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e\u003cextref type=\"simple\" actuate=\"onRequest\" show=\"new\" href=\"http://www.lib.utexas.edu/taro/utcah/00426/cah-00426.html\"\u003eLizzie Scott Neblett Papers, 1848-1935, Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin.\u003c/extref\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e\u003cemph render=\"italic\"\u003eYourself and family are invited to attend the feast of Mondamin corn festival\u003c/emph\u003e. n.p.: Staunton, Va.: J. Harry Drechsler, pr., [1890], 1890. JAMES MADISON UNIV's Catalog, EBSCOhost (accessed May 2, 2017).\u003c/p\u003e"],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Material"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["Charles C. Phillips Civil War Papers. MS 0327. Virginia Military Institute Archives.","Murr, Erika, L., ed.,  A Rebel Wife in Texas: The Diary and Letters of Elizabeth Scott Neblett, 1852-1864 . Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 2001.","Lizzie Scott Neblett Papers, 1848-1935, Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin.","Yourself and family are invited to attend the feast of Mondamin corn festival . n.p.: Staunton, Va.: J. Harry Drechsler, pr., [1890], 1890. JAMES MADISON UNIV's Catalog, EBSCOhost (accessed May 2, 2017)."],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe Blackley Family Papers, 1830-2020, consists of hundreds of letters that span from 1830 to 2011; diaries; official United States, Confederate, and Texas documents; literary works; newspaper clippings; postcards; ephemera; and photographs. These papers document the related Scott, Bassett, Blackley, Hoge, Matthews, and Nix families of Texas and Staunton, Virginia.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 1: Correspondence, 1830-2011, is comprised of more than 300 individual letters. The majority of the earlier ones involve Sarah \"Sallie\" Scott Bassett and/or her husband R.H. Bassett. Together their combined correspondence comprises eight folders and spans the years 1850-1913.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThese letters cover the years of the American Civil War and shed light on how the conflict affected their lives. In addition to letters from Captain R.H. Bassett, there are dozens of notes written home to Sallie from her brother Garrett Scott, brother-in-law Noah Bassett, and her cousin John Nix. All of these men spent time serving in the 4th Texas Regiment of the famed Texas Brigade. While their letters contain minimal military focused discussions, they do highlight camp life, personal struggles of being separated from each other, personal and public incidents, and family news. The military discussion is really limited to mention of the dead and wounded from battles and engagements. However, R.H. does write a letter to Sallie as he arrives on the battlefield at Gettysburg. He expresses excitement to build off the Confederates successes that afternoon. Battles and engagements discussed include Antietam (September 17, 1862), Chancellorsville (April 30 to May 6, 1863), Gettysburg (July 1-3, 1863), and Chickamauga (September 18–20, 1863).\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eLizzie Scott Neblett was the older sister of Sallie Bassett and many letters between the sisters not previously examined, both before and after the American Civil War, can be found within this collection. Their letters shed light on relationship struggles, farm life, local news, and family connections.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eWhile few in number, the surviving letters of Lizzie and Sallie's father, James Scott, provide significant insight into Texas prior to its in 1846. In the first, James writes his wife, Sarah, from the convention in Austin, Texas, where the debates about joining the United States were taking place. He offers few specifics as \"Nothing in which you would take any interest has occurred here and therefore I will not say anything about the proceedings…\" In second of these letters, James is writing to a Colonel B. Rush Wallace and gets far more political in discussion and tone. He talks at length about concern over the merits of becoming Whig or Democrat once they are thrust into the existing political climate of their new nation.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eOf particular interest is an 1888 letter written by Ida Carter, presumably William M. and Belle Bassett Blackley's \"Black Mamy,\" is addressed to a Col. Bassett Blackley, in care of W. M. Blackley. Carter begins the letter \"Dear Little Bassett.\" This letter seems to suggest that the Blackleys did in fact have another child, Bassett Blackley, prior to Belle. If that is the case, Bassett Blackley may have died in childhood.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eOf the twentieth-century correspondence, most of it was sent or received by Chas Blackley. While his letters span most of the century, the bulk are centered between the years 1930-1944. The letters that Chas Blackley wrote while visiting Europe in 1934 are of particular interest due to the changing political climate with the rise of the Nazis in Germany. Through his correspondence, diaries, and photographs there is an opportunity to see an American view of this transformative time. In one letter to his sister, Mary, dated August 21, Chas Blackley writes of the hanging of Nazis in Vienna, Austria for a failed coup that took place mere weeks before his arrival and that it \"has retarded history making considerably.\" He also spoke of the \u003cemph render=\"italic\"\u003eHeimwehr\u003c/emph\u003e, the home guard, patrolling the streets with their rifles and \"keeping a sharp to windward.\"\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 2: Personal Papers, 1857-2015, is comprised of personal papers, diaries, and other documents that highlight the careers and interests of the family members. R.H. Bassett's papers include Confederate government and military documents pertaining to promotions, recruitment, and resignation.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eAnother unique piece of this collection from the early period is the Belle Bassett Diary, 1873-1879, which offers a glimpse of the post-war years for a child growing up in the South.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eChas Blackley, in addition to his letters from the trip to Europe, also kept a diary of his experiences. This diary covers the personal and public incidents of his travels.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMore information about individual members of family is available here in the form of detailed histories of specific family lines (Blackley, Bassett, Hoge, etc.), through family trees, and biographical information.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eOther items of note from Chas Blackley are the many manuscripts of novels and plays that he wrote in the early-to-mid 1930s.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 3: Ephemera, 1856-2004, houses many unique items such as hundreds of stamps (U.S., Confederate, and international), brochures, certificates, awards, diplomas, and pamphlets from events such as the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics and the 1933 World's Fair in Chicago, and dance cards. The aforementioned diplomas and certificates document the Blackley family's achievements and graduations from various schools and universities, including the University of Virginia, the State Teacher's College at Harrisonburg, and Virginia Tech. Many of the manuals and booklets used in Chas' various military training can be found in this series.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThere are also newspaper clippings that share stories directly related to family members or address significant events of the time. These include awards won by the family, news about new jobs or graduations, historic events like D-Day, and John F. Kennedy's assassination.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eOne of the more locally relevant pieces is a pamphlet entitled \"Dedication of the Shenandoah National Park\" (1936). It lists the planned dedication speech from President Franklin D. Roosevelt given at Big Meadows as the key event.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eThis series also includes one oversize box of 3D ephemeral objects. Objects of interest include a Kodak No. 2 Folding Autographic Brownie camera (1917-1926) owned by Chas Blackley and inscribed with the names of Blackley and the SS \u003cemph render=\"italic\"\u003eGertrude Kellogg\u003c/emph\u003e, Dr. Charles Coatesworth Phillips' small leather medicine case with glass bottles that he took on house calls, several pairs of glasses, a glass plate photograph of Susie E. Phillips, and assorted World's Fair ephemera.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eStored separately are multiple flags that are likely from Chas' 1930 voyage in the Pacific. There is a large and small Japanese flag, a small Chinese [pre-communist revolution] flag, and a small Philippine national flag. An additional flag dates to WWI and features the United States flag surrounded by smaller flags of all our allies from that conflict.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 4, Photographs, circa 1861-1989, includes photographic prints, negatives, and slides that document the Scott, Bassett, Blackley, Hoge, Matthews, and Nix families of Texas and Staunton, Virginia. Files are arranged chronologically and undated groupings of images are listed alphabetically at the end of the series. Files are labeled to reflect the subject of the photos; original arrangement and description of people and places as received from the donor was maintained whenever possible. Some photographs contain identifying text written on the back of the image, though many photos are unidentified. \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003ePhotographs within this series document Chas Blackley's trips to Asia and the Pacific in 1930 as well as his journey through Europe in 1934. Other photographs document the Civilian Military Training Camp (CMTC) experience at Ft. Eustis, Virginia, from 1928.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003ePhotographs created by or picturing Catherine Matthews Blackley contain images of campus and student life at the State Teacher's College at Harrisonburg (now JMU) dating from the early 1930s.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eSeries 5: Scrapbooks, 1862-1931, is comprised of one scrapbook created by R.H. Bassett, and three scrapbooks created by Chas Blackley. The scrapbook created by R.H. Bassett dates from 1862-1869 and contains mostly newspaper clippings related to Bassett's work in local and state politics in Grimes County, Texas, after a wound at the Battle of Chickamauga in 1864 ended his role in the American Civil War. \nThe three remaining scrapbooks were created by Chas Blackley, and document aspects of his life in the years between 1928-1931. The CTMC and VMI scrapbook documents Chas Blackley's military training at the Citizen's Military Training Camp (CTMC) from 1927-1929 as well as his time enrolled at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI). Two scrapbooks document Chas Blackley's 1930 travels with childhood friend  George Earman throughout the Pacific and multiple Asian nations aboard the steamer SS \u003cemph render=\"italic\"\u003eGertrude Kellogg\u003c/emph\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eThe series largely documents Chas Blackley's involvement with radio stations WSVA and WTON and comprises photographs, correspondence, and printed ephemera. A file concerning Susan Blackley, Chas Blackley's daughter, is included and relate to her work as the horticulturalist for the city of Staunton. Photographs document Susan's time as a bartender at H.A. Winston's in Wilmington, Delaware.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIncludes newspaper clippings covering Susan's work as a horticulturist for Staunton as well as photographs of Susan as a bartender at H.A. Winston's in Wilmington, Delaware.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIncludes negatives.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eIncludes negatives.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eComprises papers and photographs related to the immediate and extended Blackley family. Materials also concern the Fry and Matthews families.\u003c/p\u003e","\u003cp\u003eMaterials related to Eugene Fry, father of Patricia Fry Blackley.\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Content","Scope and Contents","Scope and Content","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents","Scope and Contents"],"scopecontent_tesim":["The Blackley Family Papers, 1830-2020, consists of hundreds of letters that span from 1830 to 2011; diaries; official United States, Confederate, and Texas documents; literary works; newspaper clippings; postcards; ephemera; and photographs. These papers document the related Scott, Bassett, Blackley, Hoge, Matthews, and Nix families of Texas and Staunton, Virginia.","Series 1: Correspondence, 1830-2011, is comprised of more than 300 individual letters. The majority of the earlier ones involve Sarah \"Sallie\" Scott Bassett and/or her husband R.H. Bassett. Together their combined correspondence comprises eight folders and spans the years 1850-1913.","These letters cover the years of the American Civil War and shed light on how the conflict affected their lives. In addition to letters from Captain R.H. Bassett, there are dozens of notes written home to Sallie from her brother Garrett Scott, brother-in-law Noah Bassett, and her cousin John Nix. All of these men spent time serving in the 4th Texas Regiment of the famed Texas Brigade. While their letters contain minimal military focused discussions, they do highlight camp life, personal struggles of being separated from each other, personal and public incidents, and family news. The military discussion is really limited to mention of the dead and wounded from battles and engagements. However, R.H. does write a letter to Sallie as he arrives on the battlefield at Gettysburg. He expresses excitement to build off the Confederates successes that afternoon. Battles and engagements discussed include Antietam (September 17, 1862), Chancellorsville (April 30 to May 6, 1863), Gettysburg (July 1-3, 1863), and Chickamauga (September 18–20, 1863).","Lizzie Scott Neblett was the older sister of Sallie Bassett and many letters between the sisters not previously examined, both before and after the American Civil War, can be found within this collection. Their letters shed light on relationship struggles, farm life, local news, and family connections.","While few in number, the surviving letters of Lizzie and Sallie's father, James Scott, provide significant insight into Texas prior to its in 1846. In the first, James writes his wife, Sarah, from the convention in Austin, Texas, where the debates about joining the United States were taking place. He offers few specifics as \"Nothing in which you would take any interest has occurred here and therefore I will not say anything about the proceedings…\" In second of these letters, James is writing to a Colonel B. Rush Wallace and gets far more political in discussion and tone. He talks at length about concern over the merits of becoming Whig or Democrat once they are thrust into the existing political climate of their new nation.","Of particular interest is an 1888 letter written by Ida Carter, presumably William M. and Belle Bassett Blackley's \"Black Mamy,\" is addressed to a Col. Bassett Blackley, in care of W. M. Blackley. Carter begins the letter \"Dear Little Bassett.\" This letter seems to suggest that the Blackleys did in fact have another child, Bassett Blackley, prior to Belle. If that is the case, Bassett Blackley may have died in childhood.","Of the twentieth-century correspondence, most of it was sent or received by Chas Blackley. While his letters span most of the century, the bulk are centered between the years 1930-1944. The letters that Chas Blackley wrote while visiting Europe in 1934 are of particular interest due to the changing political climate with the rise of the Nazis in Germany. Through his correspondence, diaries, and photographs there is an opportunity to see an American view of this transformative time. In one letter to his sister, Mary, dated August 21, Chas Blackley writes of the hanging of Nazis in Vienna, Austria for a failed coup that took place mere weeks before his arrival and that it \"has retarded history making considerably.\" He also spoke of the  Heimwehr , the home guard, patrolling the streets with their rifles and \"keeping a sharp to windward.\"","Series 2: Personal Papers, 1857-2015, is comprised of personal papers, diaries, and other documents that highlight the careers and interests of the family members. R.H. Bassett's papers include Confederate government and military documents pertaining to promotions, recruitment, and resignation.","Another unique piece of this collection from the early period is the Belle Bassett Diary, 1873-1879, which offers a glimpse of the post-war years for a child growing up in the South.","Chas Blackley, in addition to his letters from the trip to Europe, also kept a diary of his experiences. This diary covers the personal and public incidents of his travels.","More information about individual members of family is available here in the form of detailed histories of specific family lines (Blackley, Bassett, Hoge, etc.), through family trees, and biographical information.","Other items of note from Chas Blackley are the many manuscripts of novels and plays that he wrote in the early-to-mid 1930s.","Series 3: Ephemera, 1856-2004, houses many unique items such as hundreds of stamps (U.S., Confederate, and international), brochures, certificates, awards, diplomas, and pamphlets from events such as the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics and the 1933 World's Fair in Chicago, and dance cards. The aforementioned diplomas and certificates document the Blackley family's achievements and graduations from various schools and universities, including the University of Virginia, the State Teacher's College at Harrisonburg, and Virginia Tech. Many of the manuals and booklets used in Chas' various military training can be found in this series.","There are also newspaper clippings that share stories directly related to family members or address significant events of the time. These include awards won by the family, news about new jobs or graduations, historic events like D-Day, and John F. Kennedy's assassination.","One of the more locally relevant pieces is a pamphlet entitled \"Dedication of the Shenandoah National Park\" (1936). It lists the planned dedication speech from President Franklin D. Roosevelt given at Big Meadows as the key event.","This series also includes one oversize box of 3D ephemeral objects. Objects of interest include a Kodak No. 2 Folding Autographic Brownie camera (1917-1926) owned by Chas Blackley and inscribed with the names of Blackley and the SS  Gertrude Kellogg , Dr. Charles Coatesworth Phillips' small leather medicine case with glass bottles that he took on house calls, several pairs of glasses, a glass plate photograph of Susie E. Phillips, and assorted World's Fair ephemera.","Stored separately are multiple flags that are likely from Chas' 1930 voyage in the Pacific. There is a large and small Japanese flag, a small Chinese [pre-communist revolution] flag, and a small Philippine national flag. An additional flag dates to WWI and features the United States flag surrounded by smaller flags of all our allies from that conflict.","Series 4, Photographs, circa 1861-1989, includes photographic prints, negatives, and slides that document the Scott, Bassett, Blackley, Hoge, Matthews, and Nix families of Texas and Staunton, Virginia. Files are arranged chronologically and undated groupings of images are listed alphabetically at the end of the series. Files are labeled to reflect the subject of the photos; original arrangement and description of people and places as received from the donor was maintained whenever possible. Some photographs contain identifying text written on the back of the image, though many photos are unidentified. ","Photographs within this series document Chas Blackley's trips to Asia and the Pacific in 1930 as well as his journey through Europe in 1934. Other photographs document the Civilian Military Training Camp (CMTC) experience at Ft. Eustis, Virginia, from 1928.","Photographs created by or picturing Catherine Matthews Blackley contain images of campus and student life at the State Teacher's College at Harrisonburg (now JMU) dating from the early 1930s.","Series 5: Scrapbooks, 1862-1931, is comprised of one scrapbook created by R.H. Bassett, and three scrapbooks created by Chas Blackley. The scrapbook created by R.H. Bassett dates from 1862-1869 and contains mostly newspaper clippings related to Bassett's work in local and state politics in Grimes County, Texas, after a wound at the Battle of Chickamauga in 1864 ended his role in the American Civil War. \nThe three remaining scrapbooks were created by Chas Blackley, and document aspects of his life in the years between 1928-1931. The CTMC and VMI scrapbook documents Chas Blackley's military training at the Citizen's Military Training Camp (CTMC) from 1927-1929 as well as his time enrolled at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI). Two scrapbooks document Chas Blackley's 1930 travels with childhood friend  George Earman throughout the Pacific and multiple Asian nations aboard the steamer SS  Gertrude Kellogg .","The series largely documents Chas Blackley's involvement with radio stations WSVA and WTON and comprises photographs, correspondence, and printed ephemera. A file concerning Susan Blackley, Chas Blackley's daughter, is included and relate to her work as the horticulturalist for the city of Staunton. Photographs document Susan's time as a bartender at H.A. Winston's in Wilmington, Delaware.","Includes newspaper clippings covering Susan's work as a horticulturist for Staunton as well as photographs of Susan as a bartender at H.A. Winston's in Wilmington, Delaware.","Includes negatives.","Includes negatives.","Comprises papers and photographs related to the immediate and extended Blackley family. Materials also concern the Fry and Matthews families.","Materials related to Eugene Fry, father of Patricia Fry Blackley."],"separatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eAll published monographs have been cataloged individually and placed in Special Collections' rare book collection. Catherine Matthews Blackley's \u003cemph render=\"italic\"\u003eSchooma'am\u003c/emph\u003e yearbooks were removed and housed with the yearbook collection. They are retained due to heavy annotations.\u003c/p\u003e"],"separatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Separated Material"],"separatedmaterial_tesim":["All published monographs have been cataloged individually and placed in Special Collections' rare book collection. Catherine Matthews Blackley's  Schooma'am  yearbooks were removed and housed with the yearbook collection. They are retained due to heavy annotations."],"userestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe copyright interests in this collection have been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).\u003c/p\u003e"],"userestrict_heading_ssm":["Conditions Governing Use"],"userestrict_tesim":["The copyright interests in this collection have been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu)."],"abstract_html_tesm":["\u003cabstract id=\"aspace_e73d9f92cf4c9d321a4666b26feddd80\"\u003eThe Blackley Family Papers, 1830-2020, consists of hundreds of letters that span from 1830 to 2011; diaries; official United States, Confederate, and Texas documents; literary works; newspaper clippings; postcards; ephemera; and photographs. These papers document the related Scott, Bassett, Blackley, Hoge, Matthews, and Nix families of Texas and Staunton, Virginia.\u003c/abstract\u003e"],"abstract_tesim":["The Blackley Family Papers, 1830-2020, consists of hundreds of letters that span from 1830 to 2011; diaries; official United States, Confederate, and Texas documents; literary works; newspaper clippings; postcards; ephemera; and photographs. These papers document the related Scott, Bassett, Blackley, Hoge, Matthews, and Nix families of Texas and Staunton, Virginia."],"names_coll_ssim":["State Teachers College at Harrisonburg (Harrisonburg, Va.) -- Students","United States. War Department. Citizens' Military Training Camps","Virginia Military Institute -- Students","Confederate States of America. Army. Texas Brigade","Virginia Polytechnic Institute -- Students","Blackley, Chuck","Blackley, Pat","Blackley, Chuck"],"names_ssim":["James Madison University Libraries Special Collections","State Teachers College at Harrisonburg (Harrisonburg, Va.) -- Students","United States. War Department. Citizens' Military Training Camps","Virginia Military Institute -- Students","Confederate States of America. Army. Texas Brigade","Virginia Polytechnic Institute -- Students","WTON (Radio station : Staunton, Va.)","WSVA (Radio station : Harrisonburg, Va.)","Blackley family","Blackley, Chuck","Blackley, Charles Phillips, Sr., 1909-1999","Blackley, Pat","Harvey, Paul, 1918-2009"],"corpname_ssim":["James Madison University Libraries Special Collections","State Teachers College at Harrisonburg (Harrisonburg, Va.) -- Students","United States. War Department. Citizens' Military Training Camps","Virginia Military Institute -- Students","Confederate States of America. Army. Texas Brigade","Virginia Polytechnic Institute -- Students","WTON (Radio station : Staunton, Va.)","WSVA (Radio station : Harrisonburg, Va.)"],"famname_ssim":["Blackley family"],"persname_ssim":["Blackley, Chuck","Blackley, Charles Phillips, Sr., 1909-1999","Blackley, Pat","Harvey, Paul, 1918-2009"],"language_ssim":["English"],"descrules_ssm":["Describing Archives: A Content Standard"],"total_component_count_is":579,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-05-21T00:22:06.237Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vihart_repositories_4_resources_407_c01"}},{"id":"viblbv_repositories_2_resources_2250_c01","type":"Series","attributes":{"title":"Correspondence,","breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/viblbv_repositories_2_resources_2250_c01#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"ref_ssi":"viblbv_repositories_2_resources_2250_c01","ref_ssm":["viblbv_repositories_2_resources_2250_c01"],"id":"viblbv_repositories_2_resources_2250_c01","ead_ssi":"viblbv_repositories_2_resources_2250","_root_":"viblbv_repositories_2_resources_2250","_nest_parent_":"viblbv_repositories_2_resources_2250","parent_ssi":"viblbv_repositories_2_resources_2250","parent_ssim":["viblbv_repositories_2_resources_2250"],"parent_ids_ssim":["viblbv_repositories_2_resources_2250"],"parent_unittitles_ssm":["Thomas W. Colley Collection,"],"parent_unittitles_tesim":["Thomas W. Colley Collection,"],"text":["Thomas W. Colley Collection,","Correspondence,"],"title_filing_ssi":"Correspondence, ","title_ssm":["Correspondence,"],"title_tesim":["Correspondence,"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1855-1986"],"normalized_date_ssm":["1855/1986"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Correspondence,"],"component_level_isim":[1],"repository_ssim":["Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University"],"collection_ssim":["Thomas W. Colley Collection,"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"child_component_count_isi":7,"level_ssm":["Series"],"level_ssim":["Series"],"sort_isi":1,"parent_access_restrict_tesm":["Collection is open for research."],"parent_access_terms_tesm":["The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form."],"date_range_isim":[1855,1856,1857,1858,1859,1860,1861,1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867,1868,1869,1870,1871,1872,1873,1874,1875,1876,1877,1878,1879,1880,1881,1882,1883,1884,1885,1886,1887,1888,1889,1890,1891,1892,1893,1894,1895,1896,1897,1898,1899,1900,1901,1902,1903,1904,1905,1906,1907,1908,1909,1910,1911,1912,1913,1914,1915,1916,1917,1918,1919,1920,1921,1922,1923,1924,1925,1926,1927,1928,1929,1930,1931,1932,1933,1934,1935,1936,1937,1938,1939,1940,1941,1942,1943,1944,1945,1946,1947,1948,1949,1950,1951,1952,1953,1954,1955,1956,1957,1958,1959,1960,1961,1962,1963,1964,1965,1966,1967,1968,1969,1970,1971,1972,1973,1974,1975,1976,1977,1978,1979,1980,1981,1982,1983,1984,1985,1986],"_nest_path_":"/components#0","timestamp":"2026-05-21T02:12:39.199Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"viblbv_repositories_2_resources_2250","ead_ssi":"viblbv_repositories_2_resources_2250","_root_":"viblbv_repositories_2_resources_2250","_nest_parent_":"viblbv_repositories_2_resources_2250","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/VT/repositories_2_resources_2250.xml","title_filing_ssi":"Colley, Thomas W. Collection","title_ssm":["Thomas W. Colley Collection,"],"title_tesim":["Thomas W. Colley Collection,"],"unitdate_ssm":["1845-1947, 1986","1845-1947"],"unitdate_bulk_ssim":["1845-1947"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1845-1947, 1986"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["Ms.2003.017"],"text":["Ms.2003.017","Thomas W. Colley Collection,","abingdon (Va.)","Washington County (Va.)","United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865","Local/Regional History and Appalachian South","Civil War","Collection is open for research.","The collection is arranged into three series:  Series 1: Correspondence; Series 2: Financial Documents; and Series 3: Subject Files.  The folders within each series are organized in chronological order.","The Companion: A Monthly Magazine for Odd Fellows and Their Families .  Vol. 13, No. 1 (August 1873).","The Companion: A Monthly Magazine for Odd Fellows and Their Families .  Vol. 14, No. 2 (March 1874).  ","Self Culture: A Magazine of Knowledge .  Vol II., No. 5 (February 1896).  ","Virginia Railway and Power Company,  Rules and Regulations for the Government Employes of the Virginia Railway and Power Company .  New York, 1912.  ","Machen, Lewis H.   Legal Handbook for Guidance of Soldiers and Sailors .  Richmond, VA: Appeals Press, 1918.  ","Practical Instruction Manual for Learners of Telegraphy .  Philadelphia: A. F. Fleischmann's Electric Works.  ","Thomas W. Colley (1837-1919) served in the Confederate army during the American Civil War. He enlisted in May 1861 as a private in the 1st Virginia Cavalry, Company D (2nd), referred to also as the Washington Mounted Rifles, as this company hailed from Washington County, VA. Colley was wounded multiple times during the course of the war. Most seriously, at Kelly's Ford in 1863, he was shot near the stomach on the left side; the ball passed clean through his body and emerged near his spine. He recovered and returned to his division.  He finished the war with the rank of 2nd Corporal. Thomas Colley's brother, William Lewis Colley, who appears in correspondence within the collection, also served in the same cavalry division. Following the war, Colley returned to Abingdon, VA and held the following positions for Washington County, VA:  Deputy Sheriff, Commissioner of Revenue, and Overseer for the Poor. He died in 1919.","Sources Consulted:","Driver, Robert J., Jr.  1st Virginia Cavalry . Lynchburg, VA: H. E. Howard, Inc., 1991.     ","The guide to the Thomas W. Colley Collection by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).","The processing, arrangement, and description of the Thomas W. Colley Collection was completed in October 2013.","Other materials relating to Thomas W. Colley can be found within the L. C. Angle, Jr. Collection, Ms 2001-043.  Finding aid  available online.","The collection contains both material related to Thomas W. Colley's daily life in Abingdon, VA, and to Colley's service as a Confederate soldier in the Civil War. Materials  include correspondence, financial documents, such as ledgers, receipts, and deeds, temperance society sermons, electoral cards, a Veteran's Meeting minute book, Civil War reminiscences, and a roll for the First Virginia Company D Volunteer Cavalry's wounded and dead for 1861. The majority of the collection dates from 1860 to 1920.    ","Much of the correspondence occurs between Thomas Colley and his extended family, except for Colley's business correspondence.  The letters dating to the Civil War are typed transcriptions rather than the original.  Later letters, however, that make reference to and reminisce about the Civil War are original.  ","The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form:  http://bit.ly/scuareproduction . Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form:  http://bit.ly/scuapublication . Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.","The Thomas W. Colley Collection contains correspondence, financial documents, such as ledgers, receipts, and deeds, temperance society sermons, electoral cards, a Veteran's Meeting minute book, Civil War reminiscences, and a roll for the First Virginia Company D Volunteer Cavalry's wounded and dead for 1861.  The majority of the collection dates from 1860 to 1920.","Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech","Colley, Thomas W., 1837-1919","The materials in the collection are in English."],"unitid_tesim":["Ms.2003.017"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Thomas W. Colley Collection,"],"collection_title_tesim":["Thomas W. Colley Collection,"],"collection_ssim":["Thomas W. Colley Collection,"],"repository_ssm":["Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University"],"repository_ssim":["Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University"],"geogname_ssm":["abingdon (Va.)","Washington County (Va.)"],"geogname_ssim":["abingdon (Va.)","Washington County (Va.)"],"creator_ssm":["Colley, Thomas W., 1837-1919"],"creator_ssim":["Colley, Thomas W., 1837-1919"],"creator_persname_ssim":["Colley, Thomas W., 1837-1919"],"creators_ssim":["Colley, Thomas W., 1837-1919"],"places_ssim":["abingdon (Va.)","Washington County (Va.)"],"access_terms_ssm":["The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form:  http://bit.ly/scuareproduction . Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form:  http://bit.ly/scuapublication . Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form."],"acqinfo_ssim":["The collection was donated to Special Collections before 2003."],"access_subjects_ssim":["United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865","Local/Regional History and Appalachian South","Civil War"],"access_subjects_ssm":["United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865","Local/Regional History and Appalachian South","Civil War"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["1.3 Cubic Feet 3 boxes"],"extent_tesim":["1.3 Cubic Feet 3 boxes"],"date_range_isim":[1845,1846,1847,1848,1849,1850,1851,1852,1853,1854,1855,1856,1857,1858,1859,1860,1861,1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867,1868,1869,1870,1871,1872,1873,1874,1875,1876,1877,1878,1879,1880,1881,1882,1883,1884,1885,1886,1887,1888,1889,1890,1891,1892,1893,1894,1895,1896,1897,1898,1899,1900,1901,1902,1903,1904,1905,1906,1907,1908,1909,1910,1911,1912,1913,1914,1915,1916,1917,1918,1919,1920,1921,1922,1923,1924,1925,1926,1927,1928,1929,1930,1931,1932,1933,1934,1935,1936,1937,1938,1939,1940,1941,1942,1943,1944,1945,1946,1947,1948,1949,1950,1951,1952,1953,1954,1955,1956,1957,1958,1959,1960,1961,1962,1963,1964,1965,1966,1967,1968,1969,1970,1971,1972,1973,1974,1975,1976,1977,1978,1979,1980,1981,1982,1983,1984,1985,1986],"accessrestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eCollection is open for research.\u003c/p\u003e"],"accessrestrict_heading_ssm":["Conditions Governing Access"],"accessrestrict_tesim":["Collection is open for research."],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe collection is arranged into three series:  Series 1: Correspondence; Series 2: Financial Documents; and Series 3: Subject Files.  The folders within each series are organized in chronological order.\u003c/p\u003e"],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement"],"arrangement_tesim":["The collection is arranged into three series:  Series 1: Correspondence; Series 2: Financial Documents; and Series 3: Subject Files.  The folders within each series are organized in chronological order."],"bibliography_html_tesm":["\u003cbibref\u003e\u003ctitle render=\"italic\"\u003eThe Companion: A Monthly Magazine for Odd Fellows and Their Families\u003c/title\u003e.  Vol. 13, No. 1 (August 1873).\u003c/bibref\u003e","\u003cbibref\u003e\u003ctitle render=\"italic\"\u003eThe Companion: A Monthly Magazine for Odd Fellows and Their Families\u003c/title\u003e.  Vol. 14, No. 2 (March 1874).  \u003c/bibref\u003e","\u003cbibref\u003e\u003ctitle render=\"italic\"\u003eSelf Culture: A Magazine of Knowledge\u003c/title\u003e.  Vol II., No. 5 (February 1896).  \u003c/bibref\u003e","\u003cbibref\u003eVirginia Railway and Power Company, \u003ctitle render=\"italic\"\u003eRules and Regulations for the Government Employes of the Virginia Railway and Power Company\u003c/title\u003e.  New York, 1912.  \u003c/bibref\u003e","\u003cbibref\u003eMachen, Lewis H.  \u003ctitle render=\"italic\"\u003eLegal Handbook for Guidance of Soldiers and Sailors\u003c/title\u003e.  Richmond, VA: Appeals Press, 1918.  \u003c/bibref\u003e","\u003cbibref\u003e\u003ctitle render=\"italic\"\u003ePractical Instruction Manual for Learners of Telegraphy\u003c/title\u003e.  Philadelphia: A. F. Fleischmann's Electric Works.  \u003c/bibref\u003e"],"bibliography_heading_ssm":["Bibliography","Bibliography"],"bibliography_tesim":["The Companion: A Monthly Magazine for Odd Fellows and Their Families .  Vol. 13, No. 1 (August 1873).","The Companion: A Monthly Magazine for Odd Fellows and Their Families .  Vol. 14, No. 2 (March 1874).  ","Self Culture: A Magazine of Knowledge .  Vol II., No. 5 (February 1896).  ","Virginia Railway and Power Company,  Rules and Regulations for the Government Employes of the Virginia Railway and Power Company .  New York, 1912.  ","Machen, Lewis H.   Legal Handbook for Guidance of Soldiers and Sailors .  Richmond, VA: Appeals Press, 1918.  ","Practical Instruction Manual for Learners of Telegraphy .  Philadelphia: A. F. Fleischmann's Electric Works.  "],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThomas W. Colley (1837-1919) served in the Confederate army during the American Civil War. He enlisted in May 1861 as a private in the 1st Virginia Cavalry, Company D (2nd), referred to also as the Washington Mounted Rifles, as this company hailed from Washington County, VA. Colley was wounded multiple times during the course of the war. Most seriously, at Kelly's Ford in 1863, he was shot near the stomach on the left side; the ball passed clean through his body and emerged near his spine. He recovered and returned to his division.  He finished the war with the rank of 2nd Corporal. Thomas Colley's brother, William Lewis Colley, who appears in correspondence within the collection, also served in the same cavalry division. Following the war, Colley returned to Abingdon, VA and held the following positions for Washington County, VA:  Deputy Sheriff, Commissioner of Revenue, and Overseer for the Poor. He died in 1919.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSources Consulted:\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eDriver, Robert J., Jr. \u003ctitle render=\"italic\"\u003e1st Virginia Cavalry\u003c/title\u003e. Lynchburg, VA: H. E. Howard, Inc., 1991.     \u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Biographical Note"],"bioghist_tesim":["Thomas W. Colley (1837-1919) served in the Confederate army during the American Civil War. He enlisted in May 1861 as a private in the 1st Virginia Cavalry, Company D (2nd), referred to also as the Washington Mounted Rifles, as this company hailed from Washington County, VA. Colley was wounded multiple times during the course of the war. Most seriously, at Kelly's Ford in 1863, he was shot near the stomach on the left side; the ball passed clean through his body and emerged near his spine. He recovered and returned to his division.  He finished the war with the rank of 2nd Corporal. Thomas Colley's brother, William Lewis Colley, who appears in correspondence within the collection, also served in the same cavalry division. Following the war, Colley returned to Abingdon, VA and held the following positions for Washington County, VA:  Deputy Sheriff, Commissioner of Revenue, and Overseer for the Poor. He died in 1919.","Sources Consulted:","Driver, Robert J., Jr.  1st Virginia Cavalry . Lynchburg, VA: H. E. Howard, Inc., 1991.     "],"odd_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe guide to the Thomas W. Colley Collection by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (\u003ca href=\"https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/\"\u003ehttps://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/\u003c/a\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e"],"odd_heading_ssm":["Rights Statement for Archival Description"],"odd_tesim":["The guide to the Thomas W. Colley Collection by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ )."],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eResearchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Thomas W. Colley Collection, Ms2003-017, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Thomas W. Colley Collection, Ms2003-017, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va."],"processinfo_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe processing, arrangement, and description of the Thomas W. Colley Collection was completed in October 2013.\u003c/p\u003e"],"processinfo_heading_ssm":["Processing Information"],"processinfo_tesim":["The processing, arrangement, and description of the Thomas W. Colley Collection was completed in October 2013."],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eOther materials relating to Thomas W. Colley can be found within the L. C. Angle, Jr. Collection, Ms 2001-043. \u003ca href=\"http://ead.lib.virginia.edu/vivaxtf/view?docId=vt/viblbv00097.xml\" show=\"new\" actuate=\"onRequest\"\u003eFinding aid\u003c/a\u003e available online.\u003c/p\u003e"],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Archival Materials"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["Other materials relating to Thomas W. Colley can be found within the L. C. Angle, Jr. Collection, Ms 2001-043.  Finding aid  available online."],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe collection contains both material related to Thomas W. Colley's daily life in Abingdon, VA, and to Colley's service as a Confederate soldier in the Civil War. Materials  include correspondence, financial documents, such as ledgers, receipts, and deeds, temperance society sermons, electoral cards, a Veteran's Meeting minute book, Civil War reminiscences, and a roll for the First Virginia Company D Volunteer Cavalry's wounded and dead for 1861. The majority of the collection dates from 1860 to 1920.    \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eMuch of the correspondence occurs between Thomas Colley and his extended family, except for Colley's business correspondence.  The letters dating to the Civil War are typed transcriptions rather than the original.  Later letters, however, that make reference to and reminisce about the Civil War are original.  \u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Contents"],"scopecontent_tesim":["The collection contains both material related to Thomas W. Colley's daily life in Abingdon, VA, and to Colley's service as a Confederate soldier in the Civil War. Materials  include correspondence, financial documents, such as ledgers, receipts, and deeds, temperance society sermons, electoral cards, a Veteran's Meeting minute book, Civil War reminiscences, and a roll for the First Virginia Company D Volunteer Cavalry's wounded and dead for 1861. The majority of the collection dates from 1860 to 1920.    ","Much of the correspondence occurs between Thomas Colley and his extended family, except for Colley's business correspondence.  The letters dating to the Civil War are typed transcriptions rather than the original.  Later letters, however, that make reference to and reminisce about the Civil War are original.  "],"userestrict_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: \u003ca href=\"http://bit.ly/scuareproduction\"\u003ehttp://bit.ly/scuareproduction\u003c/a\u003e. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: \u003ca href=\"http://bit.ly/scuapublication\"\u003ehttp://bit.ly/scuapublication\u003c/a\u003e. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.\u003c/p\u003e"],"userestrict_heading_ssm":["Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use"],"userestrict_tesim":["The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form:  http://bit.ly/scuareproduction . Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form:  http://bit.ly/scuapublication . Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form."],"abstract_html_tesm":["\u003cabstract id=\"aspace_a5f67bd0f7328856d49f809aec576b28\" label=\"Abstract\"\u003eThe Thomas W. Colley Collection contains correspondence, financial documents, such as ledgers, receipts, and deeds, temperance society sermons, electoral cards, a Veteran's Meeting minute book, Civil War reminiscences, and a roll for the First Virginia Company D Volunteer Cavalry's wounded and dead for 1861.  The majority of the collection dates from 1860 to 1920.\u003c/abstract\u003e"],"abstract_tesim":["The Thomas W. Colley Collection contains correspondence, financial documents, such as ledgers, receipts, and deeds, temperance society sermons, electoral cards, a Veteran's Meeting minute book, Civil War reminiscences, and a roll for the First Virginia Company D Volunteer Cavalry's wounded and dead for 1861.  The majority of the collection dates from 1860 to 1920."],"names_ssim":["Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech","Colley, Thomas W., 1837-1919"],"corpname_ssim":["Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech"],"names_coll_ssim":["Colley, Thomas W., 1837-1919"],"persname_ssim":["Colley, Thomas W., 1837-1919"],"language_ssim":["The materials in the collection are in English."],"descrules_ssm":["Describing Archives: A Content Standard"],"total_component_count_is":34,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-05-21T02:12:39.199Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/viblbv_repositories_2_resources_2250_c01"}},{"id":"vaallhs_repositories_2_resources_27_c02_c01","type":"Series","attributes":{"title":"Correspondence","breadcrumbs":{"id":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vaallhs_repositories_2_resources_27_c02_c01#breadcrumbs","type":"document_value","attributes":{"value":{"ref_ssi":"vaallhs_repositories_2_resources_27_c02_c01","ref_ssm":["vaallhs_repositories_2_resources_27_c02_c01"],"id":"vaallhs_repositories_2_resources_27_c02_c01","ead_ssi":"vaallhs_repositories_2_resources_27","_root_":"vaallhs_repositories_2_resources_27","_nest_parent_":"vaallhs_repositories_2_resources_27_c02","parent_ssi":"vaallhs_repositories_2_resources_27_c02","parent_ssim":["vaallhs_repositories_2_resources_27","vaallhs_repositories_2_resources_27_c02"],"parent_ids_ssim":["vaallhs_repositories_2_resources_27","vaallhs_repositories_2_resources_27_c02"],"parent_unittitles_ssm":["Cazenove Family Papers (MS212)","Louis A. Cazenove"],"parent_unittitles_tesim":["Cazenove Family Papers (MS212)","Louis A. Cazenove"],"text":["Cazenove Family Papers (MS212)","Louis A. Cazenove","Correspondence","English"],"title_filing_ssi":"Correspondence","title_ssm":["Correspondence"],"title_tesim":["Correspondence"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1790-1946"],"normalized_date_ssm":["1790/1946"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Correspondence"],"component_level_isim":[2],"repository_ssim":["Alexandria Library"],"collection_ssim":["Cazenove Family Papers (MS212)"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"child_component_count_isi":5,"level_ssm":["Series"],"level_ssim":["Series"],"sort_isi":94,"date_range_isim":[1790,1791,1792,1793,1794,1795,1796,1797,1798,1799,1800,1801,1802,1803,1804,1805,1806,1807,1808,1809,1810,1811,1812,1813,1814,1815,1816,1817,1818,1819,1820,1821,1822,1823,1824,1825,1826,1827,1828,1829,1830,1831,1832,1833,1834,1835,1836,1837,1838,1839,1840,1841,1842,1843,1844,1845,1846,1847,1848,1849,1850,1851,1852,1853,1854,1855,1856,1857,1858,1859,1860,1861,1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867,1868,1869,1870,1871,1872,1873,1874,1875,1876,1877,1878,1879,1880,1881,1882,1883,1884,1885,1886,1887,1888,1889,1890,1891,1892,1893,1894,1895,1896,1897,1898,1899,1900,1901,1902,1903,1904,1905,1906,1907,1908,1909,1910,1911,1912,1913,1914,1915,1916,1917,1918,1919,1920,1921,1922,1923,1924,1925,1926,1927,1928,1929,1930,1931,1932,1933,1934,1935,1936,1937,1938,1939,1940,1941,1942,1943,1944,1945,1946],"language_ssim":["English"],"_nest_path_":"/components#1/components#0","timestamp":"2026-05-21T03:59:04.928Z","collection":{"numFound":1,"start":0,"numFoundExact":true,"docs":[{"id":"vaallhs_repositories_2_resources_27","ead_ssi":"vaallhs_repositories_2_resources_27","_root_":"vaallhs_repositories_2_resources_27","_nest_parent_":"vaallhs_repositories_2_resources_27","ead_source_url_ssi":"data/oai/ALEX/repositories_2_resources_27.xml","aspace_url_ssi":"https://alexlibraryva.libraryhost.com/repositories/2/resources/27","title_ssm":["Cazenove Family Papers (MS212)"],"title_tesim":["Cazenove Family Papers (MS212)"],"unitdate_ssm":["1786-1970"],"unitdate_inclusive_ssm":["1786-1970"],"level_ssm":["collection"],"level_ssim":["Collection"],"unitid_ssm":["MS212","/repositories/2/resources/27"],"text":["MS212","/repositories/2/resources/27","Cazenove Family Papers (MS212)","Business -- Alexandria (Va.)","Business records","Families -- Alexandria (Va.)","Farquhar family.","Inventions","Passports","Correspondence","The collection is divided into two sub-fonds, the first consisting of records from James O'Hara Cazenove and his son and the second apparently collected by his father covering himself and the older part of the family.","\nThe correspondence and business records in both are divided into different subseries, reflecting an effort to keep business affairs separate from family correspondence. Much of the correspondence in the O'Hara part of the collection is arranged by correspondent or alphabetically and then chronologically. In the second sub-fonds most of the correspondence is chronological apart from the Stanard and Craig family correspondence having been separated from other family correspondence at some point in time.","\nCertain records deemed fragile or valuable were separated from the older material at some point and have been listed at the end of series but not necessarily in chronological order as that would have placed the items within separately listed folders.","\nSubfonds 1: James O'Hara Cazenove, 1873-1970","\nSeries 1: Correspondence, 1902-1970","    Subseries:\n    ","Family Correspondence\n    ","Personal Correspondence\n    ","Business Correspondence\n    ","Legal Correspondence\n    \nSeries 2: Financial Documents","Series 3: Legal Documents","Series 4: Inventions","Series 5: Personal Records","Series 6: Printed Material","Series 7: Miscellaneous","Series 8: Louis A. DeCazenove","\nSubfonds 2: Louis A. Cazenove, 1786-1946","\nSeries 1: Correspondence","Series 2: Business","  Subseries:\n    ","Business Records\n    ","Records Books","\nDeeds","\nEstates and Guardianships","Series 3: Legal Documents, 1786-1926","Series 4: Printed","Series 5: News Clippings","Series 6: Miscellaneous","Series 7: Photos","Anthony Charles Cazenove (1775-1852) was born in Geneva, Switzerland. Imprisoned during the revolution, he immigrated to the United States in 1794 and went into business with Treasury Secretary Albert Gallatin in Fayette County, Pennsylvania. He married Ann Hogan of Philadelphia (1776-1843), and moved to Alexandria, Virginia where he established Cazenove and Co. The couple had 10 children.","\nPaul Charles Cazenove (1799-1801) died in childhood. Charles John Cazenove (1801-1834) married Sarah Greenleaf of Boston to whom a letter from A. C. Cazenove survives.  Paulina Cazenove (1806-1891) married John Fowle. Charlotte Cazenove (1812-1836) married North Carolina Congressman William B. Shepard. Octavius Anthony Cazenove (1813-1841). Harriet Cazenove (1817-1861) who married Gazaway Lamar of Georgia (1798-1874). ","\nAnn Maria Cazenove (1803-1859) married General Archibald Henderson. Their daughter Charlotte married into the DuPont family.","\nEliza Frances Cazenove (1798-1857) married William C. Gardner (1791-1844) their children included Constance T. Gardner  (1820-1849) who married Maryland Congressman Henry Winter Davis (1817-1865) and Anne Eliza Gardner (1819-1885), who married Cassius F. Lee (1808-1890). ","\nWilliam Gardner Cazenove (1819-1877) married Mary Elizabeth Stanard (1822-1892) and had a son named Anthony Charles Cazenove (1849-1897). William took over management of Cazenove and Co. in partnership with Lee and was later the guardian for one of the Gardner children.","\nLouis Albert Cazenove (1807-1852) married Frances Ansley (1820-1847) in 1837 and had Frances E. Cazenove (1838-1884) and Charlotte Louise Cazenove (1840-1914). He later remarried to Harriett Stuart Turberville (1823-1896) of the Lee family and had a son named Louis A. Cazenove (1851-1925). Cassius F. Lee became the guardian of these children after 1852.","\nLouis A. Cazenove (b 1851) married Mary O'Hara and had two sons. Louis A. DeCazenove (1878-1852) who changed his last name to an older Swiss version worked as a chemical Engineer at Dupont and married Edith Patton Cazenove. James O'Hara Cazenove (1880-1971) was an inventor, engineer, and investor, and was considered the last of the family.","MS293 contains a ledger from Cazenove and Co. dated 1857-1861 when it was managed by William Gardner Lee, the son of A. C. Cazenove, and Cassius F. Lee. Duke University holds records of Cazenove and Co for 1860-1868 including a list of debtors.","\nMS240 contains a number of Cazenove related documents including:","\nTwo letters of A.C. Cazenove, one undated detailing the surrender of Alexandria in August 1814 and the other to Sarah E. Greenleaf in 1826. (MS240, box 10).","\nAn 1874 certificate of Louis A. Cazenove (b. 1851) from the University of Virginia (MS240, oversize 2)","\n3 stock certificates of A.C. Cazenove for the Middle Turnpike Company (1831), Alexandria Steam Ferry Company (1839), and Alexandria Marine Railway Company (1849-1851) (MS240, box 6)","\nThere are also receipts for Mrs. Harriot E. Cazenove (1823-1896), the widow of Louis A. Cazenove (d. 1852), from Wise and Co Insurance Agents (1889) (MS240, box 5) and Smoot and Co (1894-1896) (MS240 box 4).","\nThe Winterthur Museum of Winterthur Delaware also holds the \"Cazenove-Lee Family Papers\" (Col. 83) which contains extensive records of A. C. Cazenove and the early history of the family. This primarily covers the 18th century including in Switzerland.","\nThe Library of Congress also holds a number of manuscript letters from A.C. Cazenove to President James Madison.","This collection covers the history of the Cazenove Family of Alexandria from the 1790s to the 1970s.\nThe first part of the collection features records from James O'Hara Cazenove (1880-1971), consisting primarily of correspondence and records relating to his business interests and investments, as well as legal documents and business related litigation. Some of the correspondence and notebooks relate to his role as an inventor including a patent for an improved eggbeater from the 1920s. It also includes records from his brother, Louis A. deCazenove (1851-1925), primarily related to his education at Cornell University.","\nThe Second part of the collection concerns the earlier generations of the family focusing on James O'Hara's father and grandfather, both named Louis A. Cazenove (1807-1852 and 1851-1925), and his great grandfather Anthony Charles Cazenove (1775-1852). Researchers should be cautious about the reuse of family names, as there are two Anthony Charles' and three Louis A.s.","\nThe second part consists primarily of correspondence and early business records from Alexandria, including early ledgers and receipts as well as legal documents such as deeds. There are also early passports relating to international travel and documents about the consular positions held by A.C. Cazenove in the early 19th century. There is also a family history in French from 1872.","\nBoth parts of the collection include the records of estates, trusts, and guardianships, as wealth passed from one generation to the next.","Local History and Special Collections Branch, Alexandria Library","Cazenove Family","Lee Family","Farquhar Family","Cazenove, Anthony Charles, 1775-1852","Cazenove, Louis A. (Louis Albert), 1807-1852","Cazenove, Louis A., 1851-1925","Cazenove, James O'Hara, 1880-1971","deCazenove, Louis A., 1878-1952","Cazenove, Anne H., 1776-1843","Cazenove, William Gardner, 1819-1877","Cazenove, Mary Elizabeth Stanard, 1822-1892","Cazenove, Antony, 1849-1897","Lee, Cassius F., 1808-1890","Cazenove, Eliza Frances, 1798-1857","Gardner, Anne Eliza, 1819-1885","English"],"unitid_tesim":["MS212","/repositories/2/resources/27"],"normalized_title_ssm":["Cazenove Family Papers (MS212)"],"collection_title_tesim":["Cazenove Family Papers (MS212)"],"collection_ssim":["Cazenove Family Papers (MS212)"],"repository_ssm":["Alexandria Library"],"repository_ssim":["Alexandria Library"],"creator_ssm":["Cazenove Family","Cazenove, Anthony Charles, 1775-1852","Cazenove, Louis A. (Louis Albert), 1807-1852","Cazenove, Louis A., 1851-1925","Cazenove, James O'Hara, 1880-1971","deCazenove, Louis A., 1878-1952","Cazenove, Anne H., 1776-1843","Cazenove, William Gardner, 1819-1877","Cazenove, Mary Elizabeth Stanard, 1822-1892","Cazenove, Antony, 1849-1897","Lee, Cassius F., 1808-1890","Cazenove, Eliza Frances, 1798-1857","Gardner, Anne Eliza, 1819-1885","Lee Family","Farquhar Family"],"creator_ssim":["Cazenove Family","Cazenove, Anthony Charles, 1775-1852","Cazenove, Louis A. (Louis Albert), 1807-1852","Cazenove, Louis A., 1851-1925","Cazenove, James O'Hara, 1880-1971","deCazenove, Louis A., 1878-1952","Cazenove, Anne H., 1776-1843","Cazenove, William Gardner, 1819-1877","Cazenove, Mary Elizabeth Stanard, 1822-1892","Cazenove, Antony, 1849-1897","Lee, Cassius F., 1808-1890","Cazenove, Eliza Frances, 1798-1857","Gardner, Anne Eliza, 1819-1885","Lee Family","Farquhar Family"],"creator_persname_ssim":["Cazenove, Anthony Charles, 1775-1852","Cazenove, Louis A. (Louis Albert), 1807-1852","Cazenove, Louis A., 1851-1925","Cazenove, James O'Hara, 1880-1971","deCazenove, Louis A., 1878-1952","Cazenove, Anne H., 1776-1843","Cazenove, William Gardner, 1819-1877","Cazenove, Mary Elizabeth Stanard, 1822-1892","Cazenove, Antony, 1849-1897","Lee, Cassius F., 1808-1890","Cazenove, Eliza Frances, 1798-1857","Gardner, Anne Eliza, 1819-1885"],"creator_famname_ssim":["Cazenove Family","Lee Family","Farquhar Family"],"creators_ssim":["Cazenove, Anthony Charles, 1775-1852","Cazenove, Louis A. (Louis Albert), 1807-1852","Cazenove, Louis A., 1851-1925","Cazenove, James O'Hara, 1880-1971","deCazenove, Louis A., 1878-1952","Cazenove, Anne H., 1776-1843","Cazenove, William Gardner, 1819-1877","Cazenove, Mary Elizabeth Stanard, 1822-1892","Cazenove, Antony, 1849-1897","Lee, Cassius F., 1808-1890","Cazenove, Eliza Frances, 1798-1857","Gardner, Anne Eliza, 1819-1885","Cazenove Family","Lee Family","Farquhar Family"],"access_subjects_ssim":["Business -- Alexandria (Va.)","Business records","Families -- Alexandria (Va.)","Farquhar family.","Inventions","Passports","Correspondence"],"access_subjects_ssm":["Business -- Alexandria (Va.)","Business records","Families -- Alexandria (Va.)","Farquhar family.","Inventions","Passports","Correspondence"],"has_online_content_ssim":["false"],"extent_ssm":["8.06  Linear Feet 15 boxes"],"extent_tesim":["8.06  Linear Feet 15 boxes"],"genreform_ssim":["Inventions","Passports","Correspondence"],"date_range_isim":[1786,1787,1788,1789,1790,1791,1792,1793,1794,1795,1796,1797,1798,1799,1800,1801,1802,1803,1804,1805,1806,1807,1808,1809,1810,1811,1812,1813,1814,1815,1816,1817,1818,1819,1820,1821,1822,1823,1824,1825,1826,1827,1828,1829,1830,1831,1832,1833,1834,1835,1836,1837,1838,1839,1840,1841,1842,1843,1844,1845,1846,1847,1848,1849,1850,1851,1852,1853,1854,1855,1856,1857,1858,1859,1860,1861,1862,1863,1864,1865,1866,1867,1868,1869,1870,1871,1872,1873,1874,1875,1876,1877,1878,1879,1880,1881,1882,1883,1884,1885,1886,1887,1888,1889,1890,1891,1892,1893,1894,1895,1896,1897,1898,1899,1900,1901,1902,1903,1904,1905,1906,1907,1908,1909,1910,1911,1912,1913,1914,1915,1916,1917,1918,1919,1920,1921,1922,1923,1924,1925,1926,1927,1928,1929,1930,1931,1932,1933,1934,1935,1936,1937,1938,1939,1940,1941,1942,1943,1944,1945,1946,1947,1948,1949,1950,1951,1952,1953,1954,1955,1956,1957,1958,1959,1960,1961,1962,1963,1964,1965,1966,1967,1968,1969,1970],"arrangement_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThe collection is divided into two sub-fonds, the first consisting of records from James O'Hara Cazenove and his son and the second apparently collected by his father covering himself and the older part of the family.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e\nThe correspondence and business records in both are divided into different subseries, reflecting an effort to keep business affairs separate from family correspondence. Much of the correspondence in the O'Hara part of the collection is arranged by correspondent or alphabetically and then chronologically. In the second sub-fonds most of the correspondence is chronological apart from the Stanard and Craig family correspondence having been separated from other family correspondence at some point in time.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e\nCertain records deemed fragile or valuable were separated from the older material at some point and have been listed at the end of series but not necessarily in chronological order as that would have placed the items within separately listed folders.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e\nSubfonds 1: James O'Hara Cazenove, 1873-1970\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e\nSeries 1: Correspondence, 1902-1970\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e    Subseries:\n    \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eFamily Correspondence\n    \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003ePersonal Correspondence\n    \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eBusiness Correspondence\n    \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eLegal Correspondence\n    \nSeries 2: Financial Documents\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSeries 3: Legal Documents\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSeries 4: Inventions\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSeries 5: Personal Records\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSeries 6: Printed Material\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSeries 7: Miscellaneous\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSeries 8: Louis A. DeCazenove\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e\nSubfonds 2: Louis A. Cazenove, 1786-1946\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e\nSeries 1: Correspondence\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSeries 2: Business\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e  Subseries:\n    \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eBusiness Records\n    \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eRecords Books\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e\nDeeds\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e\nEstates and Guardianships\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSeries 3: Legal Documents, 1786-1926\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSeries 4: Printed\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSeries 5: News Clippings\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSeries 6: Miscellaneous\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003eSeries 7: Photos\u003c/p\u003e"],"arrangement_heading_ssm":["Arrangement"],"arrangement_tesim":["The collection is divided into two sub-fonds, the first consisting of records from James O'Hara Cazenove and his son and the second apparently collected by his father covering himself and the older part of the family.","\nThe correspondence and business records in both are divided into different subseries, reflecting an effort to keep business affairs separate from family correspondence. Much of the correspondence in the O'Hara part of the collection is arranged by correspondent or alphabetically and then chronologically. In the second sub-fonds most of the correspondence is chronological apart from the Stanard and Craig family correspondence having been separated from other family correspondence at some point in time.","\nCertain records deemed fragile or valuable were separated from the older material at some point and have been listed at the end of series but not necessarily in chronological order as that would have placed the items within separately listed folders.","\nSubfonds 1: James O'Hara Cazenove, 1873-1970","\nSeries 1: Correspondence, 1902-1970","    Subseries:\n    ","Family Correspondence\n    ","Personal Correspondence\n    ","Business Correspondence\n    ","Legal Correspondence\n    \nSeries 2: Financial Documents","Series 3: Legal Documents","Series 4: Inventions","Series 5: Personal Records","Series 6: Printed Material","Series 7: Miscellaneous","Series 8: Louis A. DeCazenove","\nSubfonds 2: Louis A. Cazenove, 1786-1946","\nSeries 1: Correspondence","Series 2: Business","  Subseries:\n    ","Business Records\n    ","Records Books","\nDeeds","\nEstates and Guardianships","Series 3: Legal Documents, 1786-1926","Series 4: Printed","Series 5: News Clippings","Series 6: Miscellaneous","Series 7: Photos"],"bioghist_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eAnthony Charles Cazenove (1775-1852) was born in Geneva, Switzerland. Imprisoned during the revolution, he immigrated to the United States in 1794 and went into business with Treasury Secretary Albert Gallatin in Fayette County, Pennsylvania. He married Ann Hogan of Philadelphia (1776-1843), and moved to Alexandria, Virginia where he established Cazenove and Co. The couple had 10 children.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e\nPaul Charles Cazenove (1799-1801) died in childhood. Charles John Cazenove (1801-1834) married Sarah Greenleaf of Boston to whom a letter from A. C. Cazenove survives.  Paulina Cazenove (1806-1891) married John Fowle. Charlotte Cazenove (1812-1836) married North Carolina Congressman William B. Shepard. Octavius Anthony Cazenove (1813-1841). Harriet Cazenove (1817-1861) who married Gazaway Lamar of Georgia (1798-1874). \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e\nAnn Maria Cazenove (1803-1859) married General Archibald Henderson. Their daughter Charlotte married into the DuPont family.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e\nEliza Frances Cazenove (1798-1857) married William C. Gardner (1791-1844) their children included Constance T. Gardner  (1820-1849) who married Maryland Congressman Henry Winter Davis (1817-1865) and Anne Eliza Gardner (1819-1885), who married Cassius F. Lee (1808-1890). \u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e\nWilliam Gardner Cazenove (1819-1877) married Mary Elizabeth Stanard (1822-1892) and had a son named Anthony Charles Cazenove (1849-1897). William took over management of Cazenove and Co. in partnership with Lee and was later the guardian for one of the Gardner children.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e\nLouis Albert Cazenove (1807-1852) married Frances Ansley (1820-1847) in 1837 and had Frances E. Cazenove (1838-1884) and Charlotte Louise Cazenove (1840-1914). He later remarried to Harriett Stuart Turberville (1823-1896) of the Lee family and had a son named Louis A. Cazenove (1851-1925). Cassius F. Lee became the guardian of these children after 1852.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e\nLouis A. Cazenove (b 1851) married Mary O'Hara and had two sons. Louis A. DeCazenove (1878-1852) who changed his last name to an older Swiss version worked as a chemical Engineer at Dupont and married Edith Patton Cazenove. James O'Hara Cazenove (1880-1971) was an inventor, engineer, and investor, and was considered the last of the family.\u003c/p\u003e"],"bioghist_heading_ssm":["Biographical Note"],"bioghist_tesim":["Anthony Charles Cazenove (1775-1852) was born in Geneva, Switzerland. Imprisoned during the revolution, he immigrated to the United States in 1794 and went into business with Treasury Secretary Albert Gallatin in Fayette County, Pennsylvania. He married Ann Hogan of Philadelphia (1776-1843), and moved to Alexandria, Virginia where he established Cazenove and Co. The couple had 10 children.","\nPaul Charles Cazenove (1799-1801) died in childhood. Charles John Cazenove (1801-1834) married Sarah Greenleaf of Boston to whom a letter from A. C. Cazenove survives.  Paulina Cazenove (1806-1891) married John Fowle. Charlotte Cazenove (1812-1836) married North Carolina Congressman William B. Shepard. Octavius Anthony Cazenove (1813-1841). Harriet Cazenove (1817-1861) who married Gazaway Lamar of Georgia (1798-1874). ","\nAnn Maria Cazenove (1803-1859) married General Archibald Henderson. Their daughter Charlotte married into the DuPont family.","\nEliza Frances Cazenove (1798-1857) married William C. Gardner (1791-1844) their children included Constance T. Gardner  (1820-1849) who married Maryland Congressman Henry Winter Davis (1817-1865) and Anne Eliza Gardner (1819-1885), who married Cassius F. Lee (1808-1890). ","\nWilliam Gardner Cazenove (1819-1877) married Mary Elizabeth Stanard (1822-1892) and had a son named Anthony Charles Cazenove (1849-1897). William took over management of Cazenove and Co. in partnership with Lee and was later the guardian for one of the Gardner children.","\nLouis Albert Cazenove (1807-1852) married Frances Ansley (1820-1847) in 1837 and had Frances E. Cazenove (1838-1884) and Charlotte Louise Cazenove (1840-1914). He later remarried to Harriett Stuart Turberville (1823-1896) of the Lee family and had a son named Louis A. Cazenove (1851-1925). Cassius F. Lee became the guardian of these children after 1852.","\nLouis A. Cazenove (b 1851) married Mary O'Hara and had two sons. Louis A. DeCazenove (1878-1852) who changed his last name to an older Swiss version worked as a chemical Engineer at Dupont and married Edith Patton Cazenove. James O'Hara Cazenove (1880-1971) was an inventor, engineer, and investor, and was considered the last of the family."],"prefercite_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003e[Item idenfitication], Cazenove Family Papers, MS212, Alexandria Library, Local History/Special Collections, Alexandria, Va.\u003c/p\u003e"],"prefercite_tesim":["[Item idenfitication], Cazenove Family Papers, MS212, Alexandria Library, Local History/Special Collections, Alexandria, Va."],"relatedmaterial_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eMS293 contains a ledger from Cazenove and Co. dated 1857-1861 when it was managed by William Gardner Lee, the son of A. C. Cazenove, and Cassius F. Lee. Duke University holds records of Cazenove and Co for 1860-1868 including a list of debtors.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e\nMS240 contains a number of Cazenove related documents including:\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e\nTwo letters of A.C. Cazenove, one undated detailing the surrender of Alexandria in August 1814 and the other to Sarah E. Greenleaf in 1826. (MS240, box 10).\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e\nAn 1874 certificate of Louis A. Cazenove (b. 1851) from the University of Virginia (MS240, oversize 2)\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e\n3 stock certificates of A.C. Cazenove for the Middle Turnpike Company (1831), Alexandria Steam Ferry Company (1839), and Alexandria Marine Railway Company (1849-1851) (MS240, box 6)\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e\nThere are also receipts for Mrs. Harriot E. Cazenove (1823-1896), the widow of Louis A. Cazenove (d. 1852), from Wise and Co Insurance Agents (1889) (MS240, box 5) and Smoot and Co (1894-1896) (MS240 box 4).\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e\nThe Winterthur Museum of Winterthur Delaware also holds the \"Cazenove-Lee Family Papers\" (Col. 83) which contains extensive records of A. C. Cazenove and the early history of the family. This primarily covers the 18th century including in Switzerland.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e\nThe Library of Congress also holds a number of manuscript letters from A.C. Cazenove to President James Madison.\u003c/p\u003e"],"relatedmaterial_heading_ssm":["Related Materials"],"relatedmaterial_tesim":["MS293 contains a ledger from Cazenove and Co. dated 1857-1861 when it was managed by William Gardner Lee, the son of A. C. Cazenove, and Cassius F. Lee. Duke University holds records of Cazenove and Co for 1860-1868 including a list of debtors.","\nMS240 contains a number of Cazenove related documents including:","\nTwo letters of A.C. Cazenove, one undated detailing the surrender of Alexandria in August 1814 and the other to Sarah E. Greenleaf in 1826. (MS240, box 10).","\nAn 1874 certificate of Louis A. Cazenove (b. 1851) from the University of Virginia (MS240, oversize 2)","\n3 stock certificates of A.C. Cazenove for the Middle Turnpike Company (1831), Alexandria Steam Ferry Company (1839), and Alexandria Marine Railway Company (1849-1851) (MS240, box 6)","\nThere are also receipts for Mrs. Harriot E. Cazenove (1823-1896), the widow of Louis A. Cazenove (d. 1852), from Wise and Co Insurance Agents (1889) (MS240, box 5) and Smoot and Co (1894-1896) (MS240 box 4).","\nThe Winterthur Museum of Winterthur Delaware also holds the \"Cazenove-Lee Family Papers\" (Col. 83) which contains extensive records of A. C. Cazenove and the early history of the family. This primarily covers the 18th century including in Switzerland.","\nThe Library of Congress also holds a number of manuscript letters from A.C. Cazenove to President James Madison."],"scopecontent_html_tesm":["\u003cp\u003eThis collection covers the history of the Cazenove Family of Alexandria from the 1790s to the 1970s.\nThe first part of the collection features records from James O'Hara Cazenove (1880-1971), consisting primarily of correspondence and records relating to his business interests and investments, as well as legal documents and business related litigation. Some of the correspondence and notebooks relate to his role as an inventor including a patent for an improved eggbeater from the 1920s. It also includes records from his brother, Louis A. deCazenove (1851-1925), primarily related to his education at Cornell University.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e\nThe Second part of the collection concerns the earlier generations of the family focusing on James O'Hara's father and grandfather, both named Louis A. Cazenove (1807-1852 and 1851-1925), and his great grandfather Anthony Charles Cazenove (1775-1852). Researchers should be cautious about the reuse of family names, as there are two Anthony Charles' and three Louis A.s.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e\nThe second part consists primarily of correspondence and early business records from Alexandria, including early ledgers and receipts as well as legal documents such as deeds. There are also early passports relating to international travel and documents about the consular positions held by A.C. Cazenove in the early 19th century. There is also a family history in French from 1872.\u003c/p\u003e\n","\u003cp\u003e\nBoth parts of the collection include the records of estates, trusts, and guardianships, as wealth passed from one generation to the next.\u003c/p\u003e"],"scopecontent_heading_ssm":["Scope and Contents"],"scopecontent_tesim":["This collection covers the history of the Cazenove Family of Alexandria from the 1790s to the 1970s.\nThe first part of the collection features records from James O'Hara Cazenove (1880-1971), consisting primarily of correspondence and records relating to his business interests and investments, as well as legal documents and business related litigation. Some of the correspondence and notebooks relate to his role as an inventor including a patent for an improved eggbeater from the 1920s. It also includes records from his brother, Louis A. deCazenove (1851-1925), primarily related to his education at Cornell University.","\nThe Second part of the collection concerns the earlier generations of the family focusing on James O'Hara's father and grandfather, both named Louis A. Cazenove (1807-1852 and 1851-1925), and his great grandfather Anthony Charles Cazenove (1775-1852). Researchers should be cautious about the reuse of family names, as there are two Anthony Charles' and three Louis A.s.","\nThe second part consists primarily of correspondence and early business records from Alexandria, including early ledgers and receipts as well as legal documents such as deeds. There are also early passports relating to international travel and documents about the consular positions held by A.C. Cazenove in the early 19th century. There is also a family history in French from 1872.","\nBoth parts of the collection include the records of estates, trusts, and guardianships, as wealth passed from one generation to the next."],"names_ssim":["Local History and Special Collections Branch, Alexandria Library","Cazenove Family","Lee Family","Farquhar Family","Cazenove, Anthony Charles, 1775-1852","Cazenove, Louis A. (Louis Albert), 1807-1852","Cazenove, Louis A., 1851-1925","Cazenove, James O'Hara, 1880-1971","deCazenove, Louis A., 1878-1952","Cazenove, Anne H., 1776-1843","Cazenove, William Gardner, 1819-1877","Cazenove, Mary Elizabeth Stanard, 1822-1892","Cazenove, Antony, 1849-1897","Lee, Cassius F., 1808-1890","Cazenove, Eliza Frances, 1798-1857","Gardner, Anne Eliza, 1819-1885"],"corpname_ssim":["Local History and Special Collections Branch, Alexandria Library"],"famname_ssim":["Cazenove Family","Lee Family","Farquhar Family"],"persname_ssim":["Cazenove, Anthony Charles, 1775-1852","Cazenove, Louis A. (Louis Albert), 1807-1852","Cazenove, Louis A., 1851-1925","Cazenove, James O'Hara, 1880-1971","deCazenove, Louis A., 1878-1952","Cazenove, Anne H., 1776-1843","Cazenove, William Gardner, 1819-1877","Cazenove, Mary Elizabeth Stanard, 1822-1892","Cazenove, Antony, 1849-1897","Lee, Cassius F., 1808-1890","Cazenove, Eliza Frances, 1798-1857","Gardner, Anne Eliza, 1819-1885"],"language_ssim":["English"],"descrules_ssm":["Describing Archives: A Content Standard"],"total_component_count_is":249,"online_item_count_is":0,"component_level_isim":[0],"sort_isi":0,"timestamp":"2026-05-21T03:59:04.928Z"}]}},"label":"Breadcrumbs"}}},"links":{"self":"https://arvasarchive.org/catalog/vaallhs_repositories_2_resources_27_c02_c01"}}],"included":[{"type":"facet","id":"repository_ssim","attributes":{"label":"Repository","items":[{"attributes":{"label":"Alexandria Library","value":"Alexandria 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