Charlotte Elizabeth Mitchell/Michel to John Milton Binckley, November 27, 1860

[Charlotte Elizabeth Mitchell/Michel at Salem, Virginia, to John Milton Binckley at Washington City, November 27, 1860].

Belle Vue, November 27th 1860

My own Dear Brother,

I have only time to scratch off a few lines to night, but propose they shall be given to you, instead of Lou, as I wrote her last, to be sure I feel that my letters home are to you all, but you may take this little attempt, whatever it proves, as specifically your own. 

Time past, time present, and future time, all present pretty much the same phase here, in our country home, one day, is so much like the other, that but for Sunday, I would not know how to calculate time, however I have plenty to do, & thanks to a kind benefactor, have plenty of strength to do it with.

The family are all at home except Sarah & Sam, who are off at school. Uncle W & William occasionally branch off on the times, the trying times; but with that exception of an out-break in sentiment, once in a few weeks, everything around us, wears as calm and placid an aspect, as if civil war, did not stare us in the face, how do you Washingtonians feel? [F]or my part, I believe there are as good men in our Union now, as when that Constitution was drawn up, & I hope to see them step forth & battle for the right, but time . . . can decide what the result will be.

I hear you are busy as ever. I wish you were settled in your new profession, making a good independent living, with a snug home of your own, but you are in the road to it aren't you? 

How is aunt Binckley? Tell her we have cold enough weather here to freeze up any-ting that had not blood enough to counteract it. [O]ne night I thought I would get up & make me a big fire & sit up. I couldn't sleep in comfort. 

I want to see you all so much sometimes I don't know how to stand being away, specifically with the little household joy. Brother do box her up & express her through to me. I know I could keep her nicely this winter, & what fun I should have, what would I give to see the darling.

Tell Lou I sent her a little package last week, did she get it?

Tell ma I spent a day at Avenel with cousin Eliza Hughes last week, she was very well & seemed delighted to see me. Lulie Bowyer was at Avenel as a bride, & cousin Le[?]y [Lucy? Levy? Leon?] was with her.

I am just as strong & well as can be, eat any-thing, & sleep soundly & never think of a blister, or Cod-liver oil, ought I not to be very, very grateful, I fear I do not dwell on it enough. Uncle Robert is sick, has pneumonia, is some better, but still in bed. 

Brother please ask Ma to have this little note conveyed to Miss Betsy Scott, it was written at the request of a friend of mine in China, & if any of the family could conveniently take it, I would prefer it, as I just scratched it off in a hurry, and someone will have to read it to her. Good-bye & much love to all from sister
Charlotte

[Pencilled note at top of first page: "The Burwell place was beautiful. After Cousin Lettey's death Pierpont Morgan bought a great many things in it."]

[John Milton Binckley (1821-1878)
Charlotte Elizabeth Mitchell/Michel (1829-1921)
Little household joy = Nella Fontaine Binckley (1860-1951)
Lou = Mary Louisa Mitchell/Michel Binckley (1838-1930)
Ma = Jane Mary Wood Johnston Mitchell/Michel (1811-1892)
William = William M. Mitchell/Michel (1839-1908)
Uncle Robert = Robert Crump Mitchell/Michel (1807-1872)
Cousin Eliza Hughes = Eliza Mary Johnston Hughes (1825-1909), who had married Judge Robert William Hughes in 1850 
Lulie Bowyer = Sarah Lewis Bowyer (1837-1925), who had recently married Samuel Meredith (1830-1865). Her parents were Sarah Radford Preston (1806-1848) and Henry M. Bowyer (1801-1883)]

Original manuscript in the John Milton Binckley Papers, 1816-1943. Library of Congress Manuscript Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. This is my rough transcription. Paragraph breaks made for easier reading. 

Many thanks to William Myers for sending scanned copies of the documents from the Binckley papers, and also to Mary Davy and Sally Young for their assistance.