Lawrence, KS Territory
July 24, 1859
Mr. John Benjamin
Dear John,
In my last, I interrogated you on a few little matters, but
now I am desiring some lacking information relative to the difference between
this, our Kansas, on the one hand, and that of your Minnesota on the other and
the desirableness or preference the one has over the other, the climate or __
of cold or warmth (thermometer __ ) our cabin and on the street this past fortnight
ranging the warmest part of the day from ninety three to one hundred for grain,
fruit and vine growing and stock raising.
Therefore I am again found asking the same question twice. Excuse me as I cannot remember in detail all
that I may have sought for from you.
Suppose at this time you have 1,000 bushels of wheat, where
would you find a market for it and at what price?
I am not yet able to see how a person of your taste, desires
and vices, constituted as you are, with so large a share of ____ regard and
love for your wife and with all benevolence so prominent could consent to take
up your abode in such a remote place with sparse population, unenlightened,
with the majority about as poor as yourself (I meant no disrespect by that
word). I again say, how you could
undertake a matter of such vast magnitude with so many obstacles in the way to
encounter, such as pecuniary disability, which is, with the exception of health
almost indispensable, at least a portion, is very necessary, and with all so
little to encourage you, animate you, in such an undertaking without the absolute
necessaries, to say nothing of the aspects all which you could not if you were
so disposed shut out of sight. How again,
I say, you could for one moment suppose you was to ___ all these things as
little a problem not so easily solved.
Now I desire to know what prompted you to do so far and
undertake this, to me, incomprehensible task.
This I desire to know. I have to be sure toward the whole matter of
your doing so you have, over and over again in my mind, and have to be sure
settled speculatively upon some thoughts which perhaps must have occupied your
mind and settled your determination. Nevertheless,
you could not have grasped the whole thing as you have since found it, of that
fact I feel assured; tho I may possibly be mistaken. If the land office in your district is not
open, it follows of course that more have preempted and of this many will not
do so until the proclamation for sale is promulgated. What is money worth in your vicinity and what
is the legal interest of your state?
Vote down that railroad swindle.
I know but little of its merits, but down with it. Repudiate the whole thing and the ___ with
it. Is there any opportunity for another
store in your town or neighborhood? Is
your river clear or muddy, hard or soft water, and is it navigable? Is the lake clear or muddy, hard or soft
water? Willie would like with myself to
view these things as well all and any other matters pertaining to these
enquiries. So do not confine yourself to the contents of
this letter, but nevertheless have it before you and answer it in brief and as
mush more as you may feel inclined to do.
How much colder is it with you than in Massachusetts? Is there more or less snow? Which is to be the staple article which
Minnesota will grow that is in your vicinity say? And where are you to find a market? Will it take all the article will bring to
take it to market? How are farmers to
make money? Or are they destined to
receive bear existence only? If my ___
is to be a farmer, he ought to live by it and do little something more.
My eyes trouble me.
You see the script of this my letter so govern yourself
accordingly. Do not undertake to answer
this at one sitting. Do so from time to
time until you have accomplished the task.
As ever,
Richard G. Wait
I would have loved to see John's answer to this letter!
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