Posted on 04/16/2019 5:01:49 AM PDT 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.
Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and Writings 1859-1865, edited by Don E. Fehrenbacher
WESTPORT, N. Y., April 16, 1859.
DEAR SIR, — I am here, waiting a conveyance to take me home; have been quite prostrated almost the whole time since you left me at John's, with the difficulty in my head and ear, and with the ague in consequence. I am now some better. Had a good visit at Rochester, but did not effect much. Had a first-rate time at Peterboro'; got of Mr. Smith and others nearly one hundred and sixty dollars, and a note (which I think a good one) for two hundred and eighty-five dollars. Mr. S. wrote to Eastern friends to make up at least two thousand dollars, saying he was in for one fifth the amount, I feel encouraged to believe it will soon be done, and wish you to let our folks all round understand how the prospects are. Still, it will be some days (and it may be weeks) before I can get ready to return. I shall not be idle. If you have found my writing-case and papers, please forward them without delay, by express, to Henry Thompson, North Elba, Essex County, N. Y.
B. J. H. KAGI, ESQ.
SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 522
BALTIMO APRIL 16, 1859.
W. STILL: — Dear brother i have taken the opportunity of writing you these few lines to inform you that i am well an hoping these few lines may find you enjoying the same good blessing please to write me word at what time was it when isreal went to Jerico i am very anxious to hear for thare is a mighty host will pass over and you and i my brother will sing hally luja i shall notify you when the great catastrophe shal take place No more at the present but remain your brother
N. L. J.
SOURCE: William Still, The Underground Railroad: A Record of Facts, Authentic Narratives, Letters &c., p. 48
The Corcoran family was one of Washington’s most distinguished. WW Corcoran, founder of Riggs’ Bank once DC largest, was an avid collector of American art and he established the Corcoran Gallery now administered by the National Gallery of Art.
The bride groom George Eustis Jr. would become Confederate ambassador to France.
Continued from November 8, 1858 (reply #12) . Today is “the day prior to her delivery” mentioned in the second paragraph.
William J. Cooper, Jr., Jefferson Davis, American
I just wish he had given deeper consideration as to the cause for which he was applying his abilities.
William J. Cooper, Jr., Jefferson Davis, American
April 18.
Brown left on Thursday the 14th, and was to be at North Elba to-morrow the 19th. Thence he goes “in a few days” to you.1 He says he must not be trifled with, and shall hold Boston and New Haven to their word. New Haven advises him to forfeit five hundred dollars he has paid on a certain contract, and drop it. He will not. From here he went in good spirits, and appeared better than ever to us, barring an affection of the right side of his head. I hope he will meet hearty encouragement elsewhere. Mr. Smith gave him four hundred dollars, I twenty-five, and we took some ten dollars at the little meeting. . . . “L’expérience démontre, avec toute l'evidence possible, que c'est la société que prépare le crime, et que le coupable n'est que l'instrument que l'exécute.” Do you believe Quetelet?
1 He actually reached [Sanborn’s] house in Concord, Saturday, May 7, and spent half his last birthday with me.
SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 467-8
"Experience shows, with all the evidence possible, that it is the society that prepares the crime, and that the culprit is only the instrument that executes it."
Brown's backers might be a little uneasy about the moral aspects of his plan.
The Diary of George Templeton Strong, Edited by Allan Nevins and Milton Halsey Thomas
“Mrs. Sickles’s criminality ...”
Meh.
The same dynasty will set off WWI, another stupid war.
You could make a case that the Versailles confreres killed the Hapsburg Empire because their government was too stupid to be trusted with governing a major European power.
BRENTVILLE, April 22d, 1859.
DEAR HUSBAND:
I received your letter to-day, and it gives me much pleasure to here from you, but was sorry to _____ of your sikeness; hope you may be well when you receive this. I wrote to you several weeks ago, and directed my letter to Bridge Port, but I fear you did not receive it, as you said nothing about it in yours. You must give my love to Brother Gabial, and tell him I would like to see him very much. I wrote in my last letter that Miss Virginia had a baby — a little girl. I had to nerse her day and night. Dear Dangerfield, you cannot amagine how much I want to see you. Com as soon as you can, for nothing would give more pleasure than to see you. It is the grates Comfort I have is thinking of the promist time when you will be here. Oh, that bless hour when I shall see you once more. My baby commenced to Crall to-day; it is very delicate. Nothing more at present, but remain
P. S. Write soon.
SOURCE: H. W. Flournoy, Editor, Calendar of Virginia State Papers and Other Manuscripts from January 1 1836 to April 15, 1869, Volume 11, p. 310-1
The Diary of George Templeton Strong, Edited by Allan Nevins and Milton Halsey Thomas
Regarding the Sickles trial and Mrs. Sickles’s letter of confession Strong references in his entry for April 19 (reply #13, I believe), readers can judge its significance for themselves tomorrow because a facsimile of the letter was printed on page one of Harper’s Weekly for April 23.
"It is of course satisfactory to think that, notwithstanding all the warlike preparations that were made, notwithstanding all the cannon, and the shells, and the rifles, and other engines of war that were sent out to Paraguay in the largest fleet ever dispatched from these shores, and notwithstanding the terrible menaces of the Paraguayans and their doughty chief, there is to be no bloodletting after all.
Peace is always better, and a good deal cheaper, than war; and in no event could the United States gain much glory by going to war with Paraguay.
On this bead, then, let us rejoice at the news."
Well worth noting, yet again, that in 1857 the Federal government under Democrat administration sent the US Army (Texan, future CSA Gen. AS Johnston commanding) to suppress the Mormon Rebellion in Utah and in 1858 sent a large naval war fleet (South Carolinian, Admiral Shubrick commanding) to "negotiate" with Paraguay.
Both missions were successful and nobody complained when Democrats did it.
When Republicans took similar actions in 1861... well... the complaints continue on even through today.
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