Irvington Feby, 10, 1867
Dear Carroll
This day I am 73 years old a fact quite visable [sic] to others, not so perceptible [sic] to myself. but still, I can of course perceive various failings of body and mind admonitions but these are so much more perceivable to others than to myself. I try to be humble and thankful for all that remains, that can be useful to others or comfortable to myself. I continue to enjoy very good health, and go daily to town.
I entirely forgot the day, until at dinner Annie proposed a glass of Hastings all round in honor of the occasion. Jim and Lottie, and all the children except Cleve came over to tea, and have just left. So much for my personality, Now for Yours. I was sorry for your side affliction and rejoiced that it had passed away. You have a wonderful power of recuperation, happily for yourself and those around you.
Annie is writing you a little note and will probably describe the detention she, Sam, and Ed met with from fallen masses of Rock in the Fort Washington [couch?] coming up in 5:15 train. I got up in the 4:15 (with [ ]) on time & so did the 4:30 train. The fall of heavy masses of Rock took place 12 minutes after the passage of the latter train. In a few hours after there were 3 trains brought to a stand still going South; and 3 passenger trains, 5:15, 6:00, & 6:30, going North; and miles long of Freight trains. It was curious, the conjectures we at home formed of the causes of their detention and of the [period?] and how & when they might possibly expect them. It carried all the evening [furiously?] and Pat and the carriage remaining waiting at the Depot from 5 to 9:30 when the track man arrived bringing from the operator at Dobbs Ferry the account I have already given. Then Pat came home. We sat up for them until 11 pm, and then retired. They came at 1 A.M. We had supposed they might have gone back in the train to N.Yk. or have taken refuge at the large Hotel or boarding House at 132nd Street. Not for a moment remembering that the track at N.York was already full of trains & that few of the 1500 passengers could get into a House already nearly full. We did not for a moment suppose the trains could pass that night. They got one track clear, by bending it a little from a straight line. We have had a complete change of weather from dry cold to warm fog and rain. The snow on the land, and ice on the river have both disappeared. This morning it was clear again with a sharp N. Wester and thermometer 220 degrees above.
Mr. Johnson & daughter left as I heretofore advised you. Yesterday Ned Brindley was to go to Charleston intending ultimately, if able, to get to St. Augustine. The habitants, there, ought to vote you a medal for bringing their city into [notoriety?]... I fancy, what with family cares and arrangements and attention to your patients, you will not be able to prosecute the study of the Materia Medica 1 to the extent you had hoped. So you all get home again safe and with improved health to Hattie, and yourself I shall be content even if with less knowledge. Yea and very thankful too.
You will have noticed Thad. Stevens Military Reconstruction Bill. I doubt if it will pass or should pass. This reconstruction is an extremely difficult matter. So many Radical objections present themselves to every plan.
I fancy they will all be merged into the only practicable one, of a Convention in each state; delegates to be elected by the votes of all white & blacks except, open unpardoned rebels, and the Constitution framed by this Convention & when approved by Congress and and the people (all who voted for conventional delegates) to be the law and Congressmen elected under it to be rec'd. There may be difficulty even [thus?] in keeping the ballots boxes [pure?] in such a society. There is much suffering at the South in various ways, both by whites and blacks. Too little corn cultivated and a failure from drought & worm of the cotton which [might?] have enabled them to buy the corn. The accounts of the destitution are appalling & funds are being roused to buy corn and 10000 Bu[shels] are now being shipped to Alabama, but "what is this among so many." Much more will go of course. But the South must suffer long from the want of capital. Her own is mostly gone to support the rebellion, and the conduct of her citizens since the war ceased has been such that both Northern men and capital fear for their safety too much to venture there. They, the South begin to see this, but the alarm once taking effect, it will take many years of different conduct to restore confidence. Many who formerly could obtain cash on credit with which to make a crop, cannot now obtain a cent and wonder what can be the reason. Some are the same men, who before the War, could get all the money they needed and who themselves feel conscious that they will prove true to their trusts as heretofore: but they don't realize that a man is known by the company he keeps. If bad he suffers. Mr. Sturges told me yesterday that Judge Baker of Louisiana wrote him some of the finest sugar plantations in that region could be got for a song for lack of means to make a crop. The previous good character of Baker stands him in good stead now in two ways Sturges who has always done his business will still afford him means and his uniform kindness and honesty to his slaves in all time past now enables him to get as many hands as he can support and on just his own terms because they are always reasonable and they feel perfectly assured he will fulfill them to the letter. A good name well deserved, stands a man in good stead in all times of suspicion & difficulty. Time & paper are nearly out. I see Hattie has been thinking of my
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partiality for bitter orange marmalade in which she always indulged me in former days in [Newburgh?]. Where did you get the Sugar? My love to the boys and to her. I meant her name to go first.
I think I might write a little line to the boys, if only a little one
affecly,
EWD
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Monday Morning Feby. 11, 1867. Nothing from you this a.m. all well.
