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This transcription has not been verified by Special Collections Research Staff. Please also consult images of the document.


Letter from Lloyd Powell [Henry, Illinois] to Charles L. Powell, Sr. [Winchester, Va.]


15 January 1861


Powell Papers - 65 P875, Box II, Folder 5


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                                                                        Jany 15/61


 


I am very glad to hear that the school has not yet been materially affected by the state of the times.  I fear however that unless the difficulties are speedily settled, they will produce a falling off in your receipts.  Up to today there seems to be little prospect of an amicable adjustment, & our community like every other is kept in a unsettled & feverish condition by the various & contradictory reports which reach us daily by telegraph.  The excitement here however is much less intense than that existing through out the Southern & border states.  We are too far from the scene of action, to enter fully perhaps into the feelings of the people amongst whom these stirring events are occurring.  I think the Republicans here & in the North West generally, are at length beginning to appreciate the imminent danger of civil war, & to count the cost of such a war, & while the politicians who represent the party in Congress & the State Legislatures seem to be using every effort to fan into a flame the fires which are already upon the point of breaking out, the masses are becoming more disposed to yield to the demands of the moderate men of the South, & to avoid if possible an open rupture.  The sentiment of the


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Democratic party in Ills & Indiana is decidedly in favor of concession, & against coercion, & should there be any attempt at the latter by the authorities of this State, I think it would at once inaugurate a civil war amongst ourselves.  The Republican majority in our Legislature is now endeavoring to pass a bill reorganizing the militia of the state.  This measure is strongly opposed by the Democrats, as being entirely unnecessary, & calculated to add to the sectional & [military?] spirit which now pervades the country.  Several members from the lower part of the state have declared in their speeches, that no body of men would be allowed under any circumstances, either with or without orders from the governor & the Legislature to pass through their districts on their way to assist the U S Government in an attack upon any Southern State.  There is to be a State Convention of the Democratic party on the 16th inst at which strong anti-coercion resolutions will probably be passed.  The only fear is that the change of policy on the part of the Administration, & the collision between the U S troops & the State of South Carolina, may produce a feeling of sympathy with the action of the Government among the Democrats of the North.  I have recd letters from Frank & Uncle Fred within the last two or three days.  They both write in a somewhat despondent tone.  Frank


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particularly so.  I am still inclined to hope that Providence may interpose to prevent the entire disintigration of our country.  The people of lower Ills advocate a division of the State in case of a dissolution of the Union & declare that all their interest & sympathies are with the South, & that they will never consent to continue their connection with the fanatics who are represented by Lovejoy, Washburn & Arnold.  I read with a great deal of interest the papers which you send me, as well as the sermons of Messrs Boyd, Palmer & Van Dyke.  The two latter have been extensively circulated through the medium of the Chicago Times.  By the way would you like to see the Times and Missouri Republican occasionally?  We take both papers.  The former is I think decidedly the most ably conducted journal in the North West.  It is owned by Cyrus McCormick Esq (formerly of Va) & edited by E W McComas formerly Lieut Gov of Va.  The Republican  has great influence in Missouri & Southern Ills & is an excellent newspaper.  Its editorial department however displays by no means as much ability as that of the Times.


 


We are all very well, but are pretty closely confined to the house by the rain & mud, which not only prevent us from getting out, but keeps the farmers from getting into town, so that business is very dull just now.  I recd two letters a few days since, one


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from Sister Bec & one from Nina.  Their arrival gave me great pleasure, & they may rest assured that I shall answer them at the earliest period possible.  Please tell them that any fears they may entertain as to my allowing myself to be drawn into “entangling alliances”? either in the North or North West are entirely groundless.  I am rather too old a bird to be caught by chaff.  Moreover the young lady who excited their apprehensions (& who was by the way decidedly the most sprightly & agreeable Northern girl I have ever met with, & whose society has been an invaluable resource this fall & winter) has returned to her native home, & left me somewhat lonely, & disconsolate to be sure, but somewhat relieved too by the termination of the flirtation.  Having a holy horror of breach of promise suits, & a fair proportion of prudence in my composition, I am duly cautious in all matters connected with the feam sexe in this country.  I think however it would be well enough for you to give Charley a word of caution upon the subject.  Whilst I don’t suppose there is any reason for uneasiness he is certainly very constant & devoted to a Miss Andrews  [___] quite a pretty, but ordinary girl, & for a good many months has been visiting her regularly every Sunday night & generally once or twice during the week.  I don’t imagine he has any idea of marrying her, but being young & impulsive he may allow himself to be drawn into an engagement without reflection, or he might possibly be involved in a suit for breach of promise.  I mention this not because I consider it a matter of much importance yet, but because without some caution from home it might become so.


 


With much love to dear Mother & the girls, & many thanks to Sister Hetty for her last letter, I am as ever


                                                                        Yr afft Son


                                                                                                Lloyd Powell