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Niagara Canada West
July 6th ’66
My dear father,
I wrote you by the last mail
stating that we would follow your advice with
regard to your vacations, you will therefore be
surprised when you learn that the boys have
gone to Virginia; but I hope that when you
hear the facts of the case you will not think
I have acted wrongly.
Our funds in hand had been reduced to about
eighty dollars, and I knew that after purchasing
clothes, that sum would not maintain it
long. I thereupon connected with Major Helm
and with Uncle Charles and Sister, and all
advised me strongly to send Rannie and
Ellis home for the summer. At such a dis-
-tance it was impossible to communicate
with you, and as you told me to be governed
by circumstances I thought it would be best
to follow the advice of the Major and others.
Do not think, my dear Father, that in this
matter we were actuated entirely by feelings
of inclination - I know what you feelings
as an insite must be, and do not wonder
that you hate to see your sons under a
government which has done so much to em-
-bitter your life. I hope however you may
approve of this course, and may not [override?]
2- 2-
me disobedient to your wishes.
I am in hopes that Mr McLean will soon send
the money due on your letters, and I shall try
and use it very economically, though I
will be obliged to buy a new suit of clothes,
as though I have only (my only suit) are
tattered and gone and past repair.
To turn to a more agreeable subject:
Rannie and Ellis came through the College
examinations with flying colours. Ran
carried away a prize for general proficiency
and Ellis received honorable mention. For
weeks before the examinations they both rose
at four o’clock and both studied the whole day -
Mr. Cockburn tells me that their progress has
been unequaled since he has had charge of
the College. All [underscored] the marters bear testimony
to their marked ability and to their gentleman-
-ly bearing; Both Mr. Martland and Mr. Cockburn
assuring me that they had never met with boys,
who had more politeness, and whose conduct was
more comme il faut. One little incident happened
to Rannie, which brought great credit upon him = One
of the English masters had ordered Rannie’s class to read a
speech of Webster’s on slavery. Ronnie requested that they
might read another piece; the teacher refused, and the
reading commenced. Rannie then asked permission
to leave the room, which being refused, he rose and
told the teachers that he felt justified in leaving with-
-out permission, and left followed by the other Southerners.
(3 (3
His conduct in this affair was sustained by
Mr. Cockburn and the College senate, when it was
reported to them.
Ronnie and Ellis left for Virginia on Mon-
day and by this time they are at Uncle Wythe’s,
where they will meet grandma and sister.
I hope they will both be able to return to
the College when they will certain-
-ly distinguish themselves. All your friends
have manifested great interest in the boys
career, and seem to regard their successes at
the examination as a Southern victory.
We have had quite an addition to our
Southern Colony here: the arrival of Mr.
Mason and family - Mr. Mason is in fine
spirits, unsubdued and unconquered - he
talks frequently of you and treats me as if
I was his grandson. He called me up the
other day and said: “Beverly Tucker, you must
take care of that name, it is a good name
and you must keep up its honour.
Major and Mrs. Helm are well. It would
make you laugh to see one of our fishing
parties in a small boat - Mr. Mason, the
Major, the General, Mr. Porterfield, Mr. Young
and myself - Besides the above named we
have many other Confederates here: Mr. Shep-
-pard, Mr. Spurr, Col. Burbank and family, Capt.
Howard, Miss Lucy Ambler and many others.
The only thing I am afraid of is that
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Niagara will not be the quiet place for
studying I had anticipated -
My school keeps me occupied from half past
eight until three , so that I have not very much
time -
Col. Hawking has returned to Kentucky;
a very distressing accident - took place in his family.
His two children Theodore and Lizzie were a little
unwell, and by mistake Mrs. Hawking gave them
morphine instead of calomel. The little boy died
and Lizzie for a long while was dangerously
ill. Poor Mrs. Hawkings was so terribly shocked
that it is hardly thought she will recover.
Our Fenian fiasco has terminated and we
are once more at peace. It is impossible to de-
-scribe the excitement created in Canada
by the affair. Everybody is in mourning for the
eight young men who fell in the skir-
mish at Ridgeway, and the wounded have
attained a fame and popularity which would
be envied by many a Major- General. The
Confederation of the Provinces here will take
place by august, and there is much talk
about the future dissolution of the bonds which
connect British America and the Mother Coun-
-try. The short campaign here on the Niaga
-ra frontier was marked by such glaring
mismanagement that the regular officers
from Gen. Napier down, are being censured
on every side. The invincibility and infallibility
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of the British Regulars are being questioned,
and the Canadians are mad and chagrined that
the English papers only notice the Fenian
Raid to bestow praise upon the U.S. Government.
Publick attention in Europe, however, is fastened
on the scenes which are being enacted on the
Continent. It is strange to notice how our
sympathies are divided - at one moment the
thorough detestation of Prussia threatens to
draw our sympathy to Austria; but suddenly
the cry of Evviva l’Italia! and the thought of
fair captive Venetia make us wish God - speed
to the tricoloured banners of Italy. The result
is that we are with Austria in the North
and against her in the South, and still cry
Vive le Sud!
It seems hard to hear this distant hum
of war, this clamour for liberty and to think
that the South must remain quiet - subdued
and desolate - our young must hear the distant
roar of cannon and not answer back -
“So sleeps the pride of former days
So g[...] thrill is o’ er,
And hearts that once beat high for praise
Now feel that pulse no more.”?
If Italy succeeds in this war the whole
world will be ahead in liberty of the new, ahead
of America - that boasted above of the goddess
of freedom - I feel as if I would like to be in
Europe myself to see the war.
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I see by the papers that you are having
renewed trouble in Mexico, and that the empire
is on the wane - I hope Mother and yourself
will leave before the troubles commence.
Tell Jim that the Hon. Mr. Crawford, Pat’s
Father is ill and consequently Pat is unable
to write.
Give my best love to Mother and Jim.
goodbye, my Dear Father,
Your devoted son -
Beverly Tucker [Jur?]
P.S. I enclose the boys’ reports and the
prize lists- B.T.
