Elizabeth Cady Stanton GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE 1814 - 49 The following four letters are from Daniel Cady to Peter Smith. Judge Cady saved the Smith fortune twice, once for Peter and once for his son Gerrit Smith. Advocate and client were brothers-in-law having married sisters. Peter Smith was something of an eccentric and always melancholy, pessimistic 22 [2 Dec. 1814] Dear Sir, It is True that I have lost my youngest child. I thought too much of him. He was healthy and remarkably active. I flattered myself he was formed to contribute largely to my happiness; but in about twelve hours after I became alarmed for his safety he was dead and I confidently trust in a better world - such is the fleeting nature of the treasures of this world - one moment they are the objects of our warmest affections and at the next the source of the bitterest anguish But what can, what ought to be done? Does wisdom require us to magnify our misfortunes and render ourselves wretched by viewing only the most gloomy circumstances which attend them? Or ought we not rather to exert our ingenuity to draw out of them all the consolation we can? The death of my boy has robed me of one object of my affections, has dried up one source of my anticipated happiness; but to him, I doubt not, death was gain, and had he lived, instead of fulfilling my expectations and contributing to my happiness, he might have covered himself with disgrace and filled me with shame and would I now reach to Heaven and bring him back to this world of trouble and of danger, would not his safety and happiness forbid it? There are some expressions in your letter which had me to fear that you suffer the conduct of your daughter to give you more pain than you ought. Girls from the most early ages have been inclined to choose husbands for themselves and to feel that in making that choice, the wishes of a parent ought not to have much influence- If a daughter disobliges an indulgent Father and gets a bad husband, God knows she is sufficiently punished without one frown from her Father; but if she happens to get a husband who does every thing in his power to render her happy what then ought to be done? Shall the Father look constantly at the gloomy side of the picture and torment himself by reflecting that he had a loved daughter- that he had done every thing he could to make her respectable & happy. That at the moment he was flattering himself that she was soon to be settled in life agreeable to his wishes, she, gay-giddy and ungrateful changed her mind an choose a husband whom he disliked! Would he not more promote his own happiness by saying, I have done my duty, The happiness of my daughter was my object. and Although she has cruelly disappointed me, may God forgive her, and make that marriage a prosperous one which promised nothing but misery, Although my feelings and my honor may not permit me to take her to my arms nothing shall tempt me to say one word, or do any act which shall give her pain or which shall justify her or the world in saying that I was willing she should be unhappy! It is a principle in nature, it is a maxim in divinity, Old as the creation and as immutable as God himself that man can in no way so effectually promote his own happiness as by promoting that of others especially those of his own household - your own letter prescribes a sovereign remedy for all the evils which have "worried and harassed your mind" for the last two years - "reconcile your self and allow all for the best" & submit without murmuring to the dispensations of Providence." Can any human being undertake to say, that, had the marriage taken place which you wished it would have been productive of honor or of happiness? Who can say that it would not have been the source of witchedness to the parties and regret to you? Or who can say that the one which did take place was not necessary to fulfill some great and important design of an overruling Providence? Why then not "allow all for the best"? I am, you know, much of a financier, and should your finances become so very much deranged as to require my assistance. The only doubt I should have in undertaking to put them in order would be, that they are so extensive and unwieldy that I too might have my mind worried and harassed before I would calculate their amount or learn what to do with them when the amount was ascertained. A man who will have half the wealth in a state must expect to have his mind worried and harrassed that is a necessary tax paid for extensive possessions, Bonaparte at Elba finds less to worry & harass his mind than when at Moscow. Apropos, suppose Bonaparte's mother had never been married - or had married another man than the one she did; can you say what now would have been the state of the world? Below is the bill of costs you required - I shall probably see Bechers counsel in January & will then make an arrangement with him respecting the agreement if it can be done. I am Dear Sir yours sincerely Daniel Cady Peter Smith Esq Johnstown 2d December 1814 Costs $19 - 12 - Johnstown 2 D Paid 10 Peter Smith Esquire Peterboro- Madison County 23 Johnstown 23d October 1818 Dear Sir I had some fears that Van Gerson Stephens & Co would prosecute you, goods were purchased of them, as I understood from Peter, while you were a partner, as they may suppose it difficult for you to prove that they have notice of the dissolution of the copartnership. That they were informed of it I have no doubt - but how you can prove it I do not know unless you can by filing a bill against them, compell them to confess it. From the fact that no judgment has been entered as your bond and warrant for $25000 and an execution issued to Ontario - I infer that Mr. Van Pantvoorst has the means of paying the notes which you inclosed at his instance I hope you will soon summon up resolution and come to Johnstown - I fear you permit your afflictions and misfortunes to distress you too much - I know that a man's feelings are not at all times under his control and that misfortunes will sometimes make a stronger impression on us than they ought. It is however, our duty to meet them with as much fortitude as we can and try to convert them into sources of consolation instead of distress - The reflection that life at longest is very short, is an unpleasant, yet it is well calculated to take from misfortune its keenest sting. If instead of being occasionally subjected to great loss we were permitted uninterruptedly and rapidly to accumulate wealth - would it satisfy us? Did you own all north and south America and I the rest of the world in [fee?] simple should we be content? would it prolong life, or increase our powers of enjoyment? Alexander wept because there were no other worlds for him to conquer - and should we not be dissatisfied that there were no other worlds for us to possess? Could we have marched and conquered through the whole planetary system, short would have been the enjoyment of his triumphs - And before we could look over half our continents - our eyes would be closed for ever - And the benefit of mankind would require that our heirs should spend a world or that it should be taken from them - It is not consistent with the well being of society that a man and his posterity should for many generations go on rapidly accumulating property; should it be permitted for a few generations the great map of mankind would become slaves - make your own case - suppose you were about leaving the world and putting your sons into the possession of your property and they were to go on as successfully as you have done, in proportion to their capital how much of this State would not belong to them at the end of fifty years? What then shall we do? Shall we abandon no movable industry & become drones? No. Steadily pressure the acquisition ofproperty and use so much of it as will contribute to our own enjoyments and the prosperity of those for whom it is our duty to provide. But what shall we do in relation to that boundless eternity compared with which life is nothing? God help us- yours sincerely D Cady Peter Smith Esq 24 Johnstown 30th Oct 1818 Dear Sir, The action commences against Merrell is noticed for trial at our Circuit on the 15th of next month. Frederick Wilber is the only subscribing witness and his attendance here will be necessary in order to have the case tried. Where does he live? If in your neighbourhood do have him [?] W Buckman will I presume make out a [?] if asked if he resides in Delaware As I suppose probable - perhaps the least expensive course will be to let the cases go off, have the venue changed and try the cases in Delaware I laid the venue here under an expectation that no defence would be made, or if made would be only for delay and that a [?] would be given to save the costs of a trial but that on portion has not as yet been realized- + Do your strength and courage increase so that you begin to feel that you can survive your severe apprehension and will conquer all the difficulties which you have been called upon to encounter? I hope so- but after all my Dear Friend what are we? What are our destinites? Death a remorseless punch has at different times broken into my family and my arms stifined the limbs of three of my children on whom I had placed much of my affection. One of them, a fine active healthy boy- had, I know not why- so connected himself with every tender fiber of my heart, that his death gave me an agony of suffering and half weaned me from the world. I had in imagination determined what he should and anticipated the pleasure I should take in having him in my office and trying to make him eminent in his profession- but in a few hours the crash put him beyond the reach of my sighs or my tears- my Father who is but 20 years older than I am has for six months been sitting in his chair nearly the whole time night and day struggling for breath- and death has been so near you as to chill your very bosom and unless we can find some means to resist his power, which every other mortal finds altogether resistless- where shall you and I be- what will be our pursuits in the year 1900. Shall we- Alas! who can answer the question If I ask it? - Should some future grave digger at that time throw up our half rotted skulls- what would a resuscitated Hamlet say to them! I am Dear Sir yours sincerely D Cady P Smith Esq 25 [27 Aug. 1819] My Dear Sir, I wish I had the power to alleviate your afflictions and open to you new sources of consolation; but that can only be done by Him who governs the Universe and orders all things to accomplish his own purposes- Now uncertain, now liable to be defeated are all our plans of happiness! But a few days since Garret's wife was the picture of health and of loveliness and he, no doubt, was calculating to enjoy[ing] with her a long life of felicity- Where is she now? It is our duty to believe she has lost nothing by the exchange of worlds. This, we know, promises little but "vanity and vexation of spirit." The other happiness unalloyed - She, full of youth and life, is taken and we, who are beginning to feel the decripitude of old age, are left- her death reiterates to us the admonition "be ye also ready"- God, grant that we may be- Mr Buckman is now here. I [?send] by him a plan which you will sign name to and return to me. I am Thy Dear Friend yours sincerely Daniel Cady Peter Smith Esq Johnstown 27th August 1819. Henry Brewster Stanton, who in 1840 married Elizabeth Cady, acted as secretary of the Anti-Slavery Society. [See Random Recollections by H.B. Stanton Harper Bros. 28 Office of the American Anti-Slavery Society, New-York, June 14, 1837 Dear Sir, -- The following resolution was passed by the American Anti-Slavery Society, at its recent meeting in this city: "Resolved, That it is earnestly requested of the Secretary of each County Anti-Slavery Society in the Union, to forward by mail, immediately, to [Elizur Wright, Jr.], in the City of New-York, the name of one or more suitable persons, in each town of said county, with their post office address, to circulate Anti-Slavery petitions for signatures." It is the intention of the Society, to present to Congress and our State legislatures, at their next sessions, the names of as many petitioners, as possible. The success which has attended the exercise of the right of petition thus far, in producing discussion in legislative bodies, in arousing the people to a defence of this right and to a contemplation of the character of slavery, and in the passage of the noble resolutions in the legislatures of Vermont and Massachusetts, has shown, that it is one of the most efficient instrumentalities which the friends of the slave can employ. The voice of the people, thus expressed, can arouse the nation. This voice has not yet begun to be heard. Last year, 110,000 persons petitioned Congress for the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia. This year, ten times that number can easily be obtained, if we can only get petitions thoroughly circulated through the country. The great barrier to the accomplishment of this, has heretofore been, the lack of names in the several towns of the free States. To remove this, is the object of the above resolution. And now, sir, we wish you, whether the Secretary of a County Anti-Slavery Society, or not, to procure and forward, to this office, as soon as possible, the names of one or two thorough and efficient abolitionists, in each of the towns in your county, to whom we can forward petitions. To accomplish the work of petitioning, these names are imperatively needed; and they are needed now. And we confidently hope, that while you will take sufficient time and pains, to procure the names of active individuals in each town, you will not delay an answer longer than is absolutely necessary. We rely upon you to do this for your county. The work of circulating petitions, ought now to be going forward, (especially as the next Congress meets three months earlier than usual,) and should not be delayed till just before Congress and our State legislatures convene, when there will not be time to do it thoroughly. In forwarding the names, be pleased to write them in a plain hand, and be careful to annex to each, the Post Office address. If you cannot forward names from all the towns, do so from as many as possible. Let the importance of the subject excuse us for again urging you, to do this without delay. Please direct your letter to H. B. Stanton 143 Nassau St. N.Y. My dear Sir, We write to you, because we hardly know who else to address in your county -- fully aware, that you may be pressed with business. If you cannot give it your early attention we trust you will put it into good hands. We ought to pay the postage, - but, having 300 to send out, -- we cannot raise specie enough!! Very truly yours, H.B. Stanton New-York, June 14, 1837 Dear Sir, -- The following resolution was passed by the American Anti-Slavery Society, at its recent meeting in this city: "Resolved, That it is earnestly requested of the Secretary of each County Anti-Slavery Society in the Union, to forward by mail, immediately, to [Elizur Write, Jr.], in the City of New-York, the name of one or more suitable persons, in each town of said county, with their post office address, to circulate Anti-Slavery petitions for signatures." It is the intention of the Society, to present to Congress and our State legislatures, at their next sessions, the names of as many petitioners, as possible. The success which has attended the exercise of the right of petition thus far, in producing discussion in legislative bodies, in arousing the people to a defence of this right and to a contemplation of the character of slavery, and in the passage of the noble resolutions in the legislatures of Vermont and Massachusetts, has shown, that it is one of the most efficient instrumentalities which the friends of the slave can employ. The voice of the people, thus expressed, can arouse the nation. This voice has not yet begun to be heard. Last year, 110,000 persons petitioned Congress for the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia. This year, ten times that number can easily be obtained, if we can only get petitions thoroughly circulated through the country. The great barrier to the accomplishment of this, has heretofore been, the lack of names in the several towns of the free States. To remove this, is the object of the above resolution. And now, sir, we wish you, whether the Secretary of a County Anti-Slavery Society, or not, to procure and forward, to this office, as soon as possible, the names of one or two thorough and efficient abolitionists, in each of the towns in your county, to whom we can forward petitions. To accomplish the work of petitioning, these names are imperatively needed; and they are needed now. And we confidently hope, that while you will take sufficient time and pains, to procure the names of active individuals in each town, you will not delay an answer longer than is absolutely necessary. We rely upon you to do this for your county. The work of circulating petitions, ought now to be going forward, (especially as the next Congress meets three months earlier than usual,) and should not be delayed till just before Congress and our State legislatures convene, when there will not be time to do it thoroughly. In forwarding the names, be pleased to write them in a plain hand, and be careful to annex to each, the Post Office address. If you cannot forward names from all the towns, do so from as many as possible. Let the importance of the subject excuse us for again urging you, to do this without delay. Please direct your letter to H. B. Stanton 143 Nassau St. N.Y. My dear Sir, We write to you, because we hardly know who else to address in your county -- fully aware that you may be pressed with business. If you cannot give it your early attention we trust you will put it into good hands. We ought to pay the postage - but, having 300 to send out -- we cannot raise specie enough!! Very truly yours, H.B. Stanton 30 Letter from Henry Brewster Stanton to Elizabeth Cady when they were first engaged to be married. Philadelphia Jany. 1 1840. "A happy new year" to thee, my own beloved Elizabeth! I hope this bright but cold morning finds thee cheerful & brilliant as usual, and enriched with the affectionate admiration of many warm friends. But, among them all thou shall not find one who loves thee more devotedly, or would do more to render this & all thy future years "happy", than him whose hand traces these lines. Their prayer is that the same kind King who has caused thy faith thus far in life to bloom with such sweet flowers, than crowned thy years with His loving kindness, may continue to spread the banner of His guardian care over thee and lead thee into pleasant towns and by the side of still waters, till, at a period far remote, He shall gently call thee to a brighter world & more enduring joys. And where & how shall we be at the beginning of the next New Year? Will these hearts be still united, and like kindred drops, mingled into one? Of myself, I can say in the words of Moore:- "This heart, like a tendril accustomed to cling, Let it grow where it will cannot flourish alone; But will lean to the nearest and loveliest thing, It can thrive with itself, and make closely its own." I need not tell thee who that "nearest and loveliest thing" is. And will it ever falter in its affection? Let the same sweet poet answer. "The heart that loves truly, love, never forgets But as truly loves on to the close, As the sunflower turns to her god as he sets, The same look that she turned when he rose." bright but cold morning finds thee cheerful & brilliant as usual, and enriched with the affectionate admiration of many warm friends. But, among all them all thou shalt not find one who loves thee more devotedly, or would do more to render this & all thy future years "happy", than him whose hand traces these lines. Their prayer is, that the same kind King who has caused thy faith thus far in life to bloom with such sweet flowers, and has crowned thy years with His loving kindness, may continue to spread the banner of His guardian care over thee and lead thee into pleasant towns and by the side of still waters, till, at a period far remote, He shall gently call thee to a brighter world & more enduring joys. And where & how shall we be at the beginning of the next New Year? Will these hearts be still united, and like kindred drops, mingled into one? Of myself, I can say in the words of Moore:- "This heart, like a tendril accustomed to cling, Let it grow where it will cannot flourish alone; But will lean to the nearest and loveliest thing, It can twine with itself, and make closely its own." I need not tell thee who that "nearest and loveliest thing" is. And will it ever falter in its affection? Let the same sweetheart answer. "The heart that loves truly, love, never forgets But as truly loves on to the close, As the sunflower turns to her god as he sets, The same look that she turned when he rose." With what deep pathos does my heart respond Amen! to these lines. If I seem to be uncommonly poetical & pointed in my address to thee this morning, dear E, attribute it to the fact, that I am writing in the room of John G. Whittier, "the Quaker poet." I have just parted with Mr. and Mrs. Smith & Miss Lochman, who have gone out of the city to Germantown to dine. Elizabeth & I have sung Cork Reg , the Gypsy ballad, & a dozen others, besides having a chat about you. Let me tell you a little incident, to them that I am "still harping on my" Lizzy. On our way to the depot of the Germantown Rail-road this morning, we stopped a few moments [this is a wretched pen ] at Mr. Webb's, of whom you have heard Miss Srtewart speak. Miss Webb inquired after Mr. Stewart's family. I told her I had seen them recently, and that Miss Elizabeth told me if I saw Miss Webb to give her love to her. Miss Webb stared interrogatively. I repeated, "Miss Elizabeth sends her love to you." Miss Webb seemed not to understand me, and "cousin Nancy" and "Lib Smith " laughed. I asked for an explanation. Says Lib Smith, "Was it Elizabeth who sent her love to Miss Webb?" I saw I was caught, & turning to Lib, said, "I hope you will excuse me for thinking so constantly of you, as to use your name thus involuntarily? You must not take it to heart." "Certainly not," said she, laughing. The affair afforded those of the party who are in the secret no little amusement. If your father had been present, I think he would have said with the venerable Polonius in Hamlet, "Still harping on my daughter!" But, I am quite sure, I shall not mistake him for a rat, & therefore shall not kill him, Hamlet-like. Nor do I believe you will drown yourself, like Ophelia; but live to bless me. And, as to myself, I can not only say with Hamlet, "I did love you, fair Ophelia," but can add, with all my soul, "I do love you." and if I be abolition-mad, all parties shall yet know that "there's method in my madness." So much for Hamlet & Miss Webb! [I am interrupted and shall not be able to conclude this, till I reach New York; whence I go this P.M.] New York, Thursday I arrived in the city about 1 o'clock last night, half frozen to death. But, I was warmed with the expectation of meeting a letter ("sleepy of course") from you, & slept soundly till 9 this morning. On going to the office I inquired, and found _________ ! The loveliest correspondent I ever had, once commenced a letter to me thus: "How cruel! Dear Henry, not to write to me in so long a time: nearly two weeks (all but four days) passed, & not one line from you!" But, I did not positively expect a letter from you, dearest E, & therefore I am not much disappointed. But, it does afford me so much pleasure to get a few lines dictated by your great heart & penned by your little hand, that the hours pass slowly till they come. I know there is a letter for me somewhere in the snow drifts between this & Johnstown. 41 Lady Lane [11?Aug?th] 1870 My dear friend, As we parted last night in great uncertainty as to the future proceedings of thy husband & thyself this day, and as you may be setting off at three or four o'clock for Bury or Ipswich, I will write that I hoped to have said to thee, and I am the more willing to do so because I believe that the ceremony of coming to bid me farewell might be an in- convenience to you & certainly no pleasure to me-and I therefore beg to dispense with it altogether assuring thee at the same time that I rejoice much that I have seen, & known thee, & thy talented and honorable husband, and that I sincerely regret we have not been able to meet oftener during your stay in England. Yet this is weak - for then I should have been more alive to the pain of parting with you - Well, I trust we shall not forget each other - and I beg leave as one means of keeping myself in thy remembrance to send thee two hymn-books which I hope thou will do me the favor to accept - one word more - I saw thou didst not understand the fuss I made about the sweet rhubarb. The plant was a present to me for my trumpery garden last autumn and is new here - and I fancied it might be new to you. But it is perhaps common in thy country & may come from thence. We prize it because we had rhubarb only in the Spring - now by means of these roots, we can have it in Autumn & Winter- and do. I have wished to give many roots to my friends. I now suspect that Anna [Gurney?] received hers from her American friend Baker. Here is a long to do about nothing - but I saw that thou wast surprized & rather amazed at my pertinacity yesterday & I wished to coplain why I forced my back upon thee - not from national vanity, a personal pride in my new rhubarb, but from a true legitimate feeling. John Sturge's clever pamphlet just arrived! -- I am impatient to read it. With the sincerest wishes for your temporal, & eternal welfare, dear friends, I bid you affectionately, Farewel! Amelia Opie PS - I have no idea what is thy husband's address - but, New York is, I suppose, sufficient - [*39*] Dear friends, As I find you are not gone, & may perhaps, not be going before tomorrow, I should be glad to see you if you can come to me this evening & have no better engagement. I should enjoy your society for two, or three hours - though I did not [*40*] AMELIA OPIE. Bruton Street 33 Berkeley Square [*38*] Elizabeth Stanton [Norfolk?] Hotel Elizabeth C. Stanton London, Nov 14th" 1840 [*43*] like to see you, merely to go through the pain of bidding you an eternal farewell. Our friend Lesble's things & books are still here so I conclude he is not gone. I drink tea at 7 or earlier if I may expect to see you & that that better suits your convenience. I fancy you intending to (Uley for Jefferson?) Coach tomorrow morning for Bury - Very Sincerely Your friend Amelia Opie Lady's Lane (11 llo/0-20?) He has presented me a copy of his "Notes" on His country. The work will be out in a week or two. I have a nice letter from Dr. Channing acknowledging Lady Byron's present -Come and see it. We have also a lot of beautiful gifts from our anti-S. friends in England - the Ashursts-Waele's. We regret much that we have had so little of the company of thy cousins. We have been waiting for the returning health of Gerritt Smith, so as to enjoy their society -and here now they are going away to have not. Elish kindly called with thy letter this morning. And thou art a Homeopathist, a believer in animal magnetism too! - Well there is no harm in investigation - and surely the "Faculty" have need to be distrustful of their conflicting theories. Tell Henry to remember the Anniversary of our State Society is approaching. He must not let the Study of Law be all-absorbing - forget not that he early dedicated himself to the slave's cause. How glad we were that you went to Dublin & saw our dear friends there! Come & talk about them. My Husband dont know that I am writing, but he loves thee dearly & often talks about thee. Most fondly thine L. Shote Philada. 3 Mo. 23rd. 1841 My dear Elish With Sarah Rugh and Lissy Neall for thy correspondents, I cannot hope to convey much that will be new or interesting; but for the love I bear thee, my dear girl, thy cousins must not go without a line, expressive of my interest in you both; for let me assure Henry, that from the hour he came here - an unsophisticated "Lane Seminary boy," he has had our best wishes; as well as of late our fears, lest he would give too much aid to new organisation. But we'll let that pass. He and J.G.W.* too must not forget their first love. If such a thing is possible as an honest & Christian lawyer, in this day of over-reaching, I hope he may be successful in his new pursuit. *Whittier, the poet, who was at this time giving more time to politics than to poetry. And My dear, what is the result of all the inquires of thy open-generous confiding spirit? Art thou settled on the sure foundation, of the revealed will of God to the inner sense? Or is thy mind still perplexed with the schemes of salvation, and plans of redemption which are taught in the schools of Theology? It is lamentable, that the simple + benign religion of Jesus should be so encumbered with the creeds + dogmas of sects- Its primitive beauty obscured by these gloomy appendages of man - The investigations of the honest inquires checked by the cry or heresy-infidelity! Thou knows how it was in London - thou knows too, that I have no wish to proselyte to any speculative opinions I may hold; but all may know, for I proclaim it abroad, that I long to see obedience to manifested duty- leading to practical righteousness, as the Christian's standard- the test of discipleship- the fruit of faith. 45 Then lays liberty - unbounded toleration - yes "Religious right", as to forms of worship and abstract theories. This most excellent Charity will not forbid our calling the attention of those, who are superstitiously dwelling in the shadows + figures of the true. to what we may dream a more enlightened and better understanding of the law of Christ. - But this is not what I took pen for. It was to tell thee how well I love you both, and how much we want to see you . When are we to have this said visit? It must be soon or we fear not at all, this year. Don't let peculiar circum- stances discourage. We are all "own folks" here. At least we feel so, + it will give us the most sincere pleasure to welcome you at 136 North 9th St. Thou must not feel as thou did in England when trav- elling with Henry + stopping at [?] house. But wasn't that, take it altogether a pleasant visit + tour! I ever dwell on it with delight. George Combe, in a letter to us, speaks of Henry's call as given him pleasure. 46 To Eliz. Cady Stanton from Sarah Pugh. From what I heard of Mrs. Gains I would not muster sufficient interest to go her hear her - the only inducement was her being a woman but then as she said "she spoke under the protection of her liege lord" who stood by her side with hand on sword hilt. - Three only of Henry, letters has it been my good fortune to part with - though I have made considerable effort to find them one to Pluyford Hall- one barn Exchange & one about "boiled salt cellars!" that was grand! It was so truly descriptive - when I read it I did not know who wrote it - but I did enjoy it highly those subservient waiters came visibly before me - with their yes, maam - and their touch to their hat "When we seven meet again!" Love to Henry - thine truly Sarah Pugh Philad. on 3/24 - 41 46 My dear E. Had I time to write it would be my will that thou shouldst have a good long letter though as to the goodness my will might be no more able to call it than was the old man's the farms for his sons. By the kindness of our dear L. M. - I know of the present opportunity - to say the reception of thy letter rejoiced our hearts _ I felt as if you were indeed with as once more _ I say our for I sent it out to Abby as well as read it to 'our folks' here_. She wrote thee the next week after my letter. She says in a note yesterday "I have not yet the look for Whittier here this month to escape east winds - did you see his lines to [?] from Europe Living we suppose, heard from dear E. Stanton." I fear her letter has not reached thee. In a most characteristic letter from Dublin there is honorable mention made of you Hannah Webb says- E. Stanton (with whom we were highly delighted) is a brave upholder of woman's rights. and her husband says of thee "She is better than a whole third of that portion of the Pledged Philanthropy which assembled in Freemason's Hall." Is not that a compliment for thee? As the same quaint writer says of Gannison's & Roger's _ "I like it there is such a heartiness about it altho' sufficiently extravagant at times - it makes you feel easy & comfortable It is not like the cold stateliness of the British & Foreign who have nothing to say of any one unless he happens to have been "erroneously stated in a former member to be a member of the Society of Friends" When we have thee here with us there is much more in this same letter for thy amusement. Do not fail to make your arrangements to come in May -Whether any of us get to N. Y. at that time is doubtful. I mean to try Yearly Mag. - will present some of our Friends - that will not tie me. - I hope the Liberator comes to thee regularly - I fortunately had a spare copy subject to my order of which I was glad to make good uses (autumn 1843) Boston, Tuesday, 5 o'clock P.M. My dear Elizabeth, I arose from my feather bed at Fonda yesterday morning at 1 o'clock & took the cars for this city, where I arrived after a fatiguing ride of 250 miles, at 1/2 past 6 last evening. This morning, I paid my respects to Mr. Sewall, & we talked over matters & things in general & law in particular till 1/2 past 3 this afternoon, when we waited upon His Honor Chief Justice Williams at Lobby No. 17 in the Court House. His Honor nodded when my name was announced, talked a minute with Mr. Sewall, Mr. Sewall left, & I sat down, the Judge looking at me & I looking at the Judge. He turned over a huge heap of papers, cast his eye at the top, & asked me to define the term "real estate". I did so. He then skipped from page to page, asking me questions concerning the principal topics of the law perhaps 50 question in all. I stumbled only once while running the gauntlet. He took off his spectacles & said "he thought it would not be necessary for him to detain me any longer, & if I would come into Court tomorrow morning, he would direct the clerk to swear me in." I arose, bid him good afternoon, & left the room fully L. B. I intended to have left you a little pocket money, but forgot it. impressed with the conviction that he was a very sagacious Judge! Lo, tomorrow, if I live, I shall probably be an Attorney & Counseller of the Supreme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts _ in full practice! I saw you felt very bad when I left. But, you did not feel worse than I did. To leave "the Kid & his mother," was very trying, I assure you. I felt sad, solemn, & disconsolate. But, dearest, we shall meet again I trust ere long. Be of good cheer & look forward to the time of meeting, & be happy till that hour arrives. I shall now bend all my energies to get a place for you & the dear boy to live in & something for you to live on. I should think myself well off, if, by being admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of this State, the State Treasurer were obliged to pay me a salary of $2500 per year! But, there are a great many starving lawyers in the world, & I must take my chance with the rest. I shall do my best to get an honorable and competent practice, for your sake & the sake of the Kid. I think I shall send at once to Seneca for Mr. Rayard's library. I shall get an office, & look around for a good partnership. All this will require time. Do not expect to see me getting great fees yet. I must get under weigh first. I think it probable that I shall take a room right over Messer. Fletcher & Sewall's office, & shall then get a little help from Mr. S. [?] sometimes has more business than he can do, such jobs he will give to me. However, all this is mere conjecture. Let the future take care of itself, while we do present duty. You have no idea, my love, how much I would give to see you & Reilly. Dear little fellow, how my heart goes out towards him! Kiss him for me, & do not let him forget me. It would make me feel bad when I next met him, not to have him recognize me. I hope to see you in about a month from this time. I think I can so arrange matters as to spend 2 or 3 days at Johnstown about the middle of November. Till then, dear Lizzie, think of me often, pray for me often, write to me often. Take good care of your health _ Keep good girls with you, that will lift our 25 pounds of loveliness & thus save your strength. ___ When you write to [?], Cate, Harriet, or Mag, send much love to them from me. ___ Write to me as soon as you get this. I shall write to you soon again. I do love you Lizzie! Will you forgive me all my coldness & unkindness? Remember me most kindly to father & mother. The next letter I write shall be better than this. This is a mere scroll, to let you know that I am here, & am on the eve of being a counsellor. God bless you! Your own Henry. 48 To Eliz. Cady Stanton from her husband who has just gone to Boston to establish himself in the practice of law taken all parties aback. I think your father will like it for it echoes sentiments I have often heard him express concerning Tyler and his administration. Write me at once, & direct to Boston, care of S.E. Sewall, Esq. Mrs. Elizabeth C. Stanton Johnstown, Fulton Co. N.Y. Single - A great & brilliant light has just been struck from the intellectual & moral sky of the Western Hemisphere. Rev. Dr. Channing, who was on a visit to Vermont, died two days since! He has left his impress on the age. - Tell your father how Mr. Webster's great speech at Fanuiel Hall last Friday, has Boston, Thursday Afternoon. 1843 My dearest daughter, If you knew how happy it makes me feel to get a letter from you, you would not let a fortnight pass away without writing to me. Two weeks to day since I heard from you! I have been fearful that you or the kiddy are ill; & you do not like to let me know it. Now, dearest, if you or the dear boy are sick, you must not fail to send me information forthwith. For, if either of you should be very ill & I not be informed of it, I should feel much worse than to know the worst. Do promise me, then, that you will not fail to let me know immediately if either of you are unwell. Pledge me this, & then I shall not feel so anxious when these long intervals pass away. Will you dearest? Last night I dreamed of being with you. Oh how sorry was I when I awoke & found it was but a dream! I do think of you very, very often: & I long to be with you again, to enjoy your smiles & kisses. I suppose you hardly think of me for a week together. You have the sweet little kiddy to play with & embrace, & do you forget all about "the p[e]ppy." But, reflect: where would the kiddy have been but for me?! [ON THE LEFT SIDE:] Do not let the Kiddy catch cold. See that he is not held by the window in the evening. He must get older before we toughen him. We must take great care of our precious treasure;- I find many in this region are adopting Homeopathy.- The Boston whigs think Webster will adhere to Capt. Tyler, even tho the Captain goes over to the Locos. Webster is in bad repute here. I am anxiously waiting to hear from dear Cate. I hope she will get thro her trials safely, & be blessed with a stout, healthy daughter! You must not frighten her half to death, by telling her constantly what "a horrid affair" it is. You must remind her of the royal courage of Victoria. Speaking of trials & deliverences reminds me of what I am to pass through next month. I shall probably be ready for my examination before the "grave and reverend seignors" of the law, by the middle or last of July- I hope by the middle. I think I shall go through the ordeal without getting scathed- tho they are pretty rigid in their tests. They examine their candidates quite thoroughly in all the ancient & modern law of real property, & go pretty considerably into personal property, mercantile law, the various sorts of actions & remedies, &c, &c. I shall prepare myself pretty faithfully in Blackstone & Kent, & the two other authors & run the risk. I study very closely- much more so than usual. If brother Wilkerson is at Johnstown, give my love to him, & tell him I wish, on his return to Buffalo, he would [petition] circulate a petition among the members of the Buffalo bar, praying the legislature at its August session, to pass a law extending to lawyers who have been admitted to the highest courts of our sister states, the same rights & privileges on coming into New York which a New York lawyer must be entitled to on removing into almost every State of the Union- viz, an admission to the same rank & standing in the courts of those states which he had in his own. Tell him New York is in bad repute in other states because of her want of comity in this respect. Read this paragraph to S.W. & he will understand what I am at. Will you ask your father to send me a certificate of the time I studied law with him-also, stating that four years were allowed for classical studies? Say to him that his certificate of my commencement to study with him, bears date on the 23, February, 1841, & was filed in the Supreme Court Clerk's office the same day. I left his office May 25, 1842. So that I studied with him precisely 15 months.- When he makes out the certificate, let him do it on a sheet of paper, & then, unless he wishes to fill it up with good advice, will you? For the last two weeks, it has rained nearly every day. We are now enjoying a northeast storm. The country around the city looks green & beautiful, & things grow finely. I hope Mr., Mrs., & Miss Cady will make a visit here the last of July. They would be delighted with a look at the capital of New England & its environs. What say you to settling down here?- Kiss the dear Kiddy, & tell his mother that I long to kiss him & her (especially the latter) for myself & not by proxy. Tell Mon to beware of the youth!- Write me, dear love, every week. For I delight to hear from you. Ah,verily, Henry. -wicks. Saw Isaac Winslow recently. He has just returned from France. Emily has been in Haivre since we left her there. Mr. W. inquired particularly after you. Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Johnstown, Fulton Co. New York Single. When you write, tell me something of the news. How the License excitement is - whether growing or abating. I shall send the family a newspaper now & then, to let them know that the End of the World is not yet; at least in Boston; altho the Millerites & Mormons are increasing. The Mormon & Millerites hold meetings in the city every week. _ Ask Mr. Seaton if a Mr. Hawley is lecturing in Fulton Co. & let me know what Mr. L. says. _ I occasionally see some of the Smith- 50 To Eliz. Cady Stanton from husband. She and her first child Daniel Cady, are staying with her parents at Johnstown N.Y. while Mr. Stanton is establishing license in his practice of law in Boston, Mass. * Joshua R. Giddings, leader of Anti-Slavery group in House (1838 - 59) 55 From John Greenleaf Whittier to Henry B. Stanton. Whittier & Stanton belonged to the group of abolitionists who believed in political action. *In 1846 the protectionist tariff of 1842 was supervised by one which might be described as for revenue only 59 From Henry B. Stanton on the birth of his second son, Henry, to Mrs. Stanton who was in Albany, N. Y. with her parents where the family often resided in winter. Boston Saturday Mar 30. (1844) Dearest Love: Mr Childs is going to Albany Monday. He will take your muff box, liberty bell, hat, veil & truss. Not the most delightful burden for an incorrigable bachelor; but, as Mr C. intends ere long (unless rumor belies him) to carry muff boxes &c. &c., in which he will have a livelier interest than in yours, & wishes by practice to become au fait in the matter, he has kindly consented to undertake the care of yours. I write this hasty note by the same hand. I have been hoping to get a letter from you. Tho, you rightly expect to receive more letters from me than you write to me. I hope to be at Albany in two or three weeks -- tho I cannot say precisely when, for I have engagements reaching all along this the month. But, I am as anxious to see you & the new kid, as you & the young gentleman can be to see me. I can hardly realize that I have got a new son -- tho, the frequent congratulations of the Chelseans, in passing with me over the ferry, tend to impress the delightful truth most deeply on my mind. I often wonder how the little "possum" looks & acts. Till I see him, & have your certificate that he is ours, he will not be able to efface from my heart the impressions made there by the darling Neilly. You see, in my postponement of my [?] to Albany, that the second son does not touch quite so deep a cord in the father's bosom as the first. If this had been our first born, I should have repaired to Albany instanter, as soon as I got tidings of his advent. It is evident I am no Millerite or I should be more interested in the second advent. This I suppose, is human nature. Certainly, parents who had larger experience in these matters than you & I, told us we should fell less about the second edition than the first _ partly, perhaps, because in our case, the first was such a splendid production. I am thinking (& it makes me sad to think of it) how little comparitive interest we shall take in our eighth son. The seventh will, according to the ways of nature, be a prodigy; & will therefore be an exception to general rules. I presume we shall care as little about the tenth or twelfth, as about the pretty sons of our neighbors. Melancholy reflection! My dear, we must lay these things to heart. I paid Deac. Wheelock's bill today. He inquired with much interest when you were going to return. He longs to see your factionizing face. The Chelsea boy is improving slowly, &, if he meets with no relapse, will recover. He laughs & plays & seems to begin to enjoy existance again. One of Mrs. Wrights children has recently died. I was invited to the funeral; but could not go, because I was engaged before the E. Cambrige Court with the License question. I have sent two or three papers giving an account of the matter. We had a hard fought battle, & won the victory. No liquor licenses are granted this year in Middlesex. They paid the [nim?] lawyer (who lost his case) $100. I got only $15. This is about the proportion in which men are rewarded for advocation vice & virtue. The weather is horrible. Our streets are full of [slosh?]; it having snowed all last night. First it blew, then it snew, then it thew & then it friz. My health is good. _ My dearest, take good care of your health. Don't sit up for too much - nor walk. Deal carefully with Henry, kiss him for his pappa. Has he made any allusion to me? Kiss Neilly. Tell him I hope soon to be with him. I long to see you, my lovely Lee. I am lonesome, cheerless, & homeless without you. Write to me soon. Give my love to all the family. Your Henry. Mrs. Elizabeth C. Stanton Care D. Cady Esq Montgomery St Albany Mr. Childs For full accounts of the 1848 Convention see Life & Affairs of Eliz. Cady Stanton; Intimate papers of Mrs. Stanton in the Library at Vassar College ; 1848 Scrap-book made by Mrs. Blanton, the three folios, compiled by Miss Anthony contains the manuscript of Mrs. Stanton's speech at the Seneca Falls Convention, all in the collection at the Congressional Library, Washington, D.C. 57 [*To Elizabeth Cady Stanton from Henry B. Stanton written on an announcement sent to his old Anti- slavery and Temperance friends.*] 57 [*1844?*] Henry B. Stanton Attorney and Counsellor, No. 10 Court Street, Boston. Mr. S. practices in all the courts of the Commonwealth ; Common Law, Equity and Admiralty. He attends to the trial of civil and criminal causes ; to the collection of debts and demands, either with or without suit, and by arbitration and reference ; to the amicable adjustment of controversies ; to the settlement of estates ; to matters of insolvency and chancery ; to giving advice in all professional matters ; to the drafting of all kinds of legal instruments, such as contracts, agreements, deeds, mortgages, wills, bonds, covenants, assignments, leases, bills of sale, letters of attorney, marriage settlements, &c. &c.; in short, to every species of professional business. Mr. S. practices not only in Suffolk, but the adjoining counties. Being a magistrate, he attends to taking affidavits, depositions, the acknowledgement of deeds and other instruments, &c. &c. The partnership heretofore existing between him and J. A. Bolles, Esq. was dissolved on the 8th of May last. Boston June 11- Monday. Dear Elizabeth:- I received your letter of Sunday morning, last evening. You say you have recieved no letter from me since you have been at Canaan. I wrote you last Thursday (I think) in reply to your letter of the previous Monday morning, & which you ought to have recieved [sic] by Saturday morning. I directed it to you at Canaan, Columbia County, New York- not to the care of anyone - for you did not direct me to do so. I intended to have sent you money in this letter, but, you not having received the other letter in due time, induces me to not send money till I hear that you get my letters regularly - for, it may be lost. When you get his, let me know immediately, & I will send the necessary funds - or, if I get a letter, in the mean time, announcing that you have rec'd my first letters at Canaan, I will immediately send money. I do not know how much to send, tho. I suppose $20 will be hardly enough - for the fare on the railroad will be $11, I suppose, besides [?] expenses, & provided you dont stop over. Then $8 or $9 will not be enough perhaps to pay your Canaan bills. and yet, a twenty dollar bill is the most convenient to send. However, I will decide when I get your letter. You may state in your next, how much you will need & I will forward it, whether it require one or two bank bills. Mrs. O. read me your letter to her, last night. She will (so she said) write you in the same mail which carries this, & tell you all about how things are at Chelsea. In my letter which I sent to Canaan, I told you how my office was arranged. I have got a neat one, & by adding 4 yards to the old carpet we had in the upper room, it fitted the front room of my office. Mr. bishop has carpeted the back-room. I am getting some handsome new furniture, & when completed, shall have the finest office at No.10 Court St., -You see I am sending out some circulars to the Temperance & Anti-slavery men in the city, to let them know that I am in the way of business, & can be found if they wish. I am glad to hear that dear little Henry the Second, is well & as good & [blade?] as ever. Why did you not let Neil the precious, write a line in my last letter? You would if you had known how much pleasure it gives me to read his scribblings - especially when his hand is guided by his darling mother. I had a letter from [Nikerson?] yesterday. He says Cate's leg is no better. You speak of staying at Canaan till the last of this month. I hope you will do no such thing. You can be just as well off for air & roaming-grounds both for yourself & the boys, at Chelsea as at Canaan. We can interchange letters, so that you can get here early next week, or certainly during the week; & you must not delay beyond that. Indeed, the last of next week will carry us to the 22nd?, & you must come & [see?] by that time. In truth, I am almost resolved to send money in this letter & insist that you come this very week. I will see the [Southwicks?] & look out for a girl. As to your mother, I will write to her tomorrow, at the latest & urge her to come. Kiss the precious [chuks?] for me, & in your next I charge you to let Neil write. Give my best love to Uncle, aunt & all the family at Caanan. Write. Your own Henry Since i wrote the within, I have written a long letter to Mrs. Cady, urging her to come with you & spend some weeks at Chelsea Charge 195 H.B.S. Mrs. Elizabeth C. Stanton care Eleazer Cady, Esq. Canaan, Columbia Co. New York To Amelia Opie. Boston, August 2, 1845. Dear Mrs. Opie: Mr. Whittier sends me a poem 1 which he has just written to the memory of the late Sophia Sturge, sister of Joseph Sturge. 2 I enclose it as it may interest you to read it. In his letter accompanying the poem, he says that Joseph Sturge, for whom it was written, is President of the "British Complete Suffrage Association." I must say that this title interests me more than do the verses, tender and Whittier-like though they be. Do tell me, if you know, what this association is, and if you do not know, cannot you find out for me? Many thanks for your kindness and many excuses for thus troubling you. I would especially be glad to know what the word "complete" refers to. I have not forgotten that Joseph Sturge voted against the admittance of the women delegates to the World's Congress five years ago. So I take it that "complete" has no reference to us women, unless the mind of Mr. Sturge has been enlightened and broadened since I saw him and his sister, who has now gone into the other world. Thy friend, Elizabeth. 51 This and other type-written are mostly to be focused in the original in the scrap books given, as a memorial to the Class of 1875 at the Fiftieth Anniversary of its graduation, to the Library, Vassar College Po'keepsie, New York by Harriet Stanton Blatch [*50 To Eliz. Cady Stanton from her husband. She and her first child Daniel Cady, are staying with her parents at Johnstown, N. Y. while Mr. Stanton is establishing himself in the practice of law in Boston, Mass.*] 52 Copy of Testimonial from G. B. Clark, M.D., F.R.C.S., Hon. Med. Director Wounded Allies Relief Committee. Fryerne, Caterham. 5th September 1914. [*1793 - 1859. English Quaker Philanthropist & Abolitionist*] I have known Dr. Kate Mitchell West for many years and I can with the greatest confidance recommend her for the appointment of School Medical Inspector. She has had a considerable experience of general medical practice, and has written several volumes on physiological and medical subjects. From her knowledge of the world and her literary ability I think the Kent Educational Authority will be very fortunate in securing her Amisbury 4th 8th 18116 Dear Stanton, I am not going to write a letter now, but just to say that I am fully aware that I did a very foolish thing in troubling thee with my letter the other day. I was wrong too, to hurt thy feelings in any way, as I fear I did although I scarcely remember what I wrote. Pray consider it unwritten: and let the whole thing go forever. What shall we do to turn over Massachusetts and bring Anti-Slavery atop? I fear the disaffected whip will do nothing. The passage of MKay’s Tariff has put new life into the Whig party. They were just on the point of taking Gidding's A. slavery ground, as a matter of policy; but now they have got the watchword of "Repeal of McKay's Tariff", & they [want] have no occasion for the anti-slavery alternative. See if it isn't so. Can thee not sound farmer & Hilliard? I would like to know whether there is any hope of their leading off as "Independent Whigs." If not, our duty is plain. We must begin to rally again for election: indeed we have no time to lose. "Once more unto the breach!" When I see thee or Mrs. S. again I hope I shall be in better spirits. In the mean time may God abundantly bless you both! Aff. truly John G. Whittier [*Joshua R. Giddings, leader of Anti-Slavery group in House (1838-59()*] Dear S. The forgoing was written some days ago. I have just got a letter from thy wife, in which she says thee was aggrieved by my letter the other day. She certainly misunderstands me: and misjudges me on many points. In regard to the past: [I am to] but let it pass - I only wish she could see me as I am and discriminate between weakness and indecision, & deliberate [?]. Dear S. We have been friends in sun & shade too long to be disturbed [?]. Let us shake hands [?] & defy the Arch-Mischiefmaker to get us at loggerheads. I am sorry Mrs. S. regards me so unfavorably, but, if the most earnest desire to to live arightly, can avail anything neither she nor any one else, shall have occasion to exercise towards me greater charity than our common humanity every where requires. Affectly., J. G. Whittier Henry B. Stanton E Att. at Law Boston, [*68*] Auburn 7 Mo. 16th, 48 Dear Elizabeth, I ought to have answered thy first kind letter of information & invitation, other than by verbal message sent by our mutual friend Mary Ann McClintock, who hoped to see thee a few minutes on her return from [Derington?] - I requested her to tell thee how poorly my husband was, and that it was not likely I should be able to go to Seneca Falls, before the morning of the Convention. James continues quite unwell- I hope however that he will be able to be present the 2nd. day. My sister Martha will accompany me on 4th day morng - & we will with pleasure accept thy kind invite to your house that night if you should not be too much crowded with company. My daughter Martha thinks she is not quite enough of a reformer to attend such a convention. The true reason however, I presume is, that she is more interested just now, with her cousins here, & her time being short she dont incline to leave them. James says thy great speech thou must reserve for the second day, so that he & others may be able to hear it. I was right glad to hear of thy resolve, & hope thou will not give out. The convention will not be so large as it otherwise might be, owing to the busy time with the farmers, harvest, etc. But it will be a beginning & we may hope it will be followed in due time by one of a more general character. I have just returned from a meeting with the prisoners & many others- have another [*68A*] appointment this evening @ 6a at the Universalist Church. Are you going to have any reform or other Meeting during the sittings of the Convention? We shall go from the Cars directly to the meeting on 4th day Give thyself no trouble about meeting us. There will be enough to conduct us thither. Lovingly thine, Lucretia Mott Paid- 176 PAID Elizabeth C. Stanton Seneca Falls N. Y. The two letters given here one of July 16, 1848 and one of March 16, 1855 are most important in order to correct certain claims which have been set up as to the organization of the 1848 convention at Seneca Falls. I. It was not [?] attended by Susan B. Anthony or any member of her family. Miss Anthony did not enter the movement until some years later. In 1848 she was uninterested & critical. She was later converted to the "cause" by Elizabeth Cady Stanton. II. So little responsibility did Lucretia Mott have for the 1848 Convention that she expressed doubt of attending on July 16, just three days before the meetings were to begin. (See letter on previous page). It was natural that a young pioneer should wish to play up the connection of an older and well known person with her endeavour. In the letter of Mar. 16, 1855, Mrs. Mott comments upon her very accidental connection with this earliest convention (See page opposite), and Eliz. Cady Stanton's giving her too great credit. [See letter of Mar. 16, 1855 from Lucretia Mott to Elizabeth Cady Stanton 70 From Lucretia Mott to Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Taken out of Ready Room exhibited Dec 2, 1939 R. Powell From Lucretia Mott to Elizabeth Cady Stanton 75 Showing how much the suffrage forces turned to Mrs. Stanton for leadership. Philada. 10 Mo. 3 ed. 1848 My dear Elizth, The letter of parcel sent to the McClintocks, by my daughter 3 weeks ago- I find was kept at Auburn, until last week. You must have thought me very remiss in acknowledging yours, so acceptable- and so I have been, thy last, which I have read again & again to my own & others entertainment. I am now trying to awaken sufficient interest to hold a woman's Rights Meeting in this City- It is far more difficult than we found it out west- still there are members here, who feel a deep interest in the cause. Few however are accustomed to public speaking. Thou asks if Sarah Pugh & Mary Grew will not take hold & work- Mary has been very feeble all summer and continues so much so, as to be obliged to withhold her active aid in the publication of the Freeman, and rarely meets with our Ex. Com. We could not therefore depend upon her for anything more than perhaps a short production of her pen. Abby Kimber is much at home with her aged & feeble Mother, and Sarah with hers. But they would both give all the aid in their power. We have been looking around for a suitable place to hold a meeting or Convention in- There will be difficulty in obtaining one for that object- or such an one as we should like- Why cant thou & the McClintocks come on here to attend such a meeting? You are so wedded to this cause, that you must expect to act as pioneers in the work. The writer of that letter from near Boston which I set for your perusal, & which I should be glad to have again, where you have done with it, would probably come to aid in a meeting- Paulina Wright. expects to leave here soon for Boston, so that we may not depend upon her- There may however be some unknown "Mrs. Landfords" to come upon our platform, so we will be of good courage- If there is any probability of having your company on such an occasion, we could make the time suit your convenience. Please consult Mary Ann & daughters & let me know. I had thought of the last week in this month, but some time in next would do as well, if you could better come then. The Book that thou & Eliz. McClintock are "concocting" I hope will be forth-coming. It is just what is needed- But you must not depend upon me for a single chapter. It is not in my line. You can borrow from S. M. Grimke all the historical part of hers- Bible & all- and from Mary Woolstonecraft much that is excellent. As to the generality of the works extant on that subject, it is more [only] more surprising that they saw & wrote as far as they did, than that they did not embrace the whole.- The progress that we see in every work of truth & reform ought to lead us to hail each step in the advance field of Women's duties & rights. Look back to the days of our grandmothers & be cheered. Oliver Johnson is here. He tells me that an orthodox Minister in the town in Mass. where he has lived the last year, a stranger to me, took occasion lately, to hold me up to his congregation, as the worst of women- I send a low, vulgar scrap, from a paper, published here, which I never see; this & that article from the Boston Paper sent in the other parcel, give evidence of some of the misrepresentation & ridicule we anticipated. Richard Mount speaks very favorably of thy Maiden speech at Waterloo. He says some of their respectable inhabitants were well pleased- he would have preferred the head-dress a little different- It looked rather theatrical he thought "a kind of turband bow"- When thou comes here we can give them an example of Quaker simplicity. I rejoiced however, that thou wast willing to deliver that lecture- & hope thy talents in that way will be well "exercised by reason of use" and that Eliz. and Mary McClintock will not let their's rust, but will follow thy example & "speak to thy people that they go forward." Do you write to Rochester & stir up those women to their duties? As to the Grimkes, I have little hope of them after such a flash & such an effectual extinguishment- We must not depend upon them. Nor upon any who have been apostles before us- but be ready for "those things which shall hereafter appear unto" us- We are now in the midst of a Convention of the Colored people of this City- Douglass & Delaney- Remond & Garnet are here - all taking an active part- and as they include women - & white women too, I can do no less, with the interest I feel in the cause of the Slave, as well as of woman, than be present & take a little part - So yesterday, in a pouring rain, Sarah Pugh & self, walked down there, & expect to do the same today- still raining- So ever in a hurry, I conclude, with the dearest love to you all- Lucretia Mott The letter sent with this, I found on our arrival home from the west- Thou wilt see by the dates, that this writer had no knowledge of our doings- I presume she has not a thorough acquaintance with our language by which I account for a blindness of style- I was interested in it. Please return it- We have been begging "a lot" of second hand winter clothing, with some pieces new goods to send to the refugees in Canada- My husband had two large boxes packed & forwarded last week- we learn by letter from Hiram Wilson & the Female teacher, that the steam sawmill is in operation & doing well- they appear encouraged. [* 73 From Daniel Cady to Henry B. Stanton. The Stantons moved to Seneca Falls in 1846 *] Johnstown 17 August 1848 Dear Son, The county of Seneca was organised the 24th of March 1804 - before that time it was a part of Cayuga Laws of 1804 - what = 31. Town of Junius was created 12 February 1803. [?] causes of that year [?]. 7. It is in [t???] 3 Vol: of what is called [Webster?] Edition. before that it was a part of the town of Washington - as to that town see 2 Vol: of the Revised Laws of 1801- page 56- what was called the military lands were divided into townships and named in order that each part containing 100 [?] should have a name - when towns were organized two or more Townships were some times incorporated into one town- It is necessary to know this to understand the returns of the collection of Town of Junius- In one or more of them Galen is named as a town - but that means Township - each township contains 100 - lots In some of the returns you will find the lots numbered 85 - [in] one in Galen & this other in Junius - the Tax of 1802 which is in the return of 1821 was assessed when the lot was in the town of Washington & in the county of Cayuga - 2 Vol: Revised Laws of 1813 ..Page 515- Sec=16. showing that taxes before assessed were a lien - page 521- Sec=60 - imperfect assessments - Page 523- Sec: 46- card certain defects- Vide Laws of 1802 page 50- Col 11 S- Laws of 1804 Page 621. particularly at Laws of 1808. [?] = 201- page 250 It was under this law that the Tax of 1802 was [?] in 1811. I will write tomorrow - Yours &c D. Cady Henry B. Stanton Esq. [*From H.S. Randale to Henry B. Stanton 77 In the political fight they were having Mr. Stanton himself did not hesitate to attack Gerrit Smith*] Cortland V Mass Jan 17. 1849. My dear Stanton, I have "cut a rusty!"--Who under the sun & moon, knew that you was a "near relation" as Ballard informs me that you are--though he does not know what the connexion is--of Garrit Smith? I laughed at him in a letter to you, I laughed at you for naming one of your boys after him! You must have thought me profoundly "mannerly!" Of course, I would have a right to censure Mr. Smith, but it would have been out of all keeping & breeding for me to write to you as I did, had I known that you were relatives. When I say to you that I never had heard a lisp of the latter fact, you will, I doubt not, hold me excused for an involuntary breach of decorum.- And another thing, which though no breach of decorum, I certainly would not have done had I thought that it could inflict a wound on your feelings. I have given Garrit Smith a lick with the rough side of my tongue, in the newspapers, where, it is not impossible, both he & his friends may feel sensitive. Have you seen two letters in the Atlas from a "gentleman of N.Y. to a gentleman of S.C?" I wrote them. In the 3d. one, or the point of appearance, I have made a few pointed flings at Garrit Smith. Until the articles had been for some time in VanDyck's hands, I did not learn (through Bullard) that I had fired off a charge some scattering shots from which might strike- you: - yes, you, one of the [?] and ablest in the free soil ranks- a man whom I would know more of any powder to serve, than I would to demolish (were the thing practicable) a hundred Gerrit Smiths-But I did not receive Bullars communication until it was too late to remedy the mischief, if I have doing any. I have not particle of malevolence towards G.S. - It is notorious that I have always, until now, been his apologist. I always felt a strong admiration for him, until he took the course he did in the recent campaign. Then I began to doubt, if not his sincerity, at least his good judgement. My eye turned upon him now particularly, & I thought I detected curious evidences of his inconsistency. I read his letter on land monopoly & my respect for his abilities sensibly abated. He made his (new arbithis) foolish, uncuecephary, & unjust attack on our Common School System, & my patience with him was exhausted. I visited some highly intelligent persons in Madison Co. who seemed personally attached him-highly attached to some his children & sons in law-& still they gave such a picture of his inconsistencies that my mind was almost wholly changed from its early favorable impression towards him. I thought his course in the recent election, deserved censure. - I knew him to be bold-confident in himself-& asking favors of & fearing no man. To attack such a man-without affecting any concealment-for though under the circumstances, delicacy requires the suppression of my name. The disguise was not thick enough to conceal me for a moment-I say to attack such a man, you may think an act of temerity, but certainly you cannot think it unwomanly, or in a political antagonist improper. - I struck at him, as I supposed, maniful under shield, fully prepared to meet the consequences of so doing.- If I have said anything unpleasant to you, in speaking of him, receive what I have written as my apology. If I have not, tell me so, & I shall - draw a long breath of relief-& be confounded careful how. I talk in mixed company "hereafter!-Pray with me as soon as you peruse my 3d. letter. - If your wife saw anything of my first letter, or knew that it contained any fling as G.S. you will do me a favor to show her this. - And to show far I was from contemplating an anonymous stab of Garrit Smith, I fully authorize you to communicate to him the authorship of the S.C. letters, if you think best-yes, I am willing that we should see every word I have here written. I never strike at a man's back- & never at his face, without standing up to him for the return blow. Sincerely Your friend H.B. Stanton H.S. Raudale New York Nov. 14, 1849 H. B. Stanton Esq. My dear sir I avail myself of the earliest opportunity which has presented itself, to congratulate you upon the result of the election and at the same time to answer your favor of the 9th instant. I was sincerely rejoiced at your success and more particularly at the flattering vote which crowned it. I think if our [humble?] brethren are satisfied with the result of the election we and our b..... have no cause of complaint We are sorry here about Doolittle, but if we improve the moral his failure teaches and the next time, make a little more effort, his defeat will not be a total loss With regard to the Review of which you spoke I regret to say that I cannot consent to publish or approbate anything that appears to the Democratic Review while it remains in the hands of its present Editor Mr. Kittell. He is utterly unsound in his politics besides being a man of no literary pretensions whatever. He was one of 12 who signed Sickles & Co Circular the other day. He did it not because he had any call or necessity to take position upon the question but simply because he was jackass enough to suppose that by connecting his name with such a movement as that he would give it consequence. I do not think it of any importance to you to have any notice whatever in that quarter, but as it's my determination to pitch into both the Review and its Editor in a few days, it is out of the question for me to put any article of my own writing in the former [a periodical]. which I think deserves immediate extinction. I have received no copy of the book but I will send for one and hand it to a friend of mine who some times does a little of that work and if not too much engaged he may consent to prepare an abstract for the Review or some of the other magazines as you might think best. If he could not attend to the matter I will endeavor to enlist the service of some other person and meantime remain Very Sincerely & truly Yours I Bigelow. I forgot to put the extract in the letter I wrote you yesterday so I sent it to night together with two notices of your election from Wayne & Tompkins Co. papers sent you. All well, a little shiver this evening No news from Phila. yet. Mary Earle must be preparing a ninety pounder. Went [house?] running on. Put up the stove, worked there Yesterday. Friday night all well: the weather fine oh! what a blessing Transcribed and reviewed by volunteers participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.