SHERWOOD FOREST, VA., May 7, 1861.
MY DEAR MAMMA: Mr.
Clopton goes to Richmond in the morning (by land), and it is a good opportunity
to write you a few lines. By yesterday's mail we received your letters of the
29th April and 2nd of May, also a letter from D., and newspapers. . . . . I
think D. has been bitten by the rabid tone of those around him and the press.
It seems he belongs to a different school of politics from his experienced
friend, the President, and is ready to deny State-sovereignty, therefore he
opposes the movement of the South to save itself from destruction through an
abolition attack, and sympathizes with the dominant power of the North. I was
so unprepared for his views that I read his letter aloud to the President
without first perusing it, which, if I had done, I should not have committed so
decided a mistake. He says the government at Washington will not invade, but
will only reclaim its property, and take by force the forts now in the
possession of Southern States. What is that but invasion, I should like to
know? The government at Washington has no business with the forts that were
built for the protection of the States that have seceded, and as for the other
property, the South will certainly hold all that she has until a just
arrangement is generally made, with a peaceful separation. The Northern people
are very easily duped if they do not see their President means to invade the South,
and commence the "irrepressible conflict," so long the favorite of
himself, Mr. Seward and party. Those who have started upon a tour to defend
Washington and the flag, will find themselves sent on a new errand, perhaps
just as acceptable, to attack and destroy, if possible, their Southern friends.
For my part, I am utterly ashamed of the State in which I was born, and its
people. All soul and magnanimity have departed from them—"patriotism"
indeed! A community sold to the vilest politicians.
The President tells
me while I am writing to ask D. if he does not recognize in the existing
blockade a positive war upon the South? All commerce is stopped by vessels of
war at the mouths of our rivers. Even our river boat would be fired at and
taken, if that impudent war steamer lying off Newport News could get the
chance. All communication with Norfolk is thus prevented, and we hear the
Baltimore Bay—boats have all been seized. The last was seized on yesterday
after a passport to induce her to venture on had been given. Our Northern
brethren will, however, stand by and see in all this no invasion—only a defense
of Washington!
Your information of
Robert was the last we have received. Perhaps he did not leave New York when he
intended. It is to be hoped he will reach Virginia in safety, but by means
certain. I pity exceedingly his poor wife, and her health is far from good. I
understood all Mrs. Semple's furniture was seized on its way to the South. By
the way, Mrs. Semple overheard in the cars on her way to Virginia that John
Brown's son was active in this Southern crusade, and will be at the head of a
company in pursuit of Governor Wise. A Massachusetts set have offered, these
persons in the cars were heard to say, $20,000 for his head. I imagine Governor
Wise's head will be as safe as any other person's, but his health at this time
is very much affected. He has been very sick with pneumonia, but is now
recovering.
When next you see
Mrs. Bromley do give her my best love. I dreamt of her last night; thought I
had hurried to New York and gone there[.] I awoke in brisk conversation with
her and Mr. Bromley.
I could continue
with my pen without fatigue, but it is a late hour, and little Pearl has
awakened. I enclose you a letter from Julia, by which you can judge of her improvement.
I am glad to hear from you Sarah is doing so well. Tell Harry the boys wish him
here to join the Junior Guard, of which Alex is second lieutenant. They won't
have anything to do with him if he countenances the invasion of Southern homes;
but they believe him true as brave.
The P—— sends best
love with that of your affectionate daughter.
JULIA.
SOURCE: Lyon
Gardiner Tyler, The Letters and Times of the Tylers, Volume 2, p.
649-50
