Yours of the 10th inst came to hand in due time and found me not as it left you – flourishing – but somewhat the reverse. I had been flourishing but hot weather, Maine Law etc cut me down and I withered like a cabbage. I was afflicted with the colic probably caused by being deprived of ---- Well no matter I’m a strict temperance man you know and of course the Maine Law had but little effect upon me. By-the-way our liquor dealers obeyed The Statues to the very letter and ceased selling after the first of May in quantities less than five galls. and on the fourth they stopped that. All seem perfectly satisfied with it and in fact it has ceased to be a matter of much discussion. I forgot to say when I was speaking of being sick that I had entirely recovered.

Jemima Sam how business must have flown while your employer was gone. Wasn’t the workmen glad to have their Big Boss come home?  Business here is dull, dull. The Spring and Summer trade was very good indeed but these have now nearly passed and we are enjoying the interval or calm between the Summer and Fall trade.

Jerusalem  won’t business fly when Autum does come   When boy if you could just see the crops in this part of old Delaware I guess you would think so.
I have heard several of our old Farmers say they never knew a better growing season and that they never saw better crops since they were born. They all sowed and planted every inch of ground they could spare from their meadows and pastures and if nothing happens before they get their crops harvested they will have to buy no bread nor Potatoes, and will have at least twice as much produce to carry to market as they had last or almost any previous year. They are a good natured looking set of fellows even now. What then will they be when they return from market? Just the chaps to sell goods to.

But ‘tis useless for me to congratulate myself that I am going to have nay of that fun for probably before that time I shall find myself snugly ensconced within the brick walls of Gotham, at least I hope so. O how I wish I were in N. Y. with a good situation and on good pay. I de-clar Sam I rather think I should enjoy it some. I wouldn’t mind working like the ---- old Boy for 7 or 8 hours in the day provided I could enjoy the society of “Fair women” brave men and good wine” after business hours.

If such are your pleasures Sam “aint you mighty glad” when your days work is done? See here Sam if you should chance to hear of a good situation anywhere just do what you can for me and I’ll be your most obedient. I have no notion at al of coming to N. Y. to look up a place particularly during this awful hot weather.
I had an offer from the Metropolitan but before I could let them know I would take it, it was filled. Geo. (my cuz) lost a splendid situation in the Bank of commerce by sickness. He was check clerk and on a salary of $600 with admirable prospects for promotion. The chasere however informed him by letter the other day that he would let him know the first time a vacancy occurred, and Geo says he will have me there too if he has to break his neck for it. I am going in a day or two to put some more of my friends on track for me so that ere Autumn I can get a situation

Well Sam I am glad you endorse know nothingism as far as you do and glad too that you do not any farther. I go in for open warfare against Romanism and Judaism for of all classes they are the most tyrannical and the meanest.

I am looking daily for a union between the Northern Know Nothings and the western Know Somethings, and then I expect to see them throw off the veil of secrecy and like men come up to the contest for the next Presidency and I hope too that they may be victorious and not only elect their candidate for the Presidential chair but also have an overwhelming majority in both houses. I reckon then there would be swearing and tearing at the South hey? And too I reckon the Mississouri Compromise would be restored and as far as it lay in the power of Congress and the President – Kansas and Nebraska would be made free states.

 I hear the Dominie received a hearty welcome at the Ville, such as the ringing of the bell, displaying the coulors at mast head and enthusiastic cheers.

You do well in keeping mum to Miss Stephenson. Continue to do so. She is now in Rochester.

Write soon. My regards to all friends

Sincerely Yours

Charlie Marvine


 

Courtesy of the Davenport Historical Association, Davenport, NY, 13750. Over 500 letters from the Ferguson and Jayne families, most dating from the mid-nineteenth century, are available from the Davenport Historical Association in The Ferguson-Jayne Papers, 1826 - 1938, edited by Mary S. Briggs. Transcribed for this web site by Margaret Monaco. All misspellings have been carefully preserved.