Dedham
May 23, 1855
Mr. Benjamin
Dear Sir, I wrote you on Tuesday morning but in a great hurry. I had been to Boston the day before and did
not save time enough to write but excited and anxious to send __ __ as soon as
possible. You will please excuse the
_____. I believe I told you I went to
the Exchange Bank as you directed to get a draft or ____ note. The cashier ___ ___ his answer was I can’t
give you a draft or ___. I then asked
how I could send it; he said he didn’t know.
Perhaps some of the banks might do it; however, Mr. William ___ told me
the best way to send it was by check from Clark & Co. in Chicago as he
thought it perfectly safe. I hope it may
prove so. I sent you Mr. Dowser’s bill
and ____________________ will enclose in
this. I didn’t understand the forwarding
business so did not get the receipt on Monday but he sent it to me in a
letter. He pays freight does he not, but
__ ___ pay on receiving the goods. The
ten dollars you will understand is from Edwin for yourself. I have sent as much now as I can at present. I have not received any money from home and
hardly expect any soon so that you will know I can’t be very flush. The order you have sent Russell Baker &
Co. you had better get on credit as it will not hurt you where you are so well
known, and I think from what Baker has said to me that you can get six months
(or less) if you want. He does not know
that I am connected with you; perhaps it would be well to let it be known now,
as I shall be out with you soon and we may as well commence B. G. & Co. as
to make an alteration after I get there.
If nothing happens to present, I shall leave Dedham on the 2nd
or 3rd of July next, perhaps a few days before. I will give you a week’s notice. I thank you for your kind offer of looking me
up a house…..and would say, if you can get me a good house, one that you think
I would like and could pay the rent, I should like it. If not, get me a chance to board in a private
family. If you would like to take me and want to, so
much the better. But I didn’t suppose
___ ___ with your children unless you ___ __ you know best.
I have a good deal of trouble with the old folk about going
west, but I am determined to go it now at all risks. Myra has make up her mind to do the same and
is getting ready as fast as she can. She
wishes to be remember to you and your wife, and Mr. and Mrs. Bird and the
children. I find it hard work to dispose
of my ___ friend ___; I think they have turned out a loss instead of a profit. I may get a chance to see them yet.
Most everybody is enquiring how you are getting along. I hope you will be cautious and not dip too
deep to begin with. We will want stock
to work after the ware room is full and money is a cash intake. I tell you (as we Macbeth’s say) 200 dollars
does seem a pretty good rent to pay in Rockford, but I suppose all right _________________________
but I think it quite likely you forgot it, as you can’t be expected to remember
everything. They talk here of stopping
the mill all the month of July and not running but two or three days a week
during the summer, but I don’t know how it will turn out. The
turners are getting all full of work as there are no orders for bedsteads
coming in and I suppose that worries Baker.
He has been sick a couple of days and has got the blues.
Are you furnishing those hotels you spoke of? ___________________ I believe I wrote you ___ he said about those
he had to ___ if they were not as good as they ought to be to let him know
it.
Do you keep your health good or does that bad wife feed you
____. Most everybody goes to _____ ___ things that go ___ this way. I suppose it to be the appeal of the ____
mode of being with this ____ of water which I think myself is not good and
ought to be dashed a little with good spirits, don’t you think so?
I believe there is nothing more to add except request you to
write me soon. Remember me to all the folks. I hope they are happy and contented.
I remain yours affectionately,
George M. Macbeth
This letter from Macbeth (John's apparent business partner) was difficult to read in a number of spots, but you can get the jist of it. It's pretty exciting to hear about John taking the plunge and starting up a furniture business in Rockford!
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