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, February 22, 1867

WASHINGTON, February 22, 1867.

DEAR UNCLE:—Enclosed is the account of Carpenter's Lincoln. I have the picture and will also have Marshall's, and will one of these days express them both to you. As one is framed, be careful in opening them.

I send you a rather curious phrenological estimate of the Congressmen on the Pacific Railroad excursion (Buck[land] and myself included) with portraits. It is curious as showing that Mr. [Samuel R.] Wells, who is a respectable person, and who professes to judge people on the principles of what he calls the sciences of phrenology and physiology, really gets his impressions just as you and I do, from their manners, conduct, and conversation. He is evidently not influenced a particle by temperament or head and features. He is singularly and laughably wrong in Buck's case. The only interest in the whole thing is that it shows the impression that a tolerably good observer gets on a short acquaintance with us.

We are getting on just right in politics here. The Commercial regrets my course one day, but the next day proved I was right.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

S. BIRCHARD.

_______________

Francis Bicknell Carpenter's First Reading of the
Emancipation Proclamation of President Lincoln

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

Congressman Rutherford B. Hayes to Manning F. Force, February 23, 1867

WASHINGTON, February 23, 1867.

DEAR GENERAL:—You will be pleased to hear that the appropriation of one hundred thousand dollars to buy your father's library passed the Committee of the whole today without objection or opposition. It will no doubt pass the House in the same way, and we consider it safe in the Senate. It is in the regular Civil Appropriation Bill.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

M. F. FORCE,
        Cincinnati.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 42

Congressman Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, April 6, 1867

WASHINGTON, D. C., April 6, 1867.

DEAR UNCLE: —The post-office and collectorship at home have kept me here this week, and may keep me several days yet. It looked as if I could do a good service to the city, to the party, and to some friends, and I would not leave as long as there was a chance of doing it.

All well. Love to the boys.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

S. BIRCHARD.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 42

Congressman Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, May 21, 1867

CINCINNATI, May 21, 1867.

DEAR UNCLE:

It now looks as if I would not consent to run for governor. It is not, however, quite settled yet. Those who are friendly here all think I can still succeed if I wish to try it.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

S. BIRCHARD.
        Private.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 42

Congressman Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, December 1, 1866

WASHINGTON, D. C., [December 1, 1866.]

DEAR UNCLE:— We reached here this morning. Ruddy thinks better of Washington since he got acquainted with the boys of Mr. Eggleston and Colonel McKee. We are settling down rapidly

and shall be at home as much as ever in a day or two. The meeting of members after their separation is like old college days.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 35-6

Congressman Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, December 2, 1866

December 2.  Our caucus last night was good-tempered and sensible. The only matter decided was that the members of the House don't want the appointments made for political reasons to be confirmed. Committees were appointed to report as to business hereafter.—I room and board at the old place.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

S. BIRCHARD.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 35-6

Congressman Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, December 13, 1866

WASHINGTON, D. C., December 13, 1866.

DEAR UNCLE:— I saw the pictures of the Pacific Railroad last night. I fear you may think it a poor purchase. Under a good glass some of them are very fine, and the series give a very correct notion of the country and the looks of everything, especially of the Pawnees.

I bought second-hand this morning four of Ruskin's lectures entitled "Unto This Last." They look goodish.

We are just passing a resolution to adjourn on the 20th to the 3d [of January]. If the Senate concur, as I think they will, we may perhaps take a Christmas dinner with you.

Ruddy goes to school to his mother and seems to be doing well. He learns easily and rapidly. In his taste for books he is about half-way between Birch and Webb.—Love to the boys.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

S. BIRCHARD.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 36

Congressman Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, December 19, 1866

WASHINGTON, December 19, 1866.

DEAR UNCLE:— We have decided to accept an invitation to spend Christmas in New Orleans. It is probable we shall return by way of Fremont and be there about New Year's day. [Senator] Wade and wife are going with others; probably, also Buckland and wife. We shall probably send Rud to Fremont by Ashley or Trowbridge or somebody. I will be more specific perhaps before I close this. The excursion will go via Lynchburg, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Nashville, and Memphis, [and] spend two days at New Orleans.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

S. BIRCHARD.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 36-7

Congressman Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, December 24, 1866

NASHVILLE, December 24, 1866.

DEAR UNCLE:— Good times, banquets, etc., etc., at Knoxville, Chattanooga, and here. We visit the battle-fields and mix with the leading Rebels in a friendly and sensible way. We go to Memphis tonight. Stay all day Christmas and go to New Orleans.

Lucy is doing her best and enjoying it hugely.—Love to boys.

R.

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 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 Sardis Birchard, September 16, 1866

CINCINNATI, September, 16, 1866.

DEAR UNCLE:— While speaking in Sixth Street market space last Wednesday evening, I got a dispatch that Mother Webb was sinking. I went up and at daylight found her conscious and able to talk a little, but in a dying condition. She had no suffering the last twenty-four hours; was cheerful, calm, and affectionate. Died Friday morning before daylight, without a struggle.

The boys reached here safely last night.

Funeral this afternoon. Will write you in a few days about the boys.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

S. BIRCHARD.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 31

Congressman Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, September 23, 1866

CINCINNATI, September 23, 1866.

DEAR UNCLE:— I send the boys to go to school or not at Fremont as you prefer. It is probable that they will stay with you, if you wish it, all winter, but I do not want that considered as absolutely settled until I see you after the election.

The canvass is an exceedingly pleasant one. The meetings are large and attentive and the prospect good. The Democrats are now working pretty well, especially in Eggleston's district, but they can't, I think, get anything in this county.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

S. BIRCHARD.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 31-2

Congressman Rutherford B. Hayes to Guy F. Bryan, October 1, 1866

CINCINNATI, October 1, 1866.

MY DEAR GUY:— Your letter of the 18th came duly to hand. It finds me in the midst of an unusually exciting political struggle. The election is next week. I am a candidate for re-election and expect to succeed by a large majority. I will bore you with only a few words on politics.

I think the election will show that the people are resolved to adopt the Congressional plan of Reconstruction. It does not "disfranchise" anybody in the So uth. It disqualifies for holding office those who have been leaders the old office-holders. All young men are qualified although implicated in the Rebellion. The disqualification probably applies to no man in your State who is now under twenty-seven or eight years of age. Recollect too that the disqualification can be removed in any case by a two-thirds vote of the Senate and House. That vote will be obtained in all cases in a few years, if peace and loyalty are restored in the South. You have, of course, seen our plan. I send you one of my electioneering speeches which contains the different sections, and let me frankly say that if we carry these elections, this plan contains the best terms you will ever get — and they should be promptly accepted. The young men are with us almost universally. The life and energy of the North is with us. If the elections are against us, we shall submit. If they are for us, the Democracy will submit. We shall be united in any event. Do not be again deceived with the hope of Democratic help in a further struggle. I hope you will give the Congressional plan a fair hearing. If we succeed you must adopt it, if you regard your own welfare.

I am very much obliged by the photographs album of particular friends and near relatives. My wife is in love with the fine faces of your children. I can readily believe all you say of your boy.

I have three boys living- my three eldest. We lost two boys—both under two years. Birchie, aged thirteen is in all respects a noble and promising boy. Webb aged ten and Rud aged eight are good boys also. They are all absent from home now. The two big boys with their uncle at Fremont and Ruddy at Chillicothe. My mother now aged seventy-five is at Columbus in good health. Uncle often talks of you and would give a good deal to see you. If you come North, do try to visit him as well as myself. My brother-in-law (whom you know), Dr. Webb, is travelling in Europe. My wife's mother died a few weeks ago. With no small children and no old person about the house, my family seems small. I hope I shall see you soon.

I am sure you did all that friendship required to meet General Fullerton. I count upon the constancy and sincerity of your feelings by what I know of my own towards you. The only things he could have said to you was to give you my views of the future duty of the South. If we succeed in the elections now pending, don't be deceived by Andy Johnson. The North will be far better united during the next struggle, if unhappily there is one, than during the last. Johnson and his office-holders will be "a mere snap-a flash in the pan." Ten thousand majority in Ohio is as good for practical purposes as a unanimous vote. We shall be united in action. We shall submit, if the majority is clearly against us. Our adversaries will submit, if it is otherwise. My last word is, don't let Andy Johnson deceive you. He don't know the Northern people.

As ever,

R.

GUY M. BRYAN,
        Texas.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 32-3

Congressman Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, October 6, 1866

CINCINNATI, October 6, 1866.

DEAR UNCLE:— We are talking of putting a notice in the papers about two boys we lost a fortnight ago. They left their homes in good health and spirits one morning and have not since been heard from! Can you give any information to their anxious parents?

Dr. Joe arrived in New York Friday. He started home on hearing of his mother's serious illness. The news of her death reached him at New York. We expect him tomorrow.

The labors of the campaign closed with me yesterday afternoon. It has been an exceedingly pleasant time. The Democrats are spending a great deal of money obtained from New York. They have also made great use of the prejudice against  negroes. The struggle is to elect Pendleton. I think they will fail. The negro prejudice is rapidly wearing away, but is still very strong among the Irish, and people of Irish parentage, and the ignorant and unthinking generally. But I think we shall beat it all around.

After election, say about next Friday or Saturday, I shall probably come up. Love to all.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

S. BIRCHARD.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 33-4

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

Congressman Rutherford B. Hayes to Lucy Webb Hayes, October 22, 1866

OMAHA, NEBRASKA, October 22, 1866.

MY DEAR:— I am well and doing well and hope that these few lines will find you enjoying the same blessing. We have had a good time—will not be back to Fremont so soon as we expected not perhaps for a week or ten days from today. I wish you were here, oh, so much.

Yours ever,

R.

MRS. HAYES.

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