Boston
Feb. 28, 1865
Mr. Benjamin
Dear Friend,
On my return from Washington I found awaiting me your two
letters. The one with the seal I
naturally opened first and thus knew of the little fellow’s decease before I was
aware of his illness. I am very sorry
and it no doubt affects you and Mrs. B much.
It will all end well you may trust. You have had many misfortunes of
late, but all is said to be for the best.
I have just arrived from N.Y. having spent some time in Wash.
and Phil. I was quite unwell while in
the latter city. I had an attack of pleurisy
or something very similar. Aside from my
illness, I was delighted with my journey and visits.
Washington is the muddiest place I was ever in except for
Lawrence. The government armies have cut
up the streets dreadfully. They hung
all the Indians up in Minn. that were
engaged in those massacres. I presume it
was perfectly right. Miss Jane Swisshelm[1]
has been lecturing on the subject I believe.
Times are very dull here, but my guardian ____
me there. Business is brisk in Lawrence
and I am very glad of it. There is quite
an excitement about the Conscription Bill in Congress. I presume it will pass, and immediately will follow the order to carry it
out. I am ready to go at any time. I think if the rebels are not put under before
long , we had better let them go.
I must close this letter.
Helen Wells sends regards. Hoping
this will find you in good health, I remain,
Very truly your friend,
PS – Please give my respects to Mrs. B and ___. Please let me hear from you soon.
[1]Jane Grey Cannon Swisshelm (December
6, 1815 – July 22, 1884) was an American journalist, publisher, abolitionist,
and women's rights advocate. She was active as a writer in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania and as a publisher and editor in St. Cloud, Minnesota, where she
founded a string of newspapers and regularly wrote for them
[2]
William Bell Wait (1839–1916)
was a teacher in the New York Institute for the Education of the Blind who
invented New York Point, a system of writing for the blind that enjoyed wide
use in the United States before the Braille system was universally adopted
there. Mr. Wait also applied the New York Point principles to adapt them for
use in over 20 languages, created a form of New York Point to notate music, and
invented a number of devices to better type and print embossed material for the
visually impaired.
No comments:
Post a Comment