The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-11-15
A PRECIOUS VOLUME.


~ ~o"'ea"s AetCere from Every President
of the United States.
L have reserved for final mention a
volume in my library that no doubt
exceeds all others in historical in
terest. 1t is large folio containing
portraits and autograph letters of every
President of the United States from
Washington to Harrison. Eight of
the letters are personal ones from the
various Presidents to myself.
The first letter is one of the most
interesting. 1t was written by Wash
ington to Colonel Clement Biddle. of
Philadelphia. under date of Mount
Vernon, December 8 1799-that is to
say, only six days before Washington's
death. 1t was the last letter he wrote
There is not the slightest Indication of
approaching dissolution in the firm
handwriting; the letters are carefully
formed, the words carefully chosen,
and though he spells cabin with two
s, his shrewdness in business deal
ing Is illustrated in the stately an
nouncement to Colonel Biddle that he
has 1t in mind to send him "a hundred
or two barrels of -four to dispose of
Tor me in the Philadelphia market, as
1t commands better price there than
In Alexandria, and some barrels OF
ish also-On commission" He also
instructs his correspondent about the
purchase of various kinds of seeds.
John Adams letter is addressed to
Commodore Balm bridge and declines
an invitation to visit the latter. on tho
ground that Ian octogenarian gentle.
nan and septuagenarian lady (his
vife) can not be too cautious of engag-
ng in bold, daring and hazardous en-
,erprises without an object of public
good. The letters are all of private
and entertaining character. Pierce 8
.etter is the touching one to James 7.
Fields to which have already referred
in connection with the death of Haw-
ihorne: the Lincoln letter is the famous
one of April 9, 1862. containing instruc-
tons to General Mcclellan and con-
Guiding with the underscored words.
But you must act. and General Grant
is represented by the noted letter he
wrote me. June 6. 1877 from London.
This is the letter. fourteen pages in
.ength, which l photographed to the
London Times. 1t contains the lines:
1t has always been my desire to see
all jealousy between England and the
United States abated, and all sores
healed up. Together they are more
powerful for the spread of commerce
and civilization than all others COM
| blned. and can do more to remove cause
OF wars, by creating mutual interests
that would be so much disturbed by
war. than all other natl u.s.
Autograph letters of A drew John
son are very hard to OBJ lin-harder
than the letters of any tn President.
Letters written by his secretary and
merely signed by himself are common
enough. l have been enabled. however,
secure quite a store of johnson 5
original manuscripts. including the &C
count book he kept while tailor. This
full of droll expressions. The letter
| | have Elected to represent him in the
volume of the Presidents is an interest
! ng communication to his friend, Major
(afterward GeneraD Sam. Milligan. 1t
IS all written, and notable for its odd
misspelling and its frank political Cos
sip. 1t breathes a feverish anxiety for
the action of the Southern leaders, and
hopes there is still intelligence enough
and virtue in the country sufficient to
save it, LAS you say he writes,
they (meaning the reasonable mem
nave given me thunder in some
places. &c. w. Childs. in Lippincott 9
MAGAZINE