We are all well except your dear mother, and we hope she is improving. I had expected to be at the Orchard before this, but business has detained me, yet I hope to be there soon. I got away from Washington as soon as I could. It is not pleasant there. I do not think your aunt L. and cousin B. enjoy it much. There is quite a history to the "Ode." The following is bulletined at the office of the People's Telegraph, No. 21 Wall Street. "WASHINGTON, February 16, 1864. "A large and brilliant audience greeted the tragedian Murdock at the Senate Chamber last evening. President Lincoln, Mrs. Lincoln, the Vice-President and his family, and other distinguished persons were present. The ode "Am I for Peace," was read at the request of the President." Love to every one at home, and remember that I am D. S. DICKINSON. MR. DICKINSON TO MRS. COURTNEY. THE ORCHARD, March 2, 1864. MY DEAR LYDIA L.-It seems home-like here in every respect except the absence of your dear mother; but the thought that she is with her loving child, and will be carefully and tenderly nursed, reconciles us to the loss of her society; especially as we believe that exemption from the thousand cares of a large family, gives her rest and enjoyment. You know not, my dear child, how thankful I am for such an affectionate daughter to take care of her mother, and father too, and if I do not often allude to it, you must not suppose my appreciation less. Do not overwork yourself, my child, in your efforts for the Fair. Give my love to mother, and all at home send theirs. Your affectionate father, D. S. DICKINSON. MY DEAR LYDIA-This is a bright and beautiful morning, and I wish I could know how you are. I think some of our birds have begun to look in upon us. I heard one this morning inquire whether you were at home. I suppose it was the one you used to feed and water. We had a soldiers' meeting last evening, as you will see by the "Daily." The boys are preparing for a "debate" in Prof. Vasbury's school. Question: "Whether it was right for the whites to expel the Indians?" &c. Aubie showed me his "argument last evening. He goes hard on the Indians, and has some good ideas on the subject. I hope and pray you may soon recover from your recent ill ness. Your affectionate husband, D. S. DICKINSON. MR. DICKINSON TO MRS. YALE. [Extract.] THE ORCHARD, April, 1864. MY DEAR DELIA-We have recently returned from New York, where Mrs. D. has passed the winter, taking two days for the trip, although only eight hours' ride, as my dear wife was in feeble health, and I wished to make it as easy as possible. I think she is improving in her own home. I love Binghamton more than the great city; and shall close my office there, except for special cases. I can do a much larger business there, but absence from home disarranges our domestic affairs. Here is my home of over thirty years; all honor, and, I think, generally love and respect me. I am attached to the church here; here are the trees I have planted, the home I erected, and here repose the remains of those loved ones who have preceded us to that better land; and it is more in accordance with my social tastes and affections. Your affectionate friend, D. S. DICKINSON. MR. DICKINSON TO MR. ROGERS. BINGHAMTON, April 17, 1864. MY DEAR SIR-Dempster used to sing a song of a Scotchman and his wife, who suffered through a cold storm with their cottage-door open, because neither would shut it, as a matter of punctilio; and neither would speak, because upon such occasions the one who spoke first was, by an understood regulation, obliged to shut the door. In about the same spirit, we did not intend to write you until we heard from you, considering the circumstance of your running the blockade, going abroad, seeing Queen Victoria, and the Prince of " Frogmore," &c., and returning without letting us know it, except through remote sources. But as you have succeeded in executing a "flank movement," we have concluded to submit. I had the pleasure of receiving a circular note from Mr. W. K. Scott, of your city, advising me that upon your nomination I had been made an honorary member of the Buffalo Historical Society. I was pleased with the remembrance, and determined to acknowledge it, as I now do, with thankful regards. Mrs. D. has spent the winter in New York, and returned a week since. We relieve her principally from family cares which formerly pressed so heavily upon her; but there is always enough to draw out her anxiety, in so diversified a family as Charlotte is well, and the little boys fast becoming great ones. John and Mary are called to mourn the death of their excellent friend Mrs. Gov. Tracy. ours. I have closed all my business in Albany and in New York, except for special retainers. I could have kept an office open there to advantage, but have too much business here to leave; which, with social and domestic considerations, determine me to settle down at home. The family all unite with Mrs. D. and myself in affectionate regards to you and Mrs. Rogers. Sincerely yours, D. S. DICKINSON. MISS LOUISE C. THOMPSON AND OTHERS TO MR. DICKIN SON. NEW YORK, April 25, 1864. HON. D. S. DICKINSON-Sir-The Anchor and Wreath, composed of hair from the head of Washington and other distinguished Americans, lately on exhibition at the great Sanitary Fair, has been secured by several subscribers with the intention of its being presented to yourself. As one of several young ladies taking an interest in the procurement of this emblem of hope and unity, I am well pleased, with other of my young lady-friends, in its presentation to one so eminently worthy of it. Yours most respectfully, LOUISE C. THOMPSON, MISS ELIZABETH BANCROFT, MISS ELLA BROWN, MISS FANNY CONNOLY, MISS MARY CONNOLY, MISS KATE TOWNSEND, MISS ISABELLA THOMPSON. MR. DICKINSON TO MISS THOMPSON. BINGHAMTON, May 7, 1864. MY DEAR MISS THOMPSON-The Anchor and Wreath on exhibition at the late Sanitary Fair, so beautifully wrought of hair from the head of the Father of his country, and others, with your generous note of presentation, has been received, and I regret that language does not permit me to express my sense of thankful pride, for so distinguished and flattering and yet. so tasteful a compliment. I shall cherish this precious emblem, and the remembrance of those whose partiality made it mine, with grateful emotions; and shall pray that in this the evil day of our beloved land, my patriotism may deserve such a tribute from the fair hands and gentle hearts of my young coun trywomen. May the anchor of our Union's hope enable her to outride the storm which imperils her pathway, and the bitter lessons of adversity we are reading remind us, in estimating our responsibilities, that the hairs of our head are all numbered. Desiring to be kindly remembered to your associates in this pleasing testimonial, as well as the various contributors thereto, I am most sincerely your friend, D. S. DICKINSON. MR. DICKINSON TO MISS KNAPP. MAY 8, 1864. MY DEAR ELIZA-This is as lovely a May morning as I ever saw. It is literally "green with spring, fresh with dew, and bright with flowers," and the air is mild and balmy. I wish you were here to feel the genial influences of the beautiful surroundings. I hope, now that "summer draweth nigh," you will continue to improve in health and spirits. I came up from the city earlier than I expected. Lilla was worn out with her duties at the Fair, and has been quite ill, but is now improving. She is full of zeal and energy in anything she undertakes. She expects to come home in June for her usual summer visit. You may have noticed, amongst other rare curiosities at the fair, a wreath and anchor, composed of the hair of Washington and other distinguished men. Well, it was purchased by an association of gentlemen, by the request of some young ladies, and the ladies have presented it to me, with a beautiful note. I wish I could see you this beautiful morning, and give you a few words of cheer, and receive the same from you. How are you getting along in this rough time of the world? The army of the Potomac is evide .tly moving, and we expect every moment stirring news. May God prosper our cause, and save our land from the grasp of treason. The blue violets carpet our lawns, and give loveliness and beauty to all around. May God protect and bless you, my dear Eliza, and may your affection long cheer and console one who has never forgotten you, but is ever your affectionate uncle, D. S. DICKINSON. |