May 11, 1860 Richard Wait to John Benjamin-1823

Lawrence, Kansas Territory

May 11, 1860

Mr.  Benjamin

Yours of April 8^th and 25^th as well as Mrs. B of same month are all here.  You must not suppose I do not read your letters because I do not ___ them not so observe, particularly what you said of our corrupt administration.  Never mind, your ways are not our way, and they are bound to be fired for all their wickedness, the “irresponsible culprit” has got to go on.  The ball is in motion and what is well the pro slavery party began it and now we will end if for them.  The new seed is not yet, nor may not be in our day, but the question is bound to be canvased ___ all time, until the ___ go free.  I believe a good providence has willed it and, if so, who shall gain say it.  I see the Senate Homestead been with some modification has passed their body, but whither the House will concur I cannot say.  When I get a copy of the Senate bill will send it to you and will keep you posted on it. 

The nomination of Abraham Lincoln from Ill. and Hannibal Hamlin of ME could not have been (for Vice President) bettered.  Mr. Seward is one of the most morally and religiously pure men, I might almost say, in this wide world, but it would have been impossible to have made him president.

I observe what you say that I ought to make myself more comfortable than to live as I do.   Well, I notice it but am afraid it is most too late, but I shall go on doing what I think is right. 

I do not know how many children Burse left, but must be several; certainly 4 or 5.  The widow is a very frail person.  Her parents are very poor & how they are to be provided for I know not.  While on this subject this day week I gave $5 to help bury a ___ man who left a widow & one child in our place, who __ the husband is give ___ at once return.  I kept watch of him while sick.  He had my ___ and little necessary articles out of the house. I called when he had just breathed his last.  She met me at the door (the widow) and said he is gone I hope to a better world.  I remarked you will need some assistance.  “Indeed, Mr. Wait, I will and I think I am worthy of it”.  I replied I will see that all necessary things are provided and so I engaged my friend Mr. Callamere, a wealthy man from Boston.  He paid for the coffin $9.  I paid for the grave and digging for $5.   Mayor ___ hired a 2 horse carryall and himself drove the widow to the grave.  Mr. Wilder, a friend of mine, one of our justices, took the body in his little wagon and with Mr. Callamere siding with him, and I in the carryall with the water and others with a buggy having Mr. ____ or deputy sheriff with his wife and his wife’s sister followed the remains to its last resting place. 

Mr. Benjamin, I never had much to give but one thing I can most assuredly tell you, the Holy Bible is a true book.  Its  words I have found more than true, that it is more blessed give than to receive.  Of course you understand my meaning where we can believe the actual and positive necessities of destitution and want and sometimes meritocracy inconvenience, especially when such bestowed is toward thankful hearts, then indeed do we receive our reward.  I sometimes look with utter astonishment when those who have such an abundance of this world’s good and even refuse the crumbs that fall from their table, but the blessed Lord deliver us from the sad state of dives who prayed that ___ might give him one drop of ___ to cool his tongue.  Oh! may that good being  direct us  all to follow his precept as well the examples of that holy pattern or blessed good, thus indeed shall we be happy and not otherwise. 

Mrs. Wait this day wrote Mr. B. a few lines and enclosed a trifle therein.  We have had no rain for the share of   9 months and that is the literal fact.  I might say we must have rain soon or no corn fall & spring which is all dead as a whole .  You must try to raise that calf.

 I observe that matters and things in your town are growing more & more favorable for you all on many accounts and I note your prominence as a good tho humble citizen.  I have had more experience in the affairs of this world  than yourself, but if I had my race to run over again, the Lord being my keeper, no man should tempt me to do wrong.  Nevertheless after all what can poor flesh and blood do.  So mind what I have so often told you.  Hold fast to you integrity for if you are unmindful of it, you will be, as it were, a ship without a rudder, in a story driven wherever sins and temptations may prompt or tempt you, and afterwards calling a sick and dying pillow forsaken by yourself and no hope ever except the __ __ which is ever ready at the eleventh hour, but don’t let us dishonor our heavenly father by trusting to so late a moment.

Richard G. Wait