May 1857

Harper's Magazine archives (subscription required) ^ | May 1857

[colorado tanker]

According to Wiki (I know) the Delano's were Walloon Puritans who settled in Leiden and then migrated to the Plymouth Colony. I'm sure the family is widely disbursed these days.

It sure must have been easier to be an Episcopalian than one those dour Puritans. :-))

[colorado tanker]

But speaking of fear, here in 1857 I feel an economic panic coming just around the corner, one deep enough to send our Warren Delano back to China to recoup his lost fortune.

Oh, you Chicken Little. The railroads are expanding, new lands being settled, industry is thriving. Yes sir, nothing but peace and prosperity as far as the eye can see!

[Tax-chick]

Also interesting that opium contributed to the wealth of the family who my crystal ball tells me might reach high office in the distant future.

It's a little like another Upnorth "aristocratic" family who got their start in the illegal alcohol trade.

Oh, are we going to have an Economic Panic? I wonder if I should pack up the Extremely Numerous Offspring and move West.

[BroJoeK]

** “ Yes sir, nothing but peace and prosperity as far as the eye can see! “ **

That’s the spirit! Nothing to fear but... what?

;-)

[Tax-chick]

Nothing to fear but ...

A yellow fever epidemic? We've had a few warm days ...

[BroJoeK]

;-)

[Homer_J_Simpson]

[Continued from May 5 (reply #8).]

May 6. Mr. Ruggles spent the evening in the library, talking over Trinity Church and Columbia College and sundry other matters. Present indications point to Schaeffer as professor of chemistry and Davies for mathematics; the latter probably not a very bad appointment, thought there is certainly somewhat of sliminess and clamminess about the man.

The Burdell trial seems to bring out no stronger evidence than was disclosed on the inquest. If the prosecution can prove nothing further, its case is one of strong suspicion and nothing more, and should never have been brought to trial.

The Diary of George Templeton Strong, Edited by Allan Nevins and Milton Halsey Thomas

[Tax-chick]

I hope he gave Mr. Ruggles a few drinks. I’m trying to visualize the math professor with his sliminess and clamminess, but not doing very well.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

I visualized a man-sized salamander wearing a robe and mortar board.

[Tax-chick]

LOL! It’s like Columbia College meets Hogwarts.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from May 6 (reply #27).

The Diary of George Templeton Strong, Edited by Allan Nevins and Milton Halsey Thomas

[colorado tanker]

Mrs. Burdell was acquitted but there is, as Paul Harvey used to say, the rest of the story. Despite her acquittal the probate court barred her from inheriting from the Burdell estate. And she could never live down those who thought she was guilty. She would die years later penniless and living with a relative.

I'm glad to see our good Mr. Strong based his opinion on the evidence and not the salacious gossip.

[Tax-chick]

He’s got a nudge about Irish construction workers, but the roofers working up the street (who keep blocking the road with their truck) are obviously from Central America. And the homeowners are from Poland.

So in summary, it’s always something.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from May 10 (reply #31).

The Diary of George Templeton Strong, Edited by Allan Nevins and Milton Halsey Thomas

[Tax-chick]

He sure is a busy man!

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from May 11 (reply #34).

The Diary of George Templeton Strong, Edited by Allan Nevins and Milton Halsey Thomas

“History of Liberty is downloadable at the following link, in case you care to see for yourself what George Strong is talking about.

History of Liberty

[Tax-chick]

I assume that Samuel Eliot is connected to Samuel Eliot Morrison, of “The Influence of Sea Power on History.”

[Homer_J_Simpson]

[Continued from April 2 (reply #4). ]

Stung by Taney’s words, Curtis unwisely elected to continue the futile quarrel. In a letter dated May 13, he protested the impugnment of his motives, questioned the authority of three justices to impose such a restriction without first consulting their colleagues, and suggested that it was a violation of the rules of the Court to withhold an opinion for so long a time.* He reasserted his own official right to examine an opinion of the Court that, according to reports, had been “materially altered” since its oral delivery.

*The Supreme Court’s Rule 25 (in force since 1834) declared: “All opinions delivered by the court shall, immediately upon the delivery thereof, be delivered over to the clerk to be recorded.”

Don E. Fehrenbacher, The Dred Scott Case: Its Significance in American Law and Politics" (1978)

Wikipedia page for Associate Justice Benjamin Robbins Curtis

[colorado tanker]

According to Wiki, you are right. Morrison was an Eliot through his mother.

[Tax-chick]

A family tradition of addressing sweeping historical topics.