Transcription
New York, June 14, 1833
My dear Will,
We have all just received the unexpected information that Olyphant’s ship would sail which makes it necessary for us to have our letters ready immediately, and therefore I fear we will not have time to write much at length, more particularly with myself, as I am going up as far as Tarrytrown tomorrow morn with Margaret and Maria Vandenburgh – however so little time having elapsed since your left us, I doubt whether it would be in our power to give you much in the way of information even had we the time – everything has jogged on in the same old routine with the exception of a rumpus that was kicked up on the occasion of the reception of the President the day before yesterday, and which from all accounts must have resembled, in some measure, that which you witnessed upon the landing of Lafayette – the newspapers will give you a pretty good account of it – suffice it to say, I never before saw the city in such an uproar – the military were out without number and the Battery together with the whole of Broadway to the City Wall was one dense mass of people, literally packed together, and the windows, balconies and the house-tops of the whole distance were lined – the landing was at the Battery and as he came up the bay under … escort of steam and other boats the whole harbour appeared to be alive with the firing of artillery. The Old General rode on horseback, and as he penetrated thro’ the multitude the roar of cheering was deafening – the white handkerchiefs were streaming from the windows, etc. – and he with his hat in his hand continued to return their salutes until he arrived at the Hall -- Uncle Wash was among the number who went down to receive him, and came very near being one of the number that went down with the bridge – “Black Hawk” and the “Prophet” are expected today, which, together with another balloon ascent will give us more to do –
“The boys” who are willing give you all the scandal that is going on – I am leading somewhat of a monotonous life as usual – I shall remain up in the country for a little while with the Vandenburghs for I am heartily sick of this famed city, and I hope that matters may soon turn up, so that I may be able to leave it also – I think you ought to be congratulated upon your escape …I know it must be rather hard for you to be kept so far away from us all, still our situation is certainly enviable and if I was not tied here I should try my hand to follow your example, for it is impossible to enjoy life while dependent upon friends. Your situation is envied by all that hear of it – Brevoort was in here yesterday and remarked that you had a brilliant prospect before you. It will be a week, tonight, my dear Will, since we saw the last of you, altho’ I was down on the Battery at 5 o’clock the next morning with the intention of going off to your ship, but saw you at a distance proceeding on your voyage – I presume you are by this time something like a thousand miles distant, and I trust you have had pleasant weather and have escaped sea-sickness. Your few lines by the pilot did not arrive until three or four days after you had sailed which made Father feel very anxious about you, however when it came, it gave much gratification to all. The Old Gentleman is continually talking about you and I assure you feels the greatest anxiety about you -- I trust you will write by every possible opportunity and give very minute accounts of everything – Your clothes have not come home yet from Frost’s, but Sanders is attending to them and I trust will be able to get them off by this vessel. Oh! What do you think? “Mary Randolph” was married on horseback ! Her attendant mounted also!
Pierre has not been down since you sailed and as he has no idea that this vessel is to sail so soon I fear he will not be able to write by her.
I have not seen George Duer since you left – I will keep a lookout for the next vessel and will write more fully –
God bless you, and believe me ever
Your truly affectionate brother
Edgar
