Dedham Dec. 9, 1860
Mr. Benjamin
It is a long time since we have corresponded and I believe I
owe you a letter. How are you getting
along? Does the excitement reach you and
affect you any? They do us in a
financial point of view, but there is very little discussion except in bar __
and hotels as they express themselves. The
South has more sympathizers here than I imagined. We heard a number say they would fight on
that side if it came to blows. I am sick
of the noise made by S. Carolina in her suicidal effort to secede and feel many
times as if I could go down there and shake them into eternal silence, on that
question at least.
There is a slight prospect of getting a Free Homestead bill. It has already passed the house by a good majority
but majorities are not respected any more.
You will be glad to hear of the final passage, won’t you? Or
have you paid for your lands? Would it
be advisable on me to come there in that case?
Here it is only “sub and go” from one year to another. I never dreamed of being here so long when I
came, but the state of the West and my own finances would not allow me to
return. Write me how you continue to
like Minnesota and what you think of my coming there in the event of a “Bill”
being got through, and if in that case you would help me look up a claim near
you. John C. Shimer is on your way for the
benefit of his health. Not knowing of it
till after he had left, I could not direct him to you. He would most likely be at St. Paul or St .Anthony
Falls and would be glad to see you.
How are your wife and children? Mine are well and out at Mrs. Savis’……also is
very sick. My little girl is three years
old next week and very healthy so far, which is something to be thankful for.
I am to hear ___ and have neglected to write too long, but never
mind. Write me as soon as
convenient. There is no news of any
importance that I think of. Chas. E.
Colburn, Tom’s son, is dead. He went to
Blackstone one Saturday night just before election with a Union procession and fell
through a bridge a distance of twenty feet striking on the back of his head sending
him insensible. They did not find him
till sometime after when someone, in going along the street, stumbled over him
and thought he was drunk. He died in two
days after. The night was very dark and
stormy. He was the low head, long nosed boy, not R.B. the former clerk.
With respect, yours,
G.
W. Macbeth
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