I arrived at Washington, repaired to the Department; where my commission was presented to me2-my feelings can be better conceived than described. Ledgard wrote to you from New London. You may hear from me again before I am ordered away, my exchange being not yet negotiatedor possibly I may have the pleasure of seeing you here, as you contemplate the Military. But rest assured that whether here or there, I shall ever think you my esteemed friend. Yours unalterably, Mr. Henry Harrington, 1 Commander Stephen Decatur (see above). DUGOMIER TAYLOR. Dugomier Taylor, Commissioned Lieutenant, 24 July, 1813. Died at sea 5 Oct., 1819. MY DEAR AUNT, GEORGETOWN, DIS., COLUMBIA, I have received and thank you for your favor. About twelve months since I left the Navy department', & since that time have had no connections with the Government. With the present incumbent2 of that Department I have but slight acquaintance: and knowing me as he does to be a Federalist, and being himself a most violent Jacobin I cannot suppose that any representation from me would have any other than an injurious effect upon the just pretensions3 of my cousin. If he can approach the present secretary thro' some loud talking Jacobin', he would succeed, particularly if he should be an Irish or French one-Just from Ireland or France and a renegado the most choice of all. Should neither of these be at hand, Willis Allston might answer. His not being a gentleman is a pretty good recommendation with William Jones, because in that particular they may shake hands, hail fellows, well met. I must incline to the opinion, my dear Aunt, that cousin Henry is not exactly cut out for a farmer. He expressed to me a great disinclination to that kind of life. Interpose not then to persuade him from pursuing that course which his own inclination would prompt; for he will not be happy in a contrary pursuit. The war I believe is approaching its end. Such at least is the general impression here. In the event of peace, which may be expected in about five months, if cousin Henry has any disposition to go into the mercantile business I would recommend this place in preference to any other. And having made up my mind to take a partner in business (I am now a merchant) if he chooses I will join him, & and he may make his preparatory arrangements as early as he may please. Upon this point I should wish to hear early, that I may shape my course accordingly. My dear mother was well a few days since, and I trust in heaven continues so. My Catherine has just got out of a three months illness. I was at one time apprehensive of losing her, but she has been returned to me, Tho' her constitution has undergone a severe trial. About 6 months since we had another babe which we call Hugh Allen-a sweet promising child. All my children are quite hearty. My Caroline has been for several days past talking of writing to her cousin, and she will do so in a few days and give her the fashionable news. I am very dear Aunt, Mrs. Rosanna Harrington, Yr. affectionate nephew, 1 Charles W. Goldsborough resigned as chief clerk of the naval department in December 1812, which position he had occupied since 1798. 2 William Jones, Secretary of the Navy from 12 Jan., 1803 to 7 Dec., 1814. Secretary Jones was born in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1760. He joined a volunteer company at the age of sixteen, and was present at the battles of Trenton and Princeton, afterwards he entered the Continental naval service, and served gallantly under Com. Truxton on James River, when that officer encountered and beat off a British ship of superior force. In 1801 he was elected to Congress from Philadelphia as a Democrat and served one term. After his service as Secretary of the Navy 1813-14, he became president of the United States Bank after its recharter in 1816, and also collector of the port of Philadelphia. He died in Bethlehem, Pa., 5 sept., 1831. 3 Harrington yet retained some idea of a re-entry into the naval service, though the plan never materialized. The Federalists acquiesced with much ill grace and party spleen in the Republican administration's conduct of the war of 1812, and even in its declaration. Partizan politics was especially bitter in 1814, culminating in the Hartford Convention as a Federalist protest and threat. Democratic Congressman from North Carolina 1803 to 1815 and 1825 to 1831. During the war of 1812-15 with Great Britain, he was Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee of the house of representatives and particularly obnoxious to the Federalists. Through the good offices of Russia, England and the United States had initiated tentative negotiations for peace in 1813, but it was not before August, 1814 that a meeting between American and British commissioners was first held, at Ghent, in Belgium. After long and tedious negotiations the commissioners signed a treaty on Caristmas Eve, 1814, though the news did not reach America until the middle of January, 1815. MY DEAR AUNT, It has been a long time since I have heard from you or of you-You have I hope been well-The family also. My dear mother frequently enquires after you in the most affectionate terms-her health has not been very good lately: tho' by the last accounts she was tolerably well-having as few of the infirmities of age as any person I ever knew. She talks of visiting us this fall; but I am afraid to flatter myself with the hope of her coming. How are you all my dear Aunt? Is Henry yet settled & has he taken to himself a partner? I would write to him but do not know where he now is.-Should he be with you, will you ask him to procure and forward to me as early as may be in his power, information upon the following points? 1st. Is there not an extensive tract of country on or near the Peedee, covered with valuable pine and cypress timber? 2nd. What is the quality of the timber-the size in diameter and length, and how far from navigable water? 3rd. What is the quality of the soil, is it healthy or otherwise-Is there good drinking water to be had? 4th. Could water be obtained by sinking wells-upon the land generally? What is the distance from Fayetteville or Lumberton? 5th. To whom does the land belong, & on what terms could from 10,000 to 20,000 acres be purchased? I make these inquiries understanding that there are extensive tracts of land now called Barrens, wholly uninhabited yet covered with very valuable pine and cypress timber-near navigable water:-that they are considered as of little value because the country does not afford water falls for saw mills and that in consequence they can be purchased on very moderate terms. I wish the enquiries to be made without suffering it to be known, that any plan of cutting the timber and getting it to market is in contemplation. If the information I have received should prove well-founded, it is probable that I shall raise a company and have a steam power created which is far preferable to a water powerthis idea however we will keep to ourselves. In that case I shall come on for the purpose of examining the lands, timber-etc., and should Henry feel disposed, he can take an interest in it.-Please request his early attention to this subject. What an age of wonders? But yesterday1 Napolean was dethroned and banished to Elba-and the Bourbons ascended the throne of their ancestors-today Napolean returns, seizes the reins of Govnt., drives Louis before him, gets defeated in a great battle, abdicates & rumor now says he is "hanged"! How many valuable lessons may kings and potentates draw from the history of this wonderful man? I have been quite unwell for several days-So much so that writing, generally a pleasure, is now quite irksome to me. Excuse, therefore, my dear Aunt, the brevity of this-and with affectionate respects and best wishes to all my connections, believe me Wash"., Aug. 12, 1815. Yr. affectionate nephew, CH. W. GOLDSBOROUGH. 1 Figurative. Napoleon abdicated the Imperial throne of France first on April 11, 1814 by a treaty with the allied powers at Fountainbleau. He retired to Elba 4 May. Escaping from Llba he landed nine months later (March 1st, 1815) on the French coast near Cannes and begun the history of the "Hundred Days," culminating in Waterloo, a second abdication, and banishment to St. Helena. MY DEAR AUNT, Your letter of the 16 ult. reached me yesterday, & it was such a gratification to hear from you, after so long a silence, that I summoned my little flock to hear it read. I may truly say to you that they are grateful for those passages in which you so kindly remember them; & all expressed great anxiety to take a trip to North Carolina. Their sympathy for Cousin Harriet's deplorable loss1 was manifested by their tears. Gracious heaven! What must she have suffered-what must she still suffer? Ah! cruel, tyrannical custom, that often dooms the votary of honor to involuntary error and premature death! When will this woe-breeding practice be abolished? Would to God I possessed the power of arresting it. For the last ten days I have had and still have an afflicted family-my dear Catherine is confined to her bed with one of those terrible nervous headaches which baffles all medical skill-blisters are at length recommended, and God grant they may afford ease-my son John, and my little boy Hugh Allen are also unwell, tho' neither I hope seriously. Caroline, young as she is, is her mother's best nurse. She is all assiduity and tenderness, & cannot suffer herself to go to school while her mother remains sick. She has just informed me, that as soon as she shall be relieved from attending the sick bed of her mother, she will revive the correspondence with her cousin-Louis goes to school near us, and is progressing in his studies as rapid (ly) as I could wish. Charles is with his grandmother, who gives me flattering accounts of him. I have not heard from my dear mother2 for the last six weeks, & feel quite uneasy about her: tho' I hope if she were seriously unwell, that I should be sent for. She cannot now write with as much facility as she used to do. Her advanced age has brought infirmities of the body with it; but her superior mind retains all its charm. I often think, my dear Aunt, that my lot, in being separated from those I love so dearly is a cruel one; but imperious necessity compels submission, and I yield without a murmor tho' not without regret. So long a time elapsed between the date of my last letter to you and my receiving your reply, that I had almost despaired of hearing from you—I had been making arrange |