Posted on 02/19/2019 7:00:49 AM PST by Homer_J_Simpson
Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1855-1860: Seminar and Discussion Forum
Bleeding Kansas, Dred Scott, Lincoln-Douglas, Harper’s Ferry, the election of 1860, secession – all the events leading up to the Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts
First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: Sometime in the future.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.
Posting history, in reverse order
To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by reply or freepmail.
Strive to excel, girls!
February 20. From what John Sherwood tells me, his chance of success in his great Nicaraguan Transit Company suit against old Vanderbilt seems good.* That energetic old scoundrel, the general trustee and manager of the company, has somehow about three millions of corporate assets, for which equity should compel him to account. Possibly George C. Anthon’s stock may yet be woth something.
* The directors of the Pacific Mail were giving battle to Commodore Vanderbilt for control of the trans-Isthmian traffic. A year of fierce competition between Vanderbilt’s Atlantic & Pacific Steamship Company and the Pacific Mail Company, accompanied by legal warfare, opened. Various New York interests participated in the struggle, which was still continuing when the Civil War began.**
The Diary of George Templeton Strong, Edited by Allan Nevins and Milton Halsey Thomas
** See the Harper’s Weekly editorial on page 4 above.
RE: the Pacific Mail Steamship Company - “The company was a charter member of the Dow Jones Transportation Average.”
February 22. Thorndike, George Anthon, and Murray Hoffman here this evening. Strolled with George Anthon to Forty-second Street and back, discoursing of old times – college days – when our walks above Tenth Street took us into the fields, when the “House of Refuge” stood where Madison Square begins, and the Fifth Avenue was a mere tentative group of houses from Washington Square to Tenth Street and the new Ascension Church. “Thinking on the days that are long enough gone” is always sad work.
The Diary of George Templeton Strong, Edited by Allan Nevins and Milton Halsey Thomas
My, some things never change. The fields where I played as a boy are now subdivisions. Even the quiet spot in the country where I parked and smooched with my gal.
February 23. European news rather indicative of coming war, France and Sardinia vs. Austria. May England, Russia, and all the German Powers side against France and lick her into due appreciation of what she is, a mere element of mischief in Christendom since the days of Louis XIV.
The Diary of George Templeton Strong, Edited by Allan Nevins and Milton Halsey Thomas
Our Diarist is thoroughly American, but he has his ancestor’s aversion for the French.
RECEPTION OF BROWN AND PARTY AT GRINNELL, IOWA, COMPARED WITH PROCEEDINGS AT TABOR.
SPRINGTDALE, IOWA, Feb. 25, 1859.
1. Whole party and teams kept for two days free of cost.
2. Sundry articles of clothing given to the captives.
3. Bread, meat, cakes, pies, etc., prepared for our journey.
4. Full houses for two nights in succession, at which meetings Brown and Kagi spoke, and were loudly cheered and fully indorsed. Three Congregational clergymen attended the meeting on Sabbath evening (notice of which was given out from the pulpit). All of them took part in justifying our course and in urging contributions in our behalf. There was no dissenting speaker present at either meeting. Mr. Grinnell spoke at length; and has since labored to procure us a free and safe conveyance to Chicago, and effected it.
5. Contributions in cash amounting to $26.50.
6. Last, but not least, public thanksgiving to Almighty God offered up by Mr. Grinnell in the behalf of the whole company for His great mercy and protecting care, with prayers for a continuance of those blessings.
As the action of Tabor friends has been published in the newspapers by some of her people (as I suppose), would not friend Gaston or some other friend give publicity to all the above?
Respectfully your friend,
JOHN BROWN.
P. S. Our reception among the Quaker friends here has been most cordial.
Yours truly,
J. B.
SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 488-9
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