Governor Rutherford B. Hayes to Manning F. Force, November 6, 1869

COLUMBUS, OHIO, November 6, 1869.

DEAR GENERAL: My wife and I both wish to say thank you for the beautiful pictures [reproductions of paintings in European galleries]. They are so fine that I want to be able to talk about them—how they are done; where are the originals; whose? etc., etc. I am told that a negative is obtained from the painting by the ordinary process, that the negative is retouched, and these pictures printed from the improved negative.

The next time I meet you I propose to hear you on your trip. So try not [to] forget it altogether.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

M. F. FORCE.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 68

Governor Rutherford B. Hayes to Webb C. Hayes, November 7, 1869

COLUMBUS, OHIO, November 7, 1869.

MY DEAR WEBB: Yesterday one of the teachers in the public schools tried an interesting experiment in the rotunda of the State House. He suspended an iron ball weighing twenty pounds by a fine wire from the top of the dome and by letting it swing as a pendulum demonstrated very satisfactorily that the earth moves from the west to the east. The wire had to be one hundred and twenty feet long to reach from the dome to the floor. A line was drawn on the floor due north and south and the ball set to swinging directly over the line. In an hour the line of the ball's motion was nine degrees variant from the north and south line, showing that in forty hours the variation would go clear around the circle. It was a curious demonstration, but while everybody saw the result, only a few seemed to fully comprehend it.

I have a large number of the coats of arms of the States cut from the letters I get. If you want them I'll send them to you. You must always write with ink. You forgot to give the year in dating your last letter. Your letter as a whole was very well written. - Ruddy and your mother send love to you and Birch.

Affectionately, your father,

R. B. HAYES.

WEBB C. HAYES,
        Fremont.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 68-9

Governor Rutherford B. Hayes to Charles Nordhoff, November 10, 1869

COLUMBUS, OHIO, November 10, 1869.

DEAR NORDHOFF: You are not the only "wretch" (I have adopted that good word from you) who harrows up the feelings of my wife by sending the Harper's picture of me. It has driven me into the photograph business and I am now jawing back in this way.

I want to send Walter "The President's Words" the book of Lincoln's wisdom, I named to you. How—by express or mail, and direction?

I have not seen Aunty Davis since your article on the Bible question. I fear she will think you have gone back on her hopes of you. I take the Bible side, largely because this war on the Good Book is in disguise a war on all free schools.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

CHARLES NORDHOFF.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 70-1

Governor Rutherford B. Hayes to Lucy Webb Hayes, Saturday, May 23, 1868

FREMONT, OHIO, May 23, Saturday, 1868.

MY DARLING:— Came from Chicago this morning. Had a fine time.

All well here. Young Mrs. Wade came over with me—vexed of course with the doings of a few Ohio anti-Waders, but took it well. The Convention [National Republican] with that exception was a great success. Mrs. Lane sends her regards. She was full of praises of you; the old Senator, ditto.

Affectionately,

R. B. H.

MRS. HAYES.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 52-3

Governor Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, November 3, 1868

COLUMBUS, November 3, 1868.

DEAR UNCLE: Platt heard my talk about the taxes for ditches and roads on your Wood County lands with the greatest good humor. He laughed about it; said he rather thought the lands might about as well be given up, but would leave all that to you and Doctor Rawson. He seemed to regard the big figures I gave him as a good joke. There will be no trouble or feeling with him.

Judge Matthews staid with us during the session of the Electoral College. His daughter Bella, the eldest and favorite, aged seventeen, died suddenly while he was here.

Lucy has gone down to Glendale. We got home in five hours from Fremont by way of Monroeville and Clyde. The quickest time I ever made. All well.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

S. BIRCHARD.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 55

Rutherford B. Hayes to Lucy Webb Hayes, Sunday, August 25, 1867

PORTSMOUTH, August 25, 1867, Sunday.

MY DARLING:—I could not get to Chillicothe today. Had a great crowd yesterday. In the middle of my speech a terrific rain-storm broke us up. At night we had a fine meeting. "Old Ben" [Wade] made a glorious negro suffrage [speech], frequently rough, but great.

Mrs. Buckland is with Buck. We all enjoy it. Spoke at night three times the last week as well as daily. Am quite hoarse but it [the hoarseness] wears off entirely as I warm up. Love to Rud. Oceans to yourself.

Affectionately,

R.

MRS. HAYES.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 47

Rutherford B. Hayes to Lucy Webb Hayes, September 29, 1867

COLUMBUS, September 29, 1867.

MY DARLING:—I am writing from Laura's pleasant home—the next place to my wife's in homelikeness and comfort.

I did hope to see you at 383 this morning but to do so would give me two night rides, one to go and another to get back to the Reserve. So, tired as I was, I gave it up.

A pleasant week, this last. I enjoyed Delaware particularly. I made only a so-so speech there not a failure, but not one of the good ones. Sorry for that, but couldn't help it. At Tiffin and Bucyrus, three hours each had used me up a trifle. I am better than ever.

Affectionately,

R.

MRS. HAYES.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 47-8

Rutherford B. Hayes to Lucy Webb Hayes, December 27, 1867

COLUMBUS, December 27, 1867.

MY DARLING:—Am here waiting for my traps and calamities—I should say our—which will be here this afternoon and I hope to get them all in the house tomorrow. The carpets and other things I wish to get ready to put down and put in; but really very little in that way can be done without you. I have an impression we shall feel very homelike here when we do settle.

Love to all. I shall come up [to Fremont] in time for dinner New Year's day, if not before.

Affectionately,

R.

MRS. HAYES.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 50

Congressman Rutherford B. Hayes to Lucy Webb Hayes, June 2, 1867

FREMONT, June 2, 1867.

MY DARLING:—I reached the depot here about six P. M. yesterday, the boys with Rock met me and had me up to the house in a "jiffy," as Mother used to say. Both the boys laughing and talking as tanned as Indians and jolly as porpoises. Birch chops and hauls dirt for the road and Webb rows boat and fishes on the river. School of course but secondary. Their talk was of chickens.

The flower garden has more plants in it, and will some day amount to something. Your verbenas (is that right?) will go into a star-shaped bed tomorrow. The rains have brought up the grass everywhere. It is a beautiful place. Birch calls me "Dad" with great complacency and lays his hand on my shoulder familiarly. Have had a pleasant day with the boys. Very happy little (or big) fellows they are, and very happy it is to be with them. Good night. Love to all.

Sincerely your

R.

MRS. HAYES.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 44

Congressman Rutherford B. Hayes to Lucy Webb Hayes, July 2, 1867

WASHINGTON, July 2, 1867.

MY DARLING:—We got here at five this afternoon; had a good trip. The boys looked and behaved well. At first both a little subdued, but before we got here Webb recovered and was on good terms with the Members of Congress on board; in fact, I am afraid that in another day he would have pulled Senator Chandler's nose and punched Senator Howard in the stomach! Birch took to the guidebook and is up on geography, distances, places, etc., etc.

Affectionately,

R. B. HAYES.

MRS. HAYES.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 45

Congressman Rutherford B. Hayes to Lucy Webb Hayes, July 11, 1867

WASHINGTON, D. C., July 11, 1867.

DARLING:—The boys very happy and very good. Webb and Birch both crowd up to Mr. Stevens when he speaks. They had a chance to hear Bingham's best piece of declamation the other day. Birch, however, likes Stevens the most. Webb is very modest in the House. Birch is bolder. Birch learns everything. Webb is delighted with books he gets from the library.

I have some notion of returning by New York. The only objection is, it will add another week to absence from you. And you know how affectionately

I am ever your

R.

MRS. HAYES.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 45-6

Congressman Rutherford B. Hayes to Lucy Webb Hayes, July 14, 1867

WASHINGTON, D. C., July 14, 1867.

MY DARLING:—Nothing but good things to say about the boys. I asked Birch whether he wouldn't prefer going to New York and Niagara to going direct to Cincinnati. "No," says he, "you see I haven't seen Mama for a long time, not since April, and I want to see where she is living." It looks as if we could start home the last of this or the first of next week. Much love to you, dearest.

Affectionately ever,

R.

MRS. HAYES.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 46

Congressman Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, July 25, 1867

WALNUT HILLS, July 25, 1867.

DEAR UNCLE:—We got home safely yesterday. Find Lucy and all well. I think I will return the two boys about the middle of next week, or last, not certain yet. If I come up, as I think I will, I can stay only a couple of days. Politics will be my business the rest of the time until election. I feel well about it, and expect to enjoy it.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

S. BIRCHARD.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 46

Congressman Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, January 27 , 1867

WASHINGTON, D. C., January 27, 1867.

DEAR UNCLE:—Buck[land] and I are both a little shaky on the Randall Bill. I will bear watching quite as much as he will. I think we shall both light on your side of the question but our state of mind is, as you used to say, "between souse and suggerly."* I am confident, however, that the bill will not pass at this session.

I hear the boys are at home. I suppose they will (the two big ones) return to your house after this week's doings and that Lucy and Rud will return here soon. I leave it all to her.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

S. BIRCHARD.

_______________

* Undoubtedly colloquial for "between south and southerly." Lexicographers have failed to record these forms.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 38

Congressman Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, Friday, February 7, 1867

WASHINGTON, D. C., February 7, 1867. Friday.

DEAR UNCLE:—Lucy reached here this morning safe and well. It is a most interesting period in Congress. She will enjoy it very much. Our new plans suit me exactly. Grant, Thomas, and Sheridan are now known to be all right.

Your letter on the governorship came one day too late. I decided not to run. The principal reason is I do not like in these times to leave a place to which I have just been chosen on my own request. But it's all right, I am sure. It is something to have declined an office of the sort.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

S. BIRCHARD.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 41

Congressman Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, December 26, 1866

MEMPHIS, December 26, 1866.

DEAR UNCLE:— We are thus far on our way to New Orleans, with everything thus far the very pleasantest possible.

I last night experienced a new sensation. I went with General Howard to a meeting of colored people and made them a short talk. Their eager, earnest faces were very stimulating.

Sorry Buckland and his wife are not here. We meet the leading Rebels everywhere. The Rebel officers are particularly interesting. I get on with them famously. I talk negro suffrage and our extremest radicalism to all of them. They dissent but are polite and cordial.

Love to boys. Lucy very happy.

R. B. HAYES.

S. BIRCHARD.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 37

Congressman Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, December 28, 1866

NEW ORLEANS. December 28, 1866.

DEAR UNCLE:— On the opposite page is General Beauregard's autograph which please save. He wrote it this minute.

One of the pleasant points in this trip is making the acquaintance of the leading Rebel officers.

We are doing finely, shall probably return to Washington and Lucy will go to Fremont soon after.—Love to boys.

Yours,

R. B. HAYES.

S. BIRCHARD.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 37-8

Congressman Rutherford B. Hayes to Lucy Webb Hayes, August 27, 1866

CINCINNATI, Monday, August 27, 1866.

MY DARLING:— There is to be a convocation of the Union faithful at Columbus on Wednesday, the 29th, and I shall attend. If you can send the boys by the stage to Columbus Wednesday or Thursday, it will save time and expense for me to go on with them from there Friday morning. Of course you will not send them if Grandmother is not improving. . . . Friends here all well. Cholera pretty much gone.

Politics funny—very—and decidedly agreeable. We think favorable.

I may go to Philadelphia from Fremont to the Southern Convention on the third. We open up here September 8, and keep it up then until after election.

Affectionately,

R.

MRS. HAYES.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 30

Congressman Rutherford B. Hayes to Lucy Webb Hayes, September 9, 1866

CINCINNATI, September 9, 1866.

MY DARLING:— Dr. James' [Webb's] letter to Dr. Davis makes me again anxious about Mother Webb. Dr. Davis will go up if nothing unforeseen occurs in a few days. I hope her case will turn out more favorably than Dr. James seems to apprehend.

I sleep at Dr. Davis' and feed where hunger overtakes me. I speak every night. The canvass has opened in a way that is most encouraging and exceedingly pleasant to me. I have been in five country precincts including the most distant one and in three wards and at the great city meeting. My written speech has gone off well, and the offhand speech reported in the Commercial of today, which I send you, delivered at the big meeting in Court Street took better than any speech I ever delivered. The report is a good one but omits "laughter and cheers" of which there was a superabundance.

Many things please me. I always felt as you did that it was a sort of degradation to have Gaslobs about assuming to be my rival in the party. He has now gone, as you see, clear over and is speaking for the Rebs.

A lot of old Kanawha soldiers, chiefly Thirty-fourth men, after I was done speaking last night, came onto the stand and carried on in a style that would have delighted you. If it keeps going as it begins, you would enjoy being here.

Love to all, particularly Grandmother.

Affectionately ever,

R.

MRS. HAYES.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 30-1

Congressman Rutherford B. Hayes to Lucy Webb Hayes, October 15, 1866

FORT WAYNE, INDIANA, October 15, 1866.

MY DARLING:— I got here this evening en route for the Pacific Railroad. Buckland joins me at Chicago. We go from Chicago to [by] the Hannibal and Saint Joseph Railroad, and from Saint Joseph by steamboat to Omaha and so out west. We expect to return in about ten days, and hope to meet you at Fremont about the 25th or 26th.

The boys are very happy and well. You will be so proud of them - two great boys they are. I told them you would come with Rud and Dr. Joe. They will expect you.

Love to all. Affectionately,

R.

MRS. HAYES.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 34