.NDI0.NTgx
[1]
via New York via Southampton
365 – 4th. St. N. York & May ‘63 Thursday evening 9 p m
Dear Ann – There are a party of four now assembled in the room enjoying in various ways the comforts of the fire-side. – Sarah is in front of me – in the little low chair writing on her knee, & I presume, to Miss Dunning. William is at my right, on your arm-chair reading a Manchester Guardian. – And Walker was[underlined] in Mr. Hutchison’s chair with his toes near the fire, reading the Ex- -express, but he has changed his position now & gone up stairs to bed. –
It is still a mooted point whether the Persia went out to sea yesterday, or pulled up in the Lower Bay. – Matthew asked Mr. Cunard today, who said he supposed she went, but did not know. I asked Mr. Gilpin at the reading Room at 3 p m. today
^ & he too did not know. The book there that gives
the reports from Sandy Hook & intermediate points, is silent as to the Persia; but at 11 1/2 a. m. to-day (the latest entry in that book) the s.s. Gasgow is stated to have sailed from Quarantine at 10 a. m.
From this silence as to the Persia, I suppose her engine was never stopped after the paddles took the forward[underlined] motion at 1/2 past 9 a. m.. Up to
the
that time & a few minutes later ^ part of 5 from the 2 households, who went down to see you off, remained on the Wharf – W[illia]m & Sarah ambitiously at its extreme end - & Matthew, Mary & I a little in the rear of them – but sheltered in part from the wind & rain under the lee of the wooden house.
We then all recrossed the Hudson in the same
[2]
ferry-boat, & could just discern the “Persia” thro’ the mist, travelling towards the “Narrows.” – We looked in vain for you[underlined] among the passengers in the “hurricane” deck (not an right term for that ex- -posed position on such a day:) – but Mytton & Joseph Ward, standing under one umbrella, were seen by W[illia]m & Sarah, waving their h[and]k[erchie]fs. – It is odd that I never knew until last[underlined] night that Joseph Ward was going with you. – I spoke to him on board, but imagined he had merely come down to the vessel to pay you the compliment of seeing you off. –
About 1 1/2 p.m. today Mr. Duncan Kennedy called at our office to apologise for not having fulfilled his promise. He said he rose purposely at 5, but the weather was so bad, & he had been suffering
he
from a cold: & so ^ decided it was best not to go. I said I was very[underlined] glad indeed that he did not[underlined] go. –
When we 5 retuned & reached the foot of Courtland St., Sarah & Mary got into our omnibus that carried them to Bleecker St., whence each walked off straight to her respective home. – Sarah says that Mary was highly excited with the whole spectacle of the departure, & enjoyed it amazingly.
The three gentlemen went their separate ways.
I passed thro’ the Post Office, when they were as- sorting the Australasians letters (25 April) & stopped a few moments at the Reading Room. – I did not leave our counting-house afterwards until I walked [underlined] home (despite of the storm) to dinner - & got so wet that I had to change my pants, & thus it was near- -ly a quatr. 6 when we sat down to dinner.
[3]
Nothing was seen of Walker after breakfast yester -day until he appeared to-day, unexpectedly, for dinner, when we had all but finished. Today I came up earlier than usual, & we sat down at 1/2 past 5; & it was 1/4 past 6 when Walker appeared. We had eaten up all the Roasted Potatoes, but there were some boiled onions left, & some remains of lettuces for salad, & with these & plenty of unconsumed mutton chops, he managed well enough; & before he had ended Ann brought in a plate of warm mashed potatoes that Mary had improvised for him, & which he seemed to enjoy. – We all remained at table until he had
one of
eaten up his share (more than 1/3rd) of ^ Mr. Simpson’s apple-pies, & drank off his glass of Port wine.
May min[imu]m. max[imu]m. This gives you the weather yesterday 6 - 43 46 & today as to Temperature. – The 7 - 41 46 rain continued until noon today & the wind too. Since then it has been fair, but is not yet fine. It is not 10 1/2 p.m., & Sarah, after going the rounds, has just gone up to bed. – William went off to bed 1/2 an hour ago: - so now I am all alone by myself; & I may not retire for some time yet.
Last night I was very tired, from having risen so early, from incessant occupation on my feet all day over the books at the office to find out that error, (in which I happily succeeded before I left the office) - & from not taking any nap after dinner, as I then went to work incontinently, & drew out a fair copy of the corrected Balance Sheet to 1st. May, which I laid on Matthew’s desk this morn[in]g. – Thus I urged an early retirement of the household to their beds last night: and retiring gladly to my own, was in it at 1/2 past 10, fell asleep at once, & woke at 5, but only to take another spell of sleep; & finally, I awoke & rose at 20 minutes past 7, thus making nearly 9 hours sleep, between the sheets - [‘9...sheets’ underlined],
[4]
a wonderful & rare achievement for me, as you know: & I have felt the good effects of it throughout the day. But after dinner today I had a good nap, in your arm-chair, L position, & readily (not unwillingly)[‘not unwillingly’ underlined] joined Sarah promptly at the T table about 1/2 past 8.
I had a most arduous job to discover the error in the books. – I had to go thro’ every entry from Day Book to Ledger from 1st Jan[uar]y. until the middle of April. I found various errors, & at last the difference was only 87c: [‘only 87c’ underlined] & I was just about abandoning the task for the day, when, at 4 1/2 p.m., I discovered the mistake, & there closed the books joyfully[underlined] indeed, & quit the office.
The Miss Byrans no doubt can sympathise with me in my anxieties & perplexities, and in my final success too:- tho’ they gave up in despair. Yesterday there were 2 letters from you via Australasian -one from Mrs. Bayliff, which I read first & then show- -ed to Sarah: the other from Fontaine which I showed to Matthew & to no one else. - [‘no...else’ underlined] I now enclose you these two, & a letter from Harriet to Mytton recd. today, which W[illia]m. & Sarah have read, & which we wish had come before you left because it gives so much better an account of her baby. –
I did not forget to forward in good time yesterday your 3 letters to Gen[era]l. Dix, to Mrs. Van [Rensselaer?], & Miss Dawson. You had left the last one open; so before closing it, I popped in a little slip of my own, saying that I had just returned from Jersey City after seeing you off; & I wrote to the same effect a few words on the back of the Envelope to Mrs. “Vanderandy.” –
Please tell Fontaine that his note for Louisa, enclosed in his 25 April letter to you , was posted today, inside of my letter of today to Rutson.
[5]
(5)
by a steamer to leave this afternoon.
My letter to Rutson enclosed one to Mrs. Cox that I had written after Mytton’s ordination – say on the night of 30 April – to which I today ad- -ded a few lines, acknowledging [underlined] (not answering [underlined]) hers of 21/22 April, and informing her of your de- -parture. & asking her opinion of my bearded photograph, whereof I enclosed a copy. –
What Mrs. Cox wanted you to do when writing to Nan, was to say, or ask Nan to write to her,
to her daughter,
to say ^ that nothing had been heard of Dr. or Mrs. Carrington since they left their home for Port Hud- -son on their way to Virginia – up to 22 April – & so to get them to send word thro’ Nan to you or to me, what they were about, how “Fixed”, have the expected accouchement has ended &c.
The address Mrs. Cox gives me is as follows: “Mrs. Paul S. Carrington – Coles’ Ferry Post Office – Charlotte County – Virginia.”
I enclosed to Rutson, for the edification of James & himself, a press copy of my 30th April letter to Mrs. Cox, wherein I gave a “full true & particular account” of Mytton’s ordination.
When I came home to dinner yesterday, Wil- -liam asked (after dinner) if I had called at Gil- -pins Room after leaving our office, & if so, what had been the latest quotation of Gold.[underlined] I said I had, & that is was 52. He & Sarah then exchanged some remarks, & I observed that her countenance fell, when I named the price. He then remarked to me that before he came home, or in the course of the day he had
[6]
been offered 54 for what he had to sell & had refused it, & added; - ; Perhaps tomorrow I may have to accept 45”! – to this I made no reply.
This morn[in]g. he was at breakfast when I (who had waked him up at 1/2 past 7) made my appear -ance about 10 minutes past 8 - & he went off down town at 1/2 past 8. – I took mine leisurely, & was in no hurry to go down town, tho’ I left as soon as convenient – about 1/4 past 10. – I found nothing in this morning’s times as to Hooker’s army, beyond what we knew yesterday morn[in]g. when the Extra-Herald was selling alongside the Persia, announcing the re-occupation of the Heights at Fredericksburg by Lee’s force – which seemed to me very significant & very unfavorable for Hooker.
As it was still raining this morn[in]g, I got into a horse-car, after buying 1 lb of Soda-biscuits at Simpson’s. – When we reached the Park a member of the passengers rushed out of it, when it stopped alongside of the “World” newspaper office where a crowd was assembled reading a fresh bulletin. I got out too for the same purpose: & soon saw its purport. It was headed, “The Great Defeat,” & announced the retreat of Hooker to the North side of the Rappahan- -nock. – I then walked, in a “[broun?] study,” to the P.O. & to Gilpins Room, where I found Gold had opened at 9 a.m. at 57, & it was quoted at 56, when I left the Room after read -ing the Extra’s &c: which was about 1/2 past 11.
About 1 p.m., when I was alone in the office William came in, & said to me, with great satisfaction, that he had this morning made
[7]
$1,000. – I remarked “the money you may make in this way will never stick by you.” He said he considered his dealings in gold were upon a perfectly legitimate principle. I said that I differed with him entirely; & that I feared he would become a confirmed gambler.
There was nothing said in an angry way by either of us; & before he left, he admitted that he would like to cease this sort of occupation, as he was afraid he might be drawn into it too deeply. – He said he had finished his day’s work today before 1/2 past 9, & thus I suppose got the best price for what he sold. He said that the price was down to 54 1/4 when he left William St. - & that he was then going home to be out of the reach of temptation. –
I should be glad if he were not to go away & pay his visit to Cousin Jody.
In writing to Cousin Jody on Tuesday, in Wil -liam’s stead, to enclose 2nd & 3rd copy of our dft of £70 on E. Heath & Co. favor Thos. Bold (on behalf of our other cousin) & asking Jody to remit us $522. 00/100 for the same. I remarked that the Dr. was too busy among the Bulls & Bears in Wil- -liam St. to write himself, or to name any time at present when he could go & pay him a visit. – I did not tell W[illia]m. of this remark in my letter; but I showed Jody’s note in reply today, remitting us the money, & in which he remarks; “I hope the Dr. will take care that the Rats in W[illia]m. St. do not bite him. “ –
[8]
When William came in to the office to-day & I had shown him Jody’s note, he asked me to say nothing about himself to Jody. –
I had had a special object in the remark I made to J_ about his occupation among “Bulls & Bears,” & that was that Jodie might be instru- -mental in getting him to quit such occupation altogether. - I consider that no man can be safely entrusted with money, who is engaged in such gambling transactions: & I have little doubt [t]hat both Jody & his brother Robert are of the same opinion: - & I hope they will plainly tell him so: - for that was my object. He may listen to them, whilst he turns a deaf ear to your, Matthew’s or my advice on this head. –
W[illia]m. showed me an item in today’s N.Y. Herald, stating that some 40 or 50 persons at St. Louis, among the most eminent citi- -zens, had been banished & sent off to “Dixie” -in consequence of sympathy with the south.
And he remarked that he should therefore not think of revisiting St. Louis at present. I nodded that I was sure he had better not, but that I saw no obstacle to his paying a visit to Jody. –
Ann Nugents has been afflicted with tooth ache this week, & her face is swollen with it. Sarah is doctoring it, & it is much relieved today. – Yours affectionately
R Maury
Mr. Potter’s note of Tuesday was found yesterday slipped under the front door after you had gone.
[9]
(folio 9)
Friday 8 May – Late[crossed out] 9 p.m.: We have just had T. – Walker is absent, not having been here since breakfast. – This morning I did not awake until Sarah, fully dressed for the day; tapped me on the shoulder at about 7.20; & it was nearly 8.15 when I came down & found W[illia]m. & Walker hard at it, at breakfast. We had prayers, & they were on their way down town at 1/2 past 8. –
Sarah told me that we are all but out of hard coal, & that Mary said you had told her I would, when requested, order a fresh sup -ply from Popham’s: - so when I had read the Times, & was ready to go down town, I went to the Druggest’s, corner of 4th. & Broadway to look at their Directory, & thus verified the fact that Popham’s place now is where I had supposed -W side of Broadway between 22nd & 23rd Sts. I then walked to Simpson’s corner, & got into the first yellow car, upward[underlined] bound, & made all the arrangements for the hard coal – 1 waggon load of 3 tons (c $7 1/2 pton) – to be here at about 1/2 past 7 tomorrow morning - & a man to come with it to take it in. – I took the opportunity of calling at Johnson Williams & Co. for the extra dozen impressions of my visage; but, as expected (after the explanations you had given me,) I found they were not ready, for want of a sun-shine: so I said I would call again after a few sunny days had passed.
I walked back to 4th St. - & enjoyed the walk as it put my blood into quicker motion –
[10]
and after reporting progress to Sarah, I got into a downward bound yellow car - & I stop- -ed some time at Gilpin’s Room, reading some of the latest tidings from the various seats of War – the editorial comments of Journal of Com- -merce – an impudent article about America in the London Economist of 25 April - &c: &c:
Golds been cheaper to-day. Last evening it closed at 55 1/2 c 56. Today it ruled mostly about 54 up to noon, & at 4 1/2 p.m. had re- -ceded to 52 1/4. – Cotton was active yesterday; but[crossed out] but there been little business done in it today. We have not succeeded in selling any, yet, since 7th March - [‘7th March’ underlined] because we cannot get saving prices yet.
I had a letter this morn[in]g of 5th. inst from Mrs. F. H. Lewis, enclosing one of greater length, & of great detail for Mrs. Cox, & a 3c stamp to pay the postage. – She invited me to read her letter to Mrs. Cox, to see that there was nothing treasonable in it, & I did read it: and then wrote 2 pages of note paper to accompany it, & enclosed the whole to Rutson, & sent it off at once to the Post Office, for the chance of going by some steamer to sail today: - but if not, there is one to sail tomorrow.
When thus employed the idea struck me that I might as well save you & Nan all trouble as to enquiring about Mrs. Paul S. Car- -rington, by writing to her myself thro’ Gen[era]l. Dix, and I did so, [‘I...so’ underlined] & told of the rules & reg- -ulations for flag of truce correspondence, both in form[underlined] & spirit[underlined], & enclosed to her an envelope (3c stamped) addressed to my-
[11]
-self, to be returned open, with her reply, to come thro’ the same channel, & directed her to consult friends in Richmond as to the modus operandi.
These matters off[crossed out] occupied me until 1/2 past 3, when I ate my lunch, & betook myself to the Ledger to make a correction of the various error I had discovered in making the 1st May “Trial Balance.”
And to my horror, I found there is still an [‘still an’ underlined] error [underlined] of 10 cents [’10 cents’ underlined] somewhere! & I stayed at the Office until nearly 5 p.m. going all over the additions of the Ledger again to try & find it out – but thus far all in vain! [‘all in vain’ underlined] so I must return to the charge to-morrow. – Of course this mechanical employment is a great bore – but it is also a good exercise of one’s powers of patience. – As one consequence of this last discovery of the 10 cents error, I had to lay out 5c in riding[underlined] home, instead of walking[underlined] (as I wished) to dinner: for I had told Sarah that I expected to sit down [‘sit down’ underlined] to dinner today, as yesterday, at 1/2 past 5; instead of which is was 1/2 past 5 when I reached our door.
May 8th.: - Min[imu]m. 41 1/2, Max[imu]m. 51. – So you see it
most
is still ^ unseasonably cold. The wind is still NE. It has been fair all day: but there has not yet been a gleam of sun-shine, nor any starlight since you left. – Sarah took some out of doors exercise today, & made 2 calls – one upon Miss “[Sarissimce?]”[underlined] Stewart, & the other upon Mrs. Richards in this street. – W[illia]m has not told me anything of his doings today.
Ann Nugent’s face is still much swollen, but the pain has left. – I must now read the Express.
[12]
5 Hanover St. Saturday 9 3/4 a m – I walked down & reached Gilpin’s Room 1/2 an hour ago, so you will judge that our movements this morn[in]g. were early. – Before I went to bed I went to Mrs. Lewis as to her Money matters & told her about Johnny, & about the sailing of the Persia. I therefore now enclose to you her letter to me. When I went to bed, & indeed before it, I was glad to see the starts shining out brightly once more.
Today is cloudless – magnificent. How I wish that you had had such a day as this for your start instead of carrying, s I fear, foul weather with you half way across the Atlantic.
The minimum of Thermometer before sunrise today was 46 & it was rising fast before I left the the house. – The load of Hard Coal had been discharged & was being shovelled in as I came out.
W[illia]m woke me soon after 7, & tho’ I was down before 8 he had breakfasted, & was then in the yard. – I know not the cause of his early movement down town.
Gold opens to-day at 9 a.m. 50 5/8, & at 1/2 past 9 – 50 1/2 – So people seem to have got over the disappointment in Hooker’s retreat; - indeed it is now viewed rather as a mere retreat only - & not as first re- -ported & believed – a disastrous defeat.
He is a brave man, but I have not faith in him as a strategist.
With kind love to all in 11 Welfield Place & at 12 Bloom St. &c. I remain yours affectionately Rutson Maury It already seems a long time since we parted tho’ I have been very busy.
