The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-03-07

office AZ I am better calculated for balance
than political position. Nor do desire thatlt
shall be known that we corresponded. III II
should be, would probably be importuned for
letters of introduction TO an extent that would
be anything but pleasant to you or myself L,
like Yourself am "A New Yorker born, and am
ever ready to contribute To the honor OF New
York and her sons. l. like yourself was mt an
early age sent forth to earn a living and estab-
lish a character In the first have succeeded
to my utmost deserving; for the latter | refer
to those who know me best Your career has
been different from mine. You aimed to be
"a statesman, IA position more full al honor
than profit. Thus far your friends must be
satisfied with your position and reputation.
In a pecuniaTy point of view doubt If it can
be very satisfactory. Observation has taught
me TO know that it is almost impossible for a
poor boy to become prominent IA statesman
unless he has friends who will assist him in
his financial necessities. II not assisted, he
must remain in the background, and the places
of statesmen be filled in many instances by
persons having more money than ability.
Where would have been our Webster, Clay,
and many others, if it had not been for friends
who came forward to help them in their finan
cial embarrassment / hope and believe you
have many friends who will assist you to at
tain to the highest position your character
and ability so fully enttle you, and You will
not accuse me of fiattery, l hope, when | say
there is no position under our Government for
which think you unqualified. The present
campaign will be expensive one. If you
find YOU are in want of funds, you are at lib
erty to call upon me, with the assurance that
if have the money to spare, you shall have
it. If | have not | will so inform you, and in
either case the matter will there terminate. l
have the honor TO be your obedient servant,
GEORGE +. NEsBITT.
Hon. Schuyler Colfax Washington.
New YORK, July Is. 1868.
NJ 70 ~ ha Nyog
duly received. | fear it il too late for you to
think of engaging in business unless You are
defeated in the coming election, which is not
possible The opposition will resort to all or
any means to elect their ticket, and they have
an untold amount of money to back them. But
with all these No will be at them. Not by re-
naming idle, however, for we have much and
hard work to do, and the party will require
money. But the furnishing of this must be
left to the political organizations. Persons
who are in office will pay in the hope that they
will be retained. and others who are ont will
pay in the hope that they may get in. Between
the two i think the party will be supplied. Not
so with you. Your friends must supply you,
and the money must come without any prom
Uses on your part, expressed or implied.
have but little experience in political matters,
and may not be a safe adviser but might be
allowed to suggest that your reputation is suf-
ficent for present purposes and would not
probably be improved by letter-wrtlng or
speaking in public / think if You were put
away somewhere it would be almost well.
If you should be coming North, and wish to
spend a few DAYS quietly and out of the way
would like you TO get in one of the cars OF the
New Haven railroad and take a trip to the
quiet little town of Stamford; there land, and
ask the first hackman You see TO take you to
my summer home | am about one and one
half miles from the depot, in q very quiet
neighborhood, and live very plainly. My fam
IL ms lga no WIN ara
therefore allowed to and do feel at home. |
am at home at all times except Wednesdays
and Saturdays, when | am in New York, and
would have my carriage at the depot to meet
You, if | knew when TO expect YOU You shall
not be ANNOYED by company, unless there
should be some friend of yours in the town
whom you would like to see. The Sabbath is
a delightful day with us. l regret that we are
not personally acquainted, / never having
seen You except from the gallery of the House,
and You have never seen me at all. / feel that
| am taking liberties with you but do assure
you | am anxious only for your success. In
the first place, because you are son of New
York. but more particularly because you have
shown conspicuousy that, though born of
humble parents, You have been rendered al
most the highest honor in the power of your
felOw-citZens to test on, without resorting to
the low devices of the politician, but rather
exhibiting all these Christian virtues well
becoming true gentleman of honor. About
the LIST of November next / shall have another
one thousand dollars for your use, and will re-
quire your address at that time. You do not
probably fully understand me- but. i'll order
that YOU may. / will explain.
| have made it rule to inform my children
"a soon they were old enough to understand
it. that it was my int ntion. If l made the
means at the time of my DEATH to leave them
sufficient to provide them with the necessaries
of life As for the luXuries, they must work
f,~4l ,nYn | had hoy ra1
This rule l am preparing to carry out. 1t
enables me to do some good while living, and
probably save some of my children from the
disadvantages too often attending the acquisi-
ton of money not earned. My children are
being educated to earn their living at such oc-
cupation as seems best adapted to their dis
position l have written more than meant to,
and more probably than will be interesting to
you. / will close a. began. 1t is too late for
you to think of being anything but a states
man. If that does not pay, your friends must
make up the difference. While / can / will
contribute When can do it no longer some
other friend will appear to take my place
! Please believe me. when | say desire most
particularly that our correspondence should be
private, and when discontnuance would APP
pear desirable by you, you only to notify
me and your wish shall be respected.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant
GEORGE L. NEsBITT.
Hon. Schuyler Colfax, Washington, ID. G.
[NoTE.-This letter cannot be found. Schuy-
| Ter ColfaX.
Mr.. Colfax stated that he met Mr..
Nesbitt after this at his office, his house,
and his (Colfax's) residence in Washing
ton, and speaking to him about his lavish
generosity, Mr. Nesbitt replied that he
had instructed his family never to ask
any favor that he had done what he had
because he preferred to administer large
ly to his own estate, and he would be
amply repaid if Colfax would secure
tickets for himself and his family to wit
ness his Inauguration.
Mr.. Nesbitt died suddenly soon after
that Inauguration.
INGENIOUS INvENTIoN.-M T.. Clark,