Washington Feby 3. 1861
My dear wife
This is Sunday and my birthday1 and it would be wrong to pass it over without writing to you. The past week has been passed in the usual way, except that I have attended two or three evening parties. One at Speaker Penningtons a very nice one. Sadie had the headache and could not go. One at Mr Forneys a Gentleman’s party where we sang hail Columbia and the Star Spangled banner with great glee. One at Willards to meet a New York delegation who came to bring the petition of 40,000 favorable to compromise.
Sadie was out with Henry at hops on several occasions also where they all enjoyed themselves very much. We were sorry to part with Henry on Friday I tried to prevail on him to stay longer but he thought it would not do for him to delay any longer.
Revolution has been moving on regularly and tomorrow will determine the fate of Virginia and probably the fate of other border States. If they all determine on Secession it is hard to see what will be the extent of the future disaters to our whole country. It will unsettle the National Government by establishing facilities for disunion which will render all new unions entirely unsettled and uncertain.2
Yet that is not the immediate consequence and therefore it will not be so generally appreciated The immediate effect will be a strife in regard to the ownership of this the Capitol of the United States. More force will be needed to hold Washington and immediate efforts will be taken to secure it. Hitherto the President has resisted every effort to prepare or procure force for the occasion3 but I think in the event of secession in Va the necessity will be so apparent no one will object to it.
The Union men in Virginia are hopeful and may carry the election. If they do there will be a great check on revolution as Virginia has deservedly a great influence in the South.4
Mr Sturges is here writing at my table. He is very well and entirely himself. Yet he is always in my room and he and Ed together occupy too much of my time and that of Sadie’s too. Kate and one of her brothers are expected this week and that will not reduce the interruptions. Of course I go on with my writing but I have no time to think or study while my room is so occupied.
Our last letter from you was written to Sadie after you had dined at Laiffes I believe You were all very well then and busying sewing. I would not bother much about pillow cases till we know how long we are going to remain at home Certainly do not add to our furnature which we will have to rent or stow away.
I wish you and Caddie were here. It is rather pleasant although I have not been out to enjoy it. Am talking of going out with Mr. Sturges who is enammoured with all the ladies especially one friend in Georgetown–But I think he sees too many wrinkles on some of their faces to satisfy his fancy. He has offered 15 thousand dollars for Mr Nicholls’ property but that is not enough for it and therefore he is not likely to get it.
Mr. and Miss Delano5 are here at this house and Miss Delano is a fine companion for Sadie. She also occupies too much of Sadies time. But she is a very smart and agreeable girl. Delano is anxious to be one of the Cabinet. What his chances are I cannot say. It seems agreed that Chase6 cannot be admitted as one and somebody ought to be taken from Ohio Perhaps he may be.
The proceedings of the Union meeting in Keokuk were not such as to unite the North. I am sorry to see such divisions when we ought to be United.7
Divisions must be disposed of in some way or instead of having the South to fight neighbors will be fighting each other. The revolutionists are uniting the South most effectually
What about money. Are you in need of funds? I have my deposit so it draws interest in New York and only want to draw when you need it. Have you killed the old cow? Has the farms brought you in any provisions? How are the things in the garden are they all safe. I will send you some seeds soon. I suppose the river is closed and therefore you have no boats running. Kiss Caddie
Affectionately yours
Saml. R. Curtis
1. Born February 3, 1805, near Champlain, N. Y., while family was en route to Ohio.
2. In January Virginia authorized the election on February 4, of members to attend a state convention to determine that state’s position in the developing threat of federal schism. The election was a decided triumph for the conservative-compromise forces. Cf. Rhodes, 3. 309.
3. Buchanan wavered between a desire to avoid Civil War while president, and a sincere desire to refrain from agression on the part of the North. His policy changed markedly after January, 1861, with changes in his cabinet. Scott, Commander in Chief of the Army, was not in good graces with Buchanan. and only moved his headquarters from New York to Washington in December, 1860.
4. See fn. 31. The result in Virginia had a great influence on Tennessee and Maryland particularly.
5. Columbus Delano, of Ohio, an ardent Republican leader of that state, was among those who seconded the nomination of Lincoln in Chicago in 1860. He served in Congress, 1845-1847, 1865-1869, and as Secretary of Interior under Grant, 1871-1875.
6. Salmon P. Chase, ardent Whig, Free Soiler, and “Black” Republican served Ohio in the U. S. Senate 1849-1855, 1861. His selection for a cabinet position was strongly opposed by Seward followers were were more favorable to compromise than was Chase. Chase was a strong favorite son contender for the nomination in 1860 at Chicago.
7. Keokuk, south-rest tip of Iowa, was a strongly Democratic stronghold. The impending Civil War sorely tried the faiths and loyalties of that party. A Union meeting called by the principle Democrats was held January 19, and adjourned to January 23, at which time vigorous arguments ensued in a disharmonious fashion over the rights of secession, and the virtues of the Crittenden compromises. Democrats were willing to let the seceding states go rather than wage war, the Republicans present were not.
A second meeting of the Democratic adherents in Keokuk was held January 26, at which time the Crittenden compromises were generally approved. Such a report showed little unity or harmony, these divided counsels boded ill for a vigorous policy. See Keokuk Gate City, January 19, 23, 25, 27, 28, 1861.