[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. To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by reply or freepmail.

Link to previous thread

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Contents – 2
The War-Message – 2
The Signers of the Declaration of Independence – 2-4
Editorials – 4-5
The Lounger – 6-7
Independence Hall, Philadelphia – 8-9
A Visit to Mount Vernon – 10-12
The Declaration of Independence – 13-15
Town and Country – 15
My Elopement – 15-18
Stephen Girard, The Money-Maker – 18-19
Broadway – 19
The Greatest Gold Nugget Ever Found – 19-20
The Boston Regatta – 19-21
Miscellany – 22-23
Western Sketches – 24-25

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from February 13 (reply #3) .

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William J. Cooper, Jr., Jefferson Davis, American

[Homer_J_Simpson]

[Continued from July 1 (reply #4) .]

July 8,THURSDAY. Tomorrow to fresh fields and pastures new – Great Barrington, to wit. We are all ready to decamp; trunks are packed and the house wears an unsettled look like Great Salt Lake City pending the latest Mormon hegira. Whatever good thing we find at Great Barrington will be so much clear gain, for my anticipations are at zero. I shall do well enough, but I’m very dubious about Ellie’s prospects.

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

[PeterPrinciple]

The Largest Gold Nugget Ever Found

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http://ballaratgenealogy.org.au/ballarat-history/the-welcome-nugget

Be sure to read the article, some interesting flavor. From the article:

“The Sydney papers records a good joke. One of the proprietors laughingly said to a party of ladies viewing it while on exhibitions, ‘Any lady in the room who will lift the nuggets shall have it.’ There words were no sooner uttered than one of the ladies took it up, and carried it to the door, walking away with it with all possible speed. She was arrested at the door by the astonished and affrighted owner. Should the lady prosecute or sue for the gem thus so easily and cheaply purchased, a nice point of law would be involved. The matter would probably have turned upon the point of whether the plaintiff was a lady.............................”

[PeterPrinciple]

The Atlantic Telegraph

Steam ship within 24 hours of landing. This is the 2nd try. First communication Aug 16, 1858

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transatlantic_telegraph_cable

[PeterPrinciple]

Floods in the West.

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I could not find anything specific to 1958 and floods but it was prob a big issue with expansion of railroads, and river shipping, and expansion to the west.

Did find this reference to a 1951 flood. 74.5 inches in Iowa.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flood_of_1851

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from June 16 (reply #5) . Douglas’s “extended reply to Lincoln’s charges” (paragraph 1) was delivered on this date.

David Herbert Donald, Lincoln

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from June 23 (reply #14).

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Allen C. Guelzo, Lincoln and Douglas: The Debates that Defined America