Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1917-07-05
A Letter From James Rumsey to His
Brother-in-Law, Charles Morrow.

Charlotte Pendleton Goldsborough, in
going through lumber OF papers OF her
distinguished grandfather, the late Colonel
A. r. Boteer, has found extremely in
teresting letters, some OF which have
never been published. Miss Pendleton
has copied for us letter, which we pub
lish, in which James Rumsey. the in
ventor OF the steamboat, shows a per-
sonal part OF his character that has never
been revealed. He makes plain in this
letter his ideas OF religion-a Simple
philosophy which must have comforted
him in his trials and troubles and dis
appointment. The letter, which was
written in London less than year before
he died is addressed to his brother-in-
law, Charles Morrow, OF Shepherdstown.
II gives us an entirely new picture OF the
inventor who trod the lonely way OF
"Rumsey's Walk" and was regarded by
certain unappreciative villagers as "Crazy
Rumsey." The letter is as follows:
London. Feb. q, 1871.
DEAR CHARLES -
have this instant received your letters
of Oct. and Nov. which ! supposed were
lost in the brig, Ceres. am happy to
hear that my sister had recovered from
her illness before your letter LETT Shep-
herdstown. Thank her sincerely for her
kind concern for me, more especially for
her prayers for my eternal happiness,
and second, however, that shall have TO
settle myself, and therefore hope she will
not give herself too much uneaSneSs
about it. That my conduct meets her
appreciation in all points but one is to me
very pleasing, being sensible between
ourselves, Charles) that her opinions are
not 10 be grinned at. 1t is easy to guess
at the point in which she thinks me de-
ficient. Religion with me is not very
complicated thing. II neither wants
Priests nor law 10 explain it. have
Topped off the branches OF prejudice and
superstition which TYrants, Folly and
Avarice had grated upon it. 1t now APP
pears TO me in its simple robes and flows
from my heart, its source, to my head to
be mildly examined by reason, that being
the basis on which rest all my concerns,
having long since considered il as the
polar star of our voyage through this life
at least so far as our conduct depends
upon our own powers and what does
not is no doubt better disposed OF. !
have no idea of departing from what little
understanding we have to pursue things
that we can not even hope to understand
and that no powers can ever explain TO
us. had rather not have probed upon
this subject. But as my religion doth not
admit OF deception. |, therefore, thought
il wrong to be quite silent respecting it,
especially after receiving your second
hint on that subject am happy, how
ever, to inform my sister that can view
my future expectations with as much
calmness and pleasure as it is possible
she can feel respecting hers, and can also
tell her a secret which is that if she can
always do what her head and heart ap-
prove OF she will have very fair chance
10 be happy thru life. ! hope she will
take in good part what have here said,
as il is really TO ease her mind that |
have attempted to explain some OF the
beauties of my religion, and the full re-
lance that | have provided obey its
dictates) on its guiding me safely TO eter-
nal rest.
Do not make yourself uneasy about the
bad sales OF your goods, as no doubt they
will grow better. For you may rest as
sured that short time will produce
great change in your favor, as am salts
fled that very few of your competitors
can stand it long upon such ground as
you describe them to proceed upon. Be-
sides, experience has uniformly convinc-
ed me that after a glut of goods there
always came scarcity. II, however, in
the meantime you could turn your mill
into valuable farm las Mr.. Marks has
done with his property il might not be
amiss. When you converse with Mr..
Buell., who is well acquainted with all my
affairs and inventions, it may induce you
to take concern in the mill proposed to
be erected at New York. or 10 erect
mill by means Of the goods Cfor ourselves)
either at Baltimore or Alexandria
would prefer the first, which has beau
tifu situation near cold spring at the
head OF the bason and is sufficiently rear
Shepherdstown for you to see IT frequent
| ly. Let me have your sentiments as soon
as possible upon the several foregoing
ideas, that may in time prepare to assist
you, should you conclude to carry any Of
them into execution. DO not be uneasy
at looseing ten guineas in support of a
laudable cause. II we live little longer,
we shall have the pleasure OF seeing my
enemies and the enemies OF science put
out OF contenance by the success OF all
my plans.
Remember me affectionately to all my
relations and friends. Believe me, dear
Charles, to be your sincere well-wisher
JAMES RUMSEY.
P.S.-Do not wonder at my letter not
being written in my own handwriting, as
have all that have lately written copied
and have too much 10 do TO perform il all