MR. STANTON TO MR. DICKINSON. WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON CIDE, FUMANT 12, 1864. MY DEAR SIR-I found your admirable ode on my table, and will have it printed immediately. On reflection, it ap pears to me that it would, perhaps, be well to publish it with a little notice of the circumstances that led to its being writ ten. The lady may think it unfair to deprive her of the association with such a gem. But, in whatever form, I am anxious to be permitted to make known the authorship. Will you leave it to me to do as I please? Yours truly, EDWIN M. STANTON. MR. HALE TO MR. DICKINSON. SENATE CHAMBER, WASHINGTON, MY DEAR SIR-It is the wish of the Union party in New Hampshire that you should address our people on public affairs at your earliest convenience. In this request our delegation in Congress, House and Senate, cordially concur, and I write, as their organ, to convey to you their united wish that you should comply with this request. If you are able to do so, please write at once to Hon. E. Chandler, of Concord, New Hampshire, chairman of our State committee. I have written Mr. Chandler that I have made this request of you, and he will be expecting to hear from you. I sincerely hope it will be in your power to go to New Hampshire, and make a few of your able and telling speeches. Very respectfully, your friend, JOHN P. HALE. MR. DICKINSON TO MRS. MYGATT. 60 WALL STREET, February 17, 1864. MY DEAR MAI-This is a severely cold morning, and we hope you will all look out accordingly. VOL. II.-41 We are all well except your dear mother, and we hope she is improving. I had expected to be at the Orchard before this, but business has detained me, yet I hope to be there soon. I got away from Washington as soon as I could. It is not pleasant there. I do not think your aunt L. and cousin B. enjoy it much. There is quite a history to the "Ode." The following is bulletined at the office of the People's Telegraph, No. 21 Wall Street. "WASHINGTON, February 16, 1864. "A large and brilliant audience greeted the tragedian Murdock at the Senate Chamber last evening. President Lincoln, Mrs. Lincoln, the Vice-President and his family, and other distinguished persons were present. The ode "Am I for Peace," was read at the request of the President." Love to every one at home, and remember that I am D. S. DICKINSON. MR. DICKINSON TO MRS. COURTNEY. THE ORCHARD, March 2, 1864. MY DEAR LYDIA L.-It seems home-like here in every respect except the absence of your dear mother; but the thought that she is with her loving child, and will be carefully and tenderly nursed, reconciles us to the loss of her society; especially as we believe that exemption from the thousand cares of a large family, gives her rest and enjoyment. You know not, my dear child, how thankful I am for such an affectionate daughter to take care of her mother, and father too, and if I do not often allude to it, you must not suppose my appreciation less. Do not overwork yourself, my child, in your efforts for the Fair. love to mother, and all at home send theirs. Your affectionate father, D. S. DICKINSON. MR. DICKINSON TO MRS. DICKINSON. THE ORCHARD, March 4, 1864. MY DEAR LYDIA-This is a bright and beautiful morning, and I wish I could know how you are. I think some of our birds have begun to look in upon us. I heard one this morning inquire whether you were at home. I suppose it was the one you used to feed and water. We had a soldiers' meeting last evening, as you will see by the "Daily." The boys are preparing for a "debate" in Prof. Vasbury's school. Question: "Whether it was right for the whites to expel the Indians?" &c. Aubie showed me his "argument last evening. He goes hard on the Indians, and has some good ideas on the subject. I hope and pray you may soon recover from your recent ill ness. Your affectionate husband, D. S. DICKINSON. MR. DICKINSON TO MRS. YALE. [Extract.] THE ORCHARD, April, 1864. MY DEAR DELIA-We have recently returned from New York, where Mrs. D. has passed the winter, taking two days for the trip, although only eight hours' ride, as my dear wife was in feeble health, and I wished to make it as easy as possible. I think she is improving in her own home. I love Binghamton more than the great city; and shall close my office there, except for special cases. I can do a much larger business there, but absence from home disarranges our domestic affairs. Here is my home of over thirty years; all honor, and, I think, generally love and respect me. I am attached to the church here; here are the trees I have planted, the home I erected, and here repose the remains of those loved ones who have preceded us to that better land; and it is more in accordance with my social tastes and affections. Your affectionate friend, D. S. DICKINSON. MR. DICKINSON TO MR. ROGERS. BINGHAMTON, April 17, 1864. MY DEAR SIR-Dempster used to sing a song of a Scotchman and his wife, who suffered through a cold storm with their cottage-door open, because neither would shut it, as a matter of punctilio; and neither would speak, because upon such occasions the one who spoke first was, by an understood regulation, obliged to shut the door. In about the same spirit, we did not intend to write you until we heard from you, considering the circumstance of your running the blockade, going abroad, seeing Queen Victoria, and the Prince of" Frogmore," &c., and returning without letting us know it, except through remote sources. But as you have succeeded in executing a "flank movement," we have concluded to submit. I had the pleasure of receiving a circular note from Mr. W. K. Scott, of your city, advising me that upon your nomination I had been made an honorary member of the Buffalo Historical Society. I was pleased with the remembrance, and determined to acknowledge it, as I now do, with thankful regards. Mrs. D. has spent the winter in New York, and returned a week since. We relieve her principally from family cares which formerly pressed so heavily upon her; but there is always enough to draw out her anxiety, in so diversified a family as ours. Charlotte is well, and the little boys fast becoming great John and Mary are called to mourn the death of their excellent friend Mrs. Gov. Tracy. ones. I have closed all my business in Albany and in New York, except for special retainers. I could have kept an office open there to advantage, but have too much business here to leave; which, with social and domestic considerations, determine me to settle down at home. The family all unite with Mrs. D. and myself in affectionate regards to you and Mrs. Rogers. Sincerely yours, D. S. DICKINSON. MISS LOUISE C. THOMPSON AND OTHERS TO MR. DICKIN SON. NEW YORK, April 25, 1864. HON. D. S. DICKINSON-Sir-The Anchor and Wreath, composed of hair from the head of Washington and other distinguished Americans, lately on exhibition at the great Sanitary Fair, has been secured by several subscribers with the intention of its being presented to yourself. As one of several young ladies taking an interest in the procurement of this emblem of hope and unity, I am well pleased, with other of my young lady-friends, in its presentation to one so eminently worthy of it. Yours most respectfully, LOUISE C. THOMPSON, MISS ELIZABETH BANCROFT, MISS ELLA BROwn, MISS FANNY CONNOLY, MISS MARY CONNOLY, MISS KATE TOWNSEND, MISS ISABELLA THOMPSON. MR. DICKINSON TO MISS THOMPSON. BINGHAMTON, May 7, 1864. MY DEAR MISS THOMPSON-The Anchor and Wreath on exhibition at the late Sanitary Fair, so beautifully wrought of hair from the head of the Father of his country, and others, with your generous note of presentation, has been received, and I regret that language does not permit me to express my sense of thankful pride, for so distinguished and flattering and yet so tasteful a compliment. I shall cherish this precious emblem, and the remembrance of those whose partiality made it mine, with grateful emotions; and shall pray that in this the evil day of our beloved land, my patriotism may deserve such a tribute from the fair hands and gentle hearts of my young coun |