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CSHR 9/46

St. Louis.
April 2nd 1876. Sunday afternoon.
[1876/04/02]

Dearest Cump.
[WTS]

Cumpy is writing you a piece of domestic news which I must leave him to tell, so as not to spoil his letter by anticipation.

Yesterday I called at the Bank & your balance is $524.78 The draft to Tommy had not been sent in. Maj. Grimes had not deposited the $250. for March but had for every month previous to March. All well but the baby who has a severe cold & is teething - having one tooth through.

The crazy man comes two & three times a day with his letters & sometimes hangs them on the fence. He waited yesterday for an answer & I handed him his letter & speaking in a kind tone told him he must not trouble us any more or I would be obliged to have him arrested. When I came from Church this a.m. I found a letter hanging on the fence - We have got better horses & Col. Bacon says our old horses are looking splendidly. I have sent for your Summer Carriage to send poor distressed Bart Able out riding -

All send love & want to see you home again. Love to John & Cecelia & little Mary

As ever

Ellen.
[EES]

St. Louis, Mo.
April 20th, 1876 Thursday morning.
[1876/04/20]

Dearest Cump.
[WTS]

By the time this reaches Washington you will doubtless be there, although you have evidently found that it was unnecessary to proceed so rapidly on account of the intended dinner to Dom Pedro. Still, I can well understand your desire to be at the War Department at this time. We miss you very much. Poor Minnie feels very sad, anticipating so prolonged a seperation.

Mr. Fitch received a telegram after midnight, Tuesday night giving the sad intelligence of his Mother's sudden death two hours before. He left last night for his home and the funeral will be on Friday. He felt very badly & we all sympathised deeply with him poor fellow. We had a Mass offered for her soul this morning & all received communion which we also offered for her soul. He will spend a week or two in the East visiting some manufacturing establishments which he desires to see, one of which is in New Haven. All are very well. Cumpy went with Florence & her Papa & Mama to the Circus yesterday. I let Alfred go last night, but it was so crowded they would not let any one in. He will try again tonight & tomorrow I take Rachey - The colt is frisky & Pat now drives the mare. Cumpy says "you ought to hear them calling to each other" when the mare returns. I saw Mrs. Griswold on Tuesday & she says Mr. Griswold called on Sunday p.m. to say goodbye but you were out. Mr. Griswold is again very unwell. I see Judge Bartley is in a snarl with Mr. Bristow - All send love - As ever your truly affectionate

Ellen
[EES]

St. Louis, Mo.
May 2nd, 1876 Tuesday morning
[1876/05/02]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

Florence Audenried has been with us since yesterday morning. The poor Colonel was taken to the hotel & Mrs. Audenried says they had to go in a walk for fear of jolting injuring him which made her realise more than anything else his very bad condition. Dr. Alexander was too late with his treatment & I fear he may never get well, although he sends me word he is no worse this morning. He is so intensely anxious to get east that they will go tomorrow or next day at all risks I think. He looks dreadfully & feels discouraged & Mrs. A. has had no rest day or night.

Tonight Mrs. Felt's reading comes off. I took ten dollars worth of tickets & shall try & have the seats filled. Your letter of the 29th gave me great releif this morning & interested us exceedingly. The papers had intimated that Pedro had snubbed the Cabinet & asked for Sherman & Longfellow - I am more pleased to have had Fish snubbed than any one else because he has been the quiet prime mover in their official efforts to put you to one side and he managed the affair of the house & furniture or the New York part in acquiescence for Grant in '69 - It is of course highly gratifying to us to see you triumph over the petty malice & strong party machinations of your enemies - & pretended freinds - I am so releived that Elly was not to be kept out in the City - When I think she is outside the Convent enclosure I feel very uneasy, not that I lack confidence in her but she is very young & bright and New York is a place that I always was afraid of.

Tomorrow night is set for the trip to Leavenworth which I shall not defer although I have been suffering greatly from my head.

The portrait came yesterday & I think it excellent. I shall not send it on until after Mr. Fitch's return as he would like to see it. I suppose the diamond question will soon be settled.

It is still too cold to set out the flowers - but the grass & the trees are lovely.

Cumpy & all are well.

Ever your truly affectionate

Ellen.
[EES]

Fort Leavenworth Kansas
May 9th 1876. Tuesday.
[1876/05/09]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

I have yours of 3rd inst. and regret to hear that you have lost a front tooth. I trust you will not suffer much inconvenience from it.

You tell me of the order & time of your visit to the Empress but you do not say how you were pleased with her, nor how she looks nor how she was dressed nor what she had to say. Please remember it all, when you write again.

Charley Hoyt says I subject myself to & might bring upon you sharp criticism & even newspaper abuse by using Government stamps so I shall not use them any longer unless you express an opposite opinion to Charley. For my part I not only think I have a right to use them as I do (for I keep the other stamps for what is specially my own correspondance aside from what is brought on me by reason of your position) but I think it is an injustice to myself to do otherwise. That is looking at it in the abstract, but anything that would bring abuse or trouble even momentary upon you, of course I shall refrain from unless it be that the omission would involve a failure to discharge a duty, or what I conceive to be a duty.

Cumpy is entirely too busy to write to any one now, so you must be content with my letters until we leave the delightful Fort. He is perfectly well. I enclose a letter from Leffingwell about Hawley's notes. I have replied that I do not wish the money now and that I consider it well invested, but that I shall send the letter to you & be governed by your advice in the case. So please remember to advise me.

Your brother Charles, Genl & Mary Miles & Maj. & Mrs. Dunn are to drive with us this evening. I am enjoying my visit nearly as much as Cumpy. The weather was desperate from Thursday (when we arrived) until Sunday evening & since then it has been lovely.

Mrs. Pope has a son born on Sunday - the General is very pleasant & Cumpy thinks Johnny Pope particularly agreeable, they wrestle & tumble together & ride together. Edward Fenton has lent Cumpy his little boy's white pony, which is the prettiest in the Country & so gentle & so fond of children. It is called "Buenita" - he bought it of a Mexican in Texas, two years ago -

I am glad you met poor Fanny & hope you will call at her house sometimes -

Ever your loving

Ellen -
[EES]

St. Louis, Mo.
May 14th, 1876. Sunday afternoon
[1876/05/14]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

We left Leavenworth at 3 o'clock yesterday & arrived at 6:30 this morning finding all well in the house & everything looking bright & beautiful. Foliage is much further advanced than at the Fort but nature is lovely there also, now. Cumpy had full pleasure & happiness, "pressed down & running over", that pony is the prettiest & best in the country & is the admiration & envy of all the children & parents at the Fort. Cumpy & Johnny Pope lived in the saddle; they realised Genl Pope's order, their "headquarters were in the saddle". When darkness drove them in they lingered about the stable yard & curried their ponies & combed their tails. I could not remain longer and I did not feel willing to leave him there in accordance with their urgent invitation. Minnie & Mr. Fitch & the baby are all talking to me so I am rather distracted.

Pat looks awfully; his clothes hang on him & his cheeks are wan. He has the chills & is otherwise sick & will certainly not be able to do my work very soon. I was glad to see from a paper he received today (his pay, I beleive) that he has not been discharged now, but I suppose he will be soon. I think however that if the other Orderlies or Messengers who went on from here are retained he might be in preference to others for I am sure they will always keep one at your door & Pat does you better than any one else because he knows the family & all our ways. Cranmer, who is an excellent man talked when he left here of returning to St. Louis to settle. I think you ought to keep poor Pat & pay him out of the contingent fund of Army Head Quarters. - Mrs. Hunt Ransom writes to you - She was not a particular friend of mine of school - Simply an acquaintance for whom I had no special regard. She was a nun a long time & I think she had better have remained one. I had a charming visit at the Fort. Charley entertained me elegantly & kindly & all were polite & pleasant. Charles (your brother) was coming down with me but he was quite sick yesterday from cold - Charley Hoyt thought he was getting eris?p?leis Mrs. Pope gave birth to a son last Sunday & Mrs. Nichol's brother who had been staying with her lost a little child on Wednesday.

Ever your loving

Ellen.
[EES]

St. Louis.
May 17th 1876. Wednesday
[1876/05/17]

[WTS]

Dearest Cump. We have now all seen the picture Mr. Healy sent on & I am prepared to forward it to W. whenever you shall so direct.

I wrote you about Pat. He never can do anything better than stand at an office door. Ever since he first came here in '65 he has been subject to malaria & has been ill very often - so much so when they had gone to themselves here, that he could not keep at any work. I would not undertake to rely upon him for two weeks & he could not keep any place which called for work & exposure.

There will always be a Messenger at your door whether you want one or not, and each room will be supplied with a Messenger, for that is the universal custom.

Now Pat does well enough for you because he has been with you so long and he is devoted to you, so you had better let the man they have now at your door be provided for elsewhere or provide for himself & let Pat go on - He has not yet been discharged & if necessary you could pay him out of the contingent fund. I shall never be willing for any arrangement which will bring Pat and Emily in the house again except for a temporary cause and that for only a time of an absence. They are both worn down & I have borne with Emily's faults & short comings & uncontrollable impertinence as long as I can & must now do without service or have younger and more respectful service. We are on excellent terms now & I am really very much attached to both Emily & Pat & this is all with reference to any arrangements you may intend to make -

What about Oakland or Berkeley - ? All send best love -

As ever

Ellen.
[EES]

St. Louis.
May 22nd '76. Monday afternoon.
[1876/05/22]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

Your brother Charles left this morning. Genl Miles passed through on his way to the Centennial & he and Lizzie went together to the Depot. He says he is much better satisfied to travel in company & on that account solely he left so soon. We regretted to see him go as we enjoyed his company so much. Dr. & Mrs. Alexander Mr. Riley & Alex Stetson spent Saturday evening & Mr. Kinkead & Judge Reber last evening, so his time passed pleasantly, & he seemed very happy.

I shall send on your picture. I think I had better do so.

The enclosed letters have just come. I feel considerable reluctance to have the diamonds go into Mr. Tiffany's hands for so long a period because it will delay & may in that way prevent the division. Should your death occur during that time, the family would have a terrible time with Mr. Fitch. You say in your letter that it may take a year to divide them. I cannot understand how that can be. Tiffany should sign an agreement to weigh measure & value them: also divide into four parts, after seperating enough to pay himself within a specified time.

It seems to me the better way would be to have an imitation set made on the exact model of these & keep it to represent the present, as Mr. Robert Campbell suggested & as Dr. Maynard says they do in European Courts and then not set the rest but put each one's share away & let her have them set in whole or in part as they may desire. Tiffinany is notorious for terrible charges & he will take the lion's share if suffered to make a bill for four settings in addition to the dividing & valueing. - When he values them have him give you the value of all before he proceeds to a division. I hope you will not feel bound to consent to the exhibition of them or if at all, only for a limited time.

Mary Miles has invited Lizzie to stay with her during Genl Miles absence & as it is so lonely there & the horseback rides do Lizzie so much good I have consented to let her go. We have passes on the road. I have notified Leffingwell that I will not sell under $75 front foot. Alex. Stetson is now here in the Southern Hotel it having changed Proprietors & being put in good repair & order. Mr. Fitch has just come in with the evening paper & gives us the news that Taft has been appointed Attorney General & Cameron Secy of War. That I take to be a move of Grant against you. I think you may find it necessary to get the present Congress to make all the Army subordinate to you - all the heads of Bureaus. I shall feel anxious to hear from you about this change in the Cabinet. Berkeley Springs are nearer Washington, what do you think of that place?

Ever yours

Ellen.
[EES]

St. Louis
May 29th 1876.
[1876/05/29]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

I now understand how you came to be annoyed by the visionary idea that I was "insisting" upon going to Washington. It seems that Minnie gave you the impression but she says she did not mean to convey the idea that we were thinking of going before two years or eighteen months from this time. I do not understand why she should have brought up the matter at all, but of course I am not responsible for her writing nor her construction of things. When you were here you said you would not think of removing the family until after the inauguration of the next President & the installment of his Secretary of Wa?, consequently I have entertained no thought of leaving here before that time. I am sure I have not said a word to you or troubled you in any way about it. I have said to Mr. Fitch & Minnie that should we go to Washington for a Season or for a year or two more or less you would doubtless never think of breaking up the home here but would then want them to stay in the house. Minnie was decidly anticipating matters to write you that they could not keep the house. By that time they would doubtless be thankful to have it but I do not let the anticipation of that time destroy the peace & happiness of this, and I wish you could avoid clouding our days of prosperity by such forebodings & mutterings of storm & destruction. When the dark hour comes, in God's holy name let it come & let us then bear it as best we may, but let it not destroy the peace of all our days.

When you tell me you want us to come to Washington I shall get ready to go there - I shall not insist upon going before. When the pay is reduced tell me what we can have for family expenses it will then be time enough for I am not speculating or running in debt or gambling or squandering now - I am living according to our means - when they become reduced I must change somewhere as best I can & I will do my best -

Minnie has asked me to try & have her $100. continued until the 1st of September. In August Mr. Fitch expects to have his salary increased to $3000 and she does not expect to get from you after that. Mr. Fitch would like to live near the Mill next year & to board with a plain working family, where their diet & hours would be simple & primitive & the prices low. Minnie will be confined again about mid-winter & they would then require a room for her, a room for Willy & his nurse and a place for Mr. Fitch. As I expect to have Tom & Cump, Lizzie Elly Rachey & hope sometimes to have you here & wish a spare room for a friend I could not accomodate them with all the Servants the large double family would call for, nor would I care to attempt the peaceful government of servants with two Mistresses or cater for so large a family. We have had a peaceful quiet happy time since they came here. I have been happy every day to have them & I know I have made them comfortable & happy. I think you can trust me now to do the best under changing circumstances for all the children whom I love better than myself & for you whom I love better than all.

As ever yours,

Ellen.
[EES]

St. Louis.
June 20, 1876 Tuesday Morning
[1876/06/20]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

Yours of 17th is just received. I am pleased to hear of the disposition of the diamonds. I feel quite excited over the very delightful prospect before us. I think I can get a ticket or pass for the family over the Pen: route, & if so, and even under any circumstances, we had better go to Philadelphia without stopping at Washington. You say in your letter reach Washington Sunday morning and leave for Philadelphia Monday 1st July. Now Saturday will be the 1st, so I conclude that we had better not attempt the stay over in Washington but go directly from here to Philadelphia reaching there as early as we can - We may not get there before the 2nd or the morning of the 3rd. If you think that would do you can write to me not to come before that time, but if you prefer to have us there Saturday 1st I will try to get there & you can give them notice about the rooms for that date. As the rooms will be very expensive, you will doubtless prefer engaging them from the 2nd or 3rd. If Tom & Elly be at Mrs. Audenried's why not let them remain there, or let them go to the Hotel with you & Lizzie & Rachy & let me stay at Mrs. Audenried's with Cumpy & Rose. I would like to stay there but I will do just as you prefer - you can leave Tom & Elly there & let Lizzie join them, & the rest stay with you & me at the hotel. If we all go to the hotel we shall need four rooms & I will have Rose sleep on a cot in the room with Rachey - Arrange it all according to your views bearing in mind that we would be pleased if we should stay at Mrs. Colbrett's (Mrs. Audenried's) but equally pleased to stay at the hotel.

I will settle up bills & put the house in order now - but Rachey's school closes late the 29th and the Democratic Convention with General Tom here will claim some attention. I am pleased with Hayes for your sake but am dreadfully disappointed that Blaine is not the man. I am thankful that hateful Bristow did not do any better. - too much "copper-head" there -

I have just telegraphed that Tom's exhibition is the 27th & not the 28th as you suppose - He has his heart set on your being there on his day which is the day before the regular course day. We are all very well & have had fires all day for three days. Sun shining now, but still cool. I have not engaged rooms at Oakland have you?

I shall leave it to you - Cumpy lives out doors - All send best love. I went over the Wire Works yesterday. Mr. Fitch is in fine spirits over their profits.

As ever,

Ellen.
[EES]

St. Louis.
June 21st 1876 Wednesday
[1876/06/21]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

Your letter of Sunday was a regular bomb shell. I was stunned and incapacitated for more than twelve hours & not until now could I think or feel calmly on the subject. I received it on my return from a drive yesterday afternoon. So far as it has become familiar to my mind I shall state now what I think, but I must have longer time to consider & to act.

If you wish us to come to W. to be with you that settles the question that far - of course we go - and go at the time you name. Elly & Rachey can be boarders at Georgetown if you wish it - Mr. Fitch will take the house without a demurrer & Minnie must content herself for they cannot do half as well elsewhere. I sent for Maj. Grimes & he was here all evening. The carriages & horses will be shipped in about a week under escort of Alfred. They will more than fill the measure of your allowance so the other things can be sent in the fall after I have had more time to think of this. I have written to Genl Miles to send down the horse Lizzie likes which besides being an excellent riding horse goes well in harness - I rode behind him when up there. He will cost $125 & to get him here about $25 - Grimes will attend to the others - I shall be much pleased to be at the Ebbitt House next winter - I cannot say that I shall ever be willing to move all my furniture (which is not worth moving in fact) to Washington. One thing I must oppose in toto - oppose strongly & never consent to and that is building any kind of a house - Let John Sherman build on that lot & rent to us - I never shall consent to building again or owning more property in Washington - It is a poor way to releive yourself of what is now an incumbrance. Six years will go by quickly & we do not wish then or during that time to have no abiding place but in that Babel - I am unwilling to go into a new house of our own in Washington with the mean patched worn damaged dirty old furniture Mrs. Grant defrauded you into paying her enormously for - It is here now - let it remain here - and if we are to live temporarily in Wn let us rent or board in order to be unemcumbered when we leave. Something may happen within six years to make it desirable for us to return here. The set of parlor furniture which I bought in New York during your absence in Europe & the dining room chairs which I bought at the same time with my piano & some other articles of my own are all that are worth taking - The rest of the furniture (Grants) I had reupholstered & it is now dingy again & the dining room table & clock sideboard were broken & damaged in every way when they were made over to us - the table has always required propping - the glass in side board was rubbed & worn & the clock broken off of it as well as off the hat rack bed steads & every other piece of furniture in the house.

The carpets had been patched in hundreds of places parlor carpets & all besides being worn in spots - two of them I threw out when we went into the house for they were too dirty for use & too worn to be worth cleaning being threadbare. Twenty five per cent off of furniture that has been in ordinary use one year is getting a good price for it. This would have been dear when we took it had we given $5000 for it but $25000!!!

In calculating its value now please put it at $5000 seven years ago - you will perceive it is not now worth transportation excepting of course the piano & the furniture I bought whilst you were gone.

We will meet you in Philadelphia on the 2nd or 3rd -

As ever yours,

Ellen.
[EES]

Oakland.
July 11th '76. Tuesday morning.
[1876/07/11]

[WTS]

Dearest Cump, When I arrived Sunday night I felt quite sick & all yesterday I was unable to sit up or to take my meals but now I am well again. The heat & something I ate in Wn made me sick. It is pleasant here although they say such a degree of heat was never before felt. Now, it is eleven o'clock & a delightful breeze is in my room & I do not perspire or feel the heat. At night I have the blanket over me.

The poney is fat as butter having been in pasture. "Sill" has a little sore on his hoof but is not injured in gait & will be all right in a day or two. Please see that your large trunk is returned to your room. I had it put in Rose's room No.39, when I expected to put my trunk in your room. Bring me my little bottle of tincture of myrrh which I left on the washstand in Elly & Rachey's room.

Invitations to Elly Ewing's wedding were the letters you forwarded this morning - one under cover to me is addressed Genl Sherman & family & Philemon writes that he is anxious to have you come out. It is to be on the 26th of July & I am under promise to go.

Miss Eustace requests that you will let her know the amount of her bill at the Ebbitt. She thought you were coming with us & she would pay you here. Please do not forget it.

We are well situated here & have good rooms & have an excellent table. Tell Pat to get me the quinine pills of Dr. Norris. I spoke to the Dr. about them. I wish you were here to enjoy the cool air.

Ever your affectionate

Ellen.
[EES]

Oakland.
July 12, 1876 Wednesday
[1876/07/12]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

I wrote you before breakfast this morning & since then I have received yours of yesterday. In disposing of the forage please send here, or have Galt arrange for forage for three horses here. Lizzie's horse got his hoof hurt on the cars, & it is festered & sore and cannot be used for some time. We hire a horse for Tom to ride with the girls in turn. Miss Eustace hires for herself & they go out in threes sometimes.

I can well understand that you found it difficult to refuse Hammond the $600 - Tommy says his son spent more money than he did but that he would at the same time reproach himself & say his Father could not afford it. He is now going to Europe - (the young man - ) In helping others we must bear in mind that the ties of a relationship, where real necessity exists, are not to be ingnored. If Charley does not get his case through he will be in a bad way.

If you pay a part of our bill here I suppose you will take it out of my allowance which is all right, but do not go upon the supposition yet awhile that I can write to you or call on you for money when needed & in such sums as are daily demanded of me. Deduct what you pay here & let me continue to have the balance until your pay is changed or until we have had more time to consider the matter.

In St. Louis I left a hundred & twenty six ($126) dollars worth of anthracite coal in the basement. I had it put in just before I left. Mr. Fitch remains in the house using my linen &c until September but I made no provision for his meals. I left no supplies in the house but pay Mrs. Lutz wages and let her "find" herself. This arrangement is to last until September, when if you still wish us to remain in Washington, I will pack my china linen and small things & hand the house over to Minnie. I have promised Minnie her $100. until September; that is for July & August - Mr. Fitch will have his salary raised in August - I am obliged to attend Elly Ewing's wedding or wound Philemon. He is anxious for you to go but I have told him you will doubtless be unable to - All send best love. Cumpy is happy over his saddle from Charley Hoyt - the prettiest one I ever saw -

Ellen.
[EES]

Oakland Md.
July 31st 1876.
[1876/07/31]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

Tommy sent you the B. & O. pass yesterday. Please let me know if you get it. We had a lovely time in Lancaster & reached here with very little fatigue. The road is shortened from Parkersburgh to Athens & does not now go by Marietta. We left here Monday morning of 7 o'clock and got to Lancaster at 4 o'clock, stopping an hour at Athens where we got a good dinner. Returning, we were three hours at Athens; leaving Lancaster at 10. & reaching here at 11:50. I invited May Ewing to spend a week or two with us - and shall pay her expenses myself. Some of my $1100 is in the Bank in Lancaster. I gave Tom $500 - I might let you have some to make up your tax bill but I have no doubt you will have enough for that. I can get a small rate of interest on my $600 - (or $500 should I leave only that much) and can then put it to the next money I have coming to me and invest some where.

Mr. Daily prefers to wait until we have been here a month to make out his bill, as he charges by the month. I told him he could do so. Taking into account the surplus sent by Mr. Willard you will not have more than $400 - to pay here altogether and the $100 to Minnie will leave $400 each month which will make $800 towards the taxes. I do not think I shall want any more for this month, indeed I know I shall not call on you for any until we leave here when we must settle upon the future arrangements. I still have a good deal of the money you sent me, enough to last for washing & little outside expenses.

We were sorry to lose Mrs. McFeeley this morning. Col. Moulton looks for Fanny & I hope she will come. Mrs. Alexander & children will be here tonight. I dreamed of you last night & thought you were not well but I hope you are - The children are all in fine condition - Mr. McFeeley will tell you all about them. One of your letters written before the Crittendens came here, was more than a week on the way -

As ever yours,

Ellen.
[EES]

Oakland, Mrd.
Aug. 2, '76. Wednesday
[1876/08/02]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

Lizzie & I received your letters of yesterday at the table this morning. Lizzie has gone out now to walk & I will answer for her what she herself will answer when she writes, that Vic Le Compte did behave in the manner stated & is not deserving of your further kindness & patronage. Lizzie told me in plain terms that when she spent a month in Washington Vic did not call & Lizzie happening to meet her towards the close of her visit the lady was very cool & her manner entirely different from what it had ever been before.

I hope you will reserve all your influence for Army & War friends & claims. Such people as this pert young Miss certainly deserve nothing from you -

Be sure to have it clearly understood by Hall & expressed in writing and in a manner binding in law that you are not to pay the expenses of sale otherwise he will bleed you again. I got Rielly to look at that property & I wrote to you about it and would have gone to see it myself but you did not answer me. I doubt if it be unemcumbered but you can find out.

Do not say anything about it but I think Col. Moulton forgot to pay his bill. Shall I tell them he came as your guest? It is possible that the person he paid forgot to put it on the books. If he has his receipted bill he might send it on.

The clerk just came to my door to say he had overlooked the credit of the Col. & he had paid his bill - I am sorry I mentiioned it - All well & send best love - The California trip will be delightful -

As ever yours,

Ellen.
[EES]

Oakland.
Aug. 3rd 1876. Thursday noon.
[1876/08/03]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

I have never yet seen a paper containing your letter to Tappan on Wendell Phillips. Please send it to me.

Lizzie's horse is troubled again from his wounded foot & we think he had better have a month's entire rest & as pasture is poor here and we cannot be assured that the foot is properly attended to we would like to have him sent to Washington where Alfred can watch him & tend him well. He cannot be sent alone on account of wanting water &c on the way. Will you bring Pat or Alfred down with you (on your pass) Saturday & let him take Sill back? You draw forage for 6. & this will make 3 in Washington. The rest of the forage had better be sent here (for 3. horses) as it will go towards paying the bill for horses we hire. We have had a large livery bill over the $22 sent by Galt. The carriage you had was $5 - I have hired three times to go to church and we have hired a horse for riding a good deal.

Mr. Daly seems to ignore the terms he offered you & proposes to charge very high, but he says he will stand by his letter. Have you got that?

All are well and hope to see you soon. We have had a great deal of rain but it is not snowing.

The California trip will be lovely. After promising Tom so long I think he would be terribly slighted if you were not to invite him to go. Tom & Ellen would be the best to take. Mrs. Crook wants to see you & so does Miss Emily Hoffman who was engaged to McPherson.

As ever,

Ellen.
[EES]

Oakland, Md.
August 16th, 1876.
[1876/08/16]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

I did not get any spring or summer dresses for Elly, until I found she was going to Yale. Then I wrote & requested Rose Hoyt to go to Stewarts & get her a dress, a hat, gloves &c. &c. - She kindly took Elly one day to Stewart's & ordered dress & other articles, but she then sent her with Mary Lynch - (a thing I wished to avoid, having Mary or Ellen shop with Elly) to get the hat & shoes. When I met Elly she told me she had got these articles elsewhere than at Stewart's where I have an account always. In response to my questions she said she directed them to send the bills (amounting in all to $27.) to Mrs. Genl Sherman, 912, Garrison Ave. St. Louis, Mo. They had not come when I left St. Louis, nor had I received any until after my return from Lancaster & after the receipt of a letter from Elizabeth Reese telling me that all Elly's bills had been sent to Rose and Rose had paid them & held the receipt, she stated Stewart's bill as well as the others. Just after the receipt of her letter I got the bill (which I directed Lizzie to enclose to you) from Madame Michael for a hat $15 - also I have received Stewart's bill.

I had Elly write to her Aunt Reese requesting Rose to send me the receipted bills, as I cannot pay them twice & I cannot let them pass unnoticed - The only reply she makes is that we "can safely leave this matter to Alfred considering the many business transactions The General has had with Alfred". - My bills for the children's dresses shoes & hats are not an affair to be referred to gentlemen in this way. Alfred Hoyt is a gentleman indeed & I will not annoy him, nor will I write to Rose for I am not pleased that she should pay my bills without a request from me that she should do so. I do not really think she has paid the bills but I am bound to treat it so since her Mother wrote to me that she had written to her that she had paid them and held the receipts -

What shall I do about it? The bills ought to be paid. Did you get the one for the bonnet?

I enclose the B. & O. pass - We found all well - Mrs. Bowman leaves here Friday - I hope you will come up soon. I will write tomorrow. Now we are dressing for the private Theatricals.

Ever yours,

Ellen.
[EES]

Oakland.
Aug. 17th 1876. Thursday Morning
[1876/08/17]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

When I wrote last evening I did not take time to say that Stewart's bill has not only been sent to me, but I have paid it. I sent a check on my deposit in Lancaster & when you draw next month's pay I want the amount to put back with my money, which I then wish to put at interest for the year, until I have more money coming in. The bill was $256.50. It is not all for Elly's clothes, but some for a dress of mine & a riding habit for Lizzie & for some little articles which I had got a few months before. I have had a current account at Stewart's for several years & settle the first of July & the first of January.

I wish you would not pay any bills without letting me see them.

Before I left you on Tuesday Alfred asked me if there was anything coming to him on the old account. He says all the furniture he had when he went to St. Louis has been destroyed & he needs a new outfit. He was anxious to know if the horses were to be kept at the Government Stable before hiring a room & getting bed stove &c. Please tell him to get his room there & give him $25. on the old account which is due him up to June 24th - That will square accounts to that date & since then you have paid him & kept accounts.

I have received a check from Mr. Martin for the $55 which you paid General Benet. Will you please send formal notice to the Department (Genl Benet) that Lancaster has paid the bill. Mr. Martin requested this & says there was no intention to neglect it.

We have held consultations & have decided that the California party (on your part) shall consist of myself Cumpy, Elly & Tom. Poor Rachey is disappointed & shed a few tears but she is sensible & amiable & sweet as possible about it. She will richly deserve the next trip. Lizzie will stay in Wn and spend the first week or two with Rachey until she becomes accustomed & at home there. I take Elly in preference to Rachey because she is best adapted to the occasion & can make up the time at school with less injury to herself - also she is quicker & better able to wait upon Cumpy or me insofar as we may need attention.

I am happy to hear that Genl Tom Ewing has been nominated to Congress. Thurman has endeavoured to keep him from any round of the political ladder. Now he is there Thurman may look to his laurels. The nomination in that district is the election.

Our private theatricals last night were a great success & Elly was wonderfully applauded and complimented. She & May were the originators & Miss Hoffman & her Sister & a Mr. Minns of Baltimore got the scenery & made all stage arrangements & superintended rehearsals. The Scenery came from Cumberland & a stage was erected at the lower end of the dining room. May did not act. The evening closed with dancing & all were very happy. Cumpy is off on his pony. He is wonderfully excited over California.

Ever yours,

Ellen.
[EES]

October 15th 1876. Sunday Morning
[1876/10/15]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

I have been out a good deal & have had much to do in the Attic & all over the house getting my goods & effects put out of Minnie's way. I still have a great deal to do & cannot tell exactly when I shall get on but I hope before the 5th or 6th of Nov. The neighbors & friends have called & express great regret that they did not see you. Mr. Sturgeon desired me to say to you that he was suffering excrutiatingly from tooth ache while you were here. Mr. Tansey also sends messages & also others.

Maj. Grimes & Genl Beckwith are very kind & send me the carriage every day if I want it. General Simpson (or his substitute) has sent me tickets for my journey but as I prefer the B. & O. line from Columbus I hope you will lend me the pass. I hope you will see Mrs. Simpson at the time of the meeting in Washington. She is going on with her husband. Did I tell you she was a Miss Sherman?

Tom is taking kindly to the Law & enjoys the occasional pieces of work which Mr. Hichcock gives him, such as comparing papers &c. &c - it is a little diversion. He goes down early & returns late. I asked him if you had told him anything about the board here & he says you spoke of giving Minnie a hundred dollars a month. Please do not. Let Tom have the $100. a month & pay $50. for his board here $15 for his lunch down town & the balance after paying for washing he will not waste but save it for clothing & other heavy expenses when they become necessary. I think you cannot count on a high rent for the Shidy place: probably $700. or $800 -

By the morning paper I see that one of Flora (King) Deshler's sons - Frank, killed himself in Columbus yesterday.

I hope you will not be too deeply or too ardently involved in the Government measures down South. I never doubt your strict adherence to principle but I wish you to avoid the odium of what may be even necessary - Cumpy & all are well.

Ever yours,

Ellen.
[EES]

St. Louis,
Oct. 18th, 1876.
[1876/10/18]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

Yesterday your welcome letter of Saturday was received. The B. & O. pass enclosed. I have a pass to Columbus & so shall come all the way free. I do not know yet when I shall be able to leave here but I will give you due notice of the time of my coming. The weather is lovely & I have General Beckwith's carriage and Maj. Grimes horses & driver and get about pleasantly. I wish to make many visits before leaving.

You had better send Tom $100. a month & let him pay Minnie, for his washing, for his dinner or lunch down town & other little expenses, books & &c and save what he does not need. Mr. Fitch has had his salary raised & Minnie distinctly tells me she does not want the $100 a month you have been giving her, & they say they simply will not take that much for Tom's board. When you get this month's pay please remember that I need a large amount - You had better put $700. in young Cook's bank for me. I have used $285 of my own money for Stewart's July bill & I now owe another there. Please tell Lizzie that I sent a box by Express with Elly's clothes in it - With love to all, ever

your truly affectionate

Ellen.
[EES]

St. Louis, Mo.,
Oct. 19th, 1876.
[1876/10/19]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

The paper you write for I have never seen & I think it cannot be here, but I will go over everything in the room & send it if I find it. The man's name is not Davis but Young & if the full name be all that is necessary you can get it by having one of the gentlemen of the Staff address Capt. Young Ogden.

It is a pity that is lost as a similar misfortune happened another paper to which valued signatures were attached. A man took his coat (& left his own) & was off on the overland train before he discovered the exchange & his papers were in his coat pocket.

Belknap's name is among those reported at the meeting yesterday! I hope you enjoyed the occasion & had a fine day. Tell Lizzie I have her letter & will pack the robes & afghan now. I cannot write more to you or her because I have an engagement at half past eleven & callers have kept me an hour in the parlor & I have barely time to dress.

I hope Lizzie will not sleep in the hotel while you are gone to N. York. She is such a heavy sleeper she could not wake up in case of fire & no one in particular would think of her. All send best of love to you & the dear girls. Ever yours,

Ellen.
[EES]

St. Louis, Mo.,
Oct. 24th, 1876. Tuesday evening
[1876/10/24]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

This afternoon I received your letter of Sunday enclosing Mrs. Simpson's letter. As I understand the case, she does not wish to have him return to California permanently but only to come there (if he can get an order) on an inspecting tour or errand. It is likely that she may have hopes of keeping him should he once get there but this she did not express to me, but she told me that if he would only come there, to break the spell he is under, she would then be satisfied to go with him to New York. She says that when he left California for New York, he & his friends all supposed that he would be made Commissary General & would therefore not return to that Station. She also says that since the appointment of Macfeely he (Simpson) has felt humiliated & ashamed to come to San Francisco even on a visit because of his confidence when he left there of promotion. He feels that he must be lowered in the estimation of his friends. As I understood her, it is only to destroy this delusion that she is anxious for him to come there. When he was ordered to New York her Mother was on the eve of returning from China & she remained to see her: then her Mother sickened & died: then her daughter had St. Vitus' dance and then followed the appointment of Macfeeley & her husbands mortification & her desire to have him come out & receive evidence that he had not fallen under suspicion or in the esteem of his friends. This is all that I have cared to aid her in, & I still think she is right & tender in her devotion & desire to have his feelings soothed by a kind & respectful welcome there. If he could be sent there to inspect the Commissary branch of the Dept., & then return to his New York station, she would return with him & both would be the happier & better. I would not, for the world interfere with a man's true interest but I think he could be sent there for a few weeks. She says he will not go there unless he is sent: that he says he is ashamed on account of the opinion which the appointment of a junior must have given his friends.

I hope you will approve that and get it done so that the family may soon be happily settled together. Since talking with me Mrs. Simpson may have conceived hopes of getting him stationed there permanently but what I have stated was her first desire & motive.

Tom received a telegram this morning from Henry McDowell at Omaha saying he would be here this afternoon. Tom was at the Shidy palce having an eye to things during the sale. He studied a few hours after coming in & then went to the lecture & was to go from there to meet Henry. We did not know Genl McDowell was coming. Tom will not be home until late. He is devoting himself to the law & likes Mr. Hitchcock exceedingly. I intend to call there tomorrow & on many others who have been to see me. - If you find it necessary to sell the $5000 Cin. note of course you are welcome to my share. By the bye I have not had my interest for October on that. If you have not received it please write Col. Moulton but if you have got it please let me have it. We will have numberless old acquaintances in Washington. Where will Mrs. Anderson live?

All are getting on nicely & send best love to Papa. Willy is very bright - Ever your loving

Ellen.
[EES]

St. Louis, Mo.,
Oct. 28th, 1876. Saturday noon.
[1876/10/28]

Dearest Cump.
[WTS]

The bill of Stewart's which I paid was $285.85. The later bill will not be sent in before Dec. or Jan. & you can wait until then if you like. I want money now & could not go if I were ready because you have not placed it to my credit. Of the $200 you left I owed Mrs. Lutz $75- for three months whilst she boarded herself & took care of the house cleaned it &c. $15- I paid for the painting & whitening Tom's room which was not renovated when you fitted up the house. When leaving I could not persuade them to send in all bills & I have had to pay $17.70 for ice in June (Mr. Fitch bought what he used during the Summer) $5.58 at one place $1.50 at another $3.70 at the Druggists $9. for a barrel of flour which was overlooked in March & not sent in although a barrel got afterwards was paid for & receipt filed & other little things too numerous to mention or stop to recall.

I want money to my credit as soon as possible. If your taxes are uncertain put a part of what I asked to my credit or send me some & let the rest be put in when you get things settled -

I do not relish the thought that if I were telegraphed now to come on I should have to borrow the money to go -

All send love - I am going out to pay some visits & close in haste. Tom & I dine at Maj. Turner's tomorrow - We have received very kind attention & Tom is winning the highest opinion & I hear the greatest number of compliments to him. Willy Fitch is sick teething but we think he will soon be over it.

As ever

Ellen.
[EES]

St. Louis, Mo.,
Oct. 30, 1876. Monday morning
[1876/10/30]

Dearest Cump,
[WTS]

This morning I got your with enclosures which I was glad to see as I was entirely out. Tom had gone to the office but he will get his when he comes home after lecture this evening. He & Cumpy & I dined at Maj. Turner's yesterday after Church & had a delightful visit. Tom has dined (or been invited to dine) at Mrs. Sherman's, the Arch B'ps, Mrs. Charlep's & Mag's and to a select party at Mrs. Lacklands & there is to be a dinner at Mr. Hitchcocks for the young students. Tom does not intend to go to large parties but the social visiting among all your friends will keep his evenings filled up to an hour when he ought to retire. His acquaintance is sought after by everyone & he is very highly spoken of by all. We have good reason to be very proud of him.

I think we had better give our property into other hands & I would like to give mine to Green & Ladlotte unless you object - They will sell if any one can & Leffingwell is otherwise absorbed. I will try to get on next week - perhaps by the 9th or 10th but I will telegraph you. I do not like to be in haste because this is really our home & I must leave everything in good order. I am anxious to see you all & shall get on as soon as I can without hurrying - I have so many calls to make.

Ever yours,

Ellen
[EES]