I assure you, in repetition, that I am by no means insensible to the interest many valued friends, yourself among the number, have taken in my behalf, and trust at no distant day I may reciprocate. Mrs. D. unites with me in an expression of kind regards to yourself and Mrs. Rogers. Sincerely yours, D. S. DICKINSON. H. W. ROGERS, Esq. MR. DICKINSON TO VIRGINIA E. DICKINSON. BINGHAMTON, August 26, 1841. MY DEAR VIRGINIA-I have just closed a laborious circuit, at home, which you know always fatigues and excites me so that I can think of nothing else. Binghamton is unusually pleasant this summer, albeit the streets are somewhat cluttered up with building materials, which makes it, as the countryman said of New York, "look like a pretty place, if they could ever get it finished." The main part of the village destroyed by fire is rebuilt with unusual beauty. We should be very glad to see you, but being satisfied that your absence is for your advantage, will, as usual, await the time allotted for your return patiently. All about as usual here, and no news. Improve all you can, and preserve health, content, and, as a consequence, happiness. Your affectionate father, D. S. DICKINSON. MR. DICKINSON TO MRS. KNAPP. BINGHAMTON, March 7, 1842. MY DEAR MOTHER-Lydia desires me to write in reply to yours of a day or two since. She is not as well as she was the last time I wrote Hannah, and there are moments when we are almost led to despair. I have endeavored to teach others how weak and feeble she is. The most trivial excitement or exertion is very injurious to her, and for about a week past she has been worse most of the time than before. I have done all in my power to render her situation as comfortable as possible; and if she can remain until mild and pleasant weather, I believe she will get about again, but a little neglect will assuredly place her beyond hope. She is extremely anxious to have you come and spend some time with her, as soon as you can with propriety and convenience, and is also very anxious to see her father. It would be a source of great consolation and comfort to her to see and converse with you both. We cannot, however, desire to have you attempt to come during the present bad, and I may say, dangerous state of the roads, but we hope a few days will improve the travelling, so that you may come with comfort. I will send an easy carriage for you, if desirable. We feel, as you may well suppose, afflicted and distressed, and need more than ever the consolation of our friends. All send much love. Sincerely and affectionately, D. S. DICKINSON. MR. EDWIN CROSWELL TO MR. DICKINSON. ALBANY, August 20, 1842. MY DEAR SIR-Nothing can be more explicit, direct, and elevated than your exposition of your views touching the course of the democratic party. With very few exceptions they are in accordance with the sentiments of our friends throughout the State; and really I have little fear that they will not be sustained by the people. But even if disappointed in this reasonable expectation, it is our only tenable ground; and defeat, with adhesion, is to be preferred to success that is to be purchased by a departure from it. But I write you at once, in reply to your favor of the 15th, (postmarked the 18th,) because I desire to impress you with the importance of avoiding the issue of the "card" to which you allude, if possible. So far as I can judge, the pervading democratic sentiment suggests your name. If compelled to quit that, the change could scarcely be favorable to the general political interests. I regret to hear of the unfavorable state of Mrs. Dickinson's health; but I trust it will not yet assume an aspect so serious as to lead to the result you suggest. These are public and general considerations. I need not assure you that, personally, my own wishes and feelings are fully in accordance with them. With great regard, To the Hon. D. S. DICKINSON. E. CROSWELL. MR. DICKINSON TO MR. CROSWELL.* BINGHAMTON, September 2, 1842. DEAR SIR-Upon full reflection and examination, I have felt constrained to send you the enclosed. I do not do it without much regret; but a feeble wife, with the prospect of returning illness at winter, and a young family whose physical and intellectual culture must be neglected, if abroad, have preponderated. I trust you will place it upon ground that will satisfy my friends that I have done justly, although I have disregarded their claims and my own wishes. I hope the Convention will give us a Southern candidate, if consistent. DEAR SIR-Since sending you my card, I have been so thoroughly set upon by our friends in this and adjoining counties, and the probable consequences to local nominations so fearfully depicted, that I have well-nigh repented of a course * Enclosing, for publication, a card declining to be a candidate for nomination, at the State Convention. VOL. II.-23 which I thought I had well considered. They say it will bring numerous "Richmonds" into the field, and be exceedingly prejudical to the interests of the "Southern tier," for all of which I should have to be responsible. The pressure is becoming greater than I could foresce, and Mrs. Dickinson, who is as great a democrat as myself, says I must stand if the Convention says so, and trust to Providence for the future. I shall authorize our delegates to say I will accept if nominated, for it seems to be a sacrifice demanded. Yours sincerely, E. CROSWELL, Esq. D. S. DICKINSON. MR. BOUCK TO MR. DICKINSON. FULTON, September 10, 1842, MY DEAR SIR-I am happy to hear that "sober second thought" induced you to accept a nomination. If you had persisted in your declension, it would doubtless have embarrassed the Convention. To receive the vote of every delegate in the Convention is a rare distinction, and impresses the duty on you to accept the nomination without regard to consequences. Your election may be regarded as certain. Your friend, W, C. BOUCK. MR. DICKINSON TO MR. CROSWELL. BINGHAMTON, September 15, 1842. MY DEAR SIR-I need not say, I trust, how much I feel obliged, and how fully I appreciate the kind and complimentary manner in which you have treated me, touching my nomination, through the columns of the Argus and otherwise. The course I ought to pursue was, for a time, one of very deep solicitude; and, after weighing all considerations, I concluded to take the one which had no allurements save those belonging to domestic life. I did so, but, as is sometimes the case, after having done it, I looked at it in a more enlarged sense, and came to Dr. Franklin's conclusion, that he who "spits against the wind, spits in his own face." I regret to have troubled and vexed my friends upon the subject, and did at the time; but, on the whole, I can scarcely regret the course I have taken. I consulted my private wishes in a desire to decline, I gave way to public considerations in consenting to accept, and do not think the positions inconsistent with each other. At least I have quieted my own conscience by the course I have taken, let the result be what it may, and a different one may have left me less consolation. The Argus, I should think, is pursuing a right course; quiet, but firm; in favor of the improvement question, when it can be taken up with any prospect of advancement. We have to steer between Scylla and Charybdis. The ultra speculating improvement people will want their particular work put through at any sacrifice of money, credit, or honor; and another class will probably desire to go as far the other way; but both should be avoided. Whatever the abstract right of the matter might be, it is not now an original question whether the State shall step aside from the mere question of government, and embark in public works. We are committed to the policy, but we should be careful to use it as not abusing it. Mrs. D. unites with me in kind regards for yourself and family. Sincerely yours, D. S. DICKINSON MR. CASH TO MR. DICKINSON. RUTGERS PLACE, September 17, 1842. ALLOW me to tender you my hearty congratulations in again securing the nomination for the office of LieutenantGovernor, although, as I perceive from your letter to the Argus, it was not strictly in accordance with your wishes. I sincerely regret the delicate health of your family, yet I heartily rejoice that the convention insisted on your nomination. That you will be elected by a very respectable majority I have scarcely a doubt. In this county you will run well, and believe me, |