1857 Letters

unknown -

I am anxious to draw him out more fully, and would also like to keep him a little encouraged and avoid an open rupture for a few weeks

, MA - 2 January 1857

You have so illuminated my sober candlestick with that divine light which never was on sea or land" that I feel very proud of my gift

, MA - 9 February 1857

I wish you could have peeped into the study last week to have seen the juvenile faces when the doll-box arrived, with its fascinating contents.

Boston, MA - 16 February 1857

I am getting quite anxious to hear from you, and to get your views on your own prospects and present condition, together with your ideas of Governor Geary and of Kansas matters generally.

, MA - 23 February 1857

Washington's birthday is every year more honored, as we further depart from the nobleness of his character

Rome, ITL - 1 March 1857

Every day is opening to me a new world of wonders here in Italy. I have been in the Catacombs, where I was shown many memorials of the primitive Christians, and to-day we are going to the Vatican.

Hartford, CT - 6 March 1857

I shall send you some newspapers soon to let you see what different stories are told of me. None of them tell things as I tell them.

Springfield, MA - 12 March 1857

Have just been speaking for three nights at Canton, Conn., and at Collinsville, a village of that town.

Springfield, MA - 31 March 1857

...as regards the resolution of the boys to learn and practice war no more, that it was not at my solicitation that they engaged in it at first

Springfield, MA - 31 March 1857

I have but a moment to write, and but little to say that would afford you any interest...

Boston, MA - 8 April 1857

I bless God that he has not left the Free-State men of Kansas to pollute themselves by the foul and loathsome embrace of the old rotten whore.

Boston, MA - 13 April 1857

I, John Brown, of North Elba,, N. Y., intending to visit Kansas, and knowing the uncertainty of life, make my last will as follows...

Springfield, MA - 16 April 1857

Please for ward to me by express the pistols you have received...

Springfield, MA - 16 April 1857

I am advised that one of Uncle Sam's hounds is on my track; and I have kept myself hid for a few days to let my track get cold.

, MA - 21 April 1857

I see in Burrit's little paper a very encouraging account of the progress of the emancipated blacks in the West Indies from a speech delivered by a Mr. Thompson, at Manchester...

New Haven, CT - 23 April 1857

DEAR CHILDREN... Have but a moment to write. If I am not found at Westport, wait a little for me.

Springfield, MA - 25 April 1857

The sabre you got is the identical one taken from Lieutenant Brocket at Black Jack surrender.

Vergennes, VT - 13 May 1857

as I deem it most uncertain what will become of things I carry into the war, and as I need arms more than I do bread, I propose not to draw on you for the amount named

Vergennes, VT - 13 May 1857

I must ask to have the one thousand dollars made up at once and forwarded to Gerrit Smith.

Peterboro, NY - 15 May 1857

This, I think, much the cheapest and most proper way to provide for them, and far less humiliating to my wife, who, though not above getting her bread over the washtub, will never tell her trials or her wants to the world.

Akron, OH - 23 May 1857

I had made no previous arrangement with Mr. Smith about the land, other than to say that I wanted the contract with the Thompsons made over to me on payment

Hudson, OH - 27 May 1857

If I should never return, it is my particular request that no other monument be used to keep me in remembrance than the same plain one that records the death of my grandfather and son

Liverpool, ENG - 5 June 1857

I left you with a strange sort of yearning, throbbing feeling - you make me feel quite as I did years ago, a sort of girlishness quite odd for me.

Red Rock, IA - 15 July 1857

have concluded to send you a short story of a certain boy of my acquaintance : & for convenience & shortness of name, I will call him John.

Wassonville, IA - 17 July 1857

Since I last wrote I have made but little progress, having teams and wagons to rig up arid load...

Andover, MA - 3 August 1857

Before this reaches you you will have perhaps learned from other sources of the sad blow which has fallen upon us, - our darling, our good, beautiful boy, snatched away in the moment of health and happiness.

Tabor, IA - 8 August 1857

I obtained two teams and wagons, as I talked of, at a cost of seven hundred and eighty-six dollars, but was obliged to hire a teamster and to drive one team myself.

Tabor, IA - 13 August 1857

I had to begin my journey back with not more than half money at any time to bear my expenses through and pay my freights.

Tabor, IA - 17 August 1857

We are beginning to take lessons, and have (we think) a very capable teacher.

St Louis, MO - 22 August 1857

ulysses grant to sister mary august 22nd, 1857

Tabor, IA - 27 August 1857

I cannot express the gratitude I feel to all the kind friends who contributed towards paying for the place at North Elba

Tabor, IA - 11 September 1857

My particular object in writing is to say that I am in immediate want of some five hundred or one thousand dollars for secret service, and no questions asked.

Tabor, IA - 12 September 1857

We get nothing very definite from Kansas yet, but think we shall in the course of another week

Tabor, IA - 16 September 1857

I had previously written you expressive of my strong desire to see you.

Tabor, IA - 30 September 1857

I think, considering all the uncertainties of the case, want of teams, etc., that I should do wrong to set out.

Concord, MA - 1 October 1857

I paid out five hundred and fifty dollars on a contract for one thousand superior pikes, as a cheap but effectual weapon to place in the hands of entirely unskilful and unpractised men...

Tabor, IA - 5 October 1857

Please send me by Mr. Charles P. Tidd what money you have for me, not papers.

, MA - 2 November 1857

Charley Norton has written an account of the Exhibition in our new Magazine which is a little a la Raskin, not in style, but in theory.

, MA - 1 December 1857

We have greatly enjoyed welcoming Sumner back again, looking better though thinner.