against the old man, and once the jury disagreed, nearly all against him, and it has heretofore been almost unsafe to defend him. This time, however, we were able to expose the conspiracy and rascally perjury and bribery so plainly that the audience cheered my summing up, in which I became nearly exhausted in the bad air, speaking eight hours; and when the jury came in, as they did in less than half an hour with a verdict for the defendant, the audience cheered the verdict and kept up demonstrations of joy all night. We called over two hundred witnesses in the suit, and it was the hardest case I ever tried. I got home Sunday night and have been quiet ever since. I have received a copy of the Utica Herald-quite a compli ment! We are glad you have determined to come home for the summer. Your mother is comfortable; all the others are well, and join in much love to you, Mollie and Samuel. Affectionately your father, D. S. DICKINSON. MR. DICKINSON TO MISS KNAPP. THE ORCHARD, BINGHAMTON, April 4, 1858. MY DEAR ELIZA-The weather is as pleasant as June; the buds are putting forth, the birds have commenced making their nests, and it really looks once more as if "cold concluding winter” had left us, though I presume he will give us a few cold blasts before summer really comes to bless us with its balmy breath. I have not led a winter of inactivity by any means, as you have been, occasionally if not oftener, advised; and yet when I can walk over the garden grounds again, I feel like a spirit released from prison. I do not enjoy winter much. I am so fond of perusing God's great book of Nature, and reading its poetry, as well as its prose, that I want to see seeds germinate, vegetation spring up, and the petals of flowers expand to the sun: to see the glitter of the morning dew, revel in the fragrance of flowers, and hear birds pour out their little souls in mellow song. I love the walks and rides of summer too, provided I can be accompanied by kindred spirits who can sympathize with my peculiar being, as but few, alas, can. When the blue violets bloom I will send you a specimen; in the mean time try to remember and love Your affectionate uncle, D. S. DICKINSON. MR. MYGATT TO MR. DICKINSON. OXFORD, June 29, 1858. MY DEAR SIR-Mrs. Mygatt joins me in desiring to welcome Mrs. Dickinson and yourself to our home on Saturday noon. Mrs. M. will accompany us (deo volente) as far as Unadilla, on the way to Delhi. Mr. and Mrs. Sands of Unadilla have been here during the past week. They desire us to stop with them on Monday noon, to rest and dine. Please say to Mrs. D. that Mr. S. informs me that he thinks he knows that old school-house, or its location on "Carr's Creek;" that it is not more than two miles out of the way on the road to Franklin, and that the road is a good one. Please congratulate Mrs. Courtney for me at the victory her husband has gained in convicting the rioters. The result adds to his reputation for fidelity and ability. Trusting that the cool retreats of Chenango may be enjoyed by you, with kind regards to your family circle, I am most sincerely yours, HENRY R. MYGATT. MR. DICKINSON TO MR. DWIGHT. BINGHAMTON, July 24, 1858. MY DEAR SIR-We arrived at our home on Friday evening, and found our family and friends as well as usual for the present season. We brought with us, and shall long retain, a lively sense of the kind attentions we received at your hospitable mansion while at Clinton. The occasion in all respects was a delightful one, and among the pleasant things of life. Be pleased to remember us kindly to Mrs. Dwight, and such friends as may inquire for our welfare. Sincerely yours, D. S. DICKINSON. MR. LINCOLN TO MR. DICKINSON. SPRINGFIELD, Ill., August 3, 1858. SIR-In March, 1857, I saw upon the railroad train, being taken from Chicago to Alton to the Penitentiary there, a man of gentlemanly appearance by the name of. He accosted me, and conversed some as to the chance of obtaining a pardon. A year after, he addressed me the enclosed letter from the prison. You see he mentions your name.-Do you really know him?-If our Governor could learn that he has been respectable and is of respectable connections, perhaps he would pardon him. Please answer. Pardon the liberty I take in addressing you. Several years ago, I knew you slightly at Washington. Your obedient servant, A. LINCOLN. MR., DICKINSON TO MR. ROGERS. BINGHAMTON, August 5, 1858. MY DEAR ROGERS-Your favor came duly to hand. I thank you for your good opinion of my address. I was invited last winter, when the time was distant, and thought I might find leisure to write it; but engagements pressed, and I did not commence it until a week before the time for its delivery, and therefore had to prepare it in a hurry. It gave me an opportunity to assail our miserable judiciary sytem, which I was glad to avail myself of. The address was well received, and we (Mrs. D. and myself) were treated very politely indeed. Two weeks before going to Clinton, we accepted Mr. Mygatt's invitation to go with him the "overland route" to Delhi, to attend General Term. We went up on Saturday, spent Sunday with Mr. Mygatt and family, attended the new church, and on Monday went with Mr. M. and Count Van Der Lyn in a private carriage through Guilford, visiting the graves * Address before the Law Department of Hamilton College. VOL. II.-33 of our parents at the little cemetery there, and my Alma Mater -the ruins of the old workshop where I learned a trade; the schoolhouse where we attended, and where you afterwards taught school; the old Dr. Knapp's place, where Mrs. D. was brought up, and where we were married; the old place where you were born near the hill-side spring, &c.; (Mrs. D. has a .wild rosebud plucked there, which, when she is well enough to write, she will send you in a letter), and from thence to Unadilla to Mr. Sands (Mr. Mygatt's brother-in-law), where we took an excellent dinner and rested awhile. We then went by way of "Carr's Creek," where Mrs. D. taught school in 1819, viewed the neighborhood, changed from one of the hardest back settlements in existence to a highly cultivated (in a moral and material sense) place;-saw some of her friends, then young and blithe, now old and gray; and then by way of Walton, and reached Delhi about twelve at night, having travelled about sixty miles, and Mrs. D. enduring the trip as well as the best of us. We spent a few days in Delhi, socially as well as professionally, and returned by way of Franklin, and over the same route home;-one of the most delightful and "sentimental journeys we have ever taken. As you will readily see, it was full of interesting reminiscences. I think if you are to have as large a family as you name, and we visit you too, you had better take the house adjoining yours, if it can be had at a reasonable rate. It will be convenient, some of the time at least. All send regards to you and Mrs. R. I do not know whether I shall be able to attend the Diocesan Convention or not. Sincerely yours, D. S. DICKINSON. MR. DICKINSON TO MR. DWIGHT. BINGHAMTON, August 6, 1858. [EXTRACT.] MY DEAR SIR-I was honored by an official announcement, from Mr. Williams, of the degree of Doctor of Laws, which the Board were pleased to confer on me. I do not know, but I shrewdly suspect, my dear Sir, that I am indebted to your generous partiality for this gratifying testimonial; and I beg to assure you that I feelingly appreciate the distinction. Mrs. Dickinson desires to claim with me the remembrance of yourself and Mrs. Dwight. Sincerely yours, D. S. DICKINSON. MR. DWIGHT TO MR. DICKINSON. HAMILTON COLLEGE, CLINTON, August 9th. MY DEAR SIR-Your address was placed in the hands of the publishers last week. It will be published by Roberts-of 60 Genesee Street, and in the style of Judge Allen's address, a copy of which I send you. I have directed the Messrs. Roberts to bring it out at the earliest moment practicable, which they have promised to do. Should I be called from home, as is now possible, I will see that the proof is sent to yourself for correction. I was greatly gratified, I assure you, Sir, that our Trustees bestowed the degree of Doctor of Laws so worthily. Allow me to say, what I sincerely think, that I regard it as one of those rare cases in which one is surprised that it has not been conferred before. Whatever agency I may have had in causing it to be bestowed, it gives me great personal satisfaction and pleasure. I send also a copy of my grandfather's sermon on "Duelling." Although old and timeworn, it belonged to his library, and had always been in the family. Please accept it, as a slight token of my high esteem. Mrs. Dwight joins with me in kind regards to Mrs. Dickinson and to yourself. With great respect, Sincerely yours, THEODORE W. DWIGHT. |