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Addressed to: Mrs. Jane D. Anderson, West Windham, N. Hamp.
Lowell July 17, 1854,
Dear Mother.
I never received your letter,
dated the 21st of June until Saturday evening. Owing to carelessness in
the P.O. it never was put upon the list and I did not get it until it
had been advertised several weeks. Hence the reason why I have not
answered sooner.
As regards
health I can not say any thing very encouraging: As for eating, that is
out of the question and of all the feelings that ever took possession of
my head, I never experienced any thing like that which has taken hold of
me this Summer. If I can not get releaf soon I think I shall not remain
here longer than Spring, but perhaps I should be no better in other
places. If I were obliged to confine myself to write ten or twelve
hours a day I might have some reason to complain, but it appears as if a
person who has no more to do that I have outhg to be able to get along
and not suffer so much as I do.
The fourth here in Lowell was
one of the warm days I can assure you. There was no celebration here;
the principal place of attraction being the South Common where the great
Broadway collection of Animals with numerous other smaller shows. Were
on exhibition.
Judging from the crowd around
them I remained in the house till towards night when I went down to the
P.O. and of all the sights that I ever saw on the street, I never saw
anything more laughable. Every one almost that wore thin clothing were
as wet as if they had just come out of Merrimack River.
Every gentleman carried a
fan and some of them two. I noticed one poor fellow with a fan in each
hand and he was making them work as fast as his muscular arms would
permit trying to circulate the sluggish atmosphere. There were any
amount of drunkards on the street and as fast as they got down the
Police would carry them off. In the evening there was a grand display
of fireworks on the South Common and thus ended the warmest fourth of
July that I ever recollect off, or perhaps I should say I suffered more
from the heat that day than any other of which I now have any
recollection.
The Angel Gabriel was here
and preached on the South Common one Sabbath in June. His congregation
comprised all the rough and tumble of the city besides a good many
respectable citizens. He is in statue; small. Dresses very singularly
and carries a trumpet to call his audience together. As the time drew
near at which his meeting was appointed; thousands began to gather
awaiting his arrival He soon appeared in the American House Coach.
Coming to a Stand, he got out on top and having blown his trumpet,
harangued the audience for an hour and then departed as he came.
Soon after Gabriel was here,
there appeared in the Morning News a piece speaking in no gentle terms
of Gabirel’s sojourn in Lowell, calling him hard names &c. &c. Some
Americans took great offence at it, and one night quite a crowd
collected around the News Office threatening to tear out his printing
press and other fixtures, they were prevented however; and forming into
a company they marched up in to the “Aere---“ and after scaring the poor
paddies almost to death they finally disbanded and retired peaceably.
The next night they again collected around the News Office, threatening
as the evening previous.
Mayor Mack soon made his
appearance in the ground and with quivering voice & trembling frame
commenced reading the Riot Act. This seemed to quell the tumult and our
city has been quiet since. How important it is that men in Office
Should be Strong nerved, No doubt Mack thought some one would shoot him,
but as it happened he escaped unhurt. The next day proclamations
were posted in the Streets requesting all good and well-disposed
citizens to remain at home evenings as much as their business would
permit. This was the sum and substance of it. Now it was not the
good & well disposed citizens that made the trouble but a band of
rowdies, and if he (the Mayor) had been doing his duty, he would have
done the first night that which he done the second. But I suppose he
was afraid he would hurt their feelings so he withheld.
Aaron Blanchard has moved
into his house, Sarah is homesick enough, but he appears much pleased
with itWilliam and wife are well, but you would think to hear him talk
that his years were numbered and no wonder; he runs two plainers all the
time besides superintending all his business, Had I such a wife as ha
has got and she wore the breeches and had such an influence over me as
she has over him, it would not be strange if I complained of hard work.
(An improper expression to use in a letter but I Know you will excuse
it.)
The fourth Sabbath in June
Rev. E. B. Foster preached all day on the subject of Slavery. In the
forenoon his theme was the details of the pulpit on the subject and in
the afternoon the Nebraska Bill. I will quote a few extracts from my
journal. He presented five reasons why the minister of Christ had a
right to speak on the subject. 1st The magnitude of the interests at
Stake He spoke at great length on this, branching off in various
directions, presenting many new thoughts and ideas, and portraying what
might be expected
if such a state of things continues.
The second head now escapes
my memory. 3rd His right to discuss the Subject as a private citizen.
He conveyed the idea that the minister had a right to discuss
political matters to a certain extent; he would not have them gabbing
all the time about it, but there was a time when they should speak, and
if they did not they sinned in so doing. 4th His right to discuss the
subject as a minister 5th The power and authority which God gives him
in the bible to discuss the subject. These are four of the principal
heads of the forenoon discourse I have neither time nor room to give
you a sketch of the afternoon discourse but will endeavour to some
time. The house was crowded from top to bottom all day and many went
away, not being able to obtain seats. Petitions have been drawn up and
circulated for signatures requesting him to repeat it in Huntingdon Hall
at some convenient time. What a trouble it must be to be so very
popular?
I suppose Father is haying
with all his might & strength. Help is very scarce around Lowell and
Farmers are paying as high as two dollars pr. Day. It seems to me as if
farmers must have some income to pay that price for help in haying
time.
I met Josiah Butler on the
street as I was coming in from dinner and he told me that Sarah=Jane-Jiles
husband had gone to California, I had not heard of it before but presume
you have.
As for coming home, I do not
know as I shall be up this summer, but perhaps I may ride up some
Saturday night and spend the Sabbath, but do not think of it now.
C. L. Anderson |
