[Edward William Johnston at New York City to Langdon Cheves, Jr., Attorney at Law, at Columbia, South Carolina, September 25, 1835. Cheves Family Papers (1808-1934), South Caroliniana Library, University of South Carolina. This is my rough transcription. Note that in the original, Johnston's text frequently employs the old-fashioned "long s" -- i.e., when the letter "s" is doubled up in a word, the first "s" looks more like a lower case "f." Extra paragraph breaks added for easier reading.]
Dear Cheves
My arrival here, 5 days ago, gave me your first letter; and your second came yesterday. The latter lets me see that you understand why the former remained unnoticed: and tho', perhaps, this is the very occasion for giving a large to excuse it -- because, for this once, I might make them with every advantage of a good cause. I shall spare you, 'till my eloquence finds some more pressing occasion to exert itself.
You give me the only written news I have of Columbia. Of the heavy festivities of your ermined buffoons, there is nothing to be said in any thing so dangerously tending towards somnolence as a letter. I pass by, therefore, a subject so infectious of dulness [dullness].
Your history of the ravages which those horrible barbarians of the Sand-hills are committing among the trout is certainly the most appalling story that has been written since Nennius, that Celtic Jeremiah wrote (or wept) his de excidio Britannia.
How different the tale, which I have to relate, of a four-days expedition, on foot, with but a single companion, into the wildest recesses of the Virginia mountains! How you will glow, when I tell you of the 53 speckled trout caught in a day! How you will turn pale with envy, to hear how we climbed untrodden hills and plunged thro' torrents never visited before! And then, the scenery! -- whatever of picturesque, black forests and gigantic mountains and vast rocks, and wild clear streams falling into continual cascades, can offer by their most fantastic combination.
My forte is certainly spirited description and stirring narrative: but, upon an occasion, like the present, where, if I shine, I am sure to make a friend unhappy, I know how to forbear. Do I not know that, with all my self-control in hiding from you all the fairest part of the picture, you will yet have seen enough to through you into a nympholepay, with which I shall find you wasting away, when I return.
Of the other part -- the civil part, as it might be called -- of my adventures in Virginia, it is hardly worth while to speak. I shall go on with the undertaking as to Mr. Henry. I have gleaned much that is of interest; and am in the way to get more. I am satisfied in one particular especially -- that I can turn to miracle of his eloquence and all that, into a regular result from education and laborious attainment, He was a far-better educated man than his marvel-loving biographer -- that I am sure of. Among other things, I have a complete list of the library which he left at his death, It is, for that day, a very large one, and made up as if by one whose active and inquiring mind embraced every thing. There is, too, an unusual quantity of Latin, with some Greek, and French enough to show that even this had caught his attention.
It will, however, interest you, more than all this, to hear of the progress of my designs, as to future occupation. I need not particularly mention several abortive affairs, that have been presented to me: nor can I speak of any thing here, where my perquisitions have, as yet, been very slight. An offer had been made to me, at Washington, which I am much more disposed to embrace than any thing else at all likely to present itslef. Duff Green, you are aware, has in the strangest manner, turned all his great imaginations into gold-realising, from one of his many charters alone, some 700,000 dollars for himself and most immediate associates.
He is, therefore, in the most successful state; and, with his present resources, able safely to undertake the design in which he is anxious to engage me -- that of re-establishing the Southern Review, at the head of which he wishes to place me. In the attempt, he has the zealous concurrence of those who are most able to promote its success -- Preston, Calhoun & Hamilton; who are to aid him, during an expedition he is presently making to Georgia, Carolina & Virginia, in organizing the matter. Of course, till all is arranged with the Southern public -- who will form, in some sort, the company, the Stockholders of the affair -- he can make no positive arrangement with me; but can only engage for the intentions & efforts of himself and his friends (to whom I may add my own) to fix the matter, with a good sound compensation, upon me.
I should, for reasons that you can easily divine, prefer this position to any other at all attainable to me, even tho' such might be, in point of mere profit & income, a good deal more advantageous. I cannot, in truth, abandon the South without an extreme an extreme reluctance.
In the view, therefore, of securing this matter, my present purpose is, to glance around me here enough to survey the ground against any contrary event, and to pass some 2 or 3 weeks in cultivation of certain general literary objects, that belong to this undertaking. After that, I must get back at my post, and endeavor to assist in furthering the general scheme, as well as in promoting my own particular part in it.
In both these, you and those other friends to whom you can speak, must bestir yourselves for me, without delay. I know that set [line inked out] will fix their eyes upon a totally different person -- namely Legaré. He, however, is lucky, but still little disposed to second them, and more luckily still, is unfit for the thing in every thing but talents. Superior as his are, you know how totally unworthy to be trusted he is, in general political views -- of which this thing is, of course, to be a leading organ: and how dangerous he is, in the Special matter of Slavery -- one of the chief concerns of the plan. In this, his timidity is more to be dreaded than even the treachery of Pinckney.
Preston is more particularly Duff Green's counsellor in his choice of me. You can, therefore, talk with him freely. Afterwards, do whatever, upon consultation, may seem likely to be effectual.
You know that I have been so much occupied, in idea, with this matter, that I am entirely prepared to give it the strongest organization, in point of literary plan and the concert of collaborateurs. Of both of these, I have great confidence in our resources, as I am sure of being able to muster them.
I can secure, at once, 8 or 9 good writers, of different casts, to give an article each, for every number. This is enough for the body of the work. An irregular corps of 30 more can be enlisted; whose contributions will make up all the occasional matter. My plan will be, to make nearly 1/2 the matter of a miscellaneous & popular cast, so that it may in some sort, combine the Review & the Magazine. Syd can tell you more particularly of all this.
I regret exceedinly the plan of Sausure [De Saussure?], or rather its necessity. Nobody knows better, or loves better, his worth and that of his wife, than Estelle & I. We love them, both for themselves, and as members of a family, who we esteem above all others in Cal'a [Carolina]. I do not except Ellen, whom we regard as misled, though pardonable influence, and whom we entirely excuse, as a child.
Farewell. If you do not hear from me again, you shall see me. Do not think me negligent of writing, from the example of past. I never am so, except under circumstances that render the contrary almost impossible. My wife sends you her most affectionate remembrance. Neither of us will easily come to form any image of an agreeable life, in which the old familiar, fraternal intercourse with you shall not be a part.
Ever truly yours
Ed. Wm. Johnston
[Edward William Johnston (1799-1867). He had written an article for The Southern Review in 1831 and completed an article for The Southern Literary Messenger in 1836.
Marie Antoinette Estelle Costar (De Cressac Villagrand) Johnston (circa 1802-1848)
Langon Cheves, Jr. (1814-1863), pro-secessionist, later killed in action during the American Civil War.
Henry = Patrick Henry (1736-1799)
Duff Green (1791-1875). Former editor of US Telegraph, pro-Andrew Jackson until he tilted toward John C. Calhoun. Sometime in 1837, he established the short-lived The Reformer.
Preston = William Campbell Preston (1794-1860), US Senator for South Carolina.
Calhoun = John Caldwell Calhoun (1782-1850), US Senator for South Carolina.
Hamilton = James Hamilton, Jr. (1786-1857), former Nullifier.
Legaré = Hugh Swinton Legaré (1797-1843), in Europe at the time. Former editor of The Southern Review, which folded in 1832.
Pickney = probably South Carolina Congressman Henry C. Pinckney
Syd = Algernon Sidney Johnston (1801-1852)
William Ford De Saussure (1792-1870), married to Sarah Jones Davie De Saussure (1793-1854), part of the Columbia socio-political elite.
Ellen = [?]
Note: The Southern Review resurrection project apparently did not come to fruition.].
[Thanks to D. Travis Brand, Library Specialist, South Caroliniana Library (SCL), University of South Carolina (USC), for providing a scan of the original that also included a partial typed transcript. Thanks also to Jessica Crouch, Archivist at USC as well as to Mike Berry of the SCL.]
[Many thanks to William Myers, Mary Davy, Sally Young and Sue Davis for their ongoing research collaboration.]
N. York, Sept. 25th 1836
Dear Cheves
My arrival here, 5 days ago, gave me your first letter; and your second came yesterday. The latter lets me see that you understand why the former remained unnoticed: and tho', perhaps, this is the very occasion for giving a large to excuse it -- because, for this once, I might make them with every advantage of a good cause. I shall spare you, 'till my eloquence finds some more pressing occasion to exert itself.
You give me the only written news I have of Columbia. Of the heavy festivities of your ermined buffoons, there is nothing to be said in any thing so dangerously tending towards somnolence as a letter. I pass by, therefore, a subject so infectious of dulness [dullness].
Your history of the ravages which those horrible barbarians of the Sand-hills are committing among the trout is certainly the most appalling story that has been written since Nennius, that Celtic Jeremiah wrote (or wept) his de excidio Britannia.
How different the tale, which I have to relate, of a four-days expedition, on foot, with but a single companion, into the wildest recesses of the Virginia mountains! How you will glow, when I tell you of the 53 speckled trout caught in a day! How you will turn pale with envy, to hear how we climbed untrodden hills and plunged thro' torrents never visited before! And then, the scenery! -- whatever of picturesque, black forests and gigantic mountains and vast rocks, and wild clear streams falling into continual cascades, can offer by their most fantastic combination.
My forte is certainly spirited description and stirring narrative: but, upon an occasion, like the present, where, if I shine, I am sure to make a friend unhappy, I know how to forbear. Do I not know that, with all my self-control in hiding from you all the fairest part of the picture, you will yet have seen enough to through you into a nympholepay, with which I shall find you wasting away, when I return.
Of the other part -- the civil part, as it might be called -- of my adventures in Virginia, it is hardly worth while to speak. I shall go on with the undertaking as to Mr. Henry. I have gleaned much that is of interest; and am in the way to get more. I am satisfied in one particular especially -- that I can turn to miracle of his eloquence and all that, into a regular result from education and laborious attainment, He was a far-better educated man than his marvel-loving biographer -- that I am sure of. Among other things, I have a complete list of the library which he left at his death, It is, for that day, a very large one, and made up as if by one whose active and inquiring mind embraced every thing. There is, too, an unusual quantity of Latin, with some Greek, and French enough to show that even this had caught his attention.
It will, however, interest you, more than all this, to hear of the progress of my designs, as to future occupation. I need not particularly mention several abortive affairs, that have been presented to me: nor can I speak of any thing here, where my perquisitions have, as yet, been very slight. An offer had been made to me, at Washington, which I am much more disposed to embrace than any thing else at all likely to present itslef. Duff Green, you are aware, has in the strangest manner, turned all his great imaginations into gold-realising, from one of his many charters alone, some 700,000 dollars for himself and most immediate associates.
He is, therefore, in the most successful state; and, with his present resources, able safely to undertake the design in which he is anxious to engage me -- that of re-establishing the Southern Review, at the head of which he wishes to place me. In the attempt, he has the zealous concurrence of those who are most able to promote its success -- Preston, Calhoun & Hamilton; who are to aid him, during an expedition he is presently making to Georgia, Carolina & Virginia, in organizing the matter. Of course, till all is arranged with the Southern public -- who will form, in some sort, the company, the Stockholders of the affair -- he can make no positive arrangement with me; but can only engage for the intentions & efforts of himself and his friends (to whom I may add my own) to fix the matter, with a good sound compensation, upon me.
I should, for reasons that you can easily divine, prefer this position to any other at all attainable to me, even tho' such might be, in point of mere profit & income, a good deal more advantageous. I cannot, in truth, abandon the South without an extreme an extreme reluctance.
In the view, therefore, of securing this matter, my present purpose is, to glance around me here enough to survey the ground against any contrary event, and to pass some 2 or 3 weeks in cultivation of certain general literary objects, that belong to this undertaking. After that, I must get back at my post, and endeavor to assist in furthering the general scheme, as well as in promoting my own particular part in it.
In both these, you and those other friends to whom you can speak, must bestir yourselves for me, without delay. I know that set [line inked out] will fix their eyes upon a totally different person -- namely Legaré. He, however, is lucky, but still little disposed to second them, and more luckily still, is unfit for the thing in every thing but talents. Superior as his are, you know how totally unworthy to be trusted he is, in general political views -- of which this thing is, of course, to be a leading organ: and how dangerous he is, in the Special matter of Slavery -- one of the chief concerns of the plan. In this, his timidity is more to be dreaded than even the treachery of Pinckney.
Preston is more particularly Duff Green's counsellor in his choice of me. You can, therefore, talk with him freely. Afterwards, do whatever, upon consultation, may seem likely to be effectual.
You know that I have been so much occupied, in idea, with this matter, that I am entirely prepared to give it the strongest organization, in point of literary plan and the concert of collaborateurs. Of both of these, I have great confidence in our resources, as I am sure of being able to muster them.
I can secure, at once, 8 or 9 good writers, of different casts, to give an article each, for every number. This is enough for the body of the work. An irregular corps of 30 more can be enlisted; whose contributions will make up all the occasional matter. My plan will be, to make nearly 1/2 the matter of a miscellaneous & popular cast, so that it may in some sort, combine the Review & the Magazine. Syd can tell you more particularly of all this.
I regret exceedinly the plan of Sausure [De Saussure?], or rather its necessity. Nobody knows better, or loves better, his worth and that of his wife, than Estelle & I. We love them, both for themselves, and as members of a family, who we esteem above all others in Cal'a [Carolina]. I do not except Ellen, whom we regard as misled, though pardonable influence, and whom we entirely excuse, as a child.
Farewell. If you do not hear from me again, you shall see me. Do not think me negligent of writing, from the example of past. I never am so, except under circumstances that render the contrary almost impossible. My wife sends you her most affectionate remembrance. Neither of us will easily come to form any image of an agreeable life, in which the old familiar, fraternal intercourse with you shall not be a part.
Ever truly yours
Ed. Wm. Johnston
[Edward William Johnston (1799-1867). He had written an article for The Southern Review in 1831 and completed an article for The Southern Literary Messenger in 1836.
Marie Antoinette Estelle Costar (De Cressac Villagrand) Johnston (circa 1802-1848)
Langon Cheves, Jr. (1814-1863), pro-secessionist, later killed in action during the American Civil War.
Henry = Patrick Henry (1736-1799)
Duff Green (1791-1875). Former editor of US Telegraph, pro-Andrew Jackson until he tilted toward John C. Calhoun. Sometime in 1837, he established the short-lived The Reformer.
Preston = William Campbell Preston (1794-1860), US Senator for South Carolina.
Calhoun = John Caldwell Calhoun (1782-1850), US Senator for South Carolina.
Hamilton = James Hamilton, Jr. (1786-1857), former Nullifier.
Legaré = Hugh Swinton Legaré (1797-1843), in Europe at the time. Former editor of The Southern Review, which folded in 1832.
Pickney = probably South Carolina Congressman Henry C. Pinckney
Syd = Algernon Sidney Johnston (1801-1852)
William Ford De Saussure (1792-1870), married to Sarah Jones Davie De Saussure (1793-1854), part of the Columbia socio-political elite.
Ellen = [?]
Note: The Southern Review resurrection project apparently did not come to fruition.].
[Thanks to D. Travis Brand, Library Specialist, South Caroliniana Library (SCL), University of South Carolina (USC), for providing a scan of the original that also included a partial typed transcript. Thanks also to Jessica Crouch, Archivist at USC as well as to Mike Berry of the SCL.]
[Many thanks to William Myers, Mary Davy, Sally Young and Sue Davis for their ongoing research collaboration.]
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