The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1857-07-02
REPLY.
CouDERspoRT, POTTER Co, Pa,
June 80. 1851.


Mr.. JOHN SCRoGGs:
Dear lStr:-Your kind favor came to
hand In IS absence, but he in
structed me to answer all letters relating
to engineering operations OF this character
and you may depend that whatever | agree
to do in your behalf, he will most relig
iously and faithfully observe. With this
assurance you can sit down contentedly
under your own vine and fig tree, if you
have any, and solace yourself with the
contemplation of the vast mineral wealth
within your immediate knowledge; and if
it is possible for rich meu to be happy
there is nothing to prevent you from be-
ing as happy as any of them.
You may meet me with the argument
that this wealth does not belong to you,
and that therefore you cannot enjoy it.
This will admit is very true; but you
must bear in mind the stupendous fact,
that you and James Johnsing arc the sole
possessors Of the knowledge of this great
wealth, and as both - - and myself
are Free masons, and always intend to be
as far your secret is concerned, you can
both remain couple of undeveloped, and
what is better, untaxed mllllonalres for
ever. Glorious contemplation!
| Philosophers tell US, my dear sir, that
the joys Of anticipation far exceed in their
intensity the joys of actual participation.
Now here is an opportunity very seldom
offered to "erring mortals here below
as DIR Watts piously calls US, to prove the
truth of this grave but very philosophical
hypothesis. Itwas said by learned French
saoont that the discovery of a dish was
Of more Importance to the world than the
discovery OF planet, Because" said he,
"a dish was something which the world
needed for every day use, and we have
planets enough already" So, my dear Sir,
if you can in cojunction with your fossil
ferrous friend Mr.. James Johnsing prove
to the philosophical world the truth of
the hypothesis which / have stated, you
will be immortalized far longer than if
you were merely the discovercrs of pal
try gold mine. Don't you see? a.
| regret most heartily, and am sure
every true lover Of his country will regret
that you and your geological friend Mr..
James Johnsing have actually discovered
a gold mine mot to speak of the silver
one) in that county, [ regret it, because
every day of my life l see accounts in the
newspapers of the wickedness which men
are Cup to- on account of the wretched
stuff, Why, my dear Sir, it was only
last week that the n. Y. Daily Herald
contained a horrible murder, brought
about by gold. The circumstances which
you have doubtless read, are as follows:
Mr., John Smith went into cake and
beer saloon 60 buy some cake and beer
After the purchase and sale of the cake
and beer was made in busineS4like man
ner, he took mouthful OF the cake and
beer and was in the act Of swallowing it,
when another man came up and chokod
him and took ninety-two cents in gold
out of his pocket. Now what made him
do it? Was it not the gold? Certainly
it wasl If not what else was it? Now ii
a man will throttle another for such a
small sum in gold, you can imagine, you
and your mineral friend Mr.. James John
sing, how great an injury you and Mr.,
James Johnsing would be doing to
Mexican county. Look at California for
example. There is no practical piety there
nor has there been, since the Vigilance
Committee abandoned their hempen ex-
hortations, Why? Because the State
is crammed full of gold. Me and
the apostle Paul (who used to preach,
but not on the Mexican Circuit, though
it is supposed that he was on his way here
when he got stranded at Philadelphia,
for which you will "search the Scrip
lures" } he and | agree, when he says that
money is the -"root of all evil" Indeed,
| could fill up an entire new testament in
telling over to the world how much troub-
lie | had in my life in getting and spend
ing what little | have had in my day.
Now in view of the testimony of the n.
York Herald, St, Paul and myself, would
you open up that gold and silver mine
and thereby ruin the bodies and souls of
the people of Mexican county? | mean
those VINO don't belong to the church
and have not religion and vital piety
enough to resist it think not. | think
you would not. Not at all !! Not by no
means If you do open it after what |
have said, snail always doubt your piety,
| will indeed.
But if you are determined to open
these mines will make you an offer, and
L have not the least doubt hut that Mr..
Mr.--will both stand to it,
just as | said when / began this letter
and if they don't stand to it, will do 50
on my own single, undivided, individual
responsibility, as Christian, a gentleman
and scholar. And I pledge my word
further, that every dollar | make in this
speculation, that is, if you take me up,
shall be devoted to building up churches,
poor-houses, jails, orphan asylums, hos
oitals, penitentiaries and other benevo-