May 21, 1859 Richard Wait to John Benjamin-1823

Lawrence, Kansas Territory

March 21, 1859

Mr. John Benjamin

Dear John,

I received your letter of the first instant and was extremely sorry to know of your misfortune by fire.

Mrs. Benjamin says I must write you a __ letter (I suppose she means a ___ one) so think you may feel better as you have been very low spirited.  I very much regret the occurrence which has taken place to deprive you of your location and her Hutchinson estate of the unfortunate cattle.   And in saying this you know I mean it for I am not at all times disposed to cheer my friends with words only, but contrary wise in some degree, as you know.

Now you know we must be careful how we attribute every occurrence that takes place to “God’s Providence”.  There are some things that are clearly ordered by him.  Never in my life did I ever think I saw a more clear instance of providential cause than in that of yours.  Obtaining the good creature has been saved to you by her absence at this time.  Just look at that whole thing, first my writing to Dedham in order to seek out your whereabouts; your preparation of a stack of hay, and of the obtaining of so choice a creature, and too in the way which presented itself for you to get her thus that matters always to me seemed directly inclined.  And what has been my consolation in this little thing, this surely, that I had the means and will to do as I have.  And what should be your why thing, a grateful and thankful heart towards him who is not raising a sparrow should fall to the ground without his knowledge.  The thing just spoken of is what I call “Providential Case”, and now I must be equally candid and truthful to my own convictions to show you (and I do so in all kindness) that you were at fault in leaving your prairie fire one minute.  Why, when I used to burn the little rubble in my garden in Dedham I was sure to watch it most ___ and would not retire to bed until all was safe, not as I thought, but as I well knew that it was safe.

You ought to have more daily conscience the very trying circumstances by which you was surrounded and ___ that might occur to you, however serious and trifling would to you and in your case be of serious detriment.   We often speak of you and of our privations under which you are laboring and consider to ourselves how you are to surmount them and not bring ___ with ___ only.   We have, to the extent of our ability, done something to ameliorate your condition. 

It was fortunate the hay stack and the cow shed was some distance from the house, and I advise you always to keep your house and sheds a respectable distance from your dwelling.  I am, I know, a more thoughtful and careful person than most others; nevertheless, I have not grown rich and, which is more, I do not want to be if I except to help Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin & others – their wealth would be desirable, not otherwise. 

So you read that I am disposed to attribute all our misfortune to whatever is, is right, when we have not exercised that due caution that is incumbent on us to use and neglect so to do with our eyes and ears open to sight and sound and surrounding circumstances.  On rising to the morning it would be well to say what is necessary to be done this day to assure our profit and safety and well-being and see where, if we should make a loss, that such loss could not be sacrificed.  Be careful of how you construct your chimney or shed in relation to them.  You cannot be too careful.  They can be constructed safe as well as ___.   Do not at any time keep a lot of inflammable ___ wood shavings in the house near the fire.  So be careful of all and everything near and around you.  Everything that is saved is so much earned.  I am not ___ economy upon you, but that due thoughtfulness and circumspect case without which we shall in life’s course find much to improve yourselves.   Of our past mention.  I’m most wrong to do it as he did it. 

Respectfully,

Richard G. Wait