Fort Hill 10th June 1847
MY DEAR ANNA, If I
have not written you more frequently, it is because Cornelia and your Mother
write you constantly, and that for the last several packets, it has been
necessary for me to write to Mr Clemson, in reply to his letters and on business.
It happens, for the
first [time] for a considerable period, that there was no subject, which
required I should write to him, and that your letter to me, was the only one
received from Brussels by the packet before the last. The last steamer which
sailed took no letter from us to either of you, as we were absent in Abbeville
in attendance on Kate Townes Wedding. I think she has done well; but as
Cornelia sends a long letter to you, in company with this, I take it for
granted, she will be very full in her narative about the wedding and all that
relates to our visit to Abbeville, so I shall pass them over. I am happy to
hear, you are all so well, and that the children are making such progress; not
in what is called learning only, but what is vastly more important at their
age, in good sense and habits. I hear such favourable accounts of them, that I
am extremely desirous of seeing them again, as well as yourself and Mr Clemson;
and sincerely hope, the time is not distant, when he shall think it for his
interest to return to the U. States. If cotton should ever rise to 8 or 9
cents, steadily, as I hope it will, now that the immense stock, which had
accumulated will be reduced to nothing by the end of the year. The present
crop, thus far, is by no means promising. It is generally very backward, small
and not a good stand. Besides, that planted on the Mississippi bottom has been
in a great measure ruined by the Fresh. I saw not more than two tolerable crops
on my visit to Abbeville, and neither of them much, if any more forward, than
mine. With their exception, mine is the best by far I have seen this season.
The weather has been unfavourable, and insects have abounded. We have not had
since the 1st Week in April a single day that could be called warm, and are yet
sleeping under a blanket, and 'till lately under two. We have rains now, but it
is still too cool to give any great impulse to the growth of cotton.
I met in Abbeville
Hammond at Mr McDuffie's, and spent a night with him there. He gave the same
account of the crop, as low down as his residence, and I do not doubt it is
much the case over the whole cotton region. He speaks very favourably of his
experiment in marling and the use of plaster of Paris; and enthusiastically of
his efforts in reclaiming the swamp land on his tract. From what he states,
they must be equal to the best lands in the Union, while the expense, is far
less than it was supposed it would be at first. Should Mr Clemson return, it
would be worth while to look at the lands adjacent to him. The situation has
great advantage in climate and position.
I am not at all
surprised, that the state of things in Belgium and Europe, generally, should
excite the feelings and sentiments you have so strongly expressed; and yet, bad
as is the state of things there, it must, with the exception of this year of
famine, be vastly superior to what it is in any other part of the old
continent. We are for the present far better off; but it may be doubted whether
we are not treading the path, that will lead in the end to a similar or
worse state. Certain it is, that the preservation of our institutions and
liberty oссиру but little of the attention of our Government,
Federal, or State, or that of the people. Wealth and power engross the
attention of all. We act, as if good institutions and liberty belonged to us of
right, and that neither neglect nor folly can deprive us of their blessing. I
almost stand alone, in taking a different view, and soon I fear shall be
entirely out of fashion.
We have a most
uncertain future before us. It began with the Mexican war. It has reached a
critical point. I see nothing that can prevent us from taking the city, but
what is to be the end of that, no one can tell. The present indication is, that
we shall go on and subject, and hold in subjection, if we can the whole
country; and who can tell to what that may lead? The only thing that seems
probable is, that the Army and Navy are to become the controlling influence in
the country, at least for another Generation.
I am looking on
calmly, but with deep interest, with the fixed resolve to do my duty,
regardless of all consequences. The next session must be one of the most
important, that has yet taken place. It will lead to many developements, and
give us a glimpse of what is to come. My position is one of entire independence
of party, and of great command; but it will require much firmness, prudence and
foresight to meet its duties, and responsibilities. I hope I will not prove
unequal to the task it may impose.
We are all well, and
all join their love to you and Mr Clemson and the children. Kiss them for their
grandfather and tell them how glad I am to hear they are so well, and behave so
well.
Willie has not yet
returned, but we expect him next week.
SOURCE: J. Franklin Jameson, Editor, Annual Report of the American Historical Association for the Year 1899, Volume II, Calhoun’s Correspondence: Fourth Annual Report of the Historical Manuscripts Commission, Correspondence of John C. Calhoun, pp. 729-31
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