Dedham
August 10, 1856
Dear John,
I have just received a letter from you stating that Harwell
was going to leave in March. I shall try
to replace him, but it is doubtful if I shall have time to hunt one up. I have had no luck at all and am entirely
discouraged at the prospect before us.
This is bad news but it is best to tell the truth about it. I have tried Frank Baker and he says he has
been so long out of work and it has cost him so much at Cemers College, beside
lending his brother Fisher money to put him through college, that he didn’t see
how he could possibly do it. He didn’t
know when he may get a citation and you know how cautious he is, so there is no
hope in that quarter. And A Baker has
got as much as he can attend to he says.
Mr. Benson Loring’s son in law has money enough but none that he can get
now because it is all lent out ‘till next June or thereabouts, so there is no
hope in that quarter. I tried hard to
get it from him, even two hundred to pay Dews but he said it was impossible to get. He says that if I had given him notice some
time ago he would have lent me five or six hundred to accommodate me, although
he can let all he has got in Dorchester at twelve and eighteen percent and good
security. Baker told me I could not ___
any, to go so far away on the best security.
I could only hope to get it from some friend that has plenty of money
and knew us just to push us along, but that friend has not turned up yet although
I have been everywhere I could get.
I have been terribly bothered with the snow. I was blocked up on Monday so that I could
not get out of town at all. I did all I
could except see Dock Burgess and his road was so blocked up that there was no
church on Sunday, and his road was so blocked up that it was not opened ‘till
Tuesday. He is my last hope. I shall try him tomorrow and start from home
on Monday.
I’ve been to see Dowse three times but he lives in Brighton
and is so sick that the doctor won’t let him attend to any business, so there
is none there but an Irishman that varnishes upstairs. I shall go again Saturday.
I’ve not been on a railroad since I left home that has been
up in time and it has detained me very much.
The hours soon slip away when you are obliged to be on hand, but knowing
at what time a train may be along or when you can start you can’t leave to
allow to any business. Take everything
together, snow storms, hard times and cold weather, I’m almost
discouraged. I felt the cold more than
ever in my life before. Everybody is
hard up here. There has been a number of
failures in and about the city within a few weeks. I don’t know what to do. I’ve done my very best to raise money. I am almost sick now with disappointment and
failure. I can’t even get enough to pay
Dowse, which I expect that we will have to if we expect to get more
chairs. As all the money is wanted in
the city that can be got for the banks won’t discount very freely if at
all. I’ve not been put off without
asking and stating the case in its full light I assure you, but you see the
result.
I shall be at home Wednesday if I don’t get my neck broken
going as everybody says it is dangerous traveling, but I don’t care about it. I should start if I was almost sure of it as I
expect Myra is very lonesome not having anyone to stay with her. I feel as bad about that as anything.
Baker told me today of a young man clerk in a furniture
store in the city who wants to get into the business in the area somewhere and
has money. I am going to see him. I wish I knew what you think of taking him in
Bird’s place. It seems like the only
alternative. Baker says he is a fine
fellow. He would be better than Bird as
he is acquainted with the business.
I shall go straight home as my funds are rather low to go
New York. I can get those spindle back
spring ___ chairs in Boston for $30 per dozen such as we get per Werner. I’ve got a list of prices from Boston and __
of chamber setts, and ___ painted furniture.
Brown Frye & Co. get theirs there.
Bryden says he ships a good deal to them and other parties in Chicago
and vicinity. He says if we order he
will ship in good ___ as soon as the tariff of rates is lowered. He is over the Worchester Depot.
I wish I could telegraph to you to get your advice as to
trying to get in a partner. I shall try
to get Russel to take hold before I leave.
If I could we would be alright, but I am doomed to disappointment in
everything, so I suppose will be in this.
I shall do all that is possible to do this week, and then travel night
and day ‘till I get home. In the
meantime you can be thinking what is best to do. I shall hang to it as long as there is
hope. I’m sorry I came as I have been
losing time and money by the operation.
It is a very bad time of the year and also a bad year. As they say here, few have money to spare,
and those that have are afraid to lend it at any rate of interest. You may think I have not done all I ought to,
but I’ve almost begged it from some, from others it won’t do to put on such a
lip.
I can’t write more tonight.
Yours in trouble,
Macbeth
The hurdles it takes to start a business!! This letter is from John's business partner, George Macbeth.
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