[*June 8 1888*] Friday Morn'g Dear Judge I called yesterday and I am very much to blame for not saying at what hour I would call and I feel sure it must have caused you much inconvenience. I wish I could call today but this [*1323*]evening is the "Regular Commencement & I shall be very busy all day. I am going to ask a favor of you which I hesitate to do in writing yet it is necessary. I find that I will be compelled to leave Washington on Monday Morning because some of the western girls who are here a school will leave to go under my care & as their friends will meet them at certain points on the way & at certain times I find that I must go then & I wish borrow from you fifty dollars until I can reach home I am willing to give you interest for that amount or give you a mortgage on the lots I spoke of I have tried to dispose of them & could not & nowcome to you again in my trouble. Will you be kind enough to let me know as soon as possible what I can do or rather whether you can help me - I could of course explain this better were I able to call upon you today but that is not possible but tomorrow if youYou will specify any time I can then see what may be done Respectfully Mrs Gertrude CleaverOffice of F. H. Smith & Son, Real Estate and Insurance Brokers, 1222 F Street N. W. Washington, D.C., June 9 1888, Hon. Jos. Holt 236 New Jersey Ave S.E., City Dear Sir, We have collected rent of house 209 G street S.E., $25.00 Commission 5% 1.25 & enclose check to your order, for $23.75 The tenant, Mr. Fletcher, requests that you send a carpenter to repair the side gate, as it has rolled off the hinges. Very respectfully, F. H. Smith & Son [*1325*]Good bye then, for the time. As ever Truly yours, Roberta [Rh?] 825 Vt. Ave. Monday, June 11th [*1326*]My dear Judge Holt. If convenient to you I will come out Wednesday afternoon to see you and your pretty flowers. The lady I have honored with the invitation to breakfast is Mrs. Rhoades, a charming woman, whose husband is a Lieut. Commander in the Navy, and under whose care I am at "The Gramercy". She has always admired you and looks forward to meeting you with so much pleasure. So we are ready to accept your delightful invitation any morning that you may appoint. I am so anxious for you to see me in my new quarters. They are very pleasant--but I will tell you all about them Wednesday. You do not know howI enjoyed the drive. It took me back to three years ago. Do you remember what lovely drives we had then? Mamma sends ever so many kind regards. She is always glad to know that I have had a visit from my dear friend Judge Holt. But if I do not stop you will think me a terrible scribbler.Complements of Mrs WG P B see-- Programme CULS The Faculty + Graduating Class of The Columbian University Law School request your presence at their Commencement, Tuesday evening, June the twelfth, at eight o'clock. New National Theatre, Washington, D. C. 1888. [*1327*]The Columbian University LAW SCHOOL. 23d Annual Commencement, NEW NATIONAL THEATRE, Tuesday, June 12, 1888, at eight p. m. Class Officers. James C. Bushby, President. Fred. Hale Parkhurst, Vice-President. Lemuel Towers, Jr., Secretary. C. A. Brandenburg, Treasurer. Executive Committee. Edward E. Perley, Chairman. John Pelham, Albert S. Bozeman, Albert D Shrewsbury, James C. Bushby, Russell H. Landale, Herbert L. McNair. Reception Committee. From Class of '89. J. S. Ward Thoron, Chairman. D. Bangs, Oscar Luckett, Walter C. Clephane, Howard Merriam, L. A. Conner, Jr., Chas. A. Molloy, Arthur S. Dudley, Howard D. Norris, William D. Hadger, Robert F. Rogers, Henry Lee Hatch, C. Severance, William M. Hatch, William C. Stuart, Clarence E. Latimer, Charles C. Tucker, Lawrence N. Lee, Richard Ware. GIBSON BROS. PRS. WASH [*1328*] Programme. OVERTURE, --- "William Tell,"---- Rossini SELECTION, --- "Black Hussar," --- Millocker WALTZ, ---- "La Gitana," ---- Bucalossi MARCH, ----- Semper Fideli, ----- Sousa Prayer. MEDLEY, - "The Blending of the Blue and the Gray," -- Sousa Address to the Graduating Class. THE HON. WILLIAM C. P. BRECKINRIDGE, LL. D. DESCRIPTIVE PIECE, "A Trip on the Limited Express," --- Dow Conferring of Degrees. JAMES C. WELLING, LL. D. A COMICAL CONTEST, ---------- Godfrey DESCRIPTION. - Band tunes up; principal performers try their instruments; competitors assemble to draw for the order of playing; rules read out by the Manager, Signor Trombono; Judges (Mr. Helicon and Signor Miflat Tuba) prepare their papers; the contest begins, the competitors being Messrs. Clarinette, Cornetti, Piccolini, Euphonia, Clarinetto Junior, Faggotto, and Saxophone; the judges take notes and consult after each solo; unexpected interference of the drummer, caused, probably, by jealousy; termination of the contest. Awarding of Prizes. THE HON. CHARLES S. FAIRCHILD, LL. D. IDYLLE, - - - "The Forge in the Forest," - - - Michaelis Benediction. GALOP, - - - - "Perpetual Motion," - - - - Rollinson MUSIC BY THE MARINE BAND. JOHN PHILIP SOUSA, CONDUCTOR. Concert at 7.30. No seats reserved after 8 P.M. CANDIDATES FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF LAWS. W. SPENCER ARMSTRONG, District of Columbia ROBERT BRUCE BAGBY, Indiana ALEXANDER BRITTON, District of Columbia EUGENE BYRNES, New York FREDERICK E. CHAPIN, New York R. STUART COLEMAN, Virginia S. H. DENT, District of Columbia WM. E. DYRE, Ohio LEON D. GENESTE, District of Columbia D. LAUCK GRAYSON, District of Columbia T. H. GREENE, Mississippi WILLIAM HENRY HUSTON, Iowa FRED. W. KEAM, Ohio HARRY C. KENNEDY, Maryland WM. R. KENNEDY, District of Columbia RUSSEL H. LANDALE, Virginia EDWIN NAUCK, District of Columbia FREDERIC HALE PARKHURST, Maine JOHN PELHAM, Alabama WILLIAM CLARK PRENTISS, District of Columbia HENRY W. PRICE, District of Columbia C. E. SACKETT, New York FREDERICK L. SIDDONS, District of Columbia FRANK H. STEPHENS, Ohio G. W. TITCOMB, Maine JOHN T. WILLIAMS, Ohio WILLIAM GRANT WEBSTER, Iowa CANDIDATES FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF LAWS K. R. BABBITT, Michigan W. K. BARTON, Maine CHAS. H. BATES, District of Columbia ALEX. H. BELL, Michigan MONTGOMERY BLAIR, Maryland ALBERT S. BOZEMAN, Mississippi CLARENCE A. BRANDENBURG, District of Columbia JAMES C. BUSHBY, Dakota WESLEY GOULD CAR, New Hampshire ESECK H. CARVER, Pennsylvania LEWIS W. CALL, Kansas JOHN F. CROMELIEN, West Virginia L. L. DEWEES, District of Columbia LORENZO E. DICKEY, Maine J. PAUL EARNEST, New York CHARLES E. FAIRMAN, District of Columbia NICHOLAS MINOR GOODLETT, JR. Indiana B. W. HANNA, Kansas N. COLUMBUS HARPER, District of Columbia ELMER W. HART, Wisconsin WILLIAM H. HEALD, Delaware WILLIAM J. HENDRICKS, Pennsylvania W. L. HILLYER, District of Columbia FRANK W. HOLT, Wisconsin TRACY L. JEFFORDS, Ohio JOHN JOHNS, JR., District of Columbia CHARLES A. KEIGWIN, Indiana WILLIAM DAVID LAMBUTH, Kentucky RUSSEL H. LANDALE, Virginia CARROLL MCKENNEY, District of Columbia HERBERT L. MCNAIR, Michigan MANTON MAVERICK, Massachusetts CHARLES NEWELL, Oregon HENRY W. OLDS, District of Columbia FREDERICK HALE PARKHURST, Maine JOHN PELHAM, Alabama EDWARD E. PERLEY, Pennsylvania ZEPHANIAH B. RAWSON, Maine W.G. REED, District of Columbia C. ELMO ROBINSON, Missouri WILLIAM N. SAYRE, New York J. H. W. SCHMIDT, Ohio J. B. SHILLEY, New York ALBERT D. SHREWSBURY, West Virginia CHARLES L. STURTEVANT, District of Columbia JOHN B. TORBERT, District of Columbia LEMUEL TOWERS, JR. District of Columbia A. WALLER, VirginiaTHE LAW FACULTY. JAMES C. WELLING, LL. D.. President. THE HON. WALTER S. COX, LL. D., Professor of the Law of Real and Personal Property, of Contracts, and of Crimes and Misdemeanors. THE HON. WILLIAM A. MAURY, LL. D., Professor of Equity Jurisprudence, of Common Law and Equity PIeading, of the Law of Evidence, and the Law of Partnership . THE HON. WILLIAM STRONG, LL. D., Professor of Constitutional Law. THE HON. FRANCIS WHARTON, LL. D., Professor of Criminal Law. THE HON. AUGUSTUS S. WORTHINGTON, LL. B., Lecturer on Criminal Pleading and Practice. ROBERT C. FOX, LL. D., Treasurer. O. A. M. McKIMMIE, Registrar and Librarian. The Derby Printing Company Job Print of All Kinds Promptly Executed. Illustrated Catalogues and Small Book Works, Specialties. PUBLISHERS OF THE DERBY TRANSCRIPT. Birmingham, Conn., 13th June 1888. Dear Mr. Holt: In case you do not come across anything written by President Lincoln, among your own effects, you may perhaps know if some other ex. U.S. offical who could thus favor me. Anything you can do for me in that line would put me under renewed obligations to you. Very Respectfully Yours, Darwin C. Pavey Managing Editor Transcript. To Hon. Joseph Holt. [*1329*]Jamaica Long Island NY June 15, 1888 My dear Judge Your very kind favor of the 10th inst reached me yesterday. Two months ago I mailed you the papers which appear to have been delayed. I appreciate very keenly all that you are [*1330*]so good as to say about my cause in the Grant controversy. Such expressions repay me for some of the newspaper attacks inspired by a cowardly misapprehension of public opinion. I value your own judgment because not only of its favorable character but because your whole career makes it certain that your utterances are always careful, honest and impartial the highest respect and renewed thanks June Yours very truly Adam Badeau The Hon J. Holt &c &c &cESTABLISHED BY THE ILLINOIS HUMANE SOCIETY IN 1872. Office of THE HUMANE JOURNAL, 242 WABASH AVENUE. Chicago, June 16th 1888 ALBERT W. LANDON, Publisher. J. Holt. Washington, D.C. Dear Sir: Your favor of the 14th inst was received containing the postal Note for $2.00 for the subscription for Misses Mary and Rose Holt, I have given the credit on the book, written their wrappers for June and July and, discontinued the subscription. I am very grateful to you for the amount of the bill but regret very much losing these young ladies as subscribers as they are, I think, the only ones at that place, and I feel that they must have an interest in the progress of the cause, after having read the Journal, for so long a time, and should, they have this interest they might accomplish a great deal of good by using their influence, along this line. Very respectfully yours Albert W Landon [*1331*] [*EH*]Elizabethtown Ky June 17. 1888 Hon Jo Holt Washington City DC Dear Sir I enclose herewith a portion of the Newspaper, (Louisville Times) of 9th of present month, which contains what purports to be a letter of some one connected with the National Intelligencer in which you are charged with Suppressing the recommendation of Mrs. Surrat to executive clemency made by the Jury that tried her - I am perfectly satisfied it is a slander & so far as it reaches the eye of those who really know you it cannot make any other impression but if you think it worth while to pay any attention to it & I can be of any Service I will be most happy to play my part - I hope you are enjoying Good health - Will You please tell me what Year it was that You [mad] made a Speech in Harrodsburg at a State Convention - my recollection is it was 1831. or 1832 & that Very Soon after that You removed to Louisville - What Year did You [to] go to [*1332*]Louisville - My recollection is You located in Mississippi very Soon after You made Your speech in the Baltimore Convention of 1835. In what Year did you quit the practice of law in Mississippi If You don't want to give any importance to the Slanderous charge to which I have alluded but would like to have it contradicted in a quiet way, if You will write me a letter of explanation, I will have it published in the Times of Louisville if you desire it - Yrs Truly A M BrownWith the compliments of the Ladies of the Festival recently held by Dr. Diehl's Church 19th June, 1888 [*1333*]Elizabeth, Allegheny County. Pa June 19, 1888 General Holt U. S. A. Washington D. C. My very Dear Friend: Please accept my thanks and acknowledgment for your kind and generous letter of the 15th inst. It will be a rich inheritance for my children! Since the appearance of my communication in the Times of Louisville I have been overwhelmed with Commendations and Congratulations. Your nephew at Holt, Kent'y, writes me a letter, overflowing with gratitude. Others, of a similar nature, are before me. The woods are full of the friends of my beloved friend, Gen. Holt! I am here en route for Oregon, Pa, having in charge a very sick wife. Her condition is precarious: we are almost in despair. Good-bye Numbers 6: 24-26 James A Ken. U. S. A. [*1334*]Fort Union. June 25th 1888. Dear Sir, - I am making a collection of autographs of distinguished men. It would gratify me very much if you would be kind enough to favor me with one of yours. Very respectfully Mr Davis Care Major Chas. L. Davis. U.S.A. Fort Union. New Mexico. [*1335*]Lake View June 26th 1888 Hon J. Holt Esteemed friend your kind favour is recieved with the post office order for $12 and be ashured it will be used for Agnes music Lessons She is going to make a fine player the last piece you so kindly sent her so caled the Black Hawk Waltz is one of the finest pieces of music that I ever hearde Agnes is now a young Women She weighs 135 lbs She is getting along nicely in her studies in School and like wise in her music She says that She would like to see you but she is so young that we could not think of letting her venture alone on so long a Jurney I presume that you would enjoy her company there is nothing childish or Girlis about her She is well ballenced and and very Studiss and intelligent if we ware or Ever will be able it would be very grattifying to once more look at the capitol for which we fought so hard for to save My Wife was Raised in your city and was there during the Rebelion Agnes would be some what surprised to see those wonderfull Buildings and suroundings well uncle Holt the 4th of July is nigh at hand I am Engaged to play Again at Muskegon we played there last 4th I will sent you the Muskegon paper you will notice the Blue marks I had nine different offers to play for the comming fourth but can only be at one place at one time if I could play for them all I could make Quite a stake [*1336*]I get $5 and all expences paid on partie from Lansing offerd me $10 but I had already engaged myself to Muskegon and I would never forfet my prommis for money Since I Sold my lace leather I have had orders for 4 Hundred & 50 pound more which would have been nine Hundred Dollars but I did not have the stock I sold all I had early in the Spring we are in good Health and we hope you are enjoying the same we sincerely wish that you could be with us on the 4th Agnes sais she would treat you to all the ice cream that you could eat if you ware hear pleas except our kind regards and Heart felt thanks we remain your every true & well wishing friends W. E. White & Family Box 29 Lake View MichPalmer House, Chicago. [Mr.] Brig: Gen'l J. Holt- U.S.A. No. 1096 Palmer House is entitled to a discount on room and board of fifty cents a day on all rooms for which the regular price is $ 3.50 per day and upwards. When accompanied by his wife, the charge for her will be $ 3.00 per day regardless of price of room occupied. On the European plan there will be no discount except for his wife, whose bill for the room will be complimentary. S.D. CHILDS & CO. CHICAGO. [*1337*][*June 28, / 88*]ALEX'R DENHAM, RARE AND CURIOUS BOOKS, 744 Broadway. NEW YORK, July [3rd] 5 1888 J. Holt, Esq Washington, D. C. Dear Sir I am in rec't. of your favor of 2nd inst. with Postal note for $2 10. Mr Denham is out for the summer but I will try to find the right book for you. Yours respectfully Alex Denham L. V. B. [*1338*] Form No. 1. THE WESTERN UNION TELEGRAPH COMPANY. This Company TRANSMITS and DELIVERS messages only on conditions limiting its liability, which have been assented to by the sender of the following message. Errors can be guarded against only by repeating a message back to the sending station for comparison, and the company will not hold itself liable for errors or delays in transmission or delivery of Unrepeated Messages, beyond the amount of tolls paid thereon, nor in any case where the claim is not presented in writing within sixty days after sending this message. This is an UNREPEATED MESSAGE, and is delivered by request of the sender, under the conditions named above. THOS. T. ECKERT, General Manager. NORVIN GREEN, President. [*10599*] NUMBER 16W SENT BY JC REC'D BY Rn CHECK 19pd Received at B. & O. Depot July 6 1888 Dated Lock Haven Pa 6 To Hon Jos Holt 236 N J ave se What did Buttermilk falls Susquehanna river gut on River and Harbor Bill has bill passed sure answer quick to here J H Holt [*1339*]W. C. McCHORD. LAWYER. Springfield, Ky., July 6th 1888 Hon Joseph Holt Washington City D. C. My Dear Sir — Articles recently published in newspapers of Kentucky and the publication of correspondence between you and Gen Speed in the July number of the North American Review, with reference to your connection with the petition to Pres Johnson for commutation of the sentence of Mrs Surratt has revived discussion in that subject here — I remember when a boy I watched with the deepest interest the controversy between you and Pres Johnson as it progressed, and I also remember my firm conviction of your full vindication but have forgotten the facts in detail I would be very glad if you would furnish me with the pamphlet containing your refutation of the charges of Pres Johnson, as I desire to be [*1340*]W. C. McCHORD. LAWYER. Springfield, Ky., . . . . . . . . 188 prepared to give the facts My recollection of you is always connected with that of my mother the most pleasant of my life and it will alway afford me much pleasure to combat any assault in the great name that will be left our Country when you have passed away With kindest wishes that your declining years may be full of happiness I am Very Respectfully W.C. McChordChestnut Hills Farm. Groton [???]. July 7, 1888. My dear Judge, I have just finished the reading of your correspondence with Mr. Speed, as published in the July number of the North American Review, and I am astonished beyond expression at Mr. Speed's conduct. He made himself a conspirator with Mr. Johnson To The Honorable} Joseph Holt} Washington,} [1341 1/2] D.C.}in the propagation of a falsehood and I can not imagine the state of his mind which should have enabled him to maintain his silence under the circumstances. However, his silence is testimony in your behalf. Possibly, he may have left some statement, but the presumption would be otherwise. For Mr. Speed I had high regard and I can not imagine any reasonable explanation of his conduct. Your very truly, Geo. S. Bontwell.[*D*] Office of Riggs & Co. Washington, D.C. July 7 1888 Judge Jos. Holt. U S.A. 236 N.J. Ave. S.E City, D Sir: We notice that the City of Louisville 5% Bonds ordered by you today are 20/40, that is the City has the privilege of paying them 20 years after the date of issue, or they may run, at the pleasure of the City, for 40 years from that date. Under the circumstances we defer ordering until we hear from you [*1341 3/4*] yours truly [*Riggs Co*]Office of F. H. Smith & Son, Real Estate and Insurance Brokers, 1222 F Street N. W. Washington, D. C. July 9, 1888, Hon Jrs. Holt, Dear Sir. We enclose check for $23.75 being rent to Aug 9, house 209 - $25.00 Less brokerage 1.25 = $23.75 The tenant - Col Fletcher complains that the side gate has settled off of its hinges. & asks that it be repaired at once. Very respectfully, FH Smith & Son[July 10 /88] My dear General Holt, Will you dine with us tomorrow at five or half past-- as may suit you best. It is a great pleasure to me, always, to see and talk with you, and I have the opportunity only once, as it [1343]were, in a life time! So come-- Faithfully Yours E.B. Anderson Tuesday Evening White House.ALEX'R DENHAM, Rare and Curious Books, 744 Broadway. New York, July 11th 1888 L. Holt, Esqr. Washington, D.C. Dear Sir I can find no mention of the book you want. I believe that the book you have is the only one written by G.H. Moore on the subject. Yours respectfully Alex Denham R. C.B.Lewisburg, W. Va. July 14, 1888. General Joseph Holt, Washington, D. C., Dear Sir: Your correspondence with Attorney General Speed, just published in The North American Review, if I may judge the public generally by the circle of my own acquaintance, has occasioned much interest and made an impression favorable to yourself. Too young at the time even to remember the trial that furnished the subject of the correspondence, yet it has always had a decided historic interest for me, and, besides, my appetite was early sharpened for the investigation by a rather peculiar occurrence in Virginia a few years a-go. I had just matriculated at a [*1345*]college there, and was calling one evening on some friends when a middle-aged lady entered to whom I was introduced as "A son of Judge Holt" (my Father being at that time on the bench in this State.) She, making the mistake of supposing that you were the Judge Holt in question, immediately began a long speech in censure of you on account of your connection with the Surratt trial, and of me on account of the supposed [connection] relationship. My blood runs high yet when I recall the peculiar breeding of this woman, but, nevertheless, she added her mite to the accumulation of other circumstances that prompts me, in the name of right and reason, to know more of this trial, and especially of the part that you and Andrew Johnson played in it; and, if you can do so, I would like very much for you to furnish me with a copy of the pamphlet of 1873 referred to in your letter to General Speed. If you have but the one, I would, if permitted, take the trouble to have it copied. If my request be not improper in any way, and you can favor me, I would be much pleased to hear from you at this point at your earliest convenience; for my stay here will only be a few weeks more vacation. Believe me Yours Sincerely, John H. Holt, Lewisburg, Greenbrier Co., W. Va.Form No. 1. THE WESTERN UNION TELEGRAPH COMPANY This Company TRANSMITS and DELIVERS messages only on conditions limiting its liability, which have been assented to by the sender of the following message. Errors can be guarded against only by repeating a message back to the sending station for comparison, and the Company will not hold itself liable for errors or delays in transmission or delivery of Unrepeated Messages, beyond the amount of tolls paid thereon, nor in any case where the claim is not presented in writing within sixty days after sending the message. This is an UNREPEATED MESSAGE, and is delivered by request of the sender, under the conditions named above. THOS. T. ECKERT, General Manager. NORVIN GREEN, President. NUMBER SENT BY REC'D BY CHECK 97W GK Je 9 Collect 40 & 30 via Louisville Ky Received at B. & O. DEPOT 1010p July 14, 1888 Dated Brandenberg Ky 14. To Joseph Holt 236 NJ ave SE Meet Mary at the Riggs House Wednesday Morning VH. [*1346*] Owensboro Ky July 15 / 88 Mr. Judge Holt, I take the opportunity of writing to you to inform you of my health as I am not well at the present and hope this may find you well and enjoying good health. This is Uncle Dick Holt's daughter and my mother's name is Winnie Holt. Uncle Dick used to belong to you, and my name is Lou Holt. We lived at Holts Bottoms. I was inquiring for your whereabouts and Mrs Joe Brashears gave me your address as I am in a suffering condition and am in need of things which I cannot get, and would [*1347*]like for you to send me some money to assist me. I have been trying to find out where you were and what had become of you [and] as I could not hear anything about you. Master Joe if you are going to send me any money please send it immediately and in the care of Mr. Frank T. Gunther, Owensboro Ky, Daviess County. Please do oblidge me and send it to me. I have got several little children and their father is dead and nobody to help me and Uncle Dick is dead. Master Wash Holt was down here about 3 weeks ago and I did not get to see him for I did [known] not know he was here until he had gone. Two of my children are sick and I am moneyless, I have been begging for help and nobody would not help me and I said I knew who would help me and I wrote to you. Answer Immediately From One of Your Servants Lou Holt. Owensboro, Ky, c/o F. T. Gunther, Box 27Form No. 1. THE WESTERN UNION TELEGRAPH COMPANY. This Company TRANSMITS and DELIVERS messages only on conditions limiting its liability, which have been assented to by the sender of the following message. Errors can be guarded against only by repeating a message back to the sending station for comparison, and the company will not hold itself liable for errors or delays in transmission or delivery of Unrepeated Messages, beyond the amount of tolls paid thereon, nor in any case where the claim is not presented in writing within sixty days after sending the message. This is an UNREPEATED MESSAGE, and is delivered by request of the sender, under the conditions named above. THOS. T. ECKERT, General Manager. NORVIN GREEN, President. [*85hP*] NUMBER 45W SENT BY Ca REC'D BY On CHECK 9 pd Via Louisville [*K*] Received at B. & O. DEPOT. July 15 1888 Dated Cloverport Ky 5 To Hon Joseph Holt Avy 236 N Jane D Meet Mary at the Riggs House Monday morning Sixteenth V 16 [*1348*]W.C. McCHORD. LAWYER. Springfield, Ky., July 14th 1888 Hon Joseph Holt Washington City D.C. My Dear Sir-- I received your letter yesterday containing your "Vindication and Rejoinder" in the controversy between you and Prest Johnson, for which accept my thanks. A short time after I received them I met my nearest neighbor Rev Dr Saunders who is a son in law of your old friend Judge Paul J Baker--Dr Saunders spoke of the high regard Judge Baker always entertained for you--that on account of Judge Bakers attachments--he was anxious to become familiar with the facts & expressed a desire to read the papers, which I of course consented he might do before I returned them to you I will read the articles in a day [*1349*]W.C. McCHORD. LAWYER. Springfield, Ky., 188 or two and return them Very Respectfully W.C. McChord [*1349a*]Hotel Stevens. H.A. CUTLER, Proprietor. Postoffice in the same building. Carthage, Ill., July 19 1888 Hon Jos Holt Ex Secy War Washington D.C. Dear Sir:- Will you please place your autograph on the pieces of paper enclosed as well as date and a few words additional if not too much trouble and return to me in the enclosed envelope and you will greatly oblige Your Humble Servant Geo H Emrich. Carthage Ills [*1350*]West Newton, Mass. July 20, 1888. My dear Sir: Your welcome letter of the 18th inst. was brought to me last evening by Marjorie, the beautiful and interesting adopted daughter of my son, Henry F. and wife, both of whom heard it read, much pleased to hear from you so agreeably, and they desired to be remembered to you. As regards my article in the Boston Herald, which I sent to you, I felt that it was due to you, as well as to President Buchanan, that I should state again the truth touching the Sickles-Badeau story; and I am [*1351*]doubly satisfied, since it has been the means of getting a letter from you. Be assured that whenever a similar occasion comes to me to repel false charges against you or our old chief, it shall not fail to receive attention if there is a channel open for me to be heard. I yesterday received a letter of thanks for my occasional contributions, with an invitation from the editor of the Herald to continue them. I inclose my last, which may interest you, although you doubtless saw the main portion of it in the Magazine of American History for Nov. 1885. I am sorry the old chaplain General did not send me his photograph, for which I asked him a year or more ago. — Yes, I saw in one or two papers a notice of the North American publication of the correspondence between you and ex-Attorney General Speed, and a few days ago went to the public library here to see whether it was what you may remember you lent me to read. I was much gratified to find that my anticipation was correct. I had not time to re-peruse it; but sometime I may do so. It was due you that the letters should appear where they are sure to be preserved, and I am very glad you gave them to the editor. They were not, however, necessary for your vindication in the judgment of all unprejudiced persons; but they serve to drive the nail home, and justly expose Speed's outragesThis is our seventh season in this delightful location and I wish you could take a trip to New England and pass a few days with us. We should not expect you to relinquish "the joys and witcheries of Washington" to join me in exercise "with the shovel and the hoe"; but I believe it would serve to renew your age to sit on our veranda and see me work in my little garden, which bids fair to do well in about every thing but green peas, which have been greatly injured by the droughth. I am very sorry the Republicans did not nominate either Hawley, Gresham or Allison, for neither of them is a brow-beating blackguard. Mrs. King sends kindest regards. Very truly yours, Horatio King. Gen. Joseph Holt.The Uplands July 22 / 88. [*BZL*] My dear Mr Holt — Where are you & how are you? The silence between us seems terribly wrong — When you wrote me last March I hurried my reply immediately that it might reach you before leaving home for your projected visit to Kentucky — You thought of passing [*1352*]the month of April in the dear old home you are so fond of — The late inclement season probably delayed you, but when did you go, & how long were you under its charm? And now? Are you enjoying this moonlight from your vine shaded upper porch — or has your neice perhaps beguiled you into a summer outing again with her? I hope you will not leave me longer in ignorance of your present surroundings? I returned home early in June — had a stormy voyage — & for the first time really understood sea-sickness — One day I could not even read, & kept my berth the greater part of several days — In fact it was so rough, & the steamer rolled so, I could not possibly make my toilette, & after reachingstill waters was told we had been in a cyclone, & really braving one of the greatest "dangers of the deep." That ignorance was certainly blessed. For six weeks now I have been in my own home setting, busy with the same old cases — interested in law &c in the same old fashion,Long Beach Hotel. 22nd of July. My dear Mr Holt. I wrote you, in February, soon after my Brother's death. I was a great sorrow to me and in few weeks after he was buried, I was stricken down with pneumonia. For weeks, I lay hovering between life and death. It seems to me, however, [1353-4]that I shall never die--but live to suffer the most torturing pain. But, for my Brother's death, I should have been in Texas long since. I came to this place, the first of July, to endeavor to recuperate. I am still very feeble and suffering. Early in September--or as soon as the Doctor will allow, my Daughter & I will go to Texas. My Brother left a tract of land there (only this-- and nothing more.) I am trying to sell a portion of this and make a home on the other part--and there I shall live and die and be buried. My poor little daughter is a [???] worker on newspapers and makes not enough to support us. Now and then, I have a respite from pain and have, with my pen $5 or $10-- Alas! these occasions are rare-- Will you come to my relief, once more, dear Mr. Holt? I owe so much, at this hotel, washing etc. My Child does not earn enough to pay the board--but insists we remain here, until September. I am far weaker than you can imagine. My malady is Bright's disease--and incurable. Let the warm weather [???] [???]--I only bide my time. I wish you would come here. It would invigorate you so much. I had hoped never again to ask you a favor. This surely will be my last. Do give me a kind answer. Faithfully- R.H. K.Mrs. Ricketts requests your presence at the marriage of her daughter, Frances Brewerton to Dr. Chauncey Rea Burr, on Wednesday, July the twenty fifth, at six o'clock. Church of the Holy Communion, Sixth Avenue and Twentieth Street. [*1355*]Headquarters Department of California. GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC 1861 VETERAN 1866 Address all Official Communications to ASS'T ADJ'T GEN'L, 419 CALIFORNIA ST., ROOM 12. R. H. WARFIELD, COMMANDER. W. R. SMEDBERG, ASS'T ADJ'T GEN'L R. H. ORTON, ASS'T Q. M. GEN'L NO. 419 CALIFORNIA STREET, ROOM 12 Senior Vice Commander, H. A. BURNETT, Sacramento. Medical Director, G. M. PLEASE, M. D. , San Francisco. Department Inspector, WALTER H. HOLMES, San Francisco. Chief Mustering Officer, L. FINIGAN, San Jose. Junior Vice Commander, HENRY C. DIBBLE, San Francisco. Chaplain, REV. L. W. SIMMONS, Kelseyville, Judge Advocate, S. F. DANIELS, Oakland. Senior Aide-de-Camp, WILL H. VOORHEES, San Francisco. Acting Ass't Adj't General, CHAS. H. OSBORN, San Francisco. Headquarters Department of California, GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC, Assistant Adjutant General's Office, San Francisco, Cal., July. 25th 1888 Genl. Jos Holt U. S. A. Washington D. C. Sir, I will thank you for your autograph on the cards, enclosed. to add my collections of Union Generals. War of the Rebellion Respectfully A. S. Hubbard [*1356*]W.C. McCHORD. LAWYER. Springfield, Ky., July 26 1888 Hon Joseph Holt Washington City D.C. My Dear Sir-- I have read with great interest your "Vindicative" and Rejoinder" to the Reply of Prest Johnson with reference to the charge that you withheld from the President the petition for mercy in behalf of the unfortunate Mrs Surratt To attempt to argue that your vindication was more than complete and overwhelming and that the evidence offered for that purpose was-- sufficient to establish the guilt of Pres Johnson beyond every reasonable doubt, would be fruitless and would not be listened to for a moment, by any one who desired the truth and nothing is left but to determine from the facts given, the motives and feelings which actuated Prest Johnson at the time he turned a deaf ear [*1357*]W.C. McCHORD. LAWYER. 2 Springfield, Ky.,.......................188 to the appeal for Executive clemency in behalf of the condemned woman? What induced the President to undertake to suppress the truth, to think the responsibility of his deliberate action, and to consign the name of an officer and gentleman, who stood high in the estimation of the people, to infamy? It seems to me from the facts disclosed the conclusion is irresistable that at the time the petition was presented by you to Prest Johnson-- he was laboring under the impression that the people of the United States, (particularly in the North where he desired plaudit) demanded the execution of the Judgment of the court-- condemning the assassins of President Lincoln That nothing less would satisfy the people-- Doubtless President Johnson believed if he would disregard the appeal for mercy the people would en masse recognize him as being [*1358*]W.C. McCHORD. LAWYER. 3 Springfield, Ky.,............................188 a man who "would not shrink from any responsibility in connection with the execution of President Lincolns assassins or force the faithful discharge of any other duty imposed by the constitution and laws of the country" and that our institutions would be jeopardized if we with less courage and less devotion to the strictest demands of the law, than he, should be chosen as the Chief Magistrate of the Nation, and thus by one firm act solidify the sentiment of the people in his behalf, as their choice for President at the expiration of the term for which Mr Lincoln had been elected-- But when the excitement incident to the assassination and trial of the assassins had subsided, and the natural sympathy for a woman in the heart of us all, had assumed its sway, President Johnson saw he had not "received well". He saw that he had misunderstood--the clamor of an excited [*1359*]W.C. McCHORD. LAWYER. 4 Springfield, Ky.,...........................188 nation--and like Pilat he sought to wash his hands & begun to desire some means of appeasing the wrath of the storm that was about to hurl upon him, for disregarding the petition for mercy--His place [is]-- was determined provided, he can secure from his Cabinet officers a favorable construction of the "sanctity of the secrecy" of a cabinet meeting in their part--this being accomplished the President had the temerity, to make the charge against you, that you withheld from him the petition &c-- But when the indisputable facts as portrayed in your complete "Vindication and Rejoinder" was made public, (which he did not know could be procured when he made the charge)--President Johnson was doomed to the Natural and political death which so soon overtook him-- The transactions & conversation of a [*1360*]W.C. McCHORD. LAWYER. 5 Springfield, Ky.,...........................188 Cabinet meeting are and ought to be of the most confidential nature, especially where members are acting from pure and patriotic motives--but to say that a cabinet office could not say what did not take place at a meeting is absurd--Suppose the enemies of President Johnson had charged falsely that at a meeting of the Cabinet--he had advised a course by which the enemy of the United States be given aid and comfort--would any Cabinet officer be so esthetic, as when asked to say, whether or not the President was guilty--to answer "I do not feel at liberty to speak of what was said at cabinet meetings" The knowledge as to whether or not the petition was presented by you and considered by the President & members of his cabinet, was a fact peculiarly within the knowledge of President Johnson and his faithful advisers--I can see no reason [*1361*]W.C. McCHORD. LAWYER. 6 Springfield, Ky.,...........................188 in determining a question of fact, why we need not be authorized to apply the familiar rule "Where the subject of a negative averment lies peculiarly within the knowledge of the other party, the averment is taken as true unless disproved by that party" If the issue was the neglect of Judicial-- investigation and presented by proper pleas in the absence of proof by members of the cabinet that the petition was not discussed in a meeting of the cabinet presided over by the President, would not President Johnsons plea fail for want of proof-- The impartial historian making judgment, will agree that your Vindication is as complete as testimony can make it and if those who have an interest to subserve in traducing you, will not accord you [*1362*]W.C. McCHORD. LAWYER. 7 Springfield, Ky.,...........................188 the justice you are entitled to. I am convinced [of] the Judgment of coming generations unbiased by personal considerations--will denounce the action of President Johnson as a crime as great as that of Benedict Arnold, and a disgrace unparaleled by the act of any ruler of a nation. I return you the Vindication as directed & will keep the Reply for which I thank-- With kindest wishes for your-- continued good health and happiness I am-- Yours Very Respectfully WC McChord [*1363*]Boston, July 26, 1888. Hon. Joseph Holt: Dear Sir: Will you kindly favor me with your autograph on the inclosed card, and oblige. Yours respectfully F.C. Allen. [1364]Stockbridge Mass July 27/88 Mr Hon J. Holt, My dear Sir I have just finished reading your article in the North American Review for July, and have seldom seen a more convincing argument, or an exposition of more inexcusable conduct. The course of Mr Speed is [*1365*]either the most arrant cowardice (and even for that I can see no occasion), or is induced by malice which he is ashamed to avow. You have, previous, forced him into a position where his silence is an irrefutable argument in your favor; and I cannot see how any one can read the paper without concluding that you have won. The controversy, if being one sided, it can be so called, reminds me of the fund of important historical matter which you must be able to divulge; and I can not but expect the hopenot with your trenchant pen and lucid powers of expression, you are preparing some account of the great affairs which you witnessed and in so many of which you shared. You owe the statement not only to yourself, but to you country-- I trust you will pardon my frankness and believe me with high regard Most Cordially Aaron BadeauLake View July 27 1888 Dear Uncle Holt I received the money for my music lessons and was very thankful for it, I have been away on a visit for two weeks [or unless] but for which I would have answered your letter before, I suppose Papa answered the letter and told you we received the money. I have enjoyed the vacation very much so far. [1366][Their] There is going to be a reunion at Greenwill the 7,8,9, of Aug. and Papa and Mamma and I are going, Uncle Holt I wish you would be [their] there I know you would enjoy it very much. I wish you would send me the music to the Fisher's Hornpipe I have got the Black Hawk waltz learned. I wish you could hear me play it. It has been very dry here this summer but our garden looks very nice. Mamma and I are [makeing] making gloves, getting ready for the fall trade. This leaves us all well and hope you are enjoying the same blessing. This is all for this time. Please answer. From your young friend Agnes White.FREDERIK[S]STED. ST. CROIX. DANISH WEST INDIES. July 28th/1888. Gen. Joseph Holt, Dear Sir, This communication comes from a long way off, & though you may scarcely have heard of the writer, yet there was a time when your own name was sufficiently familiar to me, in addition to its public celebrity, by mention as family connection, for a revival of its remembrance by a literary article to execute so much sympathetic interest by your share in it that I felt you might excuse the liberty, Amid my personal obscurity & distance, of speaking to you on the subject of the correspondence published in the North American Review of July. In the quiet, secluded life of the little island, to which Mr Stebbins & myself have come for a few year's residence on account of health, which suffers from Northern winters, The literature which reaches me from the outer world, receives close attention & occupies more thought than when among wider social, & more distracting concerns; & many friends are very kind in forwarding [1367]me especial subjects for both; so curiously enough I received, by last mail, two copies of the North American Review, one from my Uncle, Mr Wm J Walters, of Baltimore, & the other, from an old friend, Judge Yeaman of New York, formerly member of Congress from Kentucky, & Minister to Denmark under Mr Lincoln's appointment. One was sent for the Gladstone-Ingersol controversy, but the other unquestionable for the interest it was rightly supposed I would like in your letters. Often, during the life of Alfred Hynes, whose wife I was for a few struggling years, had I heard reference made to you, so that, thought outside of slight relations with his immediate family circle I never knew much of their other connections, & for many years have only held communication with his dear old Aunt, Mrs Anna Kendricks, I had that sort of familiarity with your name, & that of the Speeds, which would naturally come from association, & added a private attraction to that occasioned by the importance of the question at issue; & though my unimportant word is but a whisper in the voice of millions, I must use it to say direct to you, as many others doubtless will also, what I am sure all must feel who have any sense of General Morality, or individual justice & integrity, that a more atrocious combination of corrupt selfishness never was unveiled than this conspiracy in high places to shift a responsibility by meanly victimizing a notable reputation. But these published letters, by which it can be understood what a heartsore thing it has been to endure, after all, if only through Mr Speed's past quibble, thoroughly settle the matter in your favor: for every intelligence must notice that Mr Speed would not have wanted Andrew Johnson's consent to speak if there had not been something to tell--that Andrew Johnson would have voluntarily given this--(for of course they talked it over) if what there was to tell, under Mr Speed's association, would have exonerated himself, & the silence was not kept out of any care for your reputation, so that it must have been for their own, with the intention that dubiosity should give credit to accusation; & it is certainly a curious estimate of honor on Mr Speed's part, that being placed in the dilemma of doing justice, & injustice, to one side or the other, that he [cannot] could not make a positive assertion of what he must actually have known to be, or not to be; for he [does] has done Andrew Johnson small service in leaving him under the supposition that he was too cowardly to stand manfully by his own act of signature, butmust needs invent a calumny as an excuse for it. You have certainly stated his position in history, before the world very clearly & acutely, & there is no accounting for it except by what Alfred Keynes used to call "The Speed way." Surely there is no trial greater than to have to bear a slanderous misrepresentation whose refutation has been so subtly & obstinately evasive; but actual vindication must come from the justifiable publication of a correspondence, so earnest, so courageous, so insistive on your side. No man, not entirely conscious of right in his case, would have dared to make public an appeal at once so stirring, so cutting, so logical. And I write to you thus about it, not, because my individual verdict is of particular account, but that you may know how this must strike others outside of personal relation & association, the world of readers; & hope you will not consider, in doing so, that I have had any intention of intrusion, as it is not likely that any course of events would bring me again to your attention; & I trust you will understand how much my interest was increased by the lingering memories reawakened, & as well as by righteous indignation at a great wrong done. Yrs Respectfully Sarah Bridges Stebbins.My address is [Mrs?] Rhoda H. K. King Long Beach Hotel Long Island - [*1367e*]Cadiz Ohio August 1st 1888 My dear General: The correspondence between the late Attorney General James Speed and yourself which appeared in the July number of the South American Review puts an end forever to the false and malicious charge that you had withheld from President Andrew Johnson the Petition drafted by me and copied by a member of the Military Commission that tried Mrs. Surratt and which copy was signed by a majority of said Commission recommending in consideration of her age and sex, the commutation to imprisonment for life as her death sentence. I saw the Petition Signed by five members of the Commission and afterwards, in the Bureau of Military Justice I saw the same Petition so signed attached to the record of the trial of Mrs Surratt! The statement made by Mr. Speed [*1368*]Mr Speed in the letter which he addressed to you under date March 30 1873 - leaves no room to doubt that the Petition so signed was attached to the record of Mrs Surratts trial and was presented to and considered by President Johnson before his approval of the death sentence of Mrs. Surratt. In this letter Mr. Speed wrote as follows: "After the finding "of the Military Commission "that tried the assassins of Mr. "Lincoln and before their Execution "I saw the record of the case "in the Presidents office and "attached to it was a paper "signed by some of the members "of the Commission recommending "that the Sentence against "Mrs Surratt be commuted "to imprisonment for life, and "according to my memory "the recommendation was "made because of her Sex." In view of the fact that President Johnson on the 5th of July 1865 offered the death Sentence of Mrs. Surrattand on the same day issued his order to Major Genl W. S. Hancock commanding him to cause said death Sentence to be carried into execution on the 7th of July 1865 - it follows that the Petition which Mr. Speed saw in the Presidents Office attached to the record before the Execution was duly considered and the prayer thereof denied by the President and his constitutional advisers as in was stated to me by his Secretary of State Mr Seward and his Secretary of War Mr. Stanton. Rely upon it you are clearly vindicated and the verdict of History is and will be that this accusation against you was false, that the Petition for commution of the death sentence against Mrs Surratt as prayed for by a majority of the commission was with the record of the trial read & considered and referred by the President before he approved the death sentence against Mrs Surratt and ordered that it be carried into execution. on the 7th day of July 1865. [*1369*]I pray you to Excuse me for useing this brief paper. It is the only paper in my possession upon which I can write satisfactorily. With sincere wishes for your continued health and prosperity I am dear General with highest regard your friend Jno. A Bingham General J. Holt Washington DC.Form No. 1. THE WESTERN UNION TELEGRAPH COMPANY. This Company TRANSMITS and DELIVERS messages only on conditions limiting its liability, which have been assented to by the sender of the following message. Errors can be guarded against only by repeating a message back to the sending station for comparison, and the company will not hold itself liable for errors or delays in transmission or the delivery of Unrepeated Messages, beyond the amount of tolls pain thereon, nor in any case where the claim is not presented in writing within sixty days after sending the message. This is an UNREPEATED MESSAGE, and is delivered by request of the sender, under the conditions named above. THOS. T. ECKERT, General Manager. NORVIN GREEN, President. [*1211P*] NUMBER SENT BY REC'D BY CHECK 1272 CM Pn 10 pd Received at B. & O. DEPOT. Aug 1 188 Date Lexington Ky To Hon Joseph Holt 236 N J ave se James O Harrison died this morning at half past three J B Simrall [*1370*]Louis Richards, Attorney at Law, Reading, Pa. Aug 3. 1888. Dear Sir: I have been informed that the Rev. Elea Holt, second pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Reading, was a brother of yours. He was called June 11, 1832, died February 13, 1835, and his remains, with those of his wife and infant son, rest in the "pastors' lot" in the Charles Evans Cemetery at this place. Upon his tombstone his age is given as 34 years. If I have been correctly advised as to his relationship to you, I should be greatly obliged if you would furnish me with some details of his life--the date and place of his birth, graduation if a collegiate, former charges &c. I have been at much pains for many years to accumulate materials for a sketch of the First Presbyterian Church of Reading, to which I have belonged since 1862, and should be glad to know more in regard to Mr Holt. He died, as I have been told, of a pulmonary [*1371*]affection, and was always of delicate health. He married Mary Badger. She was born June 16, 1812 and died June 13, 1836. Their only child, August Eleazar Holt was born December 17, 1834, and died August 8, 1835. Very Sincerely & respectfully Yours, Louis Richards The Hon Joseph Holt, Washington D.C. [1371-a][*1888*] Lexington Aug 6th My dear dear friend - I waited so impatiently for your words of sympathy but from some delay in the mail they reached me only yesterday. I have had much kindness, much loving sympathy shown me but it was yours I wanted, you had loved him so long & truly, & he prized you above all words I have read and re-read your letter, and every word is precious. The shadow of a great rock in a weary land - " that tells all - under that shadow have I rested all my life, and even when [*1372*] [*that any will be possible - I do not think I can teach this winter but will find some thing to do after while - Please do not talk about being feeble - are you not going to some cooler place? I fear a summer in the City will be very exhausting I wish there was some thing I could do for you - My family unite in love to you. You are very dear to us all - Yours. Mary E. Harrison*]He was most helpless. I never lost that Comforting sense of his presence and the protection it brought me. Nor did I lose it when in all the Calm Majesty of death he lay deaf to my sorrow & my love. It was only when they carried him from the room where we had so long been together that I felt I was alone. I found when he was gone that I was worn out & weary, and I have been incapable of doing any thing. I sit all day in his room looking out upon the scene he loved so much and thinking, thinking, I recall all the past and try to realize what the future will be with out him. I have many causes for gratitude His freedom from actual pain, The Conviction that he rests from his labors. (That blessed rest that only God's people know) and that all that painful & unnatural Condition of Mind, (the first symptom of his failing health) had passed away on the Saturday before his death I saw there was a great change he was so feeble that his voice failed almost entirely and his mind wandered. Once he put his hand in mine and said "you have been a dear sister to me, but you are not the sister of my Child hood are you?" After that he made several times an effort to tell us something, but it was unintelligible, Monday & Tuesdayhe seemed to suffer very much from a difficulty of breathing which was most distressing to us, but at the last all was so peaceful and calm. He fell asleep about five o'clock Tuesday evening and breathed as quietly as a child at rest in his Mother's arms. I was lying by his side, and the others were all around him and yet we scarcely knew when he breathed his last. It was about three in the morning. The early morning that he loved so much, that he went to his reward. I send you some of the many tributes to his worth which appeared not in our town papers only but of other cities. You know what he was, but it will gratifyyou, as it does us, that he was so appreciated, It is the more remarkable because to the world he had long been dead. And he often fancied himself forgotten, at the Bar Meeting, called to draft resolutions of respect, most touching & beautiful tributes were paid him, & some who attempted to speak broke down, over come with emotion. My heart tells me I will not like you talking so much of him, but I am sorry that the fact of my hand trembling [so] makes my writing more illegible even than usual, and I fear you will have trouble in reading what I have written You ask me what changes the loss of my Father will make in my life. He left the home [*1372-a*]to my sister Mrs Simrall because he felt that Mr. Simrall could better keep it up but with the condition that Margaretta and I should as long as agreeable have our home with her, This of course is only what she would wish. but he worried greatly about our future, and said he could not sleep in his grave unless he felt he had provided a home for us, So for the present there will be no changes except that Mrs. Simrall will keep the house. I am going for a short visit to my Aunt Mrs Hannah. because I know it is what Father would like. She is the last of his family, My own family are very anxious I should have a more decided change & are talking of many quiet resorts, but I have thought very little about it & can not tell yetWILSON, WAGNER & CO. Engravers. FINE ART PUBLISHERS. 83 & 85 FIFTH AVE. CHICAGO, ILL. August 6th 1888 To the Army A beautiful portrait in crayon, of the late General Philip H. Sheridan. has just been completed by us, in anticipation, that a work of art of this character will find admirers among the officers of the army. The picture is true to life, in full uniform and with the General's authograph. Size 21x26 inches. Heavy plate paper. Officers of the Army, who have seen the portrait, pronounce the work, a perfection in portraiture. It is well adapted for ornamentation of offices and quarters and when so used becomes a tribute of respect to one of the greatest generals of modern times. We shall be pleased to receive your order for such number of portraits as you may desire at following rates. 1 copy. $1.00 6 copies $5.00 12 copies $9.00. Postal orders or notes or draft to accompany order. We will ship, prepaid on receipt of price. Wilson, Wagner & Co [1373]Headquarters Division of the Atlantic, GOVERNOR'S ISLAND, NEW YORK CITY, 8/7 1888 Dear Judge Holt: Every now and then a recollection of the agreeable years spent by me in the Bureau of Military Justice under your leadership;- years made agreeable by your uniform kindness and confidences;- comes to [1374]my mind, and fills me with a desire to recal myself to your memory. For fear of troubling your peaceful leisures, I rarely yield to this obtrusive impulse. This time, in the midst of and great events as now surrounds us, I continue to do so, for a minute, with renewed assurances if my high regard and reverence, and wish the wish that you might again emerge from your honorable retirement and take part once more in affairs of State. of the Election of Gen. Harrison, and the downfall of Garland, German, & Co.,--I have brought myself to feel not the smallest doubt. [This] For the good & honorable times assured by that victory, Ishould rejoice to see Gen. Holt actively participate. The transfers of Governor's island to N.Y. for a park, and the ouster of its unhappy inhabitants, seems a near and expanding danger. It will, if done, be a very serious mistake and blunder. It now guards 3 great cities--and ten years hence perhaps, after six or eight enormous riots, they will gladly restore it for the sake of the military safety it assures. Very respectfully and aff. dear Sir, Yours H.P. Curtis.Office of F.H. Smith & Son, Real Estate and Insurance Brokers, 1222 F Street N.W. Washington, D.C., Aug, 10, 1888, Hon. Jos. Holt. City. Dear Sir, We have collected rent to Sept. 9, next, of house 209 C street n.w. (After which date tenant notifies us he will vacate same) amounting to $25.00 Out of this amount, tenant, who has paid water rent to July 1st next as per bill enclosed, of $5.25 retains for unexpired water service 4.25 making amount received by us $20.75 On this, our charge is 1.00 & we enclose check to your order, for $19.75 We will see that the house is properly advertised, & a new tenant secured before Sept 9th next. Very respectfully F H Smith & Son [1375] Holt, Kentucky. August 12th 1888 Dear Uncle Joe:- The picture I desired and which you so promptly sent, came some days ago. Allow me to sincerely thank you, for I have long wanted one and this seems to be a true likeness. It holds an honored place in my album and is prized greatly by me. Pardon my seeming negligence in not acknowledging this sooner, but sickness prevented. My husband has been quite sick and the intense warm weather has completely prostrated me, so, for several days, I have been feeling indisposed and sick. Your letter came bringing much pleasure. I hastily broke the seal and eagerly divined its contents feeling as I closed "Uncle Joe has a warm place in his heart yet for me and still remembers the little girl who used to write such newsy, childish letters, telling him of her [*1376*]studies etc." Mother Brooks and daughter, are at Crab Orchard Springs spending a few weeks. They seem to find it cool gay and pleasant, so will stay some time. I have been married a year (will next month) and strange to say, I do not suffer from loneliness here in the country But I find numerous things to occupy my time. As I am wonderfully fond of reading this in itself is company and I find I rather seek this company and devote the greater part of my time to it. Aunt Ann Holt and Cousin Bob will be up soon and I am getting real impatient to see them. Thought you would like to read your old letter, therefore sent it to you. Hoping I may hear from you soon and trusting your life may continue to be as pleasant as my heart is full of thanks, I am, with much love Your affectionate niece Nellie H. Brooks -Hon Jos. Holt. Dear Sir From what I learned incidentally of your life and your needs I concluded you wanted to find some suitable Lady as amanuensis, reader and Companion Wishing to obtain such a position allow me to introduce myself I am a Lady in reduced circumstances. Born in Penna 1825 of the best and oldest families in America viz Wm Tuttle and [1377] Elizabeth Tudor his wife, on my Father's side, who settled in New Haven Conn. 1634. My Grandparents on my Mothers side Jeremiah Rosencrans and Maggie Muhlenburg, and a Strickland and a Stowe, I am entitled, to consideration by the best in the land, by birth if my own personal character commanded none. This is quite a Chapter of I myself! You may want confirmation it. Hon. F.C. Bunnell of the House of Representatives Washington D.C. is a neighbor and will be pleased to say all the pretty things he can. Judge Washington Stansbury & Wife of Tunkhannock Wyoming Co Pa are very near neighbors and very reliable people and will say all necessary to confirm my report. A home is of more consequence to me than salary. Will you employ me? Please address Miss A.L. Tuttle 712 Park Place Scranton Penna where I am stopping at present Aug 13th 1888 Wachusett House Princeton Massachusetts August 14th [*[1888]*] My dear Judge Holt--I have recently read "new facts about Mrs Suratt" in the North American Review with unusual interest, and I submit a genuine résume of the case which may have some interest for you. 1st. The unscrupulous character of Andrew Johnson, and the existence of a sufficient motive in his part for preferring the charge against Judge Holt viz the desire to screen himself and escape the responsibility of his own official action. 2nd. The letter of Judge Bingham containing the statements of Secretaries Seward and Stanton, which corroborate Judge Holt 3rd. The unsatisfactory excuses proffered [*1378*] by Speed for his neglect to examine the proof submitted by Holt and to pass opinion on them 4th The absence of any denial in the part of Speed that Holt submitted to the President the recommendations to mercy; and the existence on the contrary of Speed's offer of information to be used after Holt's death. 5th. Speed's letter of March 30th 1873 announcing that no admissions damaging to Andrew Johnson were to be apprehended from him. It is fair to take this as evidence that such damaging admissions might be made 6th Speed's inability to make for himself in the correspondence of 1883 any adequate defense. A strong and righteous cause is not usually indefensible. His contribution to the correspondence is weak and trivial. He simply asserts his right to determine for himself, what he as a gentleman should or should not do, and then declines to defend his conduct, or fortify his position. Assuming, as one has a right by virtue of Speed's admissions the innocence of Holt there can be no excuse for Speed's maintaining the point of honour as to the inviolability of Cabinet secrets, when his silence wrongs the innocent and screens the guilty. Hence he attempts no justification of his conduct and his case goes by default. While the justification is so thorough and complete, the fact that to have suffered years of wrong can not be readily overlooked-- To turn to more cheerful topics I have wished to announce to you the engagement of my daughter Rose which is quite a recent event. Thegentleman is Resnell Randall Hoes Chaplain in the Navy-- He is from Kinderhook New York and nearly related to the Van Burens--He is literary in his tendencies and is a nephew of the Mr Randall who has written the best life of Jefferson that has yet appeared--The marriage will take place late in the autumn, on which occasion we shall hope for your presence I shall remain here some ten days longer, and then shall be with my daughter Mrs Johnson in Frederick, hoping to return to my home in Washington on the 1st of October-- Hoping I may see you in good health on my return I am Sincerely yours M. Gouverneur.Office of Iglehart & Taylor, Lawyers, John E. Iglehart, Edwin Taylor. 317 Third Street, Evansville, Ind., 14 Aug 1888 My Dear Judge. On looking through Harpers Weekly today I found the article and attestations I mentioned to you while in Washington You will find it in the no. date Feby 26. 1887. pp 141 & 144 Vol 1887. I am sure you will be interested in it as Mr Story pronounces the mask the most perfect likeness of Washington. The extraordinary part of it to me is the complete change in the lower part of the face compared to the usual pleasant expression about the mouth, the mask of Houdon exhibiting a face stronger and more consonant with our idea of the man of stern will My friend Gen Hovey was nominated for Governor. He is a soldier in Spirit and we nominated him for his influence with the old Soldiers. I send you by mail first edition of Speeches made by Gen Harrison which if you have not read them will interest you [*1379*]and give you the data to estimate his caliber His speeches sound better even than they read. You will observe everywhere an elevation of Sentiment that comes only of a pure and lofty mind. We think in these speeches he shows the versatility of Blaine or Garfield I told him when I called on him on my return from Washington of your views on the subject of public speaking other than absolutely necessary and found he agreed with you He was much interested in the account of the Burchard occurrence given by Mr Blaine to you which I repeated to him we hope to win and will leave nothing undone Friends are all well with kind regards of Mrs I and self I am Yours truly J.E. Iglehart Judge Holt. Washington [*1379-a*]Lake View August 15th 1888 uncle J. Holt Agnes recieved your Ever Welcome letter & the fishers Hornpipe I play this Hornpipe on the fife and very fiew pipers that you find that can play it systematical on the fife Aggie took quite a notion to it I play the following Hornpipes Fishers Liverpool Sailers Dundees Mountain Ricketts Durangs Asleys & Brick Layers they are all difficulty pieces to play but Dundees superceeds them all it is compoused Entirely out of 16th & 32-d notes in all I can play one Hundred & 22 pieces of music Diffient pieces Including Revelee down to tattoo myself Mrs White and miss Agnes all of us attended the Reunion [*1380*]at Greenville on the 7, 8 & 9th it was only 20 miles from our Home Agnes enjoyed it very much she will write to you to morrow the geathering was very large & the weather favourable two Axidents one man killed and one boy Injured as a general apperanc on such an ocasion as a reunion it reminds one of old camp life during the dark days of the Rebelion Hurrah for Harrison I sincerely trust that we can elect Harrison politicks is commencing in good Ernist in Michigan I am happy to state that the crops so far look Splented if no frost will interfeer we will have abundanc of all most everything such as we raise in mich, ever Kind Regards Meny thanks good Health We Remain as a family your true and loveing Friends W E. White Hon. J. HoltMany thanks dear Judge for the nice cream & cake, which we all enjoyed.-- Very truly A. McS. 17th Aug: '88-- [1381]Aug. 18, '88 Hon. J. Holt: My dear Sir: I send you a few flowers to prove my permanency of residence, all of which I have grown here within 12 months. I know it is "sending coal to Newcastle" but 'seeing is believing'. this weather [1382-3]puts one in a melting mood and I judge that even the ardor of the politicians is moved (or unmoved) by it. Things are so dull. The note from Col. Piatt will show you that he already regrets his enterprise in the Magazine. Trust you are well and enjoying the shades of your fine trees. Very sincerely E. V. D Miller.Lake View Aug 18th 1888 Dear Uncle Holt I received your welcome letter and was glad to hear from you I am well and hope you are enjoying the same blessing. I received the music you sent me and thank you very much for it. it is just what I wanted. Our school will begin in about three weeks and I am very glad of it. We all went to the reunion and had a very nice time there were lots of soldiers there and they all seem to have a very nice time [*1384-5*]Gov. Luce was there and Senator Palmer was there and delivered a speech. there were not very many accidents happened only two one man got his head cut of and one got one of his legs broken. It is not very warm here now. Well this is all for this time please answer. From your young friend Agnes WhiteLouisville Ky. Aug. 18th 1888. Judge Joseph Holt. Washington City D. C. Dear Cousin, Enclosed you will find a letter from Prof. C. R. McRea of Troy Ala. The position for which I applied was the lower primary which bears a salery of $75.00 per month. To better fit myself for this position, I want to attend one session of the Cook County Normal School at Englewood Ill. I have written to Col. Parker to know the amount of money it will take for my expenses for that time [*1386*]Whatever the amount may be I want to borrow the money from you and pay you back as fast as I can earn the money. The property which grand mother left us has so far been of no value to us. I spent two months at Bloomfield. Uncle is rapidly loosing his sight by the aid of his glasses he can scarcely read the head lines of the papers. Aunt Sallie's health is better. She has had the stair way removed from the parlor and placed in the hall. The entire house has been put in comple repair and painted. The outside is a pretty stone color. The rooms are different. My brother, Horace, and Cousin Nannie's children are still at Bloomfield. Cousin, no one knows of the request which I have of you, and, if you think best not to grant, I shall love you just as well as I do now. I suppose Cousin Sallie Dorsey has given you an account of her trip to Texas. Hoping to hear from you soon, I remain, Your affectionate cousin, Sallie S. Stone 1900 Baxter Avenue Louisville Ky. P. S. I am in the Highlands but have my mail sent to 1900 Baxter Ave. Sallie Stephens Stone.The Victoria Sixth Avenue near Kingsley Street, Miss S. Kempe. Asbury Park, N.J. Aug 21st 1888 My dear Friend I happened accidentally to take up the July No. of the "North American Review"--containing the correspondence of yourself and Mr Speed, which I read with the greatest interest. The light in which you present the matter appeals favorably to the right judgment of any fair minded person. As a friend and neighbor allow me to say how deeply I sympathize with you in the great injury, and injustice you have received in the entire matter, but earnestly trust in this instance. "truth crushed to Earth will rise again"-- I hope some day I shall have the pleasure of seeing the whole of this nation placed between two causes (at your own instance) in such a form, that those who come after us in later days can readily refer to facts. Hoping you are in the enjoyment of better health, and that on my return I may have the pleasure of seeing you more frequently, I remain as ever Your most sincere friend [1387] Mary E. McCarty,August 25th 1888. My dearest Friend. The condition of my eyes explains the cause of my prolonged silence. Since June, my sister E_a. has acted as amanuensis for your friend and to her audible reading am I indebted, for all I know of the outside world and passing events. Dr Cheatham finds I am threatened with cataract, and the optic nerve of my left eye is seriously affected. no trouble has so completely prostrated my life [*1388*]as this impending calamity. Were it not for hope, I should pray to die, and trust I shall when my vision departs. I look to the great "Physician, whose power is infinite, & who hath said, "all things are possible to him that believeth." Yesterday, & to-day, my sight is clearer & I experience less sense of fatigue in using my eyes. My pen is required to rest every few lines, so I don't think my present exercise will injur. So many weeks have elapsed since I have received any missive, that I write in uncertainty of your presence at Washington. though trust should you be away, some provision for the safety of your mail has been made. so soon as I learn your whereabouts will attempt to write you at length should no unfavorable change occur. To be denied Communion, would be depriving me of my chief joy. Should it be inconvenient to write, the sending of any token will signify your location. Nothing of my special interest has transpired since my last, events relating to home life I mean. Mrs. E_ has returned from White Sulpher, W.V. and gone to Crab Orchard, Last evening the grand Ballthere came off. Dr. is on a transacting business for & purchasing property in the mineral regions of this state. The reinvestment of which I spoke has been accomplished though at figures drawing on my principal, & which I much regretted. Having broken into it I have bought me a lady's Phaeton, beautiful, & which cost me hundred and forty, the harness was eighteen, and the house for shelter involved the expense of twenty dollars. I was without any means of conveyance to Town & my physical strength unequal to the lengthy and oft required walks.During the forenoons I can have the use of one of Mrs E_'s Carriage horses. and the exercise of driving I like. Perhaps next year, I may not have to call on her. She has been kinder to me during the past summer than ever heretofore. actually, presented me with a sick dress, such my shabbiness, as to mortify her pride. The only time I ever gained any thing from being indifferently dressed, whilst at Louisville during the [1389]Spring with her. I have had no intelligence, from H_m, since June, at which twice he was very unwell and suffering from a disease generally fatal, I am miserable about him and each hour fear for the worst, dreading, to look upon the mail. He wrote me so hopeful in speaking of his business prospects, & promised to extend me assistance. But on this I am unrelying, since disappointment is ever ready to blight my hopes, still if in sincerity intended, I appreciate. How is your health? may you tell me it has improved, at least, no unfavorable change taken place. I have thought you had gone to some cool resort in Virginia, as was wont to be your custom. If the temperature at W_n equaled that in Western states this transition was necessary. Since our refreshing and copious rains the air is much cooler, vegetation revived and animal life invigorated. Thanks, to our Father above. Do not trouble to write me if inconvenient--Just mail some printed matter. Praying to receive something from your hand and that God, is still gracious toward you, I am, whether silent, or in audible communion, ever and devotedly yours, Thine only--Hartford, Ct. 25 Aug 1888 Hon Joseph Holt Dear Sir, Personally a stranger, I cannot refrain from expressing a deep sympathy with you in the keen sense of wrong done you by Mr Stanton, and Mr Speed, in withholding from you the written & open declaration of your having done your whole duty in placing before President Johnson the recommendation of five members of the Commission in favor of clemency towards Mrs Surratt. I don't think your reputation will now suffer in authentic record of this transaction as part of the history of the War of the Rebellion. I don't see how any student of the material can fail to throw the whole responsibility of final action on the President against the known (to him) recommendation of a majority of the Commission, which found her guilty and nothing was withheld from him by you. It will give me great satisfaction to possess copies of the two pamphlets published by you in 1873 in vindication of yourself. Very Respectfully Your Ob. St. Henry Barnard-- Please accept the enclosed circular letter sent for my identification. [*1390*] P.S. The above note was penned after reading Mr Holt's letter to Hon James Speed as printed in the North American Review for July, 1888.Louisville Ky. Aug. 28th 1888 Dear Cousin: Your favor of the 25th inst has reached me and for which I am much oblige. In reply I must intrude upon you some very unpleasant family history. While at Bloomfield I was denied companions of my own age, and the only gentleman near my age who was permitted to visit the family socially was a young man who owned a portion of the adjoining farm. The natural consequence of such an arrangement of affairs was that we took great interest in each other. About six years ago two gentlemen for whom uncle had gone security for large amounts failed. Aunt & Cousin bought in uncle's property [*1391*] [*P.S. The reason I wrote to you was, you have always had a kind word for me and I love you and I believe you love me. If you fins that I have done wrong tell me and I will try to be different. From those whom I trust and love, I will take correction. Affectionately Sallie S. Stone*] and kept it in the family. My mother was never liked by my father's family and, while I was at Grand mother's, mother was trying to support herself by sewing and keeping boarders. When I knew how affairs stood, I felt that I ought not to be an object of charity and determined as I had been blessed with an education that I ought to be self sustaining. As I heard of schools, I applied for them when my mail came the letters were opened and answered without my consent. "that I did not have to teach." The thirty second school for which I applied, I was fortunate enough, through the kindness of my friend, to secure. It was in the neighborhood of his mother's about five miles from Bloomfield, and the school which years before his only sister was teaching when she got her feet wet while walking to school and died from the cold contracted at that time. I boarded with hisanother who was a widow and a distant cousin of fathers and who was intimate with my father's family. The school was but a mile from the house and I was furnished a horse which I kept all day and rode as much after school as I wanted. In short I was petted by the entire family and I love all of them. The young gentleman asked for me. [Uncle] Aunt did not object and Uncle gave him his full consent. They insisted on his visiting the house and showed him every courtesy. But they scolded me and did not like it because he came to see me. Consequently I resigned my school and Aunt did not like this. The trustees did not accept the resignation and aunt told me that I must finish my school. One morning on my way to school, I had one of the little girls behind me and was riding along talking to some gentlemen when [*1391a*]I felt the saddle turning. I had not finished saying "my saddle's turning" when I went over backwards. I caught the saddle as I went over and, as soon as my friends could they came to me. The little girl was not much hurt. My foot was gotten out of the stirrup and I went on with my school. I was badly injured internally but did not want to give up. But I got so sick that I had to. My physician pronounced me an invalid for life and sent me to my mother who had moved to Louisville. The physicians here were of the same opinion;: but my betrothed was more anxious to marry me than ever But my mother opposed it on account of my health. I told to wait perhaps I could get well after all. He did wait; but I when got well my family tried themselves and have brought about misunderstandings which I fear will never be righted. [My]+ Five years ago I left Bloomfield vowing never to return. I made my own living by teaching. I came home from La Rue Co. sick and heard that Cousin Nannie Brown was sick' before I was able to leave the house she died. I dressed and went to the house; but Cousin Sallie would not speak to me. Then Grand Ma died, my brothers were sent for but I was not wanted The objection to Mr. Greene was insanity in his family. He is a preacher & a broken hearted man. Some months ago, Cousin Nannies husband secured a divorce for the wife of a saloon keeper and then married her. Before his marriage he mortgaged his interest in his wife's estate to Cousin Sallie Dorsey. As Mrs. Brown is Irish-Catholic Aunt & Cousin will make every effort to keep the children. In order to collect the rents from the Texas land, Cousin Sallie [*1392*]and Mrs. Webb went to Texas. Servants are scarce & hard to find. Aunt was sick and Uncle blind. Cousin took a notion that I must come back. One of my Sunday School pupils, a young lady about 17 th had accidently caught fire and horribly burned. I called to see her, and, as I was not teaching and had no home, I staid and assisted in nursing her. My youngest brother has married in a circle that I can't mingle in. His wife is several years his senior and of the servant girl order of society. I don't think she ever hired out, but she is of that circle. The whole family insisted that I must go back to B. I did not want to go but for peace I went. When I came home to John's I was completely broken down. I had two months hard work and in return got from Cousin Sallie $10.00 and from Aunt an old silk dress. I am sorry to tell you this,but it is the only explanation I can give of being alone in the world. My reason for writing to you for the loan was this. I heard of the vacancy at Troy Ala. and applied. Mr McRea told me that he could give me no encouragement just now and asked me how I taught certain branches. His reply to my last letter I sent to you. The reason that I made choice of Illinois was to have the benefit of Col. Francis W. Parker's views and methods of teaching. He is one of the most prominent leaders of what is termed The New Education. The new ideas and methods are improving our schools and I don't think that it will be long before Old Kentucky can look with pride upon her schools and the various enterprises which are springing up [*1392a*]all over the state. Her sails are gradually swelling and before long she will be out of the saragossa. I hope that you will be entertained by the parades of The Commercial Club. I think that they will take place at intervals between the 7th & 29th of Sep. I wrote to Col. Parker by the same mail that I wrote to you. I suppose by his delay that he is on a lecturing tour. He lectured here, but I was not at home at the time. I have read his "Talks on Teaching" and "Quincy Methods". Which I have found to be of service in the school room. I am sorry Cousin, that you have to suffer from the freaks of fortune and am sorry to annoy you with the contents of this letter. My brother who is a drummer will get mother and myself rooms and with the assistance of my brother Horace who is on the farm with Uncle. I think that we can get along. Your Cousin Sallie S. StoneAunt & Cousin told me that if I could not get a school or any thing to do that I could stay there until I could get something to do. Aunt, Uncle & Cousin have been very kind to my brother; but have not much use for myself and mother. Since I have been with my mother I have done all for her that I could. My old Sunday School teacher who is a lawyer has assisted me in getting mother's interest in her Uncle's estate and think she will have enough to clothe herself and perhaps be independent of her children. [*1393*]Lexington Ky August 29th 88 My dear Mr Holt I have been thinking of you so much that I can not resist writing, I do not want you to be troubled with replying, and yet--I do want a line to tell me how you are, I know it has been your custom to leave the city during the Summer and the fact that you have not done so this Season makes me fear you are more feeble. Or is it that [*1394*]you are too well to need the change, I remember with pleasure how well and vigorous you were when here, Perhaps just now I am nervous and over anxious about those I love. So many have been taken from me that I would draw closer to those who are left, and you will make me happy if you will promise me if the time ever comes when I can do aught for your comfort or pleasure you will call upon me as you would a daughter I know nothing that would give me more happiness than to be able to add in some way to yours. Ever since I can remember I have thought of you as the friend whom of all others my Father loved and trusted. My dear Father! My sense of loss deepens each day, and the whole world seems changed, and yet I have so much to comfort me, What proud and tender memories I have, I do not believe any manever left a whiter record and I wish you could read all the loving and beautiful things that have been written of him. The family always wish to be lovingly remembered to you. Will you come to Kentucky this Fall?, and if you do, Will you not make us a real visit. Yours most truly M E Harrison 174 S. LimestoneCOOK COUNTY NORMAL SCHOOL, FRANCIS W. PARKER, Principal. Englewood, Ill., Sept 1 1888, Miss Sallie S. Stone-- Dear Madam My prolonged absence must account for the delay in answering yours of Aug. 18. You can enter the Professional Training Class of this school. The expenses (see circular) are $75 Tuition $120 Board--from $20 to $40 incidentals You can enter at any time. Very truly yours Francis W. Parker [*120 75 40 _____ $235.*] [*1395*]To Hon. Joseph Holt with compliments of the author [*Sep 6*] True Democracy. The South and a Tariff for Protection. A New Era in the Old Section. By George Baber. (OF KENTUCKY). To the Editor of the Irish World :— The conclusive way in which you discuss all questions relating to the Tariff renders your journal a potent advocate of the Protective system. The activity now apparent among the Free-Trade Democrats in pressing their vicious theories forward makes it necessary that the friends of American industries shall increase their resistance to the revolutionists; and in pursuance of this necessity the courageous intelligence of The Irish World deserves the warmest praise. The Free- Trade Democrats, led by Mr. Cleveland, Mr. Carlisle, Mr. Mills and Henry George, are doing now as dangerous a work as the Secession Democrats, led by Jefferson Davis, Mr. Yancy, Mr. Toombs and Mr. Breckenbridge, undertook in 1860-61, when inaugurating the Rebellion; and the American people, having subdued the latter by the force of patriotic arms, should suppress the former by the power of overwhelming ballots. The South is guided now by the same leaders, in spirit and in principle, as of old; but it may be rescued from their grasp by a bold movement upon their lines, and I wish, as a Democrat, to share in THE ASSAULT. Though a native of Tennessee and a Kentuckian by adoption, my views agree with those of the protectionists, regardless of party names. The principle on which the protective system rests should be cherished as a tenet of political faith, as a doctrine of political economy, and as an essential part of the Government itself. A sounder declaration was never uttered on this point than that of President Jackson, who, in his second annual message, referring to the authority of Congress to adjust import duties "with a view to the encouragement of domestic branches of industry," said that, if such authority did not exist in the [*1397*]2 general Government, our political institutions would present "the anomaly of a people stripped of the right to foster their own industry and to counteract the most selfish and destructive policy which might be adopted by foreign nations." This declaration is now, as when made by its famous author, an expression of true Democracy. It was uttered by President Jackson in view of the announcement of certain FREE-TRADE FALLACIES on part of the men who projected South Carolina's original scheme of nullification, and was intended as a reply to the same theory upon which were based secession and rebellion in 1860-'61. The formulation of that theory was distinctly embodied in the "Confederate States Constitution," to the effect that "no bounties shall be granted from the Treasury, nor shall any duties or taxes on importations from foreign nations be laid to promote or foster any branch of industry"—an expression that was in conflict not only with the Eighth Section of the Federal Constitution, but with the language and intent of the Tariff bill that, at the instance of James Madison and with the approval of George Washington, was enacted in 1789 by the first Congress that convened under that instrument. It is not to be denied that the Free-Trade views that governed the leaders of nullification in 1832, and that were given expression in the "Confederate States Constitution," are still maintained by the Free-Trade Democracy under the guidance of Carlisle and Mills, who, pretending to represent the South, are the chief assailants of a tariff for Protection and cling to the exploded doctrines of Randolph and Calhoun in opposition to the wiser teachings of Andrew Jackson, who, when counseling the Southern people, said, "build your factories and workshops close to your plantations and your farms, and you will confer inestimable and innumerable blessings on the whole American people by that policy." THE OLD SECESSION-FREE-TRADE LEADERS, who are sincerely devoted to certain follies of the past, continue to control the South, but are losing ground every day. Free discussions of the Tariff and the diversification of industries are destroying the time-honored fallacies of that section. New blood and healthier brains are getting to the front. Mere party names are losing their power to enslave the intellect. Divorced from superficial maxims and from senseless prejudices, the younger men are thinking and acting for themselves. They reject the legacies of the rebellion. They are substantially saying : ' If manufactures and a Protective Tariff have enriched the North and the West, why should not we avail ourselves of the same means to develop our resources and make money ? Manufactures do undoubtedly multiply values, increase employments, raise wages, found towns, open markets, establish schools, accumulate wealth and improve a community in innumerable ways; and if Protective duties help manufactures, then, give us Protective duties.' These are practical views—far better than theory. The younger men of the South, impelled by such views, are applying facts to sophistries and abandoning the Bourbon leaders. In regard to the old lines of thought they feel, as Augustine Birrell expressed it, that, "as for maxims, we, all of us, have our little hoard of maxims wherewith to preach down our hearts and justify anything 3 shabby we may have done ; but the less we import their cheap wisdom into history the better." In the South THE RESULTS OF PROTECTION have vindicated the system; nor is there the slightest foundation for Senator Wade Hampton's recent assertion that "the interests of the States of Virginia, Tennessee and Alabama, particularly, are advanced by low duties." Just the opposite of this assertion is true. Senator Hampton is a marked type of the old Free-Trade school of political economists, of which John Randolph, Rayne and McDuffie were long while the head and front. He belongs to a past era of provincialism, the return of which would blight the whole prospect of American nationality, greatness and power. He is unwittingly blinded by the exploded theories of a defunct statesmanship. In contradistinction to Senator Hampton's assertion, it is an obvious fact that all the centres of progress in Virginia, in Tennessee, in Kentucky, in Alabama, in Georgia, and, I may add, in the Carolinas, are and for years have been drawing their inspiration from our much-abused system of protective duties. That system has multiplied investments in every field of Southern endeavor. It has brought millions of money into the South and put it into co-operation with labor. It is extinguishing the remains of slavery. It is turning the old into the new. President Harrison clearly disclosed the PHILOSOPHY OF THE SITUATION when, in his Inaugural Address, discussing the effects of a Tariff for Protection, he said of the Southern States :— "Mill fires were lighted at the funeral pile of slavery. The emancipation proclamation was heard in the depths of the earth as well as in the sky—men were made free and material things became our better servants. The sectional element has happily been eliminated from the Tariff discussion. We have no longer States that are necessarily only planting States. None one are excluded from acheiving that diversification of pursuits among the people which brings wealth and contentment. The cotton plantation will not be less valuable when the product is spun in the country town by operatives whose necessities call for diversified crops and create a home demand for garden and agricultural products. Every new mine, furnace and factory is an extension of the productive capacity of the State, more real and valuable than added territory." Rising to her feet with the aid of a Tarff for Protection, and in spite of reactionary leaders, the South represents the pluck, the vigor, the intelligence and the patriotism of men who are building anew from the ashes of a desolated fabric. The spectacle is without a parallel. Statisticians contemplate it with wonder. Before the war, the South knew but little of factories, of mills and of furnaces. Scarcely a mine, whether of iron, of copper, of lead, or of coal, in all its borders, had been touched by the hand of toil. Immense districts of country, abounding in bidden wealth, were inhabited by a population that seemed content to enjoy "The silence that is in the starry sky, The sleep that is among the lonely hills." But look, now, at Virginia, West Virginia, Eastern Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia and Florida! A new life has been brought to light through trial and distress. As THE RESULT OF ONE DECADE, there are in the south three hundred cotton mills, affording employment to two million spindles, the annual product of which exceeds in value fifty million 4 dollars. In Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Virginia, West Virginia and Georgia alone, there are one hundred blast furnaces which produced last year nearly two million tons of pig iron. Since 1880, about fifteen thousand lumbering establishments have been erected in the South, giving wages to more than one hundred thousand laborers, and yielding one hundred million of dollars per year; and, in the same period, the increased mileage of Southern railroads is estimated at double that which existed at the close of 1879. These facts are only a small part of the story, but are profoundly interesting. They tell not of Tariff "op- pression," nor of "robbery," nor of "monopoly," but of freedom, and of inspiration to new-born activities. They are reverberations of the emancipation proclamation that has been "heard in the depths of the earth as well as in the sky." They are condensed volumes of Tariff history. And in considering the effects of the protective system upon the country's wealth and growth, I am reminded of the important fact, as stated by an authentic writer, that, "upon the importations of a considerable period, as, for example, since the enactment of the Morrill Tariff, in 1861,a careful reckoningcan not fail to show that the saving to the American people, by reason of the stimulated home competition in the cost of the Foreign commodities consumed here, far exceeds the duties paid into the Treasury." The Northern capital planted in the enterprises I have named never tended to the South before, and owes its presence and its safety, no less than its profit, to our beneficent system of Protection, whereby the differences between the costs of production abroad and at home are covered by import duties, and the South insured at once the benefits of domestic competition and the advantages of an ever-enlarging market. That capital would promptly withdraw to other fields, if deprived of the Tariff's fostering care. In view of such considerations as these, the friends of a Tariff for Protection should become UNITED THROUGHOUT THE SOUTH without regard to either old party names or party ties. The principle and policy at stake are above the behests of party politics and superior to the dictates of party leadership. The advocates of a "Tariff for revenue only" are Free-Traders for all practical purposes. They are persistent assailants of protective duties; and the disguise in which they appear as "revenue reformers" is too thin to hide their real features. They decry the protective views of James Madison, James Monroe, Andrew Jackson, James Buchanan, and Silas Wright; but they applaud the vicious theories of Josiah Quincy, John Randolph, Robert Toombs. Jefferson Davis, John G. Carlisle and Henry George. This, however, is a day for fervent patriotism and for practical statesmanship ; and every young man of the South, in the presence of the great problems of the hour, should avow himself an earnest hater of useless abstractions and of metaphysical politics! Washington, D. C., Aug. 22, 1889. Louisville Ky. Sep. 6th 1888. Judge Joseph Holt. Washington City D. C. Dear Cousin, Enclosed please find Col. Parker's letter. I find that I could not go even if I had the money. I thank you for your kindness. My mother loaned her money, which was not a great deal, and her house hold furniture to my married brother. He is hard pushed and I must get to work and take mother. Her land which I spoke of is not saleable unless a rail road passes through it. Your cousin, Sallie S. Stone. [*1398*]DONN PIATT. EDITOR OF BELFORD'S MAGAZINE. 384 & 386 BROADWAY, NEW YORK, Sept. 7th, 1888 Hon. Joseph Holt. My dear Friend:-- Will you be kind enough to write me in what number of the "North American" I can find your article in reference to Andrew Johnson and that Surratt business? I am very anxious to read it and only heard yesterday from Mr. George Gorman that I could find it in the "North American". I send you by to-day's mail a little book of mine lately published. It may serve to amuse you for a time. Hoping that you are well, I remain, Yours sincerely, Donn Piatt (Dictated.) Dear friend, I put this note in type for my writing has come to be a cross between a teacher and a [???] DP. [*1399*]ZBE Tuesday - Sept 11th Since this first sheet I have not written one letter--was interrupted, & that night an acute inflammation of the eyes commenced. A large lump developed on one under lid, & a string of granulations on both--not yet are they quite well--& until two days ago I have not been allowed even to read five minutes. Miss Swan has read to me & written my letters. I always thought I would very soon be able to write you myself, but I wish now I had forwarded you the first sheet with an explanation of my silence from her. Now--for I must be brief-- please write me at once, how you are, what doings & projecting--& above all if you will not come & make me a visit--This month or [*1400*]the next--as suits you best. Through many wakeful nights-- for I suffer greatly from insomnia. I have worried over this dead silence between us, & determined to end it if possible. The autumns here are pleasant & not too cold. Come & talk to me & drive with me as in former days--& when winter comes--if I be this side of the ocean, I mean to pass one or two months in your city, & again seek my welcome by your hearth.--- Do you notice that "if'? You will be surprised to know--that prostrate & depressed--utterly inadequate to the cares & requirements of home & society--(multiplied here in recent summers.) I already sometimes feel that only by drifting away again, & being lost from my own proper place can I find the still needed time for recuperation. I remind myself of Victor Hugo's ship, that after sailing through the breakers, & escaping the guns of the pursuing enemy, went down by inches in a calm. ---A friend of mine, whose son is living in Malaga--Spain, is going there for the winter. Sailing directly to Gibraltar. She takes a trusty servant with her--will be met by her son-- & urges me to accompany her. Returned so recently--it seems madness to dream of it does it not?--but oh my friend I am so leaden myself, I seek out for others buoyancy--& care little whither I drift--- Write to me--scold or approve of me-- do anything--only let me feel the old dear interest--The strength which for so many years has never failed me.Have you ever been unable to use your eyes for a long time? I fancy it is only by having known such deprivation you can measure the deep depression I suffer.---Forgive--I am gaining--perhaps the mood will pass. My sister & niece are well, & would desire warmest regards. The baby you helped to christen is marvellously sweet--but no one needs me-- my anchors are being uprooted --yet do I cling to you Faithfully Z--Wednesday, Sept. 12. 1888. Hon. J. Holt, My dear Sir: I have read your correspondence with Gen. Speed in the North American Mag. with profound interest. If you remember when I was first in this city after the war, (and when I received so many kindnesses from you which I can never forget)-- I had frequent interviews with President Johnson, and was a guest in the same Hotel with Judge Bingham, so that I have discussed the subject treated of with you three gentlemen. I asked Mr. Johnson questions, he [1401]not knowing that you had informed me at all, and when he replied, I endeavored to solve the truth, so at variance, but could never understand how persons could be so deceived. If you remember I asked you if he could have been under the influence of drink, and you replied, "On the contrary he was freer from it than I ever saw him; he had been unwell", &c. Then he showed me the book of proceedings & spoke of the detached paper, & said, "Why was it not in this book?" I asked you the question, and you said promptly, "because it was not a part of the proceedings of the court." And Mr Bingham said, You had read the paper to the Cabinet assembled. I said, "Mr. Bingham that is not what Judge Holt told me; he said he was alone with Mr. Johnson and unfortunately had no witness, when he read him the paper. You told me of his silent & grave reception of the reading, & his remark at the close: "How long a time did she or they give their victim?" He said to me he dared not act otherwise than he did; that they were trying to implicate him in the assassination & he dared not use clemency under the pressure of the circumstances. So you can see how deeply anxious I have been for a light to clear the mystery. I knew it was simply & utterly impossible for Judge Holt to deviate from a sense of truth & honor. I hated to think the President would basely violate his word, and there seemed a vague idea of misapprehension involved that might be cleared--but alas, the corroboration of your statement seems to rest with Judge Speed in this world, while the great & good God only sees & mirrors the truth of your soul. Be assured no doubt-- no shadow of a doubt as to your truth & honor has rested in my mind a moment. Excuse the length of my note. Sincerely your friend E.V D Miller.Harrisville Ky. Sept 14. Mr Holt Kind Friend- Having heard that the "Memorial Chapel had been formally deeded to the Church I write to thank you for it. I feel a special interest in the Church there, and have been wanting all the year to go up to the "Bottom" and see the Chapel since since it has been so beautifully improved in its surroundings and especially wanted to come up while you were there, but could not do so, I have been hoping that by resting my voice this year and not preaching I would recuperate and be [*1402*]able to preach again. It has been my desire again to become the pastor of the Church in the bottom. I have never held the relation of pastor to a people in whom I felt so much interest as the people there, and if it shall please the Lord to restore my voice I hope that it will fall to my lot to be their pastor again. I have improved somewhat but not sufficiently to justify my taking an appointment from my Conference which meets this month. If it were in my power I would avail myself of your suggestion in the last letter you wrote me, to spend the winter in Florida My circumstances are such that I cannot do so. [However] However, I hope by resting my voice another year that it will be sufficiently restored by next fall for me to preach again. Will you visit the bottom again this fall? I would be glad [again] to come up and see you if you do. May God reward you for your liberality to my Church and kindness to myself-- Yours sincerely S. C AllenPage. 1. Lake View Sept 16 1888 Dear uncle Holt As I have not heard from you for a long time I thought perhaps you were sick and so I thought I would write again hoping to hear from you soon and to hear that you are well, we are all well at present. It has been raining here to day which we needed very much for it has been very dry here and the woods have been all a fire. Our school begun a week a go last Monday we have the same teachers that we had last year and we have a good school. [*1403*]page. 2. Uncle Holt will you please send me the music to Webster's funeral march and Instrumental Folio of music beginning with Convent Bells by G. Ludovic, O.P. 48, well this is all for this time. Please answer I remain your young friend Agnes White [*1403 1/2*]FREDERRIK[S]STED. ST. CROIX. DANISH WEST INDIES. Sept 18th/88 Dear Sir. A six week's visit from a friend, who, in returning home, will post this in America, & a sharp little attack of sickness which caused me to miss the last two mails, oblige me to offer these excuses for my long delay in gratefully acknowledging the receipt of your most interesting letter, which, in its kindly & friendly tone, was the more welcome & pleasant because I had felt a little shy & uncomfortable after sending mine with fear lest you might have thought me intrusive or presumptuous in approaching you without personal acquaintance But the hearty and cordial acceptance of what I had so strong an impulse to say, the very unexpected interest in my own being & welfare, & indeed, the happy surprise that you had any remembrance of me at all, all went together to make your stirring reply a memorable & delightful matter to me. The more I thought of it the more I [*1404*] Am convinced that it was a wise judgement to have published this correspondence, because [upon] to an unbiased mind, the sincerity on your part, & the shiftiness, the unreasoning & inexplicable obstinacy on that of Speed, must necessarily carry the sense of great wrong coldly and cruelly done, & a great injury endured with that keen pain, which to the high-minded, is more acute than any other as it comes from a stab at the honor. I wonder though, you did not take this method of vindication years ago, for time is always ripe for the truth with those whose opinion is worth having; & it is they even now apart from the undeveloped mass, who will read between the lines, & with honest acceptance of your statement, will leaven crude conclusions of lower minds often too readily influenced by the evil of uncharitableness; So that you may yet live, I hope & trust I feel that the evil these men did, has at last died with them, & like an Australian boomerang, has turned again & struck their own reputations in public estimation. And always there must come to you, from more quarters than one, the sympathy & tenderness which generous & chivalrous Souls Naturally feel for a sore hurt; while the sure Staff of strength upon which your spirit must lean is the knowledge that comes to all deep reflection that, though in the mysterious eternal purposes, we are called to suffer through men, yet God, who is of Constant Everlasting Memory, He knows & standing white- -souled before Him, to whom the very anguish of life only often drives us, we can keep our Idea of immortal Justice while the ephemera of human delusions as a fashion of this world passeth away. I was very much touched and pleased with your kindly interest in my personality & experiences, but while my life has been at times full of individual incident, there has been very little really eventful to relate. It has always been quiet & domestic, mostly obscure, filled with many sorrows, sicknesses, & changes, I generally so occupied in the avocations & duties of home & kindred, that there has been little leisure or opportunity for the coveted pursuit of my own tastes, or much-harvest from special faculties; & in this way, perhaps, the innate poet temperament has made the prose of existence a little hard & heavy sometimes, but as age comes on apace, we find in every station & condition, that patience garners wisdom, & that is the best end & gain of being, the beleif in happiness being a belonging of youth only. My greatest luxury & enjoymenthas always been among any books, & I am an omnivorous reader, a slight deafness having , for many years, more or less shut me out from general social dissipation. I was possessed , from time out of mind, (demonically , I sometimes think since we came here) with a passion to live in the West Indies; & have certainly found better health, freedom from the rheumatism & neuralgic fiends, the satisfaction of lovely scenery & charming color, & a beautiful temporary home, but otherwise I do not find this island residence any more ideal or paradisal than anywhere else. Some day we shall gather up what is left of household goods & gods, & braving again the Arctic winters, return to the best, the dearest of all countries, unrivalled America; & when that shall occur, I will make, if you will be so good as to permit, some chance to meet you face to face, as one of those always living in my memory as belonging to my dead. Yrs Respectfully. Sarah Bridges Stebbins.The Uplands-Sept 19/88. My dear Mr Holt- Your letter is before me, & I have read & reread it until my heart is benumbed with its strange chill-- I was so glad to receive this letter-- felt so grateful for the quick response-- pleased to see that it was long--moved even to happy tears at the dear unfailing sympathy for my poor eyes--rejoiced also in your remonstrance at my depression-- and here let me say that I am not I think of gloomy temperament, or prone to exaggerate my sorrows or ailments. My long inability to use my eyes did sadden me--especially in speaking to you, from whom I felt they had debarred me--but my life is cheerful, & full of recognized blessings--My insomnia had undoubtedly brought on me great weakness-- which my eyes shared but did not monopolize--my cares & duties here seemed at that time too much for my physical strength--but I did not mean to convey to you the idea that I was unhappy-- [*1405*]My "castles in Spain"- possible but now not probable, as I feel stronger- tempted me because of their promised indolent pleasure- & many wakeful nights, (five in one week I did not sleep until dawn) had so sapped my vitality that my friends here thought some entire change must be attempted, & one that would entirely free me from care- Well I am better now let me return to your letter- Alas the "frank explanation"! You thought me entirely changed & finding correspondence irksome - Oh my dear- my dear how little you understand me! every throb of my heart is loyal to you- & the person does not live so dear & honored, is so longed for as yourself. Have I not responded fully to your letters? I meant to do so- I am everything to you I ever was- except grown older - & changed only with the inevitable years- When I said "Come & drive with me" I did not forget our last drive here - That was a mistake - an unintentional one- The young lady wanted to go & I did not deny her - I was so unconscious of not pleasing you I even supposed you had enjoyed it until you told me- but knowing how you felt then I would certainly not repeat the mistake- If you will come I will drive you myself, & in every way possible to me prove my feelings at least have suffered no alienation. And there is so much to talk of- my pleasant winter in old Rome- The catholic atmosphere I moved in- my month about the beautiful bay of Naples- my glimpse of the Isle of Wright &c When I remember how I used to see those foreign lands only through your 'eyes of memory'; I feel as though I ought in return to sketch you some of my wanderings, albeit they were far more circumscribed than yours- I have enjoyed them all, & their recollections enrich my quiet upcountry life here, but I make no new close friends, & if you abdicate from the pedestal where I Iong ago enthroned you, there will be no successor. Admiral & Mrs Worden havebeen as usual my summer neighbors. Miss Grace was on the coast of Maine until September, but is here now & I am sorry to say in wretched health. General & Mrs Wallace were also here about three weeks, but much of that time I was not well. The General's "Life of Harrison" is doubtless on your library table- his "Ben Hur" has increasing sales- from the 13th of July to the 1st of Sept-17000- Wonderful is it not? - I hope nothing will tempt [you] him to enter political life again! it has no gift worthy his acceptance. Should Harrison win the election they will visit Washington in the spring- There is a very nice boarding house opposite Mrs Worden's, & we planned to pass some weeks there together if we could so arrange it. - and in this letter you do not even intimate that you would be pleased to see me- have I then forfeited my place in your regard? and is the dear home before me (The photograph you gave hangs always in my home,) barred to my entrance? - I will notbelieve it- I love every step & stone there- it has known the happiest hours of my life & I will love it & its master until I die. Again & always Yr Z_____Washington, Sept. 20. 1888. Hon. J. Holt. My Dear Sir: The article concerning those ancient tribes in Canaan and lands adjacent of which I spoke to you last evening was in Harper's Magazine for July 1888. Respectfully Yours J. B. Taylor. [*1406*]Newport Sept. 21st ISPES MEA SUPRA Dear Judge Holt: I was worried today by seeing in the paper that there is yellow fever in Washington. You will never understand how much it troubles me to think that I have lost your friendship by what I know was a misunderstanding [1407] on your part.I have tried not to write again, but you have been a great part of my past. I was so proud of knowing you, a real patriot, and I am a hero worshipper, and then to think you should fancy me wanting in respect of affection for you, has wounded me deeply. That you should write me that self-respect forced you to write as you did, and to cease intercourse, has rankled ever since. I do not want you to answer if you feel as you did I would rather you should not, but I do want you to know that my feeling will never change. I remember once before you were angry with me and then you forgave me, so I hope against hope. I hope you have kept well thisfine season. We are all quite well. My daughter Agnes, who was with me in Washington, is engaged to a clergyman. Always with the greatest respect and affection. Your friend. M. E. C-My dearest Friend, I am in the deepest sorrow and grief. Intelligence is received of the death of my dear Son. Shad[d]ows multiply and deepen in my life and the present can never be removed. I yearn for your sympathy and ask to be remembered in your prayers. Hope I can write you at some length, after-while. The missive was received--I thank you. Thine, in trouble, as ever, in joy. Sept 22nd, 1888. [1408]Pierce Station, Tenn. Sept. 24th 1888. Dear Cousin Joseph, I have intended writing to you for sometime to ask you to give something to our Church at Pierce Station. It has not been very long since it was built, and as yet we have very few paying members. We think if we could get it fixed up some, and made more comfortable and attractive, our membership would increase and we would have a more prosperous Church. [1409]one capable of accomplishing a great deal more good than we are at present able to do. I have written to Cousin Sallie Dorsey in regard to writing to you to help us, and she says perhaps you would send us something, if I wrote to you and told you who I was. You no doubt remember your Cousin Sally A. Dorsey; who married Q.D. Gibbs, and lived in Yazoo City until their deaths both of which occurred in a few weeks of each other, about the second year of the War. I am their youngest daughter; I scarcely remember my mother & father as I was very young at the time of their deaths; but I have always heard that my mother thought a great deal of you, and it is in her name that I ask you to help our Church. We would be glad of anything you give us and certainly would appreciate it very much as coming from a favorite Cousin of my Mother's. Cousin Sallie wrote me that you had built a beautiful Memorial Church to your Mother on your old Homestead. Hoping to hear from you very soon, and that you will consider favorably this matter of helping our Church. I am your cousin, sincerely, Mrs. Jarvis Pierce.Mr. & Mrs. Coleman Beckham invite you to the marriage of their daughter Annie Dawson to Mr. William C. P. Muir, United States Navy, on Tuesday afternoon, September twenty fifth, Eighteen hundred and eighty eight, at half past five o'clock. Shelbyville, Kentucky [*1409-a*]Evansville Ind Sept 29/88 E My Dear Uncle: I did intend writing to you sooner, but was quite unwell while South, and have only the last few days felt at all, well since my return, Ma and I thank you for your kind and sympathetic letter, and she will write you before a great while. It has indeed been a dreadful blow to us all but especially so to poor Ma. I had heard of the sickness of brother Joe and Lena for two weeks had received postals nearly every day, had sent messages [*1410*]every day or two knew they had been quite sick; but on Monday received postal saying they were better; Wednesday noon had message saying they were dangerously ill started that afternoon with nurse and baby, Mr Iglehart going to the last change with me; I reached Ma's Friday afternoon but Lance had passed away at one o'clock Friday morning Oh, Uncle I can't describe my feelings to you I had always loved her so dearly she always seemed like my own child, she had been shut off from all society and had no advantages for the last four years; but she had grown so handsome was spending all her time improving herself, played beautifully on the piano, read a great deal books that would give her information on all subjects. Friday afternoon she was buried before going out to the cemetery I went in to see brother Joe I can't tell you how he looked knew me, seemed sur[p]prised to see me. I knew he could never get well, he looked as old as Pa did when he died, and so much like him, was very gray. Sunday night we were by him all night thought he would not live till day, he talked to us all, talked to Bob about his buisness, to his wife about the training of his little boy, who he almost worshipped, told all of his friends goodby, but he lingered until Monday evening at eight o'clock, he knew every one to the very last moment, he asked a friend, who had been by him during all his sickness, to lay him straight in bed layed his hands together and fell asleepwithout a moan or sigh. I never knew a man so beloved by every one--white and black, the negroes thought there was no man in the country like him his gentlemen friends flocked around his sick bed, every one anxious to do something for him. He seemed reconciled and said he was ready to die. When I told him Lena was gone he said he would meet her in Heaven, she had always been his favorite sister, had always loved her very dearly. When brother Joe died brother John was very sick with the same trouble flux. I remained until he was up walking around. I brought Ma home with me, it would have never done to have left her there, when the boys(5) would have gone about there business she would have been left entirely alone. I know she would have been sick if left there. I was sick myself in bed several days, was threatened with the same trouble in fact every one in the place was troubled the same way, not only on that place, but throughout the country, in Yazoo City there were two hundred cases at one time. Tom heard of Lena's death on Monday started home but reached there after brother Joe was buried. Now is staying with me for the present, How long I can keep her, I don't know, she has taken up housekeeping in the south but you know how it is with any one when they have [1411]have lived to Ma's age with a home of their own and their family about them, to brake up entirely is very hard There is nothing that would give Mr Iglehart or myself more pleasure than to have Ma with us alway, but I don't know how it will be. She says that she would be so much happier if she had a little cottage home and had Jim with her, he is still in the South and very dissatisfied does not like to stay there, but Ma is not able to buy a home and Jim expects to go to St Louis to Tom in the Spring, so I hope to be able to make Ma satisfied with me, but I appreciate her feeling I know it must be hard to give up your home after so many years she has a beautiful home in the South but it is in the country, and no one down there has money to buy real estate so she cant sell, it will go for very little whenever it is sold. Poor Bob I dont know what is to become of him, he is very bright, does not drink which cannot be said of very many young men of the South he has always lived with Ma, but supported him self at his profession, but it is a little sickly place not fit for a young man to settle in but he has no means to live on while getting a practice in a new place, and Ma is not able to help him now, I know I never wished for wealth before and I onlywish for it now that I might help others. I was talking with Father Iglehart the other day, and heard him say he was going to your city this Fall or Winter, I remarked I wished I could go with him to see you once more, when Mr Iglehart said I could if I wanted to, Ma being here I could leave the children under her care and visit you I cant tell you how my heart leaped at the thought but I won't think too much about it for I don't know what may be the matter at the time to prevent my going the children may be sick. As I have written you quite a long letter I will close hoping to hear from you soon Your affect niece Lockie Ma sends love.Lake View Sept 29 1888 Dear Uncle Holt I received the music you sent me and it was just what I wanted, I have got Webster's Funeral march almost learned already. Our fair begins here a week from next Tuesday. I wish you could be here and go with us. Mamma is very busy making gloves now a getting ready for the fall trade. I dont have much time to help Mamma now because I go to school every day. It is very exciting in regard to politics. It is not very warm here now well this is all for this time I remain your Young Friend please answer Agnes White [*1412*][KURZMAN &] YEAMAN, COUNSELORS AT LAW, 287 BROADWAY, Elevator on Reade St. NEW YORK, Oct 1 1888 Dear Mrs Stebbins. Yours of Sept 7th is recd today. I did not open your Uncle William's box, so that the Forum was from him and not from me. The Holt-Speed correspondence was intensely painful to me. Both gentlemen had long acted, not only as my friends, but as active, warm, appreciative friends, and both had done me service. It would not be easy for anything, to exalt Joseph Holt in my estimation. I have long ranked him as one of the first men of his day and generation; and in some respects, without [*1413*][KURZMAN &] YEAMAN, COUNSELORS AT LAW, 287 BROADWAY, Elevator on Reade St. NEW YORK,...........................188 a superior in our history. While I had not rated Mr Speed so high (except as a lawyer) yet my personal partiality for him was very great; and I finished this correspondence with a feeling of positive pain. I felt that he had not risen to the occasion--had not done justice to our friend, a cruelly maligned public benefactor. I am too full of grief and struggle, and too much out of public view to take any part in the matter. Mr Judge Holt needs no further vindication. I have not once written to him, of which [*1413-a*]I ought to be ashamed. Since my last, one case of diphtheria (youngest grandson) and Virdie's prolonged and violent cough, are the additions to never ending troubles--She seems better just now Your most sincere friend Geo H YeamanLouisville Oct 3d — My Dear Mr Holt, As quickly as possible I must tell you the pleasure your letter gave me As Dr Humphry says it is not generally the expected things that happen. I have read it over and over, and it has been a soothing balm through the headaches that have been persecuting me. One line seems [*1414*]to give promise of your presence. Is it so? Are you coming? When and for how long? I never do see enough of you, Mr Holt. You are gone before I've had a good look at you. I never get a chance to say what I want to say, and always manage to give utterance to the wrong thing, and that in a very brusque style besides. It does not perhaps occur to you that I am timid, but it's a fact, and by the time I have recovered self possession, you are half way down the river and entirely beyond reach. Why don't you and Mrs. Holt come and stay a month? That wouldn't be long, and they say the display at the exposition is superior to any former year. Miss Lizzie Hynes could meet you here too Let this be the center and stay awhile. No indeed, neither your doctrine nor your mode of presenting it could possibly be a bore to me. I would be an anomaly indeed, were I insensible to its charm. My sympathies are always alive to whatever you say, and my failure to respond has not been an unconscious omission, for your words are laid away in my heart most gratefully. Pope's line is true as far as it goes, but you give it life and beauty and warmth To me however, Mr Holt, you have always put this questionpersonally along with a warning against much work The necessity for work being the prominent thought in my own mind, I naturally shrank from touching upon what might be a little painful to you. Don't you know that for you I want only to look at the bright side of things? The revers de la medaille I refrain from turning to you. I am frank as far as I go, but I stop short of many truths. Joy is not without alloy. Pleasure unmixed with pain is not life or a season — hardly a day — "Into each life some rain must fall" — yet we neednot dampen the ardor of others with our own showers, when instead we might point the vow of promise. That is your creed and I try to follow it — to obey the instincts implanted within us, and to accept gratefully what our Heavenly Father has given. Papa used often to say the neglect to answer a letter was as impolite as to pass one on the street without saying good morning. You are always so polite — Not that you answer every letter for I don't expect that, but you do answer. The questions & answers & the mutual [*1415*]interchange of views is the feature of letter writing the very pith of a correspondence I'd be condemned any day only you are kind. My friend Mrs Markland has told me at times, I wrote the most stupid letter she ever read — it had all come out beforehand in the newspaper — Yes the old house is as it was, though the home is so changed. Yet the same routine continues, the same friends come in and out and the same voice speaks in my heart as if I could hear it. Good-bye until I see you The hair is grey — Yours truly M. Rose Speed.Mr. & Mrs. Philo C. Fuller request your presence at the marriage of their sister Kate Huntington Gilbert, to Mr. John Caldwell Holt, Wednesday evening, October sixth, at eight o'clock Park Congressional Church Grand Rapids. [*1416*] Reception. from eight until ten o'clock. 60 North Lafayette Street. At Home Wednesdays November tenth & seventeenth. 60 North Lafayette Street. Please present this card. at Park Congressional Church.Louisville Lith. Co. Louisville, Ky. Louis Zapp & Co. BAKER HAND MADE SOUR MASH KENTUCKY WHISKEY. DISTILLERS & IMPORTERS. FINE KENTUCKY WHISKIES IN BOND AND TAX PAID A SPECIALTY. DISTILLERY AND BONDED WAREHOUSE JEFFERSON CO. KY. OFFICE NO. 327 W. MARKET ST. LOUISVILLE, KY. Oct 9 1888 Mr J Holt Washington DC Dr Sir. Your favor of 6th just to hand. and shall forward to Uline as directed today many thanks for your kind favors. Yours Resptly L Zapp & Co [1417]DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, PENSION OFFICE, WASHINGTON, D. C. Oct. 10, 1888. Hon. Joseph Holt, Washington, D. C. My dear Sir: In order to sustain my character for changefulness of location, and not to disappoint my friends, I have rented my ten-room house for the season and taken up my abode with Mrs. Ogilvie, opposite to you, for the present--the house is too cold for mid winter, Gen. Black has detailed me for some special duty which takes me to the Cong'l Library, so my October days will he passed very pleasantly. Hope you will come to see me. I have wanted to see and congratulate you upon the statements of ex-Secretary McCullough regarding the Johnson- Surratt matter. It has not escaped you I am sure; but enclose the slip I cut from the paper for your use. It must be very gratifying to have this corroborative evidence, and you may now snap your fingers at Judge Speed and ask no favors of him! Are not these days beautiful and life giving? Hoping you are enjoying them to the utmost, I am Yours very truly & sincerely, [*1418*] E. V D. Miller. [*1419*]My dear Judge Holt: Mamma and I are back once more from our summer wanderings,--anxious to see our Washington friends again. And of these, you know, none will be more welcome than yourself. I hope the summer has been a very happy one; I will not say as happy as you desire for that would be scarcely possible--but bright in every way. We will be at The Gramercy for the winter, and I hope we may see you some. Mamma joins me in kindest regards. Yours very cordially Roberta Rhodes. 825 Vt. Ave. Oct. 12-1888 [1419]Cottage Grove. Oct. 12. 1888. My dear Judge Holt: You will be surprised, I fancy, at my again breaking in upon you with my pen, but I cannot longer refrain from speaking to you, even at the risk of seeming--shall I say impertinent? The Summer is past; the glory of the Autumn is upon us, and the Winter is hastening,--and with the crisp air of the present and [1420]coming season blowing almost in our faces we are apt to be planning our future work. --And some times the work of others'!--And so I have actually been devising lately a work for you!! It may be very dreadfull in me but I'm afraid I've set my heart on it too much to be satisfied with less than an afirmative. We have been very much interested for some time past in the "Reminiscences of Abraham Lincoln" that has been edited by Allen Thorndyke Rice, and I was surprised not to find among its papers anything from you. Are you inexorable? Can nothing induce, inspire you to put into permanent form the memories that are so bountifully yours? I remember you were good enough to give me when I was in Washington the pleasure of having several peeps into your mental treasure-house, and your goodness then emboldens me even at this late day to give expression to a wish I am not alonein indulging. When my brother from Indianapolis was at home this Summer I expressed to him my feeling upon the subject and he replied that he had felt the same about it, and that had he known you better he should have addressed you when in Washington last Winter upon that very matter. Now will you not let us speaking for a younger generation that has grow up since the dark days of 61-5, but who feelevery emotion of respect and confidence in you who stood in their shadow, ask for a written recollection of the men and the times amid which you labored? You will not refuse us will you? You are too brave a man to stop your ears to us, and too kind to say no to us who ask in affectionate earnest. Please think it over for our sakes and tell [1421]us that you will consent. We were sorry that our invitation reached you in the Spring too late for your acceptance. Next time you must let us know when you meditate a southern flight, and we will ask in time--if you do not think the country and country people too tiresome to visit. I have been in a position calculated to cultivate a spirit of patience. Making up my mind to go to Boston --or to stay near Bardstown, and being content in either place. It has been one of my day dreams to study a year at Harvard, and this fall I am on the verge of seeing my dream realized. As yet I am not certain of it but I am still planning for it just as though I were. We have had a most phenomenal year: The every production of Nature in perfection almost. The most regal of flowers and the most delicious of fruits. As the Winter approachesI think oftener of the pleasure of the one I spent in Washington And so much of that enjoyment I owe to you. Hoping that the coming season will prove an enjoyable one to you in every way I am as ever Very sincerely your friend Louise J. Speed.Oct 15th 1888, Judge Joseph Holt Dear Sir, I returned from my California trip only on Thursday night last, and was suffering a little from the exhaustion of travel when you called. I was sorry that it so happened, for it is always a disappointment to me to miss one of your delightful chats, but you must come again very soon. Perhaps you will find time to call next Monday if it is pleasant, and if not the first pleasant day after. This week I have a little shopping etc to do to prepare for winter. My visit to California was very satisfactory in every way. I think you would enjoy a trip there in the spring, when the air is [1422]balmy and the hills are green and the fruit orchards are all in blossom. Then the coloring must be beautiful. I enclose a few slips which may interest you although they do not do justice to the subjects With the hope that we may see you soon I am yours sincerely A Robena TaylorLexington, Kentucky Oct 15th 88 My dear friend, I wrote you a long letter some weeks ago thanking you for your dear letter but did not send it. I wrote it on one of my blue days and was ashamed of it. It would have given you a false impression too. For though I have lost all that made life dearest I am neither gloomy or repining. I have resolutely determined to take up my life & make the best of it. I have to fight against a feeling of dreaminess that will some times over whelm me & which you with not think surprising when you remember that I am deprived (with one [*you are dear to all of us & your presence will be always welcome. My sister & neice join in warm love to you and I am as I have ever been Your loving friend Mary E. Harrison*] [*1423*]excepting of all that made life dear. I must learn to live with out my Father and must grow accustomed to the feeling of loneliness which the fact that I am no longer absolutely necessary to any human being gives. I miss too all the daily cares & duties which were so long mine as head of the house hold - you will understand that it was hard at first to accustom myself to the new order of things, but I have naturally a bouyant temperament and a strong desire to be happy that I may make others so. I have long known that to be happy one must get rid of self, as much as possible [and live for it] and this I am trying to do. My dear Niece who has been to me as a daughter of course fills a larger place in my life than ever but she too will leave me after while. My Father's wish was that we should, as long as Margarettea was unmarried) remain in the old home With my sister Mrs. Simvalls. He gave the home to her because he knew that we would not be able to keep it up, and by making this division of his small estate he could give Margaretta and myself a small income which with care would keep us independant He worried a great deal about our future being most anxious to do the best for me in his power. So his loving care & fore thought still stand between me and the world. I did not send the other letter because I talked so much about self & now I am fast doing the same thing. You are so good that your kindnessand sympathy tempt me to this fault that I believe I am not often guilty of - I do hope you are well & will long keep so. You do not know how much it is to me to feel I have a friend so wise & kind to whom I may go. I only wish I could be near to brighten some cloudy day for you & show my gratitude. I would not talk of my little worries, or of my larger sorrows. I pray God to bless you & have you always in his Keeping. I always think of you most when we have a bright crisp Autumn day, and I hope you have not had as many dark, & rainy ones as we have had I am so happy to think you are coming in the Spring Can it not be for a real visitHawesville Ky, Oct 16th Mr Holt: My dear friend, I was glad to receive yours of the 6th and read it with pleasure as did also my wife and daughters, I regret very much to learn of your inability to visit the old homestead this fall, as these annual visits to the scenes of your childhood are no doubt, the occasion of great pleasure to you, and especially visiting a home so beautiful as that of your nephew and neice. It is one of the most beautiful places in my knowledge I regret exceedingly that I was not able to meet Bishop [*1424*]Kavanaugh while he was in the "Bottom" I would like so much to have heard him preach. The Bishop is a favorite of mine and of my family also. During the two years that he was stationed in the City of Louisville he made his home with my father-in law who was a member of his charge and the family have ever since been very much attached to him. I did not know however, until he was gone that he had been there and preached. I was at Conference at the time. My views with respect to the adornment of God's sanctuary and the cemetery harmonize fully with yours. Of all places on earth God's house should be the most attractive so beautiful and adorned that worshippers should go to its altars, not reluctantly but Joyously. With respect to the cemetery--"the portal" as you so beautifully express it, "to the eternal world," what a misconception of death in its relations and results are the mournful insignia that almost everywhere attend it! The tolling bell, the crepe upon the door knob, the black hearse with its nodding plumes creeping slowly with its burden to the tomb! Now, in the light of Christianity all this is wrong, and such customs ought to be relegated to those who know nothing of the "life and immortality" that are brought to light by the gospel. I have no doubt in my mind whatever, that as the spirit of our holy christianitycomes more and more to possess men, to shape and control their thoughts and lives, and to lift the veil that yet hides, in a measure, the glorious things of the future, that these ways and customs will be changed--give place to those which will be in harmony with these divine assurances. This autumnal weather is, indeed, superb, and I am enjoying it, although the spring time is to me the most joyous of all seasons. I cannot resist the temptation to accept your generous offer--I have books, and have been in the habit heretofore of adding a volume now and, 5 then to my library every year. This I have had from necessity to deny myself the past year and will have to continue to do so this year also. Being unable to preach, I have no salary and no income of any consequence outside of it and a family to provide for so that I will have to deny myself along this line for the present. A book I have wanted for some time is the "Schaff-Herzog Cyclopedia of Religious Knowledge". I think it is published in three volumes. A firm in New York publishes it in good style and sells it to the ministers at reduced rates--perhaps--one half off. Now is asking you to send [1425-]me this work I feel [that] like I have asked more than I ought, but if so you can refuse to gratify me. With many wishes for your happiness in all things I am your friend sincerely S.C. AllenLake View Oct 16th 1888 Hon J. Holt Most Esteemed Friend I have so far had exceedingly good luck with my gloves I can command this fall of my owne money about 4 Hundred Dollars which I will put into Deer Skins and if I can Hire $100 more untill the 1th of Aprile next I am going to do so I learned where to go to buy my Stock of Deer Skins way north 150 miles further then I went formly Every Dollar I put in I can duble During the Summer I recieved orders for more then 1000 Dollars worth of Lace Leather but had non to Sell About Aprile I generly make my first Sale I am willing to pay 10 per cent for $100 but here they want 10 per cent & $10 bones our pair is just over political meetings are about all the news one can hear I shall vote for Harrison Agnes is still Sick with Sore throat my self & Wife are in good Health fall is here and winter approaching rapidly I intend to Start north about the 1th of November Agnes has been very uneasy that She dont hear from you She wrote 3 letters to you Since She heard from you last our Kind Regards & Love we remain your Sincere friends W.E. White & Family to Uncle J Holt [*1426*]OFFICE OF WM. E. ALMSTEDT, DEALER IN Stocks, Bonds AND INVESTMENT SECURITIES. No. 510 WEST MAIN STREET, 4 DOORS BELOW FIFTH, NEXT TO MERCHANTS NATIONAL BANK. City, County and Railroad Bonds and Local Stocks, Etc., Negotiated. A Choice Line of SECURITIES Constantly on hand. REFERENCES: Kentucky National Bank. German Bank. Louisville Safety Vault and Trust Co. Louisville, Ky., Oct 20th 1888 Messrs Riggs & Co. Washington D.C. Dear Sirs, I can offer you if unsold on receipt of your answer, 2000 City 7% bonds due in 1903, January and July coupons, payable in New York, Elizabethtown & Paducah R.R. issue. They are "scratched" bonds--they have been endorsed by a previous owner but properly and regularly and legally released by endorsement in blank before a Notary Public, so that while the obligation is not interfered with in the least their ready availability in the open market is interfered with. The last sale of these bonds were 123 1/2 & Int. I offer you the 2000 City 7% Scratched @ 120 & Int this you will note is 3 1/2 points under the last sales and for a permanent investment they answer just as well as they are just as good as all other bonds, Should you be able to use them please notify me & oblige. Yours Respectfully W.E. Almstedt [*1427*][*Oct 22*] Louisville Oct 22d. My Dear Mr Holt I want to thank you for your beautiful letter to me. You must know that one of your letters is not the joy of a moment, but the lasting pleasure of a life time To see what you have done for me, doesn't it make you glad? You must not thank me for the very little I am able to do in giving cheer and sympathy to the suffering. It gives me pleasure to visit Mrs Holt. First, because of your affection for her, and then on account of the interest [*1428*]she herself has awakened in my responsive heart, through her gentleness, her sufferings and her beautiful face — If you received the Courier Journal of the Fifth, Mr Holt, which I had the presumption to send you, you can judge whether I gathered pleasant memories enough to tempt me to visit Washington again. That little venture brought me some pleasant surprises. Among others a letter from Mr Boss Shepherd, full of grateful acknowledgements for kindly expressions in regard to himself. — Washington has always been a delightful city to me. So many tastes can be gratified there. And here one loses so much the world has to offer. Still we love Louisville & wish we could claim you here again, when will you come? You will want to see the old home in all its Autumnal richness & glory. And if this is only a kind of half way place, stop, & give us of your store of wisdom & beautiful thought. Hoping to see you before the year is gone good-bye, Yours sincerely M. Rose Speed.Monroe Michigan Oct 23rd 1888 Hon. J. Holt Dear Sir: Having heard from you for some time & feeling anxious to hear, as I have returned home from Indiana - I wrote you from there but failed to learn of your condition in health, I now try again, hoping I may be successful, I can not hear much, but politics in these parts, I will be glad when the election is over. It seems to make times so hard, if free trade will [*1429*]be a benefit to the laboring men of this country, I can not see it, I can say that protection has been more benefit in the pass, & it can not be decryed. I think (if the Republicans be successful on the 6th of Nov - they will be in power for twenty five more years - If they do not - be successful - I think the prohibition will be the next party. I mean in four more years. I see the colored vote is not so much in a unit this year - If I take newspapers for it, But I do not believe all what the papers say. I will wait for the result. Believing that a better way.I left Indiana the 15th of September for Michigan & never like the state while in it. I had the pleasure of meeting a very fine young lady while attending a wedding last December. Since that time I have become engaged to be married to her. She is a lady with a very fine character & approachable. I think she is a lady with good judgement. The family bears a good character in the little village & neighborhood, her father is a farmer. [*1429 1/2*]I believe I have made my choice. My father has been feeling very poorly of late. But he is some better at this writing. We have been having some very disagreeable weather for the last two weeks. Now hoping this will find you enjoying good health it leaves me. Hoping to hear from you at your most convenient time. I am your sincere friend J.H. Wickliffe Monroe Michigan Box 180,Office of Riggs and Co. Washington D. C. Oct 24 1882 Judge Jos. Holt 236 N.J. Ave. S. E. City D Sir: We were unable to get the City of Louisville Bonds for which we telegraphed a few days ago - they having been sold before the receipt of your telegram. We enclose herewith a letter from W. E. Almstedt, Relative to $2000 Louisville 7% of 1903. - If you want these bonds let us know. over [*1430*]and we will try and get them for you. Yours truly Riggs & Co.St. Paul Minn. Oct. 24-1888 Mr Holt. Dear Friend: I have written to you so often, & wonder if you have received my letters, as I fail to receive any answer. A very dear Lady friend is writing this letter for me. Is your health good now? I am so situated now that I write very few friend [*1431*] letters so consequently I hear very little news from friends, I write home to my people in Monroe, and that is the only correspondence I have. The west is a pleasant and beautiful country, but it keeps people working very hard to make a living here, rents are high and coal is $9.00 per ton, and wood is $8.00 a cord so you can see from that how poor people have to struggle to get along. I have to work the whole year round every day as hard as I can to make a living. Times are very hard now and prospects are they will be harder this winter than ever, I wish I knew of some new country a person could go to, and make a good living, the rich have it all and the poor people have to do with nothing, I am working in a boarding House, have been here going on two years, the boarders are very kind to me. I have worked so steady it seems to me every day I live I can not work another day, but when I feel the most discouraged, my only hope is God which is the only bright star in the future for me. I must close now, and I trust you will kindly answer this if you receive it. The address of the place I work at is 49 1/2 West Third st. Address me there when you write Your Sincere friend Fanny WickliffeEXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON. Oct. 26 / 88 Dear Judge: Your note of yesterday is received. I wanted the copy of the speech to retain, and believe I can yet find one or two which I put away too carefully. I had quite a number of them and my recollection is that I kept some. If I succeed in finding them I will divide with you Yours truly O. L. Pruder Hon. J. Holt. [*1432*]The Uplands Oct 28/88. My dear Mr Holt - Your letter of the 15th was balm to my hurt heart, & morning evening & "high noon" have I rejoiced over it. I had written sooner but for my still wretched eyes, & that I a both absorbed & harassed by renovations going on about the house. The unprecedently bad weather making every thing done "at the hardest -" You [*1433-4*]May not remember but I have never had a fireplace in my own room - for chill days before it is time for the furnace I have felt the need of one, & this is an almost desperate effort to secure this comfort without the possibility of buiding from the ground - My room is being pushed out over the verandah, & the chimney is upheld by nine beams crissing to the columns - It will not be a very symmetrical arrangement, but I shall appreciate it when finished, & I am tired of the disorder the attempt has occasioned. And when was there ever such an autumn? Does it rain six days of the week with you? I have rather prided myself on being above the weather, but confess this time with the consequent delays, leaks etc. I have made my little moan with the rest of the grumblers. By Nov 15th I want to remove to New York, but of course must see this work done first - Mrs Gould's house is closed - all [*1434*]The summer birds of passage gone, & I am just biding my time to follow - You surprise me by speaking of going to Florida this winter - Do you not fear uneradicated seeds of the fearful epedimic? And why do your nephew & neice go surely there? - Have they a home or any especial anchorage in Florida? I should think the Bermudas or Southern California would be more tempting, presupposing as I do that your neice seeks & needs a warmer climate. Oh that I could read the will without the long sea passage ! - Your [?] there & your desert test lifeLive clear cut in my memory. Yes I have been favored Rome last winter - & former foreign wanderings have been doubly blessed to me - The seeing & the remembering. It makes stays-at-home seasons a trifle monotonous though - I care little for city social life - & away from home interests, with eyes that are scarcely to be used for reading at all, I anticipate nothing, but go resolved to make the most of every passing day. No - I did not see your published correspondence with Genl. Speed - I recall it clearly - its [?ious] & final brusque denial of [*1435*]your just rights - but I should be glad to see your article in the Review for everything concerning you is of deepest interest How exhaustive Hay & Badeau's series of papers are! & yet they do not seem to me to have given you the attention due your prominent patriotism & most distinguished service. Are they not your friends? I think you used to speak very kindly of Mr. Hay. I have not see General Wallace's Life of Harrison- but know it was written very hurriedly & almost under coercion, so presume it has not great literary merit, coming from a pen which treads slowly, often stopping to polish with utmost care. I wonder what your read nowadays! If you ever try to beguile the time with fiction I would suggest a book Miss Swan is reading aloud to me "Robert Elsmore" by Mrs. Humphrey Ward - a niece of Matthew Arnold's. It is indeed as proclaimed "a wonderful book". treating of the world of action & the world of thought - Theologies creeds & liberal Christianity The papers say it has been prohibited in England for its Sceptical tendencies. We are but half through-it is very strangely written & as yetstrictly orthodox, but doubts like clouds may be coming into the horizon - Does not this damp weather increase your rheumatism? Certain things occasionally remind me my family's inheritance is surely mine - Do be very careful of yourself (don't go to Florida if there be danger there, & write as often as you can spare an hour to your truly attached Zayden Bancroft Z E BCloverport. Oct. 29 / 88 Hon. Joseph Holt, I received yours and thank you for your kindly recognition of my letter. The note given by Dr. Holt, fell to me in the division of the La Heist estate, and while I know it is not all incumbent upon you to liquidate his [*1436*]debts, and my only reason for asking you for it is because I need it so sorely, while he lived I hoped he would pay it, but he was sadly afflicted and could do nothing the last few years of his life. I know it is asking a great deal of you to give me this still I humbly trust you will consider it an act of generosity on your part and a very very great assistance to me, and this out of your great wealth would not effect you in the least. If you have any doubts in regard to the validity or correctness of the note, I refer you to A. R. Fisher of this place and H. A. Oelze, trustee of the La Heist estate. May I hear from you at your earliest convenience Very Respectfully, Mrs. Mattie F. SmithLexington, Kentucky October 30th / 88 My dear Mr Holt It is four days since your letter came, and how strange you must think my silence, I wanted to pour out all that was in my heart, but when I attempted to write words seemed so poor and cold, and how could I hope to make you understand me when I could not understand my self? I burst into tears when I read your letter, and you must not feel hurt with me when I say that my first feeling was that it was impossible I could accept your generous gift, It came in the morning of a very busy day, and after the first hasty reading was compelled to put it aside until I could claim the evening hours [*1437*]as my own, but all through the day my thoughts would revert to that wonderful letter with its loving words, and kind thoughtfulness for my happiness, and my eyes would overflow, I can not tell you all the changes of feeling through which I passed in the next two days, but over every other emotion was the one of gratitude that God had given me your friendship, And even had I continued to feel as I did in my first surprise, the memory of your goodness would alone have been a happiness. After while the thought came to me that since it was you who gave it must be right to accpet or you would not have offered, or asked it, and then it seemed strange that I had doubts, How can I ever thank you? My friends have been anxious I should got to New Orleans after New Year & remain with them until Spring, I had dreamed of it a little but never thought it possible, now I can think of it as a certainty & then in the summer perhaps I shall take a peep at Niagara, which I have never been, Oh there is no telling all the wonderful and delightful things I may do & see & all through you. But it seems a great responsibility too, such a sum to spend all on one's self — However I am going to get all the good & pleasure I know you meant me to have and write you all about it. My health is much better than it was a month ago — I am not teaching. At the time the schools opened I was in no condition to undertake any work, butas my mind & body began to regain tone I could not be idle, and feel I was useless. And so I have gone back with renewed desire to the work in which I used to take great interest before other & more pressing duties filled my time, My poor people and my little children of the Mission School. You don't know how many little friends I have of all kinds & degrees, I never walk out that the way isn't brightened by little voices calling There's Miss Mary & I turn to meet kind eyes & smiles. You know the joy of making other's happy, and can understand that when my heart was sad I found no comfort like that of trying to brighten the lot of others, and with the desire came the opportunities. And some days I am so weary when nightcomes I drop to sleep like a child. We have been having a few days of perfect weather. I spent the afternoon at the cemetery, a calm & lovely time, one of those hours when the invisible seems so near, & you seem to get into the very heart of Nature. "Can almost hear the roar just beyond the silence," the beating of the squirrels heart and the growing of the grass" But it is quite late and I must be up early tomorrow, and so I am going to say good night, What can I ever ever do for you. I pray for you. I love you, as I have always done since I was a little child. Your friend always Mary E Harrison [*1438*]You are always so good about understanding me and I hope you will realize that at first I was simply over come by surprise & your munificence, I have thought a great deal of that other morning when your love for my Father found expulsion by giving a great pleasure to those dear to him. I could see my dear old Father as at the end of our Merry Christmas breakfast, he rapped on the table for silence, rose to his feet and with a voice full of emotion said, "My children I have kept the most wonderful surprise to the last, and to me the most delightful one because it comes so unexpectedly & lines the love & interest my dear friend Mr. Holt [*feels in me & mine. I can see my Mother's soft eyes showing through her tears & I can hear the uproar of gay young voices that followed my Father's speech. We were all there, children & Grand children & now how many are gone. Before another Christmas, these were changed & that picture will be always one of the most beautiful of memories treasures M E H*]1232n - 17 St. [*Washington, D.C.*] Friday morning. Dear Mr Governeur: I have read this with much interest. They are the words of a man, deeply wounded, and are very touching. The mystery of the Senate affair, will not be revealed in our day. But Judge Holt may take Comfort, for that correspondence has fully and amply vindicated him. With thanks, Truly yours F A Roe [*[Rear Adl., U.S.N.]*] [*1439*]1636 Rhode Island Avenue November 1st [*[1883]*] My dear Judge Holt, When I last saw you, I volunteered to give you any additional details in regard to the unfortunate Diehls - The operation was successfully performed, and all connected with it has progressed encouragingly. Mrs. Diehl is now with her family in Easton. May, who has covered herself with glory throughout, the severity of their trials, is with her father, his infirmity of vision requiring constant attendance - Poor Dr. Diehl has lost by death at a recent period two of his most staunch supporters - I realize it was a gratification [*1440*]to be cognizant of public opinion, especially when it is expressed in private, circles consequently I enclose a note, received from Rear Admiral Roe which you can either retain or destroy - Mrs. Stanard spent an evening with me recently. Her object was to have read to her "the additional facts in regard to Mrs. Suratt." Your are aware she has lost one eye and lives in constant apprehension in regard to the other. When I had concluded your letter of the 18th of April, she advanced to towards me, and exclaimed "what did James Speed say in response to that?" When I read her what "James Speed" had to say - her amazement was indescribable - When I came to the conclusion of the correspondence - she remarked I will write at once to Judge Holt and congratulate him on certain, but tardy justice, which had been meted out to him - She then recalled the fact she could no longer write, and exacted a promise I should write for her - I will give you her utterances as I recall them - One expression especially returns to me - She said "I would like Judge Holt to know that I consider his calm dignity under such aggravating circumstances sublime". Referring to Mr. Speed, she remarked "I am ashamed of James Speed." She has pronounced in all her utterances and I wish I could give them as they were rendered.If not too much trouble, could you let me have the printed index of letters written by Mr Monroe? If it involves any research n'importe - I have only one copy, and the time may arrive when another might be of service - I send an invitation to my daughter's wedding - It is somewhat premature but you are the recipient of the first one issued - With assurances that we have ever appreciated your varied kindnesses I am Sincerely yours M. GouverneurHARRISON'S WELCOME TO HARVARD. SPEECH OF HON. GEORGE F. HOAR, AT THE HARVARD MEETING IN TREMONT TEMPLE, Nov. 2d, 1888. [*1441*] MR. HOAR'S REPLY TO THE HARVARD MUGWUMPS. One of the speakers at a meeting held here ten days ago told his audience that Harvard welcomed them that night to stand with her for Grover Cleveland. You and I are here to deny that proposition. We never heard before that the college was a political association. But if it be, whether a majority of her undergraduates or a majority of her graduates be entitled to speak for her, our alma mater is republican. Some of these gentlemen seem to think that this country hereafter is to be governed by a partnership, consisting of the solid south, Tammany Hall, the Liquor saloons and criminal places of the great cities, and Harvard College. Our venerable and beloved mother will be found in no such company. That discreet matron never goes to such places. She never will go there, unless it be to reclaim and rescue some of her wandering sons who have gone astray. In one thing, however, I cordially agree with the gentlemen who stood upon this platform. That is, in welcoming the scholarship and learning of the country to their share in its political administration. Nothing has ever seemed to me of worse omen for the republic than the absence from its councils of its educated men. I think the most degrading, as well as the most insulting utterance I have heard of for a generation was that of an eminent scholar and teacher, whom I highly honor for his devotion and service to the college, who declared to his pupils "that there had been no time since the close of the war when a young man knew how he could honorably serve his country." He could find no statesmanship and No PUBLIC VIRTUE in the payment of the debt, in the settlement of the currency, in the return to specie payment, in the sublime clemency that dealt with the conquered after the war, in the great self-restraint of the Alabama treaty, in the miraculous dovelopment of manufacture, in the banking system, in the homestead system, in the creation of our great domestic commerce, in the peaceful settlement of the disputed presidential succession, in the three constitutional amendments, in turning ten thousand millions of wealth into thirty thousand millions, in putting three hundred and fifteen million dollars into the savings bank of Massachusetts, in raising wages from $1.56 per day to $2.40 per day and their purchasing power from 15 to 24. We welcome the scholar and professor of our colleges to companionship and to leadership in the public service. But that leadership he can exercise but on one condition. He must bring to the subjects with which he deals the scholar's thoroughness of investigation and the scholar's reverent spirit. He must not leave the subject in which he is a scholar to dictate on that in which he is no scholar. He must not be an example of an unscholarly heat, an unscholarly ignorance and an unscholarly arrogance. He must not express crude and shallow judgments as to contemporary men and events, of which he would be ashamed if they related to events that happened two thousand years ago. He should seek his leadership in things that he knows and has studied, and not in things he does not know. Above all, he must bring to it the supreme spirit of American patriotism. I will not go so far as to exact of him the scholar's gentleness and the scholars courtesy. Professor Everett, who told you that a gentleman with whom he differs in opinion "has allied himself with the most corrupt elements of an effete party" and "has not changed his mind, but has changed his soul," and that we who say that the Mills bill means free trade know that we are telling a falsehood when we say so, asks if we have ever heard of Sir Isaac Newton. He was a college professor. He discovered the law of gravitation. As master of the mint he reformed the coinage of England. I am bound to say that the PEOPLE OF OTHER COUNTRIES are agreed in thinking that reformed coinage a very clumsy and inconvenient affair. But I have heard Sir Isaac Newton failed as an architect. When he made his barn door he is said to have constructed a great hole for the cat and a little hole for the kitten. Now, if Sir Isaac Newton were alive we would consult him about the coinage. But I should not advise Professor Everett to employ him to build a mansion for the Everett family. I am afraid he would be needlessly extravagant. I am afraid he would plan a large door for Mr. Edward Everett and for Edward Everett Hale, and a small door for—the kitten. I listen always for the scholarly utterance of the scholar and the scientific result of the man of science. I have read carefully the proceedings of that meeting. I hoped that from men claiming to speak for the college we might get some help toward settling the great problems upon which hang the wages of workmen, the value of capital, the prosperity of Massachusetts, and, as I firmly believe, the fate of the republic itself. Instead of this we get little from these gentlemen but railing, reviling, Insult, gibes, jeers. We had thought that the arguments which had convinced Washington and Hamilton and Madison, and both Adamses, and Webster and Lincoln, and Choate and Edward Everett, had something in them deserving, at least, of respectful reply, which we might hear. We had thought that men who are paid 6o cents a day would, in the end, undersell and drive out of employment men who are paid $1.50 a day. We had thought that everything brought from Europe that is now made here would throw out of work the men who are making it here. We had thought that if We threw out of work the men engaged in protected industries, they must seek work in unprotected industries and bring down wages there. We had thought that if it were robbery to protect the growers of wool, it was equal robbery to protect the manufacturers of woolens, and that if one duty was abolished, there was danger the other would be also. We had thought it was a good thing, worth all we paid for it under the circumstances, to diversify our industries and to stimulate our invention; and that to have our clothing and iron manufactured abroad would make us defenseless in war and weak in peace. We understood that all the fathers of the republic and all the statesmen whose pictures hang in Harvard were of that way of thinking. Now, when we listen for the voice of scholarship and science on these things we get the sneers of Col. Codman and the exuberant invectives of Professor Everett. We tell them of wages becoming higher, of the necessaries of life growing cheaper, of national wealth multiplying, of the comfort of the workman's home, and they answer us by crying that men are not to be safely trusted as leaders after their youth is past, that they want a young men's party. There were, however, I believe, two suggestions of a practical character made by those speakers. One is that the republicans favor free whiskey. The other is that we are fostering combined monopoly by taxing the necessaries of the poor. The republican platform declares that if, after all reduction which will not remove due protection from wages, a surplus of revenue more than is needed for the wants of the government remain, we propose to abolish the internal revenue system. If the government removes a duty on imports, that duty cannot be imposed by the states. But the internal tax, if the government takes it off, will be laid by the states at their discretion. Whatever the nation takes off they will put on. For that tax it is proposed by Col. Codman to keep up our whole array of internal revenue officers. Do you think that Col. Codman's allies, the democratic distillers of Kentucky, or the democratic saloon-keepers of Boston, are anxious to keep the tax on whiskey in the interest of temperance? But the tariff taxes the necessaries of the poor to foster monopoly. Why, my friends, the whole sum paid in increased prices by one of OUR LABORING MEN, whose wages are sixty per cent greater than those paid in England, for the necessaries and comforts of a family of seven persons will not exceed fifty dollars. Let Edward Atkinson answer Col. Codman. He tells us in the last Forum that since 186o the average of wages has been constantly going up, and the comparative cost of food, fuel and clothing and the average profit of capital constantly going down. The wages which averaged $1.56 a day in I860 averaged $2.60 a day in 1885. The purchasing power of wages, of food, fuel and clothing, which was 15 in s860, is 24 in 1885. Now when we tell him these things and point to the $315,000,000 in the savings banks of Massachusetts, Col. Codman cries out, "Go up, bald head. We want young men for our leaders." This cry for a division of parties, not according to character or opinion, but according to age, if it were not so infinitely silly and mischievous, would be infinitely amusing. It is curious to see from whom it comes. You hear it commonly from men who are well past fifty. The united ages of Col. Codman and Col. Higginson and Prof. Everett are 176 years. This cry for a young men's party is an unfailing symptom of senility. When a man has gone past middle life without his fellow citizens having called him to any position of confidence or responsibility, and his hair begins to turn gray and to drop off, he first tries Mrs. Allen's hair restorer, which is not a dye, and when that fails he is apt to turn mugwump and cry for a young men's party. No, my friends, the men who talk in this way are degenerate sons of Harvard. The training she gives her children fits them for old age as well as for youth. It plants in the bosom of the youth of twenty noble aspirations, generous purposes, lofty hopes, to be realized, if life be spared, at two-score, at three-score and at four- score. That is a pretty poor style of character, that is a pretty poor style of instruction which does not make men grow better as they grow old. The love of liberty, the love of justice, the love of virtue, the sense of duty, the sense of honor, burn brightly in the bosoms of the youthful sons of Harvard. But they have not been deeply planted; they find no congenial element in the soul, where they do not brighten as they burn. Clarescunt urendo. Two men ask, to-day, for the approbation of their countrymen, and, among them, for that of the sons of Harvard. I will not imitate A BAD EXAMPLE in the presumption of undertaking to speak for her. Even this brilliant company must not do that. But there is one assembly, of the dead, yet ever living, who alone may utter that voice. It is the assembly of the children and benefactors of Harvard, aged sages and youthful heroes, lawyers, scholars, senators, soldiers, whose portraits hang in her memorial hall, and whose names are inscribed in its stately ante-chamber. As the great wave passes over the country on the eve of the fatal sixth of November, I see them descend from the walls and gather about the tables as in life. There is a knock at the door. A portly figure enters, demanding admission to the company. The simple citizens and honored merchants, who sit where the benefactors of the college are gathered, look the other way, and whisper that they will not state their reasons before Madame Boylston, but they do not want him at their table. He turns to the great lawyers, Story and Greenleaf, and Parsons and Parker and Sewall. "I was myself a lawyer once." "Yes, but you do not belong to jurisprudence. You left your profession for the office of sheriff You know nothing of law or equity, nothing of institute or treatise, nothing of argument or opinion, of writ or judgment, but only of execution." Here sit two great presidents, John Adams and his illustrious son. The elder wears but a single ornament. It is the seal which he had struck after the treaty of '83, and which his son had engraved again after the treaty of Ghent. It bears the legend " Piscemur, venemur ut olim," and recalls the proudest memory of two illustrious lives. "There is no room by us for the man who surrendered the fisheries." Beyond is the company of statesmen. There are men honored in the councils of nation and commonwealth, Gore and Fisher Ames, Harrison Gray Otis and James Lloyd, Lincoln and Everett and their companions "Of soul sincere, In action faithful and in honor clear." "May I come to you?' "You are the man who promised to DIVORCE THE CIVIL SERVICE from politics, and gave it over to the spoilsmen. You promised to be content with one term, and tried to get a second. You dealt with a foreign country as the representative of a party. Your power rested on the suppression of the honest ballot and the murder of your fellow citizens by your political associates. You have kept your rudder true to but one course, and that is your own re-election." Then rise to their feet the great lovers of liberty, eloquent orators, true reformers, James Otis and Sumner, and Andrew, brother by adoption of them and of you. " May I come to you ?" The eloquent answer, flashing like a sword blade, piercing as a sword thrust, leaps from those immortal lips. " Where were you when your country was in peril ? Where were you when we were fighting the great battle of the freedom of a race ? What word of sympathy or act of patriotism came from you ? You were a democratic ward politician in Buffalo, resolving the war a failure. Come not here, dumb lips; come not here, nerveless arm; come not here, ignoble soul." Above, on the dais the soldiers sit, crowned with the unfading laurel leaf, whose names are written on that roll which bears the simple inscription—" These are the sons of Harvard who died for their country," "Do you think of coming to us ? If there be a place here assigned to you, it is your substitute, not you, that must fill it. We were not taught at Harvard, in our day, that yours was the finest type of American manhood." But another knock is heard. Another footstep comes near. A stainless citizen, coming from the modest home, where he dwells with the wife of his youth and the children of his youth about him, modestly presents himself:- The benefactors, the merchants, the comely and honorable matrons greet him and ask him to sit down by them. They like a companion who has kept unstained in his own household the sweeter manners and THE PURER LAWS of the elder time. But the jurists are growing impatient. Judge Story and Judge Parsons are eager to talk of jurisprudence and sit in its gladsome light with the great leader of the bar of Indiana. The statesmen wish to hear the tones of the voice which has defended public honor and public faith and the rights of citizenship for thirty years on many a hustings. Charles Sumner draws a thought more nigh to James Otis to make room for him Otis wants to tell the champion of disfranchised Dakota the story of the writs of assistance and how he defended the same rights for Massachusetts in 1761. But John Adams and Sam Adams and John Hancock and Treat Paine press forward to take by the hand the man with whose great-grand-father they sat in council with Washington, signing with him the immortal Declaration, and taking part with him in the foremost action of human history. But there is a higher honor for him than all these. There is a stir in that star-bright circle where Warren sits in perpetual youth, where are Putnam, and Lowell, and Bartlett, and Spurr, and Shaw, where a place is waiting for Devens, of those who offered their lives that their country might live. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man should lay down his life for his friends." " We hear the tones of a comrade's voice, and the fall of a footstep that sounded like our own. Come up here, stainless citizen, great lawyer, excellent senator, gallant soldier, come up here, patriot, president. You are admitted to all the degrees ad eundem, honoris causa. We claim the right to speak to-night for Harvard. Harvard welcomes you to her company and crowns you with her crown." Lake View michigan Nov 5th 88 uncle J. Holt Washington D. C. I feel quite Encouraged I have sold most all my gloves & mittens & got my money for them I have now a trifle over four Hundred Dollars in cash of my owne money to put into Dear Skins I hired $100 for 4 months for which I pay $10 for the use of it for 4 months So I will have over $5.00 to put in to Stock we are getting a fine traid on our gloves we make good goods next Season we intend to manufacture 1.000 pair Agnes is still going to School and is improving in her Studies as also in her music they are going to have a consert here and her teacher has Selected Aggie to play for it Agnes has wrote three letters to you and I have wrote 2 we have as yet recieved no answer Election is close to hand and I hope that we can Elect the Entire Republican ticket we feel Some what Anxious to know the coming result I am going north in a Short time after Election after my Stock of Deer Skins we are well and trust that our Dear friend uncle Holt is the Same our love with kind regards we remain your true friends W.E. White & Family Box 29 Lake View Mich to. Hon. J. Holt. [*1442*]CHARLES S. SMITH, President. JOSIAH M. FISKE, First Vice-President. CORNELIUS N. BLISS, Second Vice-President. SOLON HUMPHREYS, Treasurer. GEORGE WILSON, Secretary. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF THE STATE OF NEW-YORK, FOUNDED A. D. 1768. New York, November 7th 1888. Hon. Joseph Holt Washington D. C. Dear Sir:- You will probably remember that during your Term as Postmaster General in 1860, a site for a Post office in this city was purchased. The government refused to pay more than $200.000 for the Old Dutch Church property on Nassau Street between Cedar and Liberty Streets, for which the Church Corporation demanded $250.000 Members of this Chamber, believing the site to be at that time the most desirable one available in the City, contributed the remaining $50.000 to complete the purchase upon condition that the Post office should remain [*1443*]at that place. We have applied at the Post office Department for copies of the correspondence between the Department and a Committee of our members consisting of Messrs Caleb Barstow, James Lee, A. A. Low and others, and are informed that they find no such correspondence on the files of the Department May we inquire whether you remember the details of that correspondence and whether it was preserved, if so, where it can be found? Do you remember whether the limitation of $200.000 was made by you or by the appropriating Statute? Was the purchase made under the appropriation of August 18th 1856, 11th Statutes at Large (Page 94. § 3.) or some other? If you are able to advise us upon these points you will greatly oblige Yours respectfully Geo. Wilson Secretary.Cloverport. Nov. 8. 1888 Hon. J. Holt. Dear Sir, Yours received with note returned. I beg your pardon for thus intruding upon your time and patience again but you seemed to have misunderstood me somewhat, I did not claim that you ought to pay it or that I thought so. I mentioned the fact of my right to the note and gave references for fear you would think me an imposter or may be trying to take advantage of other heirs. You are mistaken about the note having always been worthless as the Dr. had considerable means at the time of his fathers death and an effort was made then to collect it, Dr. Holt, when at his best was a very superior man, quite intellectual and gentlemanly as well as honorable, but the last few years of his life he was afflicted and not accountable, [*1444*]I am no pauper but I do suffer the loss of the note, but of course all this is nothing to you, I am even more surprised than you are that I should have asked so great a favor of you for I am proud and independent as any one in the world, but sometimes alas! a woman will humble herself in the dust for her poor little helpless shabby children of which I have only five — but all this of course is nothing — and it is all right any way, only please do not mention it to Vanda or Wash. I remain Very Respectfully Mrs. Mattie F. Smith.Hawesville, Ky Nov 12th Mr. Holt My dear friend - I received your welcome letter, and with it the books you were so kind to send me. I am exceedingly well pleased with them so far as I have examined them and am sure they will fill a vacuum in my library, I hope to devise large profit from their use this winter. It is hardly necessary for me to say that I feel grateful to you for your kindness. I received also your "Reply" to Thompson and am [fully a] sure that it will fully satisfy any unprejudiced mind as to [*1445*]The great injustice and injury which your enemy sought to do you. Men who have achieved success in life and occupy high positions either in church or state are sure to be the objects of the envy and jealously of little minds. But those who are conscious of the rectitude of their intentions and integrity of life are proof against all aspersions. I will let my friends read your "Reply" Hoping that you are in the enjoyment of good health, and think God will reward you for your kindness to me. I am, your friend sincerely, S.C AllenGrand Union- 42d St New York Nov 14th Dear Judge Holt, I have just rec'd a Telegram from Mr. James H. Marr of Dep't that my "successor" was appointed to my position on the 8th Inst. This intelligence is sufficiently startling to terrify me beyond measure - I know of no good reason for any such removal - and demand "a hearing" before summary proceedings are accomplished. [*1446*]Will not you who have been Postmaster General yourself beg the President to suspend any such action as issuing a commission to another in my place, until I at least can make my answer to causes if there are any, Why I should be removed from my office. It never was in better running order than since my old clerk departed Mr. John J. Bond. &my friend took it-- Miss Wilson who has charge of it is the daughter of a Sergeant of the Army, deceased, & is every way an excellent clerk-- Mr. Church overlooks the money order Dep't. & does the active superintendance for my benefit--he has none from it-- When I was about to select a new clerk, and a young man, son of a respected citizen was thought of by me through request of his friends, the Crockus [*1446a*]the whole of Fort Hamilton rose en masse against it, because that person wished to remove the office to Mr Gelston's store! The present party, Mr Cropsey, is appointed [sapp] by influence of an Ex. M.C. Militia Genl Cook, or Crook of Brooklyn-- so I learn to day for I have only just obtained this, knowledge of the intrigue against my interest. I beg you will do me this favor of justice, to request the President, if he is aware, of the fact, which I dont think he can be, to, not5/ allow so cruel an injury to be done to my name & maintenance, little as the [letter?] is by granting such a commission. I understand Mr C. is a farmer & lounger in this store, evenings, where the Gelston faction, all Secessionists, are his advisors and abettors. The office it is true is of limited pecuniary advantage, but it is something of a resource, although I am compelled to write & glean my [*1446b*]small profits elsewhere Mr. James, Postmaster of this city, removed my step-son, by an act of official pique towards me, through Gov. Jenell's & the poor fellow has been reduced to great misery & manual labor, menial at that, at six dollars per week ever since--or--starve. His family is broken up in consequence--his dear little children adopted by strangers, & his friends compelled to give him bread-- So much for the Postmaster General's hasty & cruel act. Now he aims to do7 the same by me. I have borne up against bitter & unmerited persecutions many times, & encountered the deprivations of direst poverty with them until I am exhausted. I do think if Genl Grant's conscious of Mr Jenells intent to wrong me so publicly & summarily, he will not consummate [*1446c*]it. You have so often been a Savior in our distresses, that I trust you will not be unwilling to extend your humanity & eloquence again. My children are all alarm & excitement at the idea of my being cut off publicly,from the Executive favor. Is it not possible to suspend that commission? Very Truly Yours, H. Louise Gates [1446d]Nov 15th Home Judge Joseph Holt Dear Friend, The servant found your card under the door. I was sorry not to have had the pleasure of a little chat with you, but our door bell is out of order and we did not hear the ring. I have been at home a little over three weeks but a few days after my arrival Mother slipped down and broke the upper bone of her left arm. Her consequent [*1447*]I am most at leisure bet 1 oclock and 3 oclock P. M. in the early part of this week Mother sends her very kind regards. My trip abroad was in every way satisfactory. I had a charming traveling companion in a widowed friend of New York, and met every where courtesy and great kindness. I spent a week only in Scotland and a month in Switzerland. I think London more enjoyable than Paris for a long stay 'though Paris has its fascinations. With the hope that I may see you soon I remain Yours sincerely Robena Taylor. (Pray excuse this sanguinary ink.) illness has kept me, since then, rather closely confined to the house; and I have also had to deny myself to callers in order to attend better to household matters. I have a day nurse, but have been night nurse myself, and so have not felt much like seeing many visitors; still, you know, you are one of our oldest & best friends and I should have been much pleased to have seen you if but for a few moments. I must remind you that there is a photograph somewhere owing me. Do you feel at all as if your conscience pinches? Louisville Ky. Nov. 15th 1888. My Dear Cousin. The attention of our city has been called to two improvements. One is the Natural Gass and the other is Cold Storage. It is claimed that you can regulate the atmosphere of your house and, under the same roof, have all the degrees of heat that you would encounter between the equator and the pole. Do you think that King Solomon would have enjoyed life better with conveniences of the 19th century then he did with those of the day in which he lived? Cousin, some friends ? are very curious to know whether I am going to marry the pastor [*1448*]of the church where I attend and where I have held my membership ever since I left Bloomfield. The gentleman's wife and I were very intimate; but the gentleman has never shown one other attention than that of a friend. Mother divided the bedding with my married brother and as I had some nice pieces I have begun a quilt. This of course confirmed the rumor. So when one very curious lady (?) asked me if I was getting ready to marry, I told her yes. That the date had not been fixed and what was more the gentleman was poor and had to save money to buy a home: and that I was learning to do all kinds of house work and was making up quilts so when all things were ready that we would have a snug home. The poor man and the engagement is hypothetical. I hardly knew which was best to give gossip a "clear track" or "side track" it. My relations are the most curious, and keep or try to keep a watch at my heels. Some times I feel tempted to carry on a flirtation with a friend with the understanding with that party that is a piece of fun for the especial benefit of the Bloomfield friends. A flirtation, I have always thought a dangerous past time and never condescended to do such a thing. If Astrology be true, Puck surely played some prank with thestars at the hour of my nativity. For like David Copperfield it seems like I am constantly doing some that "your sister, Betsy Trotwood would not have done". Last night I began the mysteries of Short Hand. I hope to get an understanding of these hooks and stems by spring. Our family is as well as usual; and, as my brothers do all for us in their power, I hope that we shall get along. Cousin come and see. The gass will be (we think) here in 90 days. You must come to the illumination. The gass is piped from Brandenburg. With much love, your affectionate cousin Sallie S. Stone.