Feinberg/Whitman
Box 13 Folder 34
General Correspondence
"O" Miscellany
July 1880 - Aug. 1889Jamaica L.I. July 2. 1850

W. R. Whitman Esq.
   Dear Sir.  I made sundry promises to you in
the Cass which you must have supposed were long forgotten, but the
truth is I essayed to send you all I knew, the next day, & omitted doing
so because I could not find what I wanted, nor have I yet found a
principal paper.
   In the Boston News Letter of Ap 14, 1712 & Ap 21 1731 O.S. it is stated in substance
that "Some Cormentine negroes (25 or 20) & 2 or 3 Spanish Indians [tawny
Spaniards of white origin] having conspired to murder all the Christians here in
order to obtain their freedom, about 2o'clk, in the morning put thier bloody design
into execution, & setting fire to a house they stood prepared with arms to kill whoever
might approach to put it out, & accordingly murdered or wounded 16 persons of the
best families [I omit names]. The town [N. York] was soon alarmed, the murderers fled
into the woods where most of them were caught.  The town is under arms & in great
consternation."  [next week]. "We have about 70 negros in custody & tis found most of
the negros here, who are very numerous, knew of the late conspiracy.  Six of the prisoners 
have been their own executioners by shoot[y]ing or cutting their throats, 3 executed, one 
burnt [with green wood], a second broke upon the wheel & another one hung up alive & 
9 more are to be executed tomorrow."  [19 in all were hung & their owners rec. from the 
Colony 50 oz. of plate for each] - In the Boothead Document it is said that 
"the Negro slaves from Land usage assembled in Mr. Crook's orchard, 12 at night, with 
guns, swords & hatchets.  A slave of van Tilburgh set fire to an outhouse when the 
negros fired on all the whites who approached."  The trials of these negros may be 
found by the dates in the Dutch court Records of N.Y. City translated by Dr. O'Callaghan & now 
in care of Mr. Valentine. Clk of the Corporation.  Some were printed in Valentine's 
Corporation Manual for 1849.  In the manual for this & 2 years past you will 
find all the Maps you want of the City."Jan 26 1707 On Sat night Wm. Hollet Jr of Newtown, his wife & 5 children
were all murdered  by their slaves, who were executed [burnt] of Jamaica & put to all 
the torment possible. Two negros have since been executed as accessories "&
others are in custody; our judges are indefatigable in the discovery of the negro
plot."  This fear of the negros & rumors of plots prevailed till  the Revolution (1775).
I believe the above is about all I promised
but if you can suggest any other topics, I will do what I can for you.
Yours very Truly
GC. Onderdonk Jr.Jamaica
3 Jul
N.Y.

Walter R Whitman Esq
Brooklyn
N.Y.

Negro plot in New York
"Murder in Newton  -1701P.S.
Have you a first Edition
(American) of "November
Boughs" to sell. If you
kindly let me know I
shall forward the
price.
J. O.


The Manse,
Maryhill,
Glasgow Scotland
28 August 1889
Dear Sir
In your "Specimen days
& Collects" p.327 (American Editn.)
speaking of American society
you designate the religion of
Boston as "bloodless". The
word surprises me as I
always thought that the
greatest literateurs of the
states such as Hamilton,
Longfellow, Emerson had given
their imprimatur to that
very religion you describe
as bloodless - Unitarianism.Though surprised however I 
quite concur in the description.
But may I ask if 
you think the Church,
Protestant or Catholic is
capable of grappling with 
the spiritual problems of
our age?
Mr. Froude the historian
whose books I prize
and who has written much
on Ecclesiastical matters
has never I think spoken

so sharply or tersely of Unitarianism
as you have 
done nor given any indication
as to whether Christianity
as the Church
teaches it is able to 
mould the centuries to 
come.
As I am deeply interested
in this question it
would be a great favour
if you would write me
a line or two.
Yours faithfully,
John Oliver
(over)NEW YORK
JUN 1
830PM
D                     89

See
Note
Dec 13
'89

Walt Whitman, Esq
Camden, 
New Jersey.NY
6-1 '89
11PM
[?]

CAMDEN, N.J.
JUN
2
1 PM
1889
REC'D.New York.
345 East 17th Street.
June, / 89

Walt Whitman, Esq.
Esteemed Sir:

I send you greeting, in
the enclosed lines, on the
advent of your birthday, and
beg to subscribe myself
very sincerely yours.

W.J. O'Reardon.Greeting.

The onward march of Time finds thee serene.
Thy sturdy soul is still aspiring high:
And on the mountain top where Fame abides
Thou hast long stood, respected and revered.
Upon thy brow the light of genius shone:
New paths in Poesy's mysterious meads
Were trod by thee with vigorous step and share
And with the light that beams in beauty's eye.
Thy fervid thoughts were born to sweetly bloom,
And bring a solace to the human heart.
That striving to be free beholds in thee
a grand embodiment of manly virtues.
The wish is mine that many be thy years.
From many of the ills of life entire bereft --
Soft sunshine in thy heart find a large place,
And Health each day its mystic mantle spread
Before thy vision, like a crystal sea,
Whose power renews the glory of thy youth.

W.J. O'Reardon.