John Warfield Johnston to Louisa Smith Bowen Johnston, October 31, 1836

John Warfield Johnston at Columbia, South Carolina, to Mrs. Louisa S. Johnston [Louisa Smith Bowen Johnston] at [Maiden Spring], Tazewell County, Virginia, October 31[-November 12], 1836. Box 1, John Warfield Johnston Papers, 1778-1890, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University].

[The first part of this letter details dramatic scrapes over perceived students' rights with the faculty at South Carolina College (aka College of South Carolina). Professor Francis Lieber (1798-1872) is mentioned. 

The second half of the letter was completed by November 12, 1836, and is stamped with that date, Columbia, SC. Several of the details here can be cross-checked with Edward William Johnston's November 24, 1836, letter to Louisa. Here is a link.]

Uncle Edward is here himself, has left Mrs. J. in N. York. He has, at length, got into a place which will both suit his taste and gratify his ambition, viz. the editorship of the Southern Review. It is to be published in Washington, where, of course, he takes up his residence for the future. The place was first offered to Hugh Legare [Hugh Swinton Legaré (1797-1843)] (of whom, I suppose, you have heard), who is said to be a man of greater literary attainments than almost any other in the Union. He was obliged to decline accepting it, and now, to give it to Uncle Edward, is a compliment of which he will feel the force. 

Uncle Joseph passed through this place yesterday (Nov. 12th[?]) on his way to Florida, the bearer, it is said, of a plan (Gen. Jackson's) of a campaign which is to terminate the Seminole war on the spot, without the slightest difficulty. How great is the arrogance of man! The president is so mad as to believe, that he, without any knowledge of the country, or the resources of the Indians, at a distance of 2,000 miles, can do what skillful generals were unable to perform, although possessed of every advantage.

The College is full and flourishing; and I am getting on quite well in my studies.

[Louisa Smith Bowen Johnston (1800-1873)
John Warfield Johnston (1818-1889)
Uncle Edward = Edward William Johnston (1799-1867)
Mrs. J. = Marie Antoinette Estelle Costar (De Cressac Villagrand) Johnston (ca. 1802-1848)
Uncle Joseph = Joseph Eggleston Johnston (1807-1891)
Gen. Jackson = Andrew Jackson (1767-1845)

Note: Edward had earlier in the year completed a project in New York City that resulted in an uncredited 1837 publication -- Systematic Catalogue of Books in the Collection of the Mercantile Library Association of the City of New York with a General Index, and one of Dramatic Pieces; Together with an Appendix; Containing the Constitution, and the Rules and Regulations of the Association. New York: Harper, 1837.  https://archive.org/details/systematiccatalo00merciala 

He had also earlier written an article for the Southern Review: [Uncredited]. “American Literature,” Southern Review, August 1831. Vol. VII (1828-1832): pages 436-459. Charleston, S.C.: A. S. Miller, 1831.
http://hdl.handle.net/2027/mdp.39015028574864?urlappend=%3Bseq=446]

For their help and assistance, many thanks to the staff of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina. For more information about the John Warfield Johnston Papers, here's a link to the guide.