Meadville Penna
Jan. 18, 1857
Dear Dr.
Yours of the 8th inst arrived here on the evening of the 16th. thus
making
eight days from Topeka – At the same time I rec’d a letter
from
Lawrence dated & mailed the 10th – thus making six days from
Lawrence.
This is unprecedented in the history of mail coming from Kansas, I think.
I am much obliged to you for your long and very interesting letter.
It is just
the kind of a letter I like to receive from Kansas; only not quite enough
of
it.
The country is barren of news at the present writing – I sent
you and
Col. Thornton the “very
latest” the other day on extra Express. It ran the election of
Gen. Simon
Cameron to the Senate of the United States. I had the pleasure of
becoming intimately
acquainted with Gen. Cameron during the Campaign and with him worked hard
for
the election of Col. Fremont. We had both been Democrats hence could
sympathize
with each other.
I claim a good portion of the credit, if not the chief credit, of
Gen. Camerons
election; and the result shows that I was more successful in
electioneering
for Gen. Cameron in Penna, than I was in electioneering for Col. Holliday
in
Kansas – But better luck next time. And by the by speaking of
“better
luck next time” reminds me of the fact that Topeka
should assert her influence in the next nomination for Delegate to
Congress.
The probability is that the free state men can elect their Delegate. How
important
then that that Delegate be from Topeka; or one fully committed to Topeka
interests
– Leavenworth I doubt not would unite with Topeka in this matter,
as they,
as well as we, are desirous of a grant for R. R. purposes from
Leavenworth via
Topeka to the South next toward Sante fee, &c. Please keep this
matter in
view.
Your plan of getting Leavenworth interested in the Topeka Bridge is
first rate.
H. Miles Moore is a good man, and it is well to encourage him. But there
are
others in Leavenworth quite as good or better such as Currier, Davis,
&c.
&c.
You ought to have written also to St. Louis concerning the
Lithograph. I think
you would have got cheaper and quite as good there - But it is no matter,
only
so as we get it. You must try and have it in Topeka in 5 or 6 weeks from
now
–
I am glad to learn that your son has got well; and earnestly hope he
will long
continue so.
My impression was that we could pay for our claims with Land
Warrants. But
as you have disposed of that 80 Acre warrant why it is no matter –
Please
tell me what you think Award Shares will bring in the Spring – I
may be
able to sell one of mine here, but perhaps I could sell it to better
advantage
there. Did they arrest Thornton also? I would like to have seen the
“bald
headed gentleman with shoes on” follow “Old Horner” to
Tecumseh.
Tell him I will “head” a “rescue” for his benefit
–
Write often – Regards to Thornton, Briggs, &c. &c.
Yours as ever
C. K. Holliday
We are making our arrangements to leave by the first Boat – 5
or 6 weeks
from now.
http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/7554/text