ANNA DICKINSON GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE Ricketson, Joseph [April 22, 1862-Aug.6, 1863][?] New Bedford April 25 1862 Dear Frend; Lest you might not receive my letter inviting you to stay at my House during your visit here, I thought I would now renew the same and recapitulate. That the Cars leave the Boston & Providence Depot at 4, oclock that I would endeavor to be at the Depot on your arrival here, & that when you reached here, that you should ask for Mr. Wentworth's Hack, as he will be there, and when I shall tell--Trusting that you may safely reach here & that our future acquaintance may be of mutual benefit I remain Yrs Sincerely Joseph Ricketson 179 Union St. [*To Miss Anna E. Dickinson Boston*]Lecture in Providence April 13 Pd for lace money & earng 1200 “ “ advertizing 1.75 Nite of both meetings 14.08 _______________ 27.83 Rec’d for Anti Slavery lecture 1381 “ “ Women Rights “ 1402 27.83 Rec’d for the day $14.00 Fall River - 8.00 Newport - 5.00 Providence - 0.08 Pawtucket. - 5.00 Neponset - 0.00 So. Danvers - 2.00 Danversport - 1.00 New Bedford - 0.00 Providence. -New Bedford April 22 1862 Dear Friend, Agreeably to a conversation with the Rev Mr Potter, I now write to inform you that both Mr. Ricketson and myself will be happy to have you stay with us during your visit here. Will you please inform Mr May and Mr Garrison. I will endeavor to be at the Depot on Saturday evening to meet you. The Cars leave the Providence Depot in Boston at 4,O' clock as per advertisement. When you arrive in New Bedford, you had better ask for Mr Wentworths Hack, whom I shall inform, and who will be there. Yours Respectfully Joseph Ricketson No 179 Union St To/ Miss Anna E Dickinson Boston 221. Washington St New Bedford 5th mo 11th 1862 Dear Anna, The spirit moves me to write thee a few lines, if for no other purpose, than to let thee know that we hold thee in perpetual memorial in remembrance dear. So here I am sitting down all alone playing solitaire - a game the French are well versed in. Fanny having gone to her Sisters and Ruth to Evening vespers. Well! to begin- the Evening after thee left, Fanny said to me "How we miss Anna"- Verily says I- Yes we miss thee much We enjoyed thy company much, and I sincerely trust that this new Friendship having thus so well begun will continue through our lives whether they be long or short. increasing more and more as we shall see and meet each other - The approval of thy own conscience in having espoused thy high and holy mission, is of far greater consequence than the power of any feeble words I may possess. or all that wealth may bestow, though I hope material aid will never be wanting to thee. I wanted to go to New York last week but could not. I trust I shall be able to attend the Anniversary in Boston - Wouldnt I have liked to have heard thee at the Coopers Institute? What a sublime speech Wendell Phillips made - He rises higher and higher in each incoming wave, and it seems as though God intended he should be the Beacon Light to all Nations and for all ages in this great cause of freedom, and yet I must say that thy noble and womanly eloquence is "the still small voice of God”. What a Curse is this Slavery! in the language of Edgar in King Lear it is "False of heart, light of ear, bloody of hand; Hog in Sloth, fox in stealth, wolf in greediness, dog in madness, lion in prey" - More than ever is it necessary that the moral tone of the North be kept vigorous. I wrote Mr. May a few days ago that we had not decided definitely about thy coming here now - that I wanted to do the best I could for thee pecuniairly - that there was a prospect of getting the largest Church in the City, which would be a saving at least - I shall probably find out totomorrow & will write forthwith - I have been offered the largest Hall in the City for Twelve Dollars. though they charge the Lyceum $25 - The Agt is a Republican is the reason - I want to save this for thee & thee alone if possible - If I cannot get the Church I shall see how much I can collect from my friends in thy behalf and shall act accordingly_"Entre nous" - I have seen the President of the Lyceum & some of the Committee and they say they will be glad to hear thee lecture next winter and pay thee as much "as any other man" - Thou shalt be welcome to my "dulce domum", at all times, and now with best love of Fanny "my wife", who has just come in, I shall bid thee an affectionate good bye - Thy aff forever Joseph Ricketson No 179 Union St. To/ Anna Dickinson Boston New Bedford May 15th 1862 Dear Mr. May, I find myself disappointed in not having been able to procure the Church for Miss Dickinson as I had somewhat expected. The Rev Mr Moulten is very favorably disposed, and even on Sunday last preached somewhat pertaining to the subject, but when I called on the one of the Committee who professes to be an Anti Slavery Man on Monday, I fully realize the saying of Thos Hood that "the daw is not considered a religious bird because he keeps cawing on the Steeple," and that the said individual would not take the responsibility because two others of the Committeewere opposed to him_He is also an admirer of McClellan & some one had poisoned his mind in this respect_Liberty Hall which the Agt offer[r]ed me for $12 is now engaged for a theatrical company for some time so that I do not see any chance for the present unless, we can get some other Church, which [may] hardly seems to me worth the trouble now and the more especially as I have had (and this is entirely confidential between you Miss Dickinson & myself) a perfect understanding with the President of our Lyceum, and the Committee who are real true live abolitionists for her to lecture before that society, next fall with pay equal to what we give those of our own sex_ This will bring her before our people, and then I think there will be no difficulty in her giving us another lecture on the Natural Crisis on Womans Rights, and more money can be collected for her than now_I expect to attend the Anniversary week after next, when I will talk the matter over with you and her_ Should any one offer us a church in the meantime I will write you_ I wrote Anna a friendly letter last Sunday Both my wife & myself feel a deep interest in her, and I have not the least doubt that her success is sure and that she will be pecuniarilycompensated_Please give her my best love as well as that of Mrs. R_ I expect a great treat at the Anniversary _ I hope the Unitarians, will come up to the mark _ I see Rev Wm H Channing is to deliver an address and as Mr Potter is Secretary (I believe) there is som chance of something being done in that direction, but I am too old a bird to be cheated by chuff, and I rely altogether on the abolitionist to do the work as they ever have done. More than ever must we be on the alert lest the enemy creep in while we are rejoicing amid our success _ Hoping to see you soon I remain yrs truly Joseph Ricketson 179 Union St. To Rev S. May Jr} Boston} [*published in the papers, the story in my [a]book, of the negro who wished to be executed on the 4th of July _ I had it last year _ published on the 3rd of July _ it may do good _ and now with Fannys & Ruth's love Esteem me thy aff friend Joseph Ricketson 179 Union St*] New Bedford 6th Month 24 1862 Dear Anna, Many thanks for thy very inte resting letter, as well as for thy photograph _ it is excellent _ it so much resembles thy own dear self. Remberest thou, the story related of Michael Angelo, who after having finished one of his fine pieces of Marble Statuary, was so transported with Joy, with it's life like beauty and expression that he threw a hammer, thereby breaking an arm, saying at the same time, Speak_Such a feeling came over me, not to break thy arm exactly in the Photograph, but to squeeze the hand kindly and affectionately, and say "how does thee do"? hadst there been Sir oracle perhaps I might - and then the auricular organ would have been highly gratified with thy agreeable response - but as it is, the organ of vision alone, must answer the double purpose, leaving the imagination to fill the void and make the answer, which judging from the correctness thereof, would have been, very well I thank thee - We all want to see [you] thee very much - Fanny "thy sister", and Ruth as well as myself, and in thine own language say "God grant that this new friendship having thus so well begun, may continue through our lives, whether they be long, or short."I have not read John Brent yet - Fanny has & likes it much. I have the promise of it in a few days, & shall read it- Thou canst not tell how much I was disappointed in not going to Boston - I had calculated much on going, and more especially to have see and held sweet converse with thee - but my fondest anticipations had to vanish like the Fog before the mid day sun - Circumstances over which I had no control, alone prevented me- Marriage and death, being the chief obstacles in the way - my youngest partner went off to get married, according to previous "engagement" which alone would not have prevented, but the day after he left, my other partner, was obliged to go up into the State of New Hampshire, to settle up his uncles Estate, who had died sometime before, and I was left to play solo - You may rest assured that I have read all the speeches, made both in Boston & New York- Comparisons are odious and when we analyze the character of our friends, it is often very difficult to say which we love and admire most, as each one has his own peculiar traits and merits - No poli tician ever kept purity & truth unsullied more than Chas Sumner, surrounded as he is by trials and temptations at Washington, and who rises in moral grandeur above them all, and who is also the cynosure of womans eye - and yet who ever went forth more boldly to meet danger, than Wm Lloyd Garrison & Wendell Phillips. "In my Fathers House there are many Mansions" and in each of these mansions, there will be some presiding Genius, who by their more manly and noble motives, or by their womanly and sympathetic appeals to the Human Heart, have helped to raise men in the Scale of Being, Humanity & Justice, and we share each have our respective places therein as we have improved the talents and facilities you have given us - We are like ships in the ocean, not all steamers or packets, but are fitted to our tasks, each one fulfilling its noble mission, each Heaven ward bound, and if we pursue our purpose faithfully, and trust in God, all will be well - Daniel Webster once said, that the names of John Hancock and Sam Adams should be written on the Arch of Heaven, between Orion & the Pleiades, on that same arch I would inscribe the name, of the meek and humble, Garrison, the noble and God fearing Phillips, the pure, the honest, the forgiving Sumner, and her, who though yet young is destined by the grace of God, to awaken our sympathies, and inspire a new and holy feeling by her pathetic appeals to the human heart - as well as other who are the bene factors of the Human Race - The names of but few are handed down to Posterity - they are forgotten but their works life after them - we are like flakes of snow, which melt and disappear, only toShine the more brightly in the Rainbow-- the bow of Gods Promise. Fanny intends sending thee her photograph. She had some taken & gave them away-but she will have some more before long - Didst thou receive the Sermon of Mr Potters which I sent thee last week. Wart it not excellent. Wasn't the quotation from the Merchant of Venice as regards confiscation excellent - He is doing a Good work here. How I long for the Fall & Winter to come so that I can hear thee lecture - I think I informed thee that I had arranged for the with Committee of the Lyceum. We do not apparently seem to Progress, and yet this Great Black Snow Ball of Abolitionism will keep rolling on & increasing as it rolls, thumping, & bumping great big Churches, & tripping up great tall Ministers and will continue to do so until they apply & carry out the great fundamental principles of the Christian Doctrine- it is no use to preach unless we can act. There is Religion, virtue + Morality enough to convert people if it is only rightly applied. There is Steam enough but will never propel a Ship unless we apply it - though we may talk till Doomsday about it - Neither will the Stream carry the Water Wheel unless application is made. Just so is it with Christianity or rather Christian Principles. If we beleive in the Immortality of the Soul, and a Here After, dont let us trample on those, whose souls may have a little darker Early tabernacle than our own, for God has made one of blood all nations of the Earth & Christ died redeem them all - can't thee get New Bedford 7thmo28th1862 Dear Anna, Thou must not construe my neglect in not answering thy letter received about three weeks since, into Forgetfullness. Never for one moment, entertain the thought - A multiplicity of things have prevented, in addition to my own private business, which is very Confining - Truly do I sympathize with thee, this warm weather - Haven't I been in the Summer in the Great City of "Thee and Thou" and havn't I suffered from the excessive heat - And yet what were my sufferings compared to the Great Agonies on the Battle Field - What an atonement for this Nations Guilt, and yet I must say Oh Lord! thy Will not mine be done - What a sacrifice of Young Men on both sides of thisIn the Hollow of His Hand does the Almighty hold in Safety the now humbled despised slave saying in as much, or in as much as ye have or have not done it, unto the least one of these, ye have or have not done it unto me - while, we poor infatuatted whites, are the Real Slaves Weeded to a false Idea, traitors to Humanity, and forgetting that Christianity existed before the Constitution - "The Traitor to Humanity, it the traitor most accursed - Man is more than Constitutions, Better Rot beneath the sod, Than be true to Church & State While we are doubly false to God." Patriotism, selfishness, and Ambition have been the prevailing sentiments, instead of Christianity, Liberty and Disinterestedness - In the great progress of Civilzatuns the Obsticles in our way, are often the Bridges over which we pass, and Ambition and selfishness, [are] useing [the] great principles, for their own self agrandizement, while the truly good & pure are few, but yet the latter, those who are purely disinterested, who do for the Souls Sake , alone, are those who fully comprehend the saying of Christ, that "The Father and I are one in Spirit" - It is the Divine Spirit of God revealing itself through man Think me not sad, or desponding never have I felt so hope full, This Great Sacrifice of Human Life, is already [ca] recalling every man to his senses, and we are beginning to realize there is a God, - He who inhabiteth Eternity, and that these worldly possessions are naught & transitoryLast Years Great uprising of the People, is but the forerunner of a Greater and a Mightier Uprising, which is fast coming into Be[y]ing, the Son of Righteousness, is fast[ing] clearing up the mist , and prejudice, and High on His throne in Heaving Sits the Almighty, with a Fathers kindness, and a Mothers Love, waiting to receive this NewBorn Child of Liberty - We too, must do our part, and as individuals, so all we can to infuse into the hearths of the Great massess of the people the true precepts and principles of Christianity and Religion - Many chords bound the Elephant, many Blades make the meadow and it was even the Straw which broke the Camels Back - it is the aggregate of the Units. 2 The snail thinks his palace the most beautiful in the World and men keep so much within thier own circle, that they forget their relations to the world, and having no other Example, but their own, seldom improve, It is only when we are in communion with the great Heroes & Martyrs of the Past & Present that we truly enjoy ourselves - The mild genial nature of Whitier, has more charms for thee, far above the noise & din of battle, and the upholders of Slavery, as High as God is above Mars, and more beautiful & holier, as the Anthems of Angels are above the recruting drum in the streets - Thy visit to him, reminds me of what Prescott, said of Queen Isabella, as near as I can remembersome twenty years having elapsed since I read it _ in the presence of Isabella, one or all felt as though they were in a moral atmosphere of Purity" _ How men rise & are continually rising on this great flood tide of civilization _ and higher & higher, & always on the upper surface, and Phillips, Garner Sumner, Whitier, our own Gov Andrews & others _ All contribute their part as the instruments on the orchestra when combined make the grand Harmony - the diapason the key note of which is Liberty Equality Fraternity _ Garrison, with his keenness of moral vision, Whitier with his poetic inspirationn _ Everett merely painting & varnishing, Sumner engraving in letters of Gold, and Phillips, like Michael Angelo, chisselling out of the Adamantine marble, revealing to the great world the "Genius" of John C Fremont,["] whose name History shall record on her impartial pages, as the First Military General, who dared to strike the First blow for Negro Emancipation - not the mere Path Finder only on the passess of the Great Sierra Nevada, but a higher and a Holier one - the Path Finder to Eternal Justice _ Each day is revealing his great [pronunceaments?] - the state of Country _ the Confiscation Bill - The Resolutions of the New York Board of Commerce are but the Commencement , the foreshadowing of the great hereafter - Among the Great Masses on the Boston Common, & in Fanuel Hall, words have fallen coldly, except when the key note of Liberty is struck it is only then that they respondglory, glory, Hallelujah - Amen I have sent you several papers and Pamphlets _ Potters _ Sumners, & Col Maggi Speeches _ Col Maggi has the true Spirit of Liberty in him - He is of noble extraction, a Florentine by birth - the friend of Maggini & Garibaldi, on the Cutters Staff for Seven Years - the Hero of Roanoke- Where at the Head of Mass 21st, he stormed & took the Forth, standing for hours within a few hundred years of the deadly Hail - the first with Old Mass Flag in hand to mount the Ramparts, rejecting the U. S. Flag, but planting the Flag of old Massachusetts, saying that Flag more truly represented Liberty the U. S. Flag Slavery - in about a week he will leave as Col of Mass 33d Regt - with as brave a set of men - true abolitionist among them as ever went forth - We are all well at Home - Fanny & Ruth send their love - hoping to hear from thee soon I remain Thy affectionate friend Joseph Ricketsn to/ Anna E Dickinson}I shall return home this week probably Weymouth 8th mo 11h 1862 Dear Anna, In this little quiet village, about 12 miles from Boston, an I at present, a guest of the Weston Family (including Mrs M W Chapman who lives here) inhaling the "Moral atmosphere" of my surroundings and enjoying "Otium cum dignitate" _ Frank my second sun is with me - it is a week since I left my own "dulce domum" and I know not but that thee hast answered my last letter written about two weeks since, but as I leave all Book accounts within the threshold of Business, and keep not a Debter & Credit account with my friends, I have not waited to know - whether thou hast answeredanswered it or not - since leaving I have spent two days on the Tented Field, at Camp Stanton, which is truly Camp Mass, having been invited by Col. Maggi, and when I saw the noble Italian at the Head of his Regt of 1200, the finest Regt of Mass, for wealth , physical strength, principle. & So far, surround by his Lieut Col Underwood, whose [O] wife I waited on ) and his other manly officers, all Anti Slavery, and then looked at the Rank & File , and there saw that all Nations, of all climes were Represented, it more than ever more clearly revealed to me, that the Spirit of Liberty was a truly natural instinct and out of these ashes, another Phoenix would arise, and that in the Great Hereafter the Genius of Liberty will be the true presiding Genius - Col Maggi told me that he had invited Wendell Phillips to adress his Regt the 33d Mass - they are to form a hollow square in the Centre of which Phillips is to address them, it is called the Abolition Regt - Danl Foster one of the early Abolitionist & who has been 5 years in Kansas, is the Chaplain - it is also called the Model Regt by the Boston papers. Wouldnt [you] thou like to look beyond the confines of this world and see the rejoicing spirits, of the departed Saints & Heroes, from their Heavenly seats looking down & hearing Phillips on that occasion Quantum Sufficit thou wilt say now, & so on the next page, I will speak of the Charms and the graces of another, [after] forwhen thou hast the greatest love and admiration, our noble Senator my friend Chas Sumner In his own sanctum Sanctorum did i spend an hour & a half most pleasantly a few days, since _ Hadst thou have been there, it would but have increased my pleasure - as it was my mind reverted to the scene then described to me, when thou wast right before him catching each word he uttered - He is looking remarkably well - Peace Phillips last speech Aug 1st at Abington - dont thou take the Liberator & AntiSlavery Standard - it is in last Liberator & will probably be in next Standard - Short as is this Epistle, it will I trust show thee, that thou art strongly daguerotyped in my minds eye at least - Fanny & Ruth and the Rest are well - Fanny thinks some of going to new York in the Autumn for a week or so, as she has a Sister there Goodbye Thy aff friend Joseph Ricketsn 179 Union StSumner will undoubtedly } be reelected to U S Senate} New Bedford 10th mo 24th 1862 Dear Anna, It is no wonder that you have wondered, and no question either should be asked if you have been a little impatient, and feel a little hurt -- Ego Sum homo, who am to blame --The truth of the matter is that I have seen you daily in my minds eye, and would gladly have written you, but after my return home from Weymouth I found, that not only have my business affairs, occupied me more than ever, but in addition thereto, I 'have been as it were Gen'l Secretary to Legions, having so many friends in the army, and being desirous to keep them well posted upon theall absorbing Questuns of the Day. I had a beautiful Programme made out to have Wendell Phillips & Chas Sumner both here on the same night, but when I returned there was such an excitement and war meetings held every night that I was obliged to let it pass into Dream Land - Perhaps the same object is accomplished in another way - For Sumner is Stumping the State - is invited to speak here & I have invited him to stay with me - Oh how I wish you could be here at the same time - Phillips is also coming before the Lyceum - And now this reminds me of your case - Two of our Lyceum Committee have enlisted me as Captain and one as First Lieutenant and two others have been chosen in their stead - the two former were decided, in favor of having you and I think the two latter will be - the Chairm is in favor & has brought the matter up in the meeting, & he informs me that he will bring it about - He is an out & out Abolitionist & will not yield an inch - I have kept quiet as he wished me to, he thinking this the best way - I have not seen him for a week - If the others are unwilling to have you, then I shall espouse your cause, and see them personally - I see you are to lecture before the Fraternity, Course on the 11th of Nov - Only a few of our lecturers are chosen & I think your chance is very good - I hope so, for I not only want to see you but also want you have the "Material Aid." I shall keep the run of matters and will inform you. Both Fanny & Ruth will be delighted to see you. We are all well except Fanny who has a little cold & Thorny, who has a severe one but is now quite smart & goes out part of the day. Joey, my eldest boy has gone up to the Berkshire Mountains to vegitate & ruminate for two or three weeks. Frank & myself are well. Our cause is slowly progressing. I only wish Lincoln had declared immediate & unconditional Emancipation - however it is the entering wedge - & we must drive it with all our strength. God & Liberty now & forever should be our motto - I am afraid McClellan has gone to burroughing again. It is sad that the people cant see his imbecility & incompetence. - Goodbye -Fanny & Ruth send love - Yours affectant Jos Ricketson [3] [3] New Bedford 11 mo 1862 Dear Anna, I should have answered yesterday, your last letter which I received the day before, had not a multiplicity of business prevented. You have arrived in New England at the proper time - the time of a great rejoicing in this great moral victory - Truly can I say "Hail to the land wherever we tread our fondest bost "& Co - Old Massachusetts stands out like a Beacon light in this dark storm. the sea-tossed Mariner looks to her for Hope. the Good Old Ship is manned by such a crew as the World ne'er saw before - The great maps and charts of God, which Garrison PhillipsParker, and Sumner and others have unfolded have been carefully & truly studied by Andrews Aid mine Genus, and found to be the unfailing and unerving guides across this stirring hath, and in the language of Webster "Where American Liberty raised its first voice, where its youth was nurtured and sustained, there it still stands, in the strength of its manhood, and full of its original spirit"._ You cannot tell how we all want to see you_ what will be your fate as far as regards our Lyceum I am not yet able to say for you it is unfortunate, that the two former members of the committee enlisted as they were all unanimous in your favor_ the two substitutes have naught against you only they have some favorite of their own_ DrClark the Chairman told me he is entirely on your side, but the others wanted to wait, & hear of the result of your lecture in Boston, the consequence is that there is no vacancy till February or March_ I have done all I could for you & shall still perservere_ though some of the admirers of McClellan, objected to your severe criticism at the time, I think now, that they are beginning to realize the truth thereof_we all breathe freer now_ the window has been opened, and pure light & fresh air are fast giving its vigor and strength [Cen????] gave an admirableLecture before the Lyceum last evening _ As he spoke the name of Fre[e]mont an universal shout of applause followed _ the lecture was Electric only one opinion of it have I heard. Col. Maggi, I presume you know is in Genl Sigel's Division - It is the crack regiment of New England _ it is called the Abolition Regiment _ & if called into action, will reflect great credit on Massachusetts _ What is your programme in there Regions _ are you to lecture in other places, and remain here _ or do you return _ please write me _ Fanny & Ruth both send Love _ mine will be a sandwitch between theirs - I trust full as large as theirs. Good bye - Yours Truly To Anna E Dickinson Joseph Ricketson Boston 179 Union St. New Bedford 11th mo 15 1862 Dear Anna, Somehow or other our two letters must have passed each other on the way, for I wrote you the day previous to the receipt of yours. Lest you may not have received mine, I will merely recapitulate the Business Part of it viz that our Lyceum Committee have made arrangement for Lecturers as far as Feb or March, and were waiting to hear the result of your lecture before the Fraternity course - I am somewhat provoked with them deletareness_ their Tourtoise Abm Lincoln way of proceeding. Had they the admiration I have for woman, they would have engaged [to] you to make your plea in [their] her behalflong ago. I am glad that you were so successful & what is a confirmation, is you having been asked to speak at the Music Hall. I will try to see Dr Clark, in a day or two, perhaps tomorrow if he comes to Church as he sits in my pew & try to do something in your behalf. I want not only to hear you lecture but I want to see you "dreadfully"- & so do Fanny & Ruth who send their best love. Why didn't you name my friend with whom you were so pleased. It is truly tantalizing in you not to have done so. I have racked my brain to think who the individual may be, but "poor honor" I can't think who it is. When you next write, please mention the name only, without any of the pleasing incidents reserving them for some future tete a tete. [Didn't] Didn't I tell you, that Wendell Phillips carved out of the solid marble? Out of the Rocky Hills of Granite, he has carved a tribute to the honor and worth of Chas Sumner as imperishable & everlasting as they themselves are. "Thermopyle" "against which all Barbarism contends, & behind which all Grecian Civilization is now fighting." I presume you have read Phillips last sermon at Music Hall in which he pays Sumner this high compliment. What delightful weather we are having. Fanny has gone out into the Country today, and Mrs Denison one of my partners wife isgoing to take Mr. D's horse this afternoon and take Ruth to ride. The bottom of the world has not fallen out in consequence of the removal of McClellan. My nieces, who look you to ride, often ask after you. I hope you may have many more rides with them. this is Saturday, a busy day generaly, and I have written these few lines very hurriedly at the mill amid all the noise of the machinery, with sundry customers standng by and asking questions. this is the only excuse for this almost incoherent epistle I must now stop & as the mail will close by the time this reaches the office Farewell, Thy aff friend. To Anne E Dickenson Joseph Ricketson Boston 179 Union st New Bedford 12/23/62 Dear Friend, The next day after receiving your letter two weeks since, I was rendered "hors de combat." I was sorely affected with "Biles," one in my nose & another inside of my mouth both at same time, & for several days I could hardly breathe, eat, or sleep. Yesterday, I received yours of the 20th to which I write now reply. No one is more disappointed than I am, in not having you lecture before our Lyceum. Had there not have been a change in the Committee, you would have undoubtedly have been invited. There is not the least unfriendly spirit now on the part ofCommittee, only they have their own views to gratify. I have urged & urged your claim, telling them that women should be heard but in vain, as I wrote you, all the places are filled to Feb & March. I will call at the committee again, & plead on your behalf _ But I hardly think I shall succeed. As far as giving an independent lecture at this season of the year, it does not seem to me advisable, for I think it will not pay. During Lyceum season our people seldom attend any other lectures. A few individuals would have to pay you & the lecture would have to be free. It would be useless to take a fee at the Door. What can be done for you after the Lyceum Lectures I am unable now to say. Your friends here are as much disappointed as I am. Another season I trust we shall have a committee who will invite you. Not only am I disappointed in not being able to hear your lecture, but I had[ly] fiercely anticipated a little visit from you. Fanny & Ruth enjoyed your company so much when you were here, that they are very desirous of seeing you again. Shall you be at the Festival in January _ I hope I shall be able to come down then. You cant tell how I want to have a good long chit chat withwith you. Whilst I was confined at the house I read the "Miserables" by Victor Hugo - it is a most marvellous book. Frenchy full of many fine ideas and sentiments, and some parts that would be as well to omit. Among other remarks he has this- the idea I remember but not the words. He has a higher respect for John Brown than Washington, for the reason that martyrdom is greater than success. Don't say no any longer, but read & judge for yourself. Ruth has read it & likes it much. Fanny is now reading it & also likes it. What a grand thing it would be to have Sumner Sec'y of State, & Wendell Phillips in the Senate. Do write when you can. Fanny & Ruth send love. Yours truly Joseph Ricketson To Miss Anna E. Dickinson, Boston 179 Union St New Beckford 3 Mo 19d 1863 Dear Annie, It seems to me that the Quaker Silence at least on my part should be broken, and that we should shake hands once more, so here is the right hand of fellowship, trusting it finds thee in thy usual good health and spirits. Thankful am I that thou has met with such good success in this thy second visit to New England. Among our many shylocks, truly art thou a Portia pleading most earnestly for the Right, remembering the Bind, as though Bound. How happy would we have all been to have had thee come down and lectured before our Lyceum. Vainly, time and again have I talked with the Committee.Instead of making it an Institution for the promotion of morality & information, and knowledge, they have in some respects pandered to a lower table, and tried to make it attractive. We have had but very few lectures this season of the highest order. Conway, Custis, Emerson, Phillips, and a few others comprise the list. Such times as these more than any other, do we want God's Truths placed before the people in all their moral beauty, Grandeur & Simplicity, and these are the men to do it, which when blended with the true graceful and angelic which belongs to the Fairer part of Creation, Woman with her loveliness, make the class full and replete. Truth, as it descends from God, through the pure & Holy, such as these is seen in its true and proper Light. Had not the Committee been changed by two of them Enlisting them wouldn't undoubtedly have been invited. Another season I am in hopes the Committee will be changed. Wendell Phillips lectured on Tuesday evening to a large and attentive audience- he spoke his sentiments freely, and though at times there was much applause, there was not one simple murmur of disapprobation. His criticisms were severe and just. He was my guest, I am proud to say, and after the Lecture, I had or rather he had a House full of company.In silent admiration for two hours they stood around here listening to his eloquent and instructive conversation-- This after such an excellent lecture seemed to me like the Postscript of a letter--the best part the Summum Binum it was a tableau of History and he the loving actor--Hamlet with Hamlet--We are all well at home, and so are they at the other House-- I am in hope I shall see thee ere long--but dare not make any promises in fear of disappointment--When doest thee return home--Shall thee be at the Annual Meeting in New York in May next-- Fanny and Ruth send much love Mr Potter told me thee thought of going on the Stage--do not I pray thee-- "this world s all a stage" & let the world be thy stage and thee can truly be an actor, a "Star" o be worshipped by the present and future generations good bye write soon. Thy affectionate J.R. Ricketts. 179 [?] St. [*?] New Bedford 5 mo 30, 1863 Dear Anna, Is it Sunday and I know not how I can employ myself for a short time, any better than to answer thy long neglected letter of March last, thought I am quite an invalid--My health has been very delicate all winter, having had several ill turns, confining me to the house for several days at a time, but the last two weeks I have had quite a fever lurking round me and have been only once in that time to the office. I think however that I shall resume my duties to morrow. Well, I presume thou art now at home enjoying Otium cum dignitate, after thy long and successful political campaign.Thou art indeed a second Daniel come to judgement _ they may call thee Joan of Arc, but thou art armed with a mightier weapon than she, for Gods living truth, spoken with thy small voice is more powerful than any or rather all carnal weapons - Wendell Phillips conveys the idea when he said "And the Goliath of Connecticut Copperheads has been killed not by-a stripling but by a Girl" - Since your great success I have been frequently asked why not have Miss Dickinson lecture here, to which I reply that I tried all winter to have her before the Lyceum but the Committee did not see fit to invite her - next winter I think thee will be wanted. How I want in fact all of us want to see thee very much - Often do I look at thy photograph, and the memory brings back the pleasure of thy agreeable company- Several times lately I have been out to Brother Daniels at Brooklawn, and it is very pleasant - They are all very well - Fanny & Ruth & the children are also well and send love - My illness has been the cause of one great Disappointment, - in not being able to attend the Anti Slavery Convention in Boston, and to see the departure of the 54th Mass Colored Regt - My friends all agree that it was the finest Regt ever went from Boston. I think they will prove themselves men in the Hour of Battle. I Know many of them, and they all have joined with the highest religious feelings.The Copperheads may hiss, but against them, there rises like Banquos Ghost, God's Image in Ebony - Had we have been successful in the beginning of this accursed Rebellion, the poor Negro would have gone to the Wall, "Now he is as sure of Liberty, let either side win, as the sun to rise tomorrow - the end however is not yet. God however is in it all, over ruling what we call evil for the highest good" I presume you think Phillips too severe in his criticism on Sumners vote for making Stevensen a Brig General, I dont know what influences were brought to bear on Sumner, but Senator Wilson said, Genl Hunter desired it -- At any rate Stevenson has been very pro slavery and was very influential in preventing Phillips from speaking two years ago in Boston -- I hope he has repented at any rate -- I shall be pleased to hear from you as soon and as often as you can find time to write Yrs truly Joseph Ricketsen 179 Union StNew Bedford 8th mo 6h 1863 Dear Anna, I know not that I can better employ part of this thanksgiv'g day, [better] than by writing thee a few lines, to [tell] let thee know that we are "Still Alive." Some six weeks or two months since I wrote but have never receivd an answer - however as I never keep a Dr & Cr A/c with my friends in the letter writing business, at least when one of theirs is worth a dozen of mine, I embrace the present moment to write again - The Family are all well - Ruth & Frank have gone into the Country to spend part of their vacation the Rest of us are at Home. Personally I am muchmuch better though not quite as strong as Goliah, or Sampson, Lately I have taken more outdoor exercise - have been on two fishing excursion for two & three days at a time, sleeping on board - one of my friends owning a Yatch which accommodates Four very conveniently for sleeping_ This Piscatory Amusement, is one I have always enjoyed_ perhaps it may be because in Olden times it was Apostolic_ the Fisherman of Gallille were a pretty respectable class of People, & I am vain enough to think that I shall not disgrace it, if I do occasionally indulge therein_ Didn't weall [your] thy speech of July 4# before the Colored Cityene of Philadelphia with great delight_ It was just to the point_ I have given it to the Editor of our Mercury to insert in his columns I think he will. Was there ever such Heroism, as that displayed by our Colored Bretheren_ They go in to live or to die just as it pleases the Heavenly Father_ How sublime_ and then again the Humble offerings to the poor sick & wounded soldiers from their poor friends, an ear of corn from Sam, two from Bell_ and the Widow's Mite_ not only a mite_ but it is Might_ it is all powerful, all convincing, that God is not yet dead but that he manifest himself in the Sublime Sacrifice of these poor humbleand despersed children of his. Every thing is working for the best. Did you know that Rev Mr [Pollen] has been drafted - He is a fine specimen of what we all should be - I enclose the sermon he preached - it is manly - the Boston Parkers have copied it freely- No words of mine can praise it enough. Read for thyself pass it to thy friends - a thousand copies were [printed] and first in circulation [inevent] the city but I send it as printed in our paper as I can enclose it better in this - [Driest] there see the Epithet bestowed by the Frenchmen on a Copperhead - he couldnt think of the [Movce] + so called him a "damned old cent" I suppose he meant a "Bungtown" - a name seven to spurrier cents - undeserved thy off friend Joseph Ricketsion 179 Union St