Joseph E. Johnston to Robert Milligan McLane, October 17, 1847

[Joseph Eggleston Johnston at Mexico (Mexico City) to Robert Milligan McLane, attorney and councilor at law, Baltimore, October 17, 1847. Box 3, Louis McLane Correspondence (1795-1894), MSS 57083, Library of Congress. This is my rough transcription. Extra paragraph breaks added for easier reading]. 

My dear Bob,

Our friend Jim Irwin has promised to send another note (he first offered to send one to Lily which is in his hands) & I am now writing at his table. [H]e is to send them by a Mr. Landa, if you should see that gentleman he may give you a good deal of information concerning this country & our army. Subjects which in a brief note I cant [can’t] touch upon.

In November last I had my life insured against all sorts of deaths, civil & military for 7 years, paying in yearly – by some mistake I brought away with the paper, which is now in my trunk at Vera Cruz. The Rate is, I think including the war risk 3.83 per cent. The office of the company in Market St at the corner opposite the post office. Mr. Phenix in charge of the office.

Some day when at leizure [leisure], or as nearly so as you ever are, do stop in & arrange this matter for the next year. I can’t send money by such an opportunity, but Lily can furnish what this requires. The insurance is on $3,000 – you needn’t tell her for what purpose you want it. Say a debt of mine.

One more commission. There is a vacant Colonelcy of infantry, Colonel Ransom having been killed at Chapultepec. Whenever you go to Washington ascertain both if I am eligible for that promotion (I am senior Lt. Col.) & if it is probably expedient.

Here it is considered as certain that the Voltigeurs will be retained. Especially since the last action, in which they had a leading part & made some reputation.

Talking of reputation, George has richly earned a brevet in the late actions. He is making a capital soldier. He has not only behaved well & gallantly in every action but discharged his current duties zealously. He is a favorite too in his regiment – that is among the decent people – his only quarrel was with one who had bullied every body else -- & whom is completely exposed.

We expect nothing fit to be called war hereafter, but no treaty of peace. Consequently the country is exceedingly dull, especially this city. I hope you are elected to Congress by this time – if so have the canal in Tihiuantipec [Tehuantepec] commenced at once. It will be very convenient for those stationed in California & the Voltigeurs are prominent candidates for that service. Tho’ I must confess that the advantages of the canal aforesaid, wouldn’t take away my preference for the east side of the Rocky Mountains.

My love to Georgine.

As ever J.E.J.

J.R.J. sends his regards to you & yours

[Jim Irwin = [?]

Lily = Lydia Milligan Sims McLane Johnston (1822-1887)

Colonel Ransom = Truman Bishop Ransom (1802-1847)

George = Lieutenant George Baldwin McLane (1826-1860), Regiment of Mounted Riflemen, later killed in a skirmish with Navajo in New Mexico

Georgine Urquhart McLane (1813-1899)
JRJ = [?]]

[Many thanks to William Myers, Mary Davy and Sally Young for their ongoing research collaboration.]