JOSEPH HOLT Box [*98*] Folder [*2*] PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE [*1839*]January the 4th 1889 - My dear Joseph I am once more seated to indite an answer to a letter the, receipt of which has indeed been a soothing balm to all of my sorrows, - You complain of the briefness of my letters - yet, I can plainly see that you are glad to have an apology for making your own equally brief, - Did I believe that scolding would make you less inattentive to my wishes, I would show you this morning what a proficient I am, as you no doubt are aware of the necessity of a lady's being well skilled in the art who is about to take a part in a drama where the tongue is the only weapon she is permitted to use. - I have - just been a witness to a most dreadful quarrel between a man and his wife - You may thank this lady for the escape you have made from a shower of reproaches, - It has terminated as all such quarrels should, with a final separation. To be serious dear Joseph, I have thought it almost cruel in you for not writing oftener to me, As you well knew the anxiety I must feel, and that -one word from you would serve to soften the pain my bosom has been a prey to for the last few months. - A week or two since I accidentally met with a Louisville Advertiser - Glancing my eye over the paper it rested upon these few lines, _____ Mr Holt, age______ considered, for he is yet a young man, is perhaps the most eloquent and profound man in the Union. It was very complimentary piece recommending you to the people of Mississippi as the most suitable person to serve on the Democratic ticket. - I cannot describe to you my feelings, though my heart was over flowing with delight. Yet, it was not without its pang. The very thought that you could be so deeply immersed in political affairs as to forget me - overbalanced the pleasure I received from reading a piece so extravagant in your praise. - Why have you refused [to] the advice of your physicians? If it is necessary for you to visit Cuba - I do not think I am so selfish - or so ungenerous as to reproach you for not fulfilling an engagement that might endanger your health. - The change I fear from a warm climate to one so bleak and cold as ours might seriously injure you. - I would rather not see you for ten years than you should hazard a life so dear. You ask if Mrs Randolph has beckoned me on to that eden of the poets - No - she has not on the contrary she has warned me to fly from it ere it is to late. - Woman, she says is like a charmed bird - she does not know how sweet her freedom is until she is no longer in possession of it - For more than two weeks Louisville and our little Bardstown have been in a state of very great excitement. You doubtless before this have had a full account of the attack of a mob upon a party of southern gentlemen, Judge Wilkinson was on his up to be married to Miss Eliza Crozier - he is now in town and they will be married to night. - She has determined to share his fortunes whatever they may be. - Let me insist that you will pass the tailors by, on your way up, for fear you may get into a similar scrape. - Should any thing prevent our meeting in February write often, I should need something to support me under so great a disappointment. Look over all the imperfections of this letter. My hand is very cold and I have stolen from some of my visitors to write. - I must say farewell as they are very anxious to know where I am and what I am about. - May heaven guard you and save you from all danger is my prayer of Yours - Mary - [*Ps I must tell you your friend Hardin for a fee of a thousand dollars - has undertaken - to prosecute Judge Wilkinson: Is it not too mean in him?*]Mr Joseph Holt Vicksburg MississippiNew York. January 31. 1839 Messrs Holt & Chilton Gentlemen We received your favor of 8th December yesterday informing us that you had settled with Chewning & Dawson also that you had deposited in June last to our credit the amt collected from Dawson & Cogier we did not receive the letter you mention, but we have been informed by Mr Warner who called on you on our behalf -- that there was deposited in the Commercial & Rail Road Bank to our credit $708.70 -- which sum we have this day negotiated a Draft for -- will you have the goodness to call at the Bank and explain the matter to the Cashier and see that the Draft does not come back dishonored -- Mr Warner handed us also the funds received from you for the Acct. of Chewning & Dawson -- With sincere thanks for your attention to our interest We are Yours respectfully John Greenfield & Sonsingle [*DD*] NEW-YORK FEB 1 Messr. Holt & Chilton care Messr Harrison & Holt Vicksburg Mississippi NEW-YORK FEB 1 [*Mes.r. Greenfield & Son*]Steamer Rodolphe April 18th 1839 My dearest Mary My star, dimmed through a weary winter, at length looks brightly out, and under its light, I am hurrying to your presence. Ah! How my hungered heart feasts upon the anticipated joys of our meeting so long, so sadly delayed! I break my journey only for a few hours stay with my mother and shall then resume it, by the first boat. So expect your laggard lover on the evening of the 20th or 21st inst. I can promise myself but a [few] short stay in Bardstown two or three days at most. I must therefore beg that you will sans ceremoni & in the quietest manner possible, pay with me "a flying visit" Miss, where our sojourn shall be as brief as you may choose to make it. The summer shall be at your disposal to be devoted to travel and such enjoyments as you may dictate. All explanations & vindications of which you will doubtless require the most persuasive & convincing are reserved until we meet. As ever your devoted H. Miss Mary Harrison Bardstown Ky[*[1839 May 23]*] Columbus Miss 23 May 1839 Messrs. Holt & Chilton Gentlemen Received your favor of 11th July in due course of mail, and should have replied, long since, but for my not hearing from the Gentlemen to whom you referred me for information on the subject of Col. Pegram's claim, I wrote immediately after I read your letter, to those Gentlemen, at Raymond, I heard nothing from them, I then wrote to Mr. Reese, at Jackson, with the same success, and up to this time, I have not received a reply. About 15 days since, a friend of mine at my request, inquired of Mr. Rives, at Jackson what had become of those claims and by him I received a Verbal mopage, by no means satisfactory, he mearly stated that no one but Col. Pegram himself, could give the business the required attention to secure the collection of the debts. I dont knowwheather they are in sent or not. Col. Pegram has informed me since I received your letter, that Mr. Rives had requested him to come out in April last, and received upwards of $6,000 dollars I trust you will readily excuse me for not complying with your request, to indorse, and inclose, you your Receit, I would most cheerfully have done so, if I could have obtained an acknowledgement from those Gents that would have Justified it. I wrote to the Sheriff of Madison on the subject - He says he has no such claim in his hands, nor has he had since the date of the notes Very Respectfully Your Ob Sevt James Gordon[*COLUMBUS MAY 28 Mi.*] Messrs. Holt & Chilton Attys at Law Vicksburg [*James Gorden answd 9th June 182 JH*]Louisville Sept 18th 1839 My dear Mary - I have for once escaped the shoals & quicksand & "taken the tide at its flood" - The Ohio, is swelling high, & the finest boats are floating safely upon its bosom. My passage is engaged & I leave to day for the south - with every pledge of a speedy & pleasant voyage - and but for the bright eyes and fond heart, I have left behind, I should indeed go on my way rejoicing. I have received intelligence from Vicksburg of a very late date, - The city & country were unusually healthy - Southerners encouraged by this news are hurrying home, - & I feel the strongest assurance that in returning with them, I incur no danger - especially as I shall obey your injunctions to the letter - guarding myself from all exposure - by "flood or field" & living soberly & temperately in all things, save in love for thee my Mary - I was wrapped up "snug" all day yesterday in my overcoat - defying wind, sunshine & showers - Set that down to begin with.Louisville Sept 18th 1839 My dear Mary - I have for once escaped the shoals & quicksand & "taken the tide at its flood" - The Ohio, is swelling high, & the finest boats are floating safely upon its bosom. My passage is engaged & I leave to day for the south - with every pledge of a speedy & pleasant voyage - and but for the bright eyes and fond heart, I have left behind, I should indeed go on my way rejoicing. I have received intelligence from Vicksburg of a very late date, - The city & country were unusually healthy - Southerners encouraged by this news are hurrying home, - & I feel the strongest assurance that in returning with them, I incur no danger - especially as I shall obey your injunctions to the letter - guarding myself from all exposure - by "flood or field" & living soberly & temperately in all things, save in love for thee my Mary - I was wrapped up "snug" all day yesterday in my overcoat - defying wind, sunshine & showers - Set that down to begin with.You must not expect to hear from me again until I reach Vicksburg, where I will give you a full length portrait of my journeyings & of "the form & purpose" of the times in that quarter - It may be that I shall scrible you a few lines while on the wing & draft these in some of the river port offices, but be it distinctly understood that this is not promised - not "nonemate'd in the bond" - & if performed, set it down among the windfalls & extras - In the meanwhile, however, I shall be all impatience to [rasi] hear from you - I shall inquire at the Port office daily until the letter comes - Let it be long - long - long but I am not overscrupulous - a "scrawl or scratch" from you would be a blessing - One thing I require, that you begin by saying, you have not the blues - & Let Aunt Sally certify at the foot of your letter that "according to the best of her knowledge, information & belief" you are not mistaken - Well farewell - all is bright & I would not give the joys of the meeting in store for us, for a Prince's revenues - God bless you my dearest Mary, is thee praying of your devoted J Holt PS. I confess with shame that matrimony has shockingly disfigured my handwriting yet I hope you will be able to decipher it - May it not have the same unfortunate influence upon you over, which used to be so beautiful - Remember m kindly to all the family JH -LOUISVILLE SEP 18 KY. PAID Paid- Mrs. Mary L. Holt Bardstown (KY)Steamer Monsoon My Dear Mary, Tuesday September 24th 1839 My evil star has been in the ascendant since I last wrote you. The bright auspices under which I set out & the pledges of speed & pleasant trip which I then gave, have all proved delusive - I took joy in get on board the Havana bound for New Orleans, on Wednesday last - & had hoped in this to have been brushing the cobwebs out of my [Vicksburg] office at Vicksburg - But as the fates would have it, I am [sc?] a dozen leagues below the mouth of the Ohio with inwards travel yet before me - some malignant genius of this or the other world, [?t] into the service of the Havana, a Pilot who seems to be as ingenious in searching out & running upon sand bars, as the majority of his craft are in avoiding them - no sounded, not all the "depths" but all "the shallows" of the Ohio, - & finally after many delays, "stuck fast" upon a bar about 300 miles below Louisville - I lingered some twenty four hours in the hope of getting off - for I liked the captain - He was an old fashioned Kentuckian whose name was Bacon - served up sumptuous fare - drank the best of brandy toddies & prepre'd all his passengers with the same goodly habits - at length, however, I "told myself" away, & left him & all his troop to their fate - I shipped upon the [St Lo] Worden Pafe, borred [*provoking pout of her rich ripe lips was more than could be endured by one of flesh & blood - May the heavens shower its blessings upon the troubled pathway that is before her - as for me, I must cultivate stoicism. write me - give my love to all the family, - my heart is eukers to be with you & them again God help you, is the prayer of your devoted J Holtfor St Louis, & amid "a thin gathering of yankees, who "quiped" at every thing "in nature", I came to the mouth of the Ohio - where I stormed myself away in the Monsoon a splendid St Louis boat, which I doubt not will "Lie me safely home" - I am in the enjoyment of my beau ideal of steam boat trowlling - i.e. a magnificent cabin, - only some time [?] aboard - a fine library - an excellent bar (I mean a confectionary) & an entire State room consecrated & set apart for my only "proper care & behalf" - nothing but thy own sweet self Mary, is wanting to make, that self same State room, a little paradise - Poor Lemuel has sunk into a profound Melancholy from your absence or Celia's - I know not which - He says he is afraid you will never get home - the channel is so hard to find & he is certain that you will not wait until the water rises - The Steamer Nonock. (Mr Lambeth aboard) with a host of mississippian's is about six or eight hours ahead - we shall probably pass them - The weather is the most delightful I have ever enjoyed - we have neither the parching summer's heat, nor "the churlish chiding of the winter's wind" - but a most luxurious "[beter serity?]" - the very bridal season of the elements in which earth & sky seem to vie with each other in smites & beauty - my health is excellet & improving - I have no "ache or ailment" nor the fear of one - My occupation is reading Shakspeare & thinking of you - & catching occasional glimpses of the rugged, desolate banks of the mighty Mississippi, now so shrunken & morrenful in its aspect - looking widerd "The desolate desolate the victor overthrown" (two lines filled by that quotation.) - on board the Havana we had quite an aportinment of fplks - consisting of good old ladies with caps, so socih yoxe - fellows in matrimonial harness - with a sue out sprinkler of lapdog & children - The distingue' of the morty group was the Historian of Kentucky - Mr Butler; a veteran schaubmaster & [th?her] of many school children - a part [whi?it] was attested of their present to the number of 5 or 9. - the [li?] being handsomely graduated from the eldest who rejoiced in the name of mother, down to the youiker with his "shining morning face" that required the aid of the rod to carry him to school. The old man is living rating with all his tribe in the hope of bettering his "Shattered fortunes, in the South by "teaching the young ideas of that country now to shoot" - a business which is already well understood here. He knew your father when a young man, & paid you or him the compliment of saying, that he was "a very brilliant young man" - I was on the point of falling in love with one of his daughters - She resembled you in so many things - Her figure & sweet madourice "fairness yours to the tye - I had quite a feast in gazing at her - & more than once thought the[*Mille Parmity 26 Sept*] [*18*] Mrs. Mary. L. Hott Bardstown KentuckySteamer Monsoon Thursday September 26th 1839 My Dear Mary, I scratched you off a few lines two days since, & dropped them into the P office at Mills Point. Having here written in haste & amid the jarring of the boat, they had a fearful squinting at the heiroglyphick style of chirography, - a style which I hope you will pardon, not imitate - Having nothing to add to that very interesting letter, I was on the point of forwarding you this [letter] sheet in blank, when I recollected that I had omitted to communicate the all-important fact of having in obedience to your special orders provided myself with a life-preserver, which puffed up to its utmost tension now lies before me - calmly smiling at danger & defying flood & tempest to do their worst - What could be more prudent or more beautifully obedient! - As you may have borne curiosity to know, I have to inform you that it is now forty minutes past 8 oclock in the morning - the morning is chill & may have presented frost to those who rose with the sun - A cheerful fire is blazing in our stove - & the sunlight and [wulimed?] & gorgeous in pouring in through every glass & cranny - It is just the kind of weather which makes the best elastic & the heart exceeding glad - It would be cruel to withhold from you the solemn fact that our nights continue to bringbeautifully moonlit - [that] "there not being a cloud in that blue plain that tells of storms to come or part" - The nights indeed seeming but days "sickled over with the pale cast of thought" - Doubtless you will think the elements are piling up these storms to greet your coming - We have passed the orouoxo & various other bouts - & shall "no preventing providence" be in vicksburg on tomorrow night - being now only about 300 miles above - & our boat outstripping all expectation in her speed - with the exception of N. Orleans & Natiberg, the Souther country continues entirely healthy - you will probably hear many exaggerated rumors of the ravages of yellow fever - you may rest assured how ever that not a single case of it, has appeared in vicksburg this summer or at any other time, & that should the epidemic reach there, I will at once betake my self to the country - we have met several steamers from new orleans, - from which we have the latest & most accurate advices - I still think of that happiest effort of the old schoolmaster's life - she of the Madonna face, & ripe lips - It is sinful in sight of the great author of the feast that such a dish "fit for the gods" ('who delight in nectar'.) should remain untasted! you ere how all pervading & inexhaustible is my love for you - I not only love your dog, which is the orthodox test of affection, but pour out my heart over all things in nature, which can boast of the slightest resemblance to you - Also would that the world had many such models of true constancy, what a paradise it would be!. I learn that there has been quite a rage for matrimony among the Southrons - who have gone north this Summer - I saw I. W. Vick in Louisville, looking 20 years younger than he is want to do. - He & Miss Booker write their fates about a month hence - He has two children to begin with - His brother Newit, not yet 21, is to be married to that foxy Miss Payne of Augusta, whom we saw coqueting at Hareadsburg - He is very rich, generous, moral, handsome [?] a better match than coquetting ever deserve I [?] However it is said in clawing off from Miss Floyd - having written to her that he now [?] broke - to which she replied "no matter" - & then the matter stands - I think, if he attempts to fly after this, that the vicksburgers will box him up & [sa] consign him to the Lady - I never thought him a "marrying man" - The boat is about to stop at the Post office - God bless you, my diamond of the desert - may your sparkle never be less - your devoted JHolt -MEMPHIS OCT 1 Te. Mrs. Mary L. Holt Bardstown KentuckyVicksburg Sept 28th 1839 My dear Mary, I drop a line merely to say that I am once more at home in my office, which is such a den of chaos & filth, as it rarely falls to the cut of a christian to inhabit. Lemuel is however giving it a thorough scrubbing & I shall soon be as comfortable as a man's "worser half" can hope to be in the absence of his "better" - Our boat rounded to port at the dawn of day, & through the first cold, grey, glimpses of the morning, I exchanged greetings with this miserable town - It looked sad enough I assure you & the brightness of the day, has not much cleared up its melancholy aspect - I have wandered up & down, gathering as into a budget the good & evil tidings of the last three months - but little of which would interest you - Suffice it to say, that the town, though utterly torpid & trodden down into the lowest pit of the most hopeless bankruptcy, has been blessed with unprecedented health while the fever continues to rage in [Uatetrey?] (which is almost entirely deserted) not a case has originated here, & but very few deaths have occurred from any cause during the summer. The gloom which hangs over the land, is the result wholly of pecuniary embarassment -. an entire people have been suddenly awakened from dreams of the most boundless opulence to find themselves reduced to a paupering from which they see no escape -The times are indeed sadly "out of joint" & growing, if possible, worse - yet when I think of you, I can never despond - Give me but a smile & a kiss at morning, when I go into the world, & sure I am that I can make a way through it's eager, jostling crowds, wide enough for us both - I little dreamed my beloved Mary, that I should feel such a hungering of the heart & joylessness at the fireside, as your absence creates - Indeed, I am almost selfish enough to wish that you had made the sacrifice, & come with me - yet it is doubtless better as it is - I would have your sojourn here brief as possible - & know how much happiness you are around your own family hearth - yet you must not, in your fears, connect life here with the horrors of Love's hotel -Mrs Taylor is keeping a very fine boarding house within a stone's throw of my office where we will hav an excellent room & be decidedly comfortable - I shall write you in a few days again - intending this as a mere hint that I had "come safely to hand" - I am looking anxiously for one of your little billets which will be sweeter to me than flowers wafted from the garden of Araby the blessed - remember me to all the family - & believe me my jewel, your devoted JHolt -[*V???KSBURG SEP 29 Mi.*] [*Paid-*] [*PAID*] [*25*] Mrs Mary. L. Holt Bardstown KentuckyVicksburg October 4th 1839 My dearest Mary - The river is low - & mails exceedingly irregular - If therefore my letters arrive "few & far between", lay not the sin at my door - They will doubtless all come together, - and then amid "old news & new", you will see what a faithful correspondent I have been - How wonderfully matrimony has improved me in this as in all other things - In order that you may see the "form and pressure of the times" here (especially the "pressure") I send you our city papers - forwarded to your "Pa's address, which I hope will come safely to hand, & be received with their Babel tongues as a substitution for my meagre letters, when they come not - I need not tell you I am well - very well - every one says - (& they are competent judges) that I am looking some "thousand times" better when I left home - some think idleness has wrought the change - but most believe that I have been reyouthed amid the buds & blossoms of the matrimonial morn - among whose early dews & wildflowers the heart yet feeds as upon the offerings of a first love - They deem you a "charmer" or rather a sort of conjugal tinkress, moulding old vessels into new - and by my troth, I believe they are more than half right - How, I should rejoice to be cast into the crucible this night. The temperature of our weather has changedsomewhat - It has grown warmer - but is still bright & pleasant - very like the "Indian summer" of the West - among the ills which this change has brought with it, may be round swarms of musquitoes, the most fierce & warlike, that it has ever been my fortune to encounter, - night after night they shout the battle cry over my devoted head, until I sicken at the sound - The Heathens who occupied my bed in my absence, among other doings of like import, gave my musquitoe borderers rents, through, one of which the "dove of Murana" might fly with unclipped wings - Through this the warrior band pour in their legions, and as I beat them back, the cry of "once more to the breach, dear friends once more", is heard from many a hungry chieftain - you may well conceive how feelingly I deplore your absence - and that of your needle - I have rec'd not a line from you as yet - may they come soon & many - my eyes ache for the sight of them - once, I begged you to look into your mirror, & write me what you [what you] saw there - if eyes, whether they were lustrous as of old, or dimming with the "blues" - if lips whether they were rosy, ripe & pouting, or looking cold & sour, like the mouth of a vinegar cruet & - but being in those days "coy, or seeming coy", you shrunk from giving me the picture, though you saw it - now inas much as these same eyes & lips, at present belong to me - (I having cheated their fair owner out of them by an exchange of old trumpery hearing the same label) I have a right to know their plight - and renew my request for the information aforesaid - "nothing extenuate nor set down ought in malice" - for, I know, if there jewels have been fairly dealt by, they will abide the severet scrutiny of the viewer - I forgot to tell you that on my way down, I took a peep at Hurricane, or as the natives term it "Harricane island" - It is a wild & tangled forest of heavy timber - to all appearance untrodden by man or beast - The wood chopper has not only spared the beechen tree, but all others twig & sapling included - What are your amusements ? - How [?] kill off these days & nights that drag on like the links of an interminable chain ? - I hope you are light-hearted as a bird - & that when we meet, I shall find you wild & frolicksome as a fawn - This much I expect from your philosophy & your free fresh heart, which the world has not wounded - sometimes I am sad & perhaps a drop may unconsciously mingle in the current of my letters - but, it is only for a moment - I think of your sweet face - the panacea for all my ills - & as by enchantment the world again puts on its festive livery - My prophetic soul tells me that there are long long years, yet in store for us, rich in happiness - in memories that bliss [& hapen] in joys that will not "vanish while we sip" - Our city continues entirely healthy - The fever is yet raging in Natchez - The Banks, stores & indeed any place of business is closed & deserted, - It is said there are not more than 200 persons remaining in the city - upon them, however "the demon of the plague" is gorging its infernal hunger - I shall write you soon again - give my love to all the family - Has Mrs Hynes shaken off the blues yet? - Tell her it is downright impiety to cloud up so sweet a piece of scenery as her face & all the christian world has a right to cry out agst it - God bless you - JHPaid PAID [*DD*] VICKSBURG OCT 5 Mi. Mrs Mary l. Holt Bardstown Kentucky –[*Aunt Sally says, as she cannot send you a good report of me [than] this last week she has declined writing a post crypt - I opened a letter to you the other day from a Mr. W Novi I thought it was upon business of importance from its looks and aught to be attended to. Excuse enough I hope for breaking the*] seal tell Lennie if he does not take good care of you .. I will not let, Celia have any thing to say to him - - or - do any thing for - him - - be sure to tell me every thing you wish me to do - Aunt Sally has been begging me for this last half. how - to quit writing she says she is certain you will be wearied to death with all this nonsense = If you succeed in reading this My Dear Joseph; you will deserve a premium October 4th 1839 Mary Maj Haney will leave in the morning for Miss, and has politely offered to be the bearer of any news or letter I may have for you - As I think its possible a letter may reach [you sooner] by him than by mail I have determined to accept his offer and send you a shout epistle - Your letter from Mellser Point has been received and read with unlimited pleasure though not without some difficulty - Matrimony or something else has indeed so spoiled your handwriting that it took me almost until day to read it - but perseverance will do a great deal sometimes - I have learnt [to] that difficulties and formidably ones must be encountered in the achievement of every design - The obstacles which were presented at the commencement of your letter and which almost deprived me of all hope of succeeding, banished before the ardoron - and gecal with which I commenced and continued to preserve your letter - No doubts you wrote in hieroglyphhicks that the feast might not be over too soon with me - I am thankful that you did as the reception of it had taken all sleep from my eyes -. The blues were gettingfull possession of me; - I will be candid and tell you the cause of them, Mrs. L had received a letter some five or six days before;, from her Adam's - Mutten at Smithland - I was actually grieved to think she had got one before me; as you, were the first to leave = you must confess it had, little the appearance of neglect. It made me heart sick to look upon her - joyous face no doubt she felt happier - and better-assured of his love; as I did not get one from you = Joseph did you know how my heart leaped for joy when your letter was given me. I am sure you would not keep from me so long, the happiness which is so fully in your - power - to give - Judge McKinley was a little displeased with us for passing his house so often - he says they went out to the road several times to watch for [for] - us - I am truly sorry you did not go to see him on your way down as he had important business with you - He is now at his farm in Ala he promised Papa to return through Bardstown to see me - as will not attend your Courts in Miss - The prospect for our meeting very soon is not very flattering, we have not had any rain since you left B. the weather is very warm & disagreeable Joseph whilst I have my senses - I will never let you leave me again, In sickness or in health my place shall be at your side". I have not heard a word from Mr. Harrison I suppose he will not leave for - Miss before the 20th of this month I know well how it would be with my father when once completely in his Power - He says now that he is afraid for me to go down without him and that it is not safe to go to Miss in November. I know if I wait for him, and all things to suit I will never see Vicksburg. - - Do not forget to make every arrangement for my reception at the nearest hotel. Miss Lambeth has offered every inducement to be of her party. She has promised me a birth in her stateroom which is to be the farthest from the boilers - Mrs. L. is to take it in New Orleans, and says also, that she will go with me to the hotel -. You no doubt ere this have heard of the death of Mr. Shappeze - He has left his family in a very di[re?] situation. You are aware of his selling his place to Mr. Hardin - he had only received half the money for - it and just before he breathed his last Mr. H. made him write [the] his name to the deed and then insisted that Mrs. Shasseze should do the same - She told him she would if it deprived her - of her last breath - he now has it fully in his power to keep from them the rest of the money - Joseph he has no more feeling than a horse. - I would be afraid to go down with him for I do believe he delights in the misfortunes of others. I have not heard from your Aunt since we were there I think if your - Sister is there, they ought to let me know it. -I must stop scribbling so. I am called down to see Mrs. Kate Howell. [*Celia sends her love to Samuel She wrote to him a week or two ago - : Do not wait an hour after you get this before you write All send their love to your Papa and I have had a long talk about you Well I have seen Mrs. Howell She has just returned from the races in Louisville her whole talk was about the fashions and what she had purchased - I suppose she intends dashing this winter at Jackson. I am afraid she will stick too close*] [*to us for my comfort - May heaven protect you my dear - husband from sickness and all danger - is the sincerest prayer of your Mary. - - - -*] [*this morning - he says it is a hard case that [his only] he has but two daughters and both have gone so far from him - - -*][*BARDSTOWN 9 K?*] [*25*] Mr. Joseph Holt Vicksburg MississippiVicksburg October 10th 1839 My dearest Mary - your sweet letter of the 24th ult, has been in? - & I have feasted upon it, as did the Hebrew pilgrim upon the manna of the wilderness - Upon such a feast, my heart could live forever. At, these are offerings, that make poor[?], the riches of this world - what has [?] in its coffers, or ambition amid its trophies that can compare with the worth of woman's love? - that sparkling fountain whose waters make glad the desert of life - And yet my dearest Mary, you ask me to play the critic upon that which I esteem as rut in beauty as the stars are in light - True, I am ambitious that you should excel in all things - but how far that ambitions has been gratified, is an secret which I shall bring to my own bosom, or does the miser, his brightest jewel - suffice it to day, that now shall call you a "burgler" in composition - not even your own dear lips shall utter such a slander - your quotation are most apt & culled with exquisite tast - mingling with your own thoughts, like "the sweet south mind, which breathes repair a Case Kay violets - [give] straling & giving odour" - But are you not afraid that you will make me very, very vain? I must be so already or I should pronounce you an arrant flatterer - who, ever speaks with sugar plainly in her mouth -I should have preferred your coming to Miss. with Mr Hardin & his daughter, had it been agreeable to your 'Pa' - but I very cheerfully yield my preferred upon the subject, & have not the slightest objection to your making one of Mrs Lewibeth's party - I have but one feeling in the matter, which is, that you shall not travel under the protection of any one whom you do not know thoroughly & know to be a gentleman - From the 1st to the 20th of November, I shall be at Jackson - so that yu may probably arrive in my absence - in which event, Mr Pitt's will see you safely to Mrs Taylors boarding house - which is near the commercial & R. Road Bank - Further directions, I will leave with Mr Harrison, who will call on you, so soon or informed of your arrival - Be certain before leaving the boat, that your luggage is all on shore - I am truly glad to hear that Celia is enquitting herself so well - She has fair capacity & is of that pliable kind of nature, which will enable you to make her what you please - I think her & Samuel well mated in their point of duration & that we have cause to congratulate ourselves, upon our good fortune in have culled such, from the indolent, thieving, incoming like "set" who[t] make uup the crowd of servanity every where - I saw Mrs F. W. Van - (Sarah Pierce that was) on yesterday - we met on the street & with her pretty face dripping with smiles, she paid you more compliments than a page would reward - She says she never heard of your being in town, until you were gone & that she was deeply mortified in having been denied the pleasure of seeing you &c &c - - - Judge W - - & his embonpoint lady have not arrived - I suppose they will not take vicksburg in their route home - If she is not, or she seems to be, her fate is truly a hard one - and as for the Judge, it must be any thing but pleasant to have one's bump of phuloprogenituiemp tantalised by such "empty show" - I grieve to learn that Mrs Hynes (whom I come or near loving as she & you will allow) is still in "the dumps" - pardon that word - She once told me that she could not be argued into happiness - & of course, I suppose cannot be argued out of "the blue's" - if she could I would fortune it inflict upon her, not an argument, but a, demonstration, that when she & that loveable face of hers, which she is glooming & souring & blue [?] shall meet at corupt" then will be a [?] her - These nights seem to me frightfully long - & I am ever restless, even when the musquitoes are at rest - Is not this singular? - My health was never better & my conscience never more at ease - and yet "tired nature's sweet restorn" comes not - It would be ungallant to suppose you of so soporific a nature, that you are not only "Sleepy-headed" yourself, but the cause of sleep in others - yet, I do remember that our conjugal couch was rarely wanted for refreshing slumbers & pleasant dreams - It is passing strange [that] to see a gentleman married five months & not sobered yet - My love to all the family - Hebe of my dreams farewell, may your gown never be "loose"!! JH[*PAID*] [*Paid 25*] Mrs Mary. L. Holt Bardstown KentuckyVicksburg October 22d 1839 My dearest Mary - This is my seventh letter to you since we parted, and but one in return! Is not this a fearful state of accounts against you? - This debt of yours is running upon interest (if you will - paid on the figure) & upon that interest, I may submit in future, without any further investments - So you may not hear from me again for many days - I am wearied with "crying live one in the wilderness, whose voice returneth unanswered unto himself " - All my anxiety & wishes in this wide world, are now concentrated into one feeling - one want - Are intense and burning desire once more to see & clasp you to my bosom. May we meet soon and happily - I feel that to me, the period of our separation is so much of life thrown away - never to be reclaimed - I little dreamed that I should so sadly realize this solemn truth - yet were not until all things are ready - you must make no sacrifices to meet me - I have "made up my mind" to endure another month - which I think will bring us together - No news - Fear & pestilence are still scourging the south - of all which you will find accounts in the papers - Give my love to all the family, & say how I do pine to be again under their hospitable way Your devoted JHVICKSBURG OCT 24 Mi. PAID Paid- 25 Mrs Mary. L. Holt Bardstown Kentucky -October 28th 1839 - My Dear Joseph, the moon has risen clear and calm -" and I with it, to indite a letter to you, but I must tell you in time that you must not expect it to partake of the hue or brilliancy of the morning, in as much as my feelings are very unlike it in every respect - We have had a very long and dry Indian summer, the sunshine is oppressive, I pray now as fervently for rain and thunderstorms as I once did on board of the General Brown for calm - and sunshine, I think a few clouds and storms would improve my spirits - There is no sound I should like so well to hear as the pelting of a hard rain against my windows, excepting the music of your voice which would be at this time, sweeter to me than any earthly sound - I have seen and heard so many accounts of the sickness of the south and of the many fiers that have occurred within the last few months until I am almost frantic about you - and then the prospect of our meeting - soon is most dismal, - Joseph what must I do should it not rain before the tenth or fifteenth of next month must I venture by land or must I stay here and grow mad with anxiety about you? - Say only that I may take stage and I will defy mare or mortal to preventmy seeing you in a short time - You cannot imagine with what impatience I awaited the arrival of your letters - and not until yesterday did they come to hand, - The joy they brought with them, is beyond the power of woman to describe, although they could not tell me you were well and happy at the time I was reading them - yet they filled my heart full of hope that you were - I [?] were - you safe from that miserable country in some sweet little cottage of your own overgrown with woodbines and roses I should be perfectly happy - If your love holds out faithfully, I am sure I should want nothing else - but should you like many others fly from your home in search pleasure. A pallace in such a case would be to me worse than the most miserable of cells. Joseph, do not think that I; should any misfortune overtake us, love you any less than I do - under all circumstances and in all situations. I am yours - and will love you on to the last - I have dreamed of you almost every night for the last two or three weeks; sandbars annoyed me exceedingly - letters were all ways forcing themselves up and I would awake to find that it "was all a dream and nothing but a dream." I am glad you have secured a room for me at Mrs Taylors for indeed I have a great horor of going into James Hotel There are many persons here waiting for a rise in the [?] who are going immediately to Vicksburg - There is a Mrs Stith and a Dr - Allan from Jackson - Mrs. Blackey is going down with me, her sister is to a niece of hers who is living at Canton, she says she will stick to to me during her stay at Vicksburg we must try to get her a room at our boarding house - I have been employed my Joseph in various ways since you left me, I have been spinning knitting, sewing between times I have read some fine books - and occasionally made, - and received visits - Not a word have I heard from your sister or any of your relations - I think if your sister has been with Mrs. Stone she has treated me most shamefully - Miss Kate Howell has declined going this winter - and I am sure I do not regret it. The Croziers's have visited me very often - I know not what is to pay they are so polite - - Aunt Fanny says you must take good care of the [?ttle] flesh and blood you have, and not let those [?] insects [?] of with it all before I get down - I have nothing to tell you more than, that the papers you send me must not be looked over before they are sent and the bad news taken from the good - send me all bad and good - Joseph this is a miserable scrawl I am a little sick; no not sick, but have a few pains which prevents me from writing with all the ease imaginable You must just look at it sufficient to convince yourself that I am alive and then consign it to the fire - All send their love and good wishes to you - Tell Lenuel Celia had a real battle last night with Frances. I fear she has too much temper -God bless you my Dear Joseph.BARDSTOWN OCT NEW YOR NOV 15 [*for 10*] [*25*] [*33-*] Mr. Joseph Holt - [Vicksburg] Jackson MississippiJackson November 6th 1839 My dearest Mary- I drop a line merely to say that I am here snugly housed in our old room at Mr Finnean's. All things are unchanged - and yet all seems desolate & forlorn - need I tell you why? - The history of the establishment since we left, is without any event - Brother Porter is absent, & we shall probably lack the cheer of his jokes through the winter - Mrs. F_ looks well - even temptingly so. She is much improved, or absence from you, has wonderfully heightened my susceptibilities to the charms of the sex - I have told her that you would be here, in despite of her prophecies! - I fear that you are doomed [to encounter] to encounter great difficulties in descending the ohio river - which is lower, I learn than it has been known - I must insist that you will not attempt to return to the South until the waters shall have risen - at present, the navigation of up the Ohio & Miss. [are] is scarcely practicable, & is attended with dangers, which I would not have you exposed to, for any consideration - We shall, at all events, I think meet by the first monday in December - until which time I have made up my mind "to suffer & be still" - Mrs L. - I presume, will not think of leaving for New Orleans, before the 20th of November - nor even then, without a favorable changein the rivers - The weather is now quite cold here - and the fever is rapidly disappearing from the river towns - where it has prevailed for the last months or more with great fatality - I would have no apprehensions for your health, were you now here & I hope your Pa will urge no objections to your coming, on that score - Your letter of the 9th ult came safely to hand, a few days since - It was indeed a rute treat - my very beau ideal of a letter - so long - so closely written - so full of neighbourhood news! & house hold sympathies - I have read it twenty times - Tell aunt Sally she is very much mistaken in supposing, that I can ever weary in reading such letters - They are my only refreshment - May you send me many such! - I shall return to vicksburg in about two weeks [to Vicksburg], Where I shall await your arrival anxiously - but with as much patience, as the Gods have endowed me withal. Many losses & hopes, have I suffered since we parted, but nothing that reaches my happiness like your absence - It will be long, I trust before, I shall again endure such an infliction - Give my love to all the family - and that every blessing may be poured upon your head is the prayer of your ever devoted JHPaid PAID 2B JACKSON MI Mrs Mary L. Holt Bardstown KentuckyNovember 17th 1839 - My Dear Joseph The long, long month you thought would bring us together has nearly - expired and the prospects of our meeting soon is indeed bad - never was the river known to be so low as it is at this time - I was told a few days since by a gentleman that the turkeys could wade across the beautiful Ohio - though told as a solemn fact I begged leave to doubt it - Prentiss says it has a great-deal of bottom and but little speed - The truth of this remark I feel too sadly and I expect there are many now stuck upon the sand-bars who wish with me from the inmost depths of their hearts - that there was little more speed and less bottom - We have had some long and hard rains - but not enough to produce the slightest rise. The weather for the last two or three days has been more beautiful than even you can imagine, - The moon seems to have a softer ray than it ever had before and the sky looks to me as though it would never again have a cloud upon it - it makes me faint and sick to look out upon it - Were I with you how different would be my feelings -.- There is one who does not permit me to give up all hope of seeing you this winter, it is Mr. Caldwell our old weather cock who has sat upon the corner of the street for the last century - he says there has been much rain in the -mountains and that ere long there will be water enough to carry me swiftly to my beloved husband - Your letter of the 22d though very brief was to me dearer than any of your last – I thought it a little tinged with the blues, I wept to think I could not be with you to cheer and to chase away the cloud which seemed to be hanging over your heart. Yet I must confess those tears were not without a sensation of pleasure, which I know not how to account for - - perhaps my vanity whispered in my bosom, that I alone was was he cause of this gloom, It made me feel that I was loved; devotedly; loved, a feeling I would not give for this world, treomre or its fame — But I feare you will accuse me again of speaking with sugar-plums in my mouth" – so I will stop this and tell you a little of the gap is of our town – – I have had a long letter from Mi Randolph, she writes verry affectionately, and is very anxious to know how you and I agree, I have, thank heavens no misunderstandings quarrels reconciliations and atonements to tell her – of; I fear from all that I can learn that hers are without number - A lady told me a few days since that they lived very unhappily together – She says she did not love him when she married him as she now does – and that she admires him for his forinness and noble spout, and not unfrequently did the pi[???]he him for the, pleasure of hearing a lecture— Joseph I tremble for her, Uncle William wrote to you and directed the letter to Louisville, he is very anxious you should wish Florida this winter - - Our town has been in a state, of considerable excitement a gentleman who has been thought one of most respectable citizens of the place has been whipping his wife you know him perhaps, it is Mr I McMeehin, he pulled her out of the house the other night by the hair, what ought to be done with such a wretch? – Mary Hynes is as happy as the times will admit fortunately for her she does not have to put on loose gowns as she thought she would have to do. – Joseph I have finished all your shirts, they are all ready for you to put on— I take a look at them every day and regret that the owner is so far away — I have no news to tell you. Your sister did not come up as was expected, John Lapsley has been very ill [in Illinois] but I think is now able to walk. I have made a visit to my Aunt Knichilae and am again, seated in the corner, there determined to remain until I leave for the South—. Papa told me this morning that when he gave me to you, that he thought he would be gaining another child, instead of losing one; he says he feels like an outcast in the world – alone – and solitary. All send a great deal of love to you and often wish to see you — Joseph I have written often to you if you do not get letters, it is not my fault deprive me not of the pleasure [of getting] reading your letters — I is all that keeps me alive —  [*I have been tormented to death since I have been writing you this letter with persons coming to see me. Farewell my dear – Joseph let me prey fervently that we may soon meet each other. God bless you. Mary —*]BARDSTOWN NOV 1 K [*25*] Mr. Joseph, Holt - Vicksburg Mississippi -