Letter to Spotswood W. Corbin, 1860

Language:

English.

Scope and content:

Written from the Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Letter regards the political situation in Virginia as it may affect property.

Other descriptive data:

Observatory

My dear Mr. Corbin,

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 & 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 & 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 Nannie & 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, & 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 & let the expenses be mine. Drop me a letter care of Maury Brothers New York in reply & tell Nannie she shall hear from me before I sail.

Goodbye

Perhaps it may be as well to state that when I offered to endorse I expected to endorse for both land & negroes and of course have a lien upon all- This I am still willing to do so as to get the endorsed security.

Subjects:

Correspondence

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