John Milton Binckley to Peter Carr Johnston, June 12, 1873

Peter Carr Johnston (1793-1877)*

[John Milton Binckley at Chicago to General Peter C. Johnston c/o Hon. John W. Johnston at Abingdon, Virginia, June 12, 1873. Additional paragraph breaks inserted for easier reading.

Many thanks to William Myers, Mary Davy, Sally Young and Sue Davis for their ongoing research collaboration; specifically to William for providing scans of the original document, and in turn many thanks to Peter Johnston Binckley and Patricia D'Arcy "Trish" Binckley (1951-2007), at the source.]

                                                                   134 Warren Avenue
                                                                    Chicago 12 June 1873
My Dear Sir,

I cannot but think you will indulge the liberty I take in asking you, if the favor happen to involve nothing irksome or inconvenient, to give me information of a reported discovery in Southwestern Virginia which has been pronounced -- I know not upon how incompetent authority -- the crater of an extinct volcano, still manifesting interesting phenomena; and to give me leave also to publish the matter.

Having a delightful ramble in the region bordering North Carolina and Tennessee in 1867, indications here and there struck me, as my wife will recollect, which if I had not known how ignorant I was of geology, would quite have prepared me for the announcement that volcanoes had been active in the region much later in geological chronology than is usually supposed. I am therefore the more curious to hear all about the new discovery.

Let me report that should a compliance with my request be in any degree burdensome, you will not suffer me to trespass upon your comfort unintentionally; but if otherwise, the more fully the details come, the better; especially if I could have your own views and hypotheses on the subject.

With cordial wishes for your prolonged usefulness and enjoyment of life, and asking you to present me faithfully to Senator and Mrs. Johnston and the family. I am, Dear Sir,
                                                      Yours Sincerely
                                                       John M. Binckley

Gen'l Peter C. Johnston
                Abingdon, Va.

[John Milton Binckley (circa 1831-1878).

Peter Carr Johnston (1793-1877).

John Warfield Johnston (1818-1889).
Mrs. Johnston = Nicketti Buchanan Floyd Johnston (1819-1908).
*There is a remote possibility that this could be his brother, Beverly Randolph Johnston (1803-1876).]    

"Edward William Johnston, Roving Scholar" by Clarence E. Miller (1952): Part 2

Portrait of Edward William Johnston by Sarah Miriam Peale (circa 1858-1860). Original at University of Missouri - St. Louis / Mercantile Library.  

[Excerpts from Clarence E. Miller, "Edward William Johnston, Roving Scholar,” Missouri Historical Society Bulletin, Volume 9, Number 1. (October 1952), pages [81]–87. A few extra paragraph breaks added for easier reading and emphasis.]

'The catalogue [for the St. Louis Mercantile Library] was really a noteworthy work in the field. There were supplementary bibliographical notes interspersed that revealed the scholarly qualities of Johnston and showed him as well qualified for the position of librarian, to which post he was elected in April, 1859. At last it seemed he might have reached the harbor of serenity. For two years he carried on the multiple and often incongruous activities of a librarian in an understaffed library: buying books, classifying and cataloguing them, supervising the reading of the membership at the issue-desk, providing reference material for the studious, serving everybody in one way or another and happy in the task' (pages 84-85). 

'In my early days at the library I talked to many who remembered Johnston at this period. They all remembered him distinctly and intimately, as ordinary men who have been dead nearly forty years are not recalled. To them he was a brilliant, warm and eager personality, a man rich in shrewd and humorous comment on the celebrities of his day, all of whom he seemed to have known. A communicative and friendly man, but nevertheless something of an enigma . . .' (page 85).

'The opening of 1862 found poor Johnston at the very center of civil strife. A struggle between the Northern and Southern members of the library for control of the board of direction focused the attention of the military authorities on the library, and so on January 26 General Henry W. Halleck issues [issued] Special Order No. 80, requiring the board members and employees of the library to take the oath of allegiance at noon on January 29. . . on January 28 he [Johnston] submitted his resignation to the directors, explaining that he was engaged in the composition of an historical work that would occupy his entire time. A few weeks later we find him employed in cataloguing the library's recently acquired coin collection. For this work he was paid $400' (page 85).

'But the erstwhile genial and tolerant man was growing embittered and given to caustic argument with readers, so he was persuaded to retire to a quiet cottage on the Meramec River near Glencoe, where he could write his historical work undisturbed. A temporary and surreptitious pension of $40 a month was given him by keeping him on the payroll under the thin disguise of "Edward Johnson."'

'On August 18, 1862, Johnston's wife was arrested at Eureka, Missouri, for voicing Southern sentiments. She was brought to Gratiot Street Prison, in St. Louis, but was released the next day. She died sometime within the next few years, a shadowy lady about whom I should like to know more' (page 85).

'Johnston, now a lonely, emaciated old gentleman, returned to St. Louis and taught for a while at the Academy of the Christian Brothers. He joined the Catholic Church, and married his housekeeper, probably in 1866. In the spring of 1867 he became very ill with cancer of the throat, and on December 9, 1867, after protracted agony, he died. His second wife, Margaret, who was tubercular, survived him but a few hours, and both were buried in Calvary Cemetery on December 11, 1867. General Joseph E. Johnston was the only member of the family mentioned as being in attendance, and he arrived in the city too late to see his brother alive. Johnston's literary papers were willed to another brother, according to the obituary in the St. Louis Times, but no will was recorded . . .' (pages 85-86).

'. . . One other postscript or visual memory of Johnston is the portrait hanging on the library wall. The portrait was painted in 1858 by Sarah Peale, member of the distinguished family of artists, and it is vibrant with quick intelligence, humorous appreciation, and nervous drive. The round head, shaped like that of his brother, the general, is bald on top, but somehow vigorously so; the hazel eyes twinkle in puckish enjoyment of life's paradoxes, of which he had seen his full share. The nose and mouth are firm of line.'

'The long white beard is in startling and patriarchal contrast to the comparatively youthful face. Miss Peale evidently lapsed into a spinster's panic when she sighted it, merely draping it on like a stage property or ceremonial appendage. As a symbol of the strange and hearltess pranks life can play on man it might pass, but as a growth from flesh and blood it is quite incredible' (page 87).

'How inadequately the incidents in a man's life reveal his character and motives. I wonder what manner of man that Edward William Johnston really was . . .' (page 85).

[Edward William Johnston (1799-1867)
Clarence E. Miller (1881-1964) was librarian at the St. Louis Mercantile Library from 1941 to 1958; he worked at the library for more than fifty years.
Henry Wager Halleck (1815-1872)
The Academy of the Christian Brothers was a college level Catholic school located in St. Louis. It is now, in a different location, the Christian Brothers College High School. 
"His second wife Margaret" was the same wife who was sent to Gratiot Street Prison, not a different person. She also had a daughter from a previous marriage, Margaret Jewett, who lived with them until their near-simultaneous deaths.   
Joseph Eggleston Johnston (1807-1891)
Sarah Miriam Peale (1800-1885) also did portrait paintings of the Marquis de Lafayette (1757-1834).
$400 in 1862 = about $9,000 in early 2017; $40 pension = about $900/month.] 

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

Mary Louisa Mitchell Binckley to John Milton Binckley, circa 1866/1868

[Undated fragment, Mary Louisa Mitchell/Michel Binckley to John Milton Binckley. Textual evidence suggests the date to fall somewhere in a range from 1866 to early 1868, but it could date a year earlier, or slightly later. Locale seems to be in the vicinity of Washington City; Abingdon, Virginia, is another possibility]. 

. . . started. There were 20 of us grown folks and 8 children, 2 darkies, and 11 o'clock found us all at the mill unloading the wagon. The children wild with delight, a detachment of gentlemen filing along the race-path laden with baskets, shawls, &c. Harvey in a trance of wonder at the waving trees and rushing water.

When we went round to the meadow, you ought to have seen Nellie. One screech of delight and she was off up the cliff life a deer. In five minutes had scrambled down to show me a great handful of wild-flowers only to rush back for more.

It did my heart good to see the poor children enjoy themselves. I very believe Annie Sawyer never saw a wild-flower before.

Harvey was so good & sweet that every body admired him to my heart[']s content.

[connected fragment, may precede first part]:

The neighbors had commenced preparations for the Pic-nic, but it was so cold and wet that we could not decide when to go. I forgot to tell you there was a terrible storm Tuesday night after you went -- hail and rain. But Wednesday evening they concluded to go Friday. 

The gentlemen hired an ambulance to take out the baskets and (Mrs. Jenkins suggestion) the children.

Mother Binckley consented to go, tho' with a sigh at thought of leaving her beloved Chronicle. So I determined to take Harvey as Mary [nurse] was crazy to go and take him. So all day Thursday we were busy cooking, tho' it was still cold and windy. I invited Helen and Jim last night, . . . Campbell and Erskine Dow, and had every arrangement to make myself, as Sue had accepted . . .

[John Milton Binckley (1821-1878)
Mary Louisa Mitchell/Michel Binckley (1838-1930)
Nellie = Nella Fontaine Binckley (September 1, 1860-April 27, 1951)
Harvey = Harvey Mitchell Binckley (December 10, 1864-1928)
Charlotte/Charlotta Stoker/Stocker Binckley = "Mother B." (1788-1877)
Erskine Dow = possibly a son of Jesse Erskine Dow (1809-1850), editor and poet
Sue = Sue Henry Mitchell Taliaferro (1845-1940)]

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. 

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.  

Mary Louisa Mitchell Binckley to John Milton Binckley, Early July 1867

[Mary Louisa Mitchell/Michel at Abingdon to John Milton Binckley at Washington City, early July 1867. The chronological placement is from evidence in the text. This is a long fragment, with the beginning missing].

[Abingdon, Virginia. Early July 1867. A preceding letter, dated June 30, 1867, is here]

Later.

I was interrupted. They all came home from church, cousin Eliza Hughes with them. She stayed to dinner; has just gone up to the other end of town to see Mrs. John Floyd taking Nellie with her in the carriage. I am to spend next week at cousin Eliza’s.

As yet I have not heard of any country board that would suit either Mrs. Stanbery or Mrs. Pleasants. But I have heard of several excellent springs in this vicinity very well kept, and from 8 to 10 dollars a week fare – will write more particularly in a day or so. There is a very pretty place rented since the war by a northerner and his wife (nice folks) where I might possibly get board for Mrs. Stanbery. Where is Mrs. Wilson going to spend the summer?

Now to our own matters, I am really anxious to know how the experiment with Wall turns out financially. [P]lease write to me about it.

I am going to put up some jelly and preserves – will also make arrangements for getting my winter’s supply of butter.

But in the midst of all this I must stop to remind you of your promise.

My love your health is more to me than any thing else. I know you find now your temptations to over work multiplied a thousand fold, but I must use my privilege as “Wife” and insist on systematic relaxation. I have been away from you know about a month and as yet you have not paid one of those many “promised visits” – I feel your hand-clasp and see your eyes still looking into mine as you said “I will take care.”

I have received Mac’s paper (God prosper it!) one weekly and one Daily Int. Left the daily for Mr. Smith to read your leader & am going to send the weekly (when all here have read it,) to cousin Henry Bowen’s father-in-law – such a bright fine old man. Completely helpless with rheumatism in lower limbs – reads from morning to night. I promised him papers now and then.

If your housekeeping has been satisfactorily economical, you can send me some money. I would like to have 15 or 20 dollars.

I don’t think Sue will be married this fall: but can’t tell. I like him better and better, but he is so shy, I can’t get to talk to him yet. Imagine anybody standing in awe of me!  Absurd. I will find out something definite in a few days, and write you, as I am most anxious to have something definite settled on about that vacation I am determined you shall have, if I have to appeal to Mr. Stanbery myself.

Mother tells me Nellie has written to you. She will write again soon. She and Harvey were really grieved over poor pussy’s decease. They send all manner of loving messages to you, to Grandma, and Mister Wa-all. They call me. Good bye, my own

Your Mary

[p.s.] The medicine Willie wants is 1 oz. of Prophalamine (I believe that is spelled right) [possibly prophamine, an antihistamine]

½ oz.  Aconotine [an analgesic]

[A succeeding letter, dated July 18, 1867, is here]

[$10 in 1867 worth about $150 in 2016
John Milton Binckley (1821-1878)

Mary Louisa Mitchell/Michel Binckley (1838-1930)

Cousin Eliza Hughes =  Eliza Mary Johnston Hughes (1825-1909), married to Robert William Hughes (1821-1901), one of the Abingdon lawyers, and wealthy

Mrs. John Floyd = Sarah "Sally" Buchanan Preston Floyd (1802-1879)

Nellie = Nellie/Ellen/Nella Fontaine Binckley (September 1, 1860-April 27, 1951) 
Mrs. Stanbery = Cecilia Key Bond Stanbery (1820-1889)

Mrs. Wilson

Mrs. Pleasants

Mac = MacCartney

Wall = Joseph Wall

Daily National Intelligencer (Washington, D.C.)

Cousin Henry Bowen’s father-in-law = James R. Miller (1802-1872)

Henry Bowen = Henry Smith Bowen (1820-1887)

Sue = Sue Henry Mitchell/Michel (1845-1940)

Him = William Meade Taliaferro (1840-1913)

Mr. Stanbery =  Henry Stanbery (1803-1881), US Attorney General from 1866 to 1868

Mother = Jane Mary Wood Johnston Mitchell/Michel (1811-1892)

Harvey = Harvey Mitchell Binckley (1864-1928)

Grandma = Charlotta/Charlotte Stoker/Stocker Binckley ~ "Mother B." (1788-1877)

Willie = Dr. William M. Mitchell/Michel (1839-1908)]

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. 

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.  

'The Nation' on John Milton Binckley: September 19, 1867

The Nation, Vol. V, No. 116, page 221. Thursday, September 19, 1867. 

'The career of the personage who now styles himself “Acting Attorney-General,” or as he is known in the newspapers, “Binckley,” tout court, is one which is rarely met with in the Western world. His rise resembles the rise of a grand vizier at an Oriental court rather than that of a Christian lawyer, and it forms, perhaps, the most singular incident of Mr. Johnson's singular administration. “Binckley” is a jack-of-all-trades, who has been everything by turns and nothing long. According to an account given of him by the Washington correspondent of the Boston Advertiser, after having first made his appearance in Washington as a portrait painter, and then tried land agency, writing for newspapers, a clerkship in a Government office, and other shifts, he turned his mind to the law about three years ago, has had one case in court, which he judiciously withdrew, and then suddenly emerged as “Acting Attorney-General” of the United States, having been selected by Mr. Johnson as legal adviser of the Executive of the United States during a most critical period. We doubt if a parallel for this can be found in the history of any civilized state. “Binckley,” too, has actually been permitted to “advise” the President in the Sickles case; that is, to furnish Mr. Johnson with legal reasons for arraying himself in hostility to Congress and the majority of the people, and the opinion was what might have been expected from a jurist of Binckley's standing.'

[John Milton Binckley (1821-1878). This article misses the fact that Binckley also graduated with an M.D. from the Medical Department of Georgetown College on February 28, 1861
Mr. Johnson = President Andrew Johnson (1808-1875) 
Sickles = Dan Sickles (1819-1914)]

Mary Louisa Mitchell Binckley to John Milton Binckley, August 22nd, 1867

[Mary Louisa Mitchell Binckley at Abingdon, Virginia, to John Milton Binckley at Washington City, August 22nd, 1867].

Abingdon
Aug. 22d 1867

My beloved,

I have just received your letter saying that you think Mr. Stanbery will not return by the 1st.

I will not give up the hope that you may yet come, and will go on with my preparations. And please get your clothes ready, so that if you can come you will be ready. If you could start on Saturday the last of Aug. you would get here the next evening and we would go over to Russell Monday. Tuesday evening [September 3rd, 1867] is the wedding.

Please attend to my note to Galt about the presents -- time is flying.

I am up to my eyes to-day getting up tableaux for the girls -- last night we were down at the old house we are to use, having the young men set up the stage &c. and when thro' with that had a fiddler and danced until 12 o'clock! Cured me of a fit of neuralgia -- will dance again to-night.

They call -- I must go -- I shall really pray that you can come. Only ten days more! 

Good bye my love --
Your own wife

[Description of the wedding here]

[John Milton Binckley (1821-1878)
Mary Louisa Mitchell Binckley (1838-1930)
Lucy A. "Lulie" Dennis (1845-1923), about to marry Willie = William M. Mitchell/Michel (1839-1908)
Mr. Stanbery = Henry Stanbery (1803-1881), US Attorney General from 1866 to 1868
Galt = M.W. Galt & Brothers Jewelers, 354 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington City]

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. 

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.

Mary Louisa Mitchell Binckley to John Milton Binckley, August 18th, 1867

From: Washington Evening Star, December 18, 1866, page 1

[Mary Louisa Mitchell Binckley at Abingdon, Virginia, to John Milton Binckley at Washington City, August 18th, 1867].

Abingdon
Aug. 18th 1867

My dearie,

I wrote you quite a long letter on my perplexities about the wedding. I shall begin my preparations tomorrow, in hopes you will muster up courage enough to ask Mr. Stanbery to let you come down the 1st of Sep.

I was so taken up with these small matters, that I said not a word to you in sympathy. It is indeed strange -- your swift elevation, the fall of those who, in fancied security, oppressed the lowly.

I cannot be too thankful that my beloved and honored husband was mercifully spared a temptation to which he might have yielded. In a conflict of "wills" with Staunton [Stanton] you might have forgotten that you were in the Conference Chamber of the nation, a place to be kept sacred from all intrusion of personal feeling. It is so much better as it is. Leave such things in the hands of Him who has expressly reserved to Himself the right to avenge wrongs. 

How blessed a thing it is for a woman to feel so sure of her husband as I do. I have known that you past scathless [scatheless] thro' the trials of your early manhood. I have seen how you endured with cheerful nobility the struggling of the bitter years that have passed. Prosperity will scarcely harm you. I think it will do you good -- it will soften and soothe. Oh man, the woman finds her true glory in thee.

A thrill of feeling that is not worldly pride, trembles thorough my heart when I realize that for you the misty air of the dark valley is passing away. The intellect as the eagle, must have sunshine, and the free upper air.

Think with what keen sympathy I would watch such a captive released from a cage. Up, up, to thy native air, to thy mates, to a cloudless sky.

May I, my husband, never be a clog to you -- I would be your helpmeet indeed -- after all the outside world is of but small account to us, when we go into "the world of our own."

Goodbye, I must close for this time -- Mother has no servant and I must go to see the children.

Please read the enclosed note and send it down to Galt's jewelry store and enclose me his answer. Mother and I want to get one or two little presents for Lulie. Preston Parr sent me a list, but his notions are too high and mighty for Lulie's good sense and plain beginnings. I know she had much rather have some plain serviceable article than a filigree ornamental something.   

Please attend to this for me at once, so there will be time for us to choose what we want and write back for them. And you had better see about some clothes for yourself at once. I suppose your shirts are still good -- get a new cravat a plain gray business suit, and a black -- my goodness, it just occurred to me -- if you did not buy a black suit after I left what on earth did you do for clothes to wear to Cabinet meetings?

Please do write and tell me what clothes you have on hand.

Gentlemen dress very nicely here, and ladies too. I am so glad I had nice clothes, but remember, we must not be extravagant not yet, at least.

Your own Wife 

[John Milton Binckley (1821-1878)
Mary Louisa Mitchell Binckley (1838-1930)
Lulie = Lucy A. "Lulie" Dennis (1845-1923), about to marry Willie = William M. Mitchell/Michel (1839-1908)
Sue = Sue Henry Mitchell/Michel (1845-1940)
Mr. Stanbery = Henry Stanbery (1803-1881), US Attorney General from 1866 to 1868
Staunton = Edwin Stanton (1814-1869)The children = Nellie/Ellen/Nella Fontaine Binckley (September 1, 1860-April 27, 1951) and Harvey Mitchell Binckley (1864-1928)
Mother = Jane Mary Wood Johnston Mitchell/Michel (1811-1892)
Preston Parr =  David Preston Parr (1844-1913), married (since 1866) to Frances "Fannie" Ellen Mitchell, daughter of Robert Crump Mitchell (1817-1872) and Ann Lucy Phillips Mitchell (1809-circa 1880) of Wheatly
Galt's jewelry store = M.W. Galt & Brothers Jewelers, 354 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington City]

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. 

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. 
  

'The Nation' on Acting Attorney General John Milton Binckley, August 15, 1867

From The Nation, Vol. V, No. 111, page [121]. Thursday, August 15, 1867. 

Perhaps the funniest episode of the week was the revelations made on Saturday by the Acting Attorney-General, Mr. Binckley, of attempts made on the virtue of Charles A. Dunham, alias Sandford Conover, by Messrs. Ashley and Butler, the impeachers. Dunham, it may not be generally known, is one of the most distinguished perjurers of whom history makes any note, and swore right and left before courts-martial during the investigations consequent on Mr. Lincoln's death, in a way which makes Titus Oates seem a very insignificant personage. He was found out, however, convicted, and sentenced to the penitentiary for a practically interminable period. Being naturally desirous, however, of avoiding serving out his sentence, he got up a story that Mr. Ashley and General Butler, of all men in the world, had endeavored to induce him to furnish evidence that Mr. Johnson had been guilty of complicity in Mr. Lincoln's assassination, and for this little service they were to procure his pardon. The proof furnished by Dunham of this extraordinary performance on the part of these gentlemen is, that Mr. Ashley did sign a petition for his (Dunham's) pardon, and that he did write him four short notes, in one of which he says he is going to Philadelphia, and presses Dunham to send him his “statement,” in another, he acknowledges the receipt of the “statement;” in the third he advises Dunham to have his counsel act “as he (the counsel) deems best, taking advantage of every legal point that may be presented;” in the fourth, Mr. Ashley says he has just seen Mrs. Dunham, and he does not believe the “false, stupid reports” against Mr. Dunham, and that if this gentleman would send him “the originals,” they should be carefully preserved. So much for the evidence against Mr. Ashley. Of proof against General Butler there is not a scintilla, except the assertion of C. A. Dunham, Esq., himself. One does not need to have a very high opinion of either Mr. Ashley or General Butler to have a hearty laugh over this story, although “the Acting Attorney-General” writes it out with much solemnity, and appends to it moral reflections which we all may read with profit. All we can say is, that for twenty five dollars and a promise of indemnity three or more gentlemen connected with the administration of criminal justice in this city may be produced to prove on oath offences of the most startling character, not against Ashley and Butler only, but against any of the leading Radicals whom Mr. Johnson may desire to have brought to shame, commencing with their early Sunday-school larcenies, and running on through burglary, forgery, horse stealing, and murder in the first degree.

[This matter was referenced in a letter from Mary Louisa Mitchell Binckley (1838-1930) to John Milton Binckley (1821-1878), August 14, 1867, here.

Johnson = President Andrew Johnson (1808-1875), who strangely enough had no Vice President]. 

Mary Louisa Mitchell Binckley to John Milton Binckley, August 16th, 1867

[Mary Louisa Mitchell Binckley at Abingdon, Virginia, to John Milton Binckley at Washington City, August 16th, 1867].

Beloved Milton,

Yours of the 14th came this morning. Last evening I had a long letter from Lulie; she is entirely unable to defer her wedding. She is evidently much distressed about it, but Mr. Smith (her adopted father) is obliged to be absent on business the 5th or 6th of Sep. to be gone two months. Of course her first duty is to consult his convenience, so the original day fixed (Sept. 3d) will be kept.

I confess I am utterly at a loss to know what to do.

Willie and Lulie have shown such flattering willingness to alter their arrangements to suit us, that it would seem ungrateful in me not to attend their wedding. Yet how to arrange it I don't know. To give up a trip with you into Tazewell & Russell is a disappointment I cannot contemplate with composure, and yet is is so hard to get conveyances here, that I can scarcely hope to manage to get over there twice. 

Now, Miltonius, you know, my dearie, that I do not ask you ever to leave your duty for my gratification. But it will scarcely be a duty for you to remain after the return of Mr. Stanbery. I know how you feel towards your dear old "chief," and his lightest wish to you is law, and he has expressed a hope that a week or so might intervene between his return and your departure. But Milton, he is a generous gentleman, and as such would greatly put up with some inconvenience to give you great pleasure. I have no idea that it would be anything greater than mere inconvenience.

If you can come the first of Sep. we will keep Nellie's birthday, (the 1st), go over to the wedding over the mountains on horseback[,] gratify Willie and all by being present. Go from there into Tazewell to see the Bowens, and make sketches of that lovely land. Come back to Abingdon. Spend the rest of your time here visiting, and going to the Salt Works, up to the White Top mountain, and over to the river.

We will leave Abingdon, you and I and the children, a day or so before your time is out. Stop in Bedford, and spend the day at Wheatly together, then you may toddle homewards and I (with your leave) will pass a week or two among my relations there, so as not to give offence, and then follow you home.

That is the plan I would like to carry out. I don't hesitate to beg you if possible to indulge me, for I know if it is wrong you won't do it, not even for your wife. But if you are simply bashful about asking Mt. Stanbery, just let me know, and I'll write to that sweet old man myself.

It does seem a great pity -- Sue's marriage put off till spring, and of course it is not possible that either you or I can be here then, and now a chance of our missing Willie's -- the only weddings in our family, for I have lost all hope of sister [Charlotte].

I told you it is almost impossible to get horses here. The "raid" here [in 1864] carried off all the finest horses, and the rest are busy in the field. 

There has been very little trouble with the servants until 2 weeks ago, when some fanatical Rad. made speeches here advising negroes not to work for white folks, that they would soon have the land parceled out to them &c., and the consequence is you get no service and much impudence. Mother is nearly worried sick.

We had had a nice ride in a double buggy a day or two ago, and I rode out on horseback this morning.

You have never said whether you had a letter from me with some verses. Or whether I had permission to send to Dr. Piper for some medicine. Do tell me.

I have written to Preston Parr to get me a present for Lulie. If you don't come, it will have to be sent by Express.

Do, my beloved as soon as you get this, sit right down and write me a line in answer, so I shall know what to do: this I implore you.

I must stop -- it's mail time.

Your own
Mary 

[John Milton Binckley (1821-1878)
Mary Louisa Mitchell Binckley (1838-1930)
Lulie = Lucy A. "Lulie" Dennis (1845-1923)
Mr. Smith = Lulie's adopted father
Willie = William M. Mitchell/Michel (1839-1908)
Sue = Sue Henry Mitchell/Michel (1845-1940)
Mr. Stanbery = Henry Stanbery (1803-1881), US Attorney General from 1866 to 1868
The children = Nellie/Ellen/Nella Fontaine Binckley (September 1, 1860-April 27, 1951) and Harvey Mitchell Binckley (1864-1928)
Mother = Jane Mary Wood Johnston Mitchell/Michel (1811-1892)
Charlotte = Charlotte Elizabeth Griffin Mitchell/Michel (1829-1921)
Preston Parr =  David Preston Parr (1844-1913), married (since 1866) to Frances "Fannie" Ellen Mitchell, daughter of Robert Crump Mitchell (1817-1872) and Ann Lucy Phillips Mitchell (1809-circa 1880) of Wheatly
Tazewell and the Bowens = family of Louisa Smith Bowen Johnston (1800-1873), Maiden Spring] 

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. 

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. 

Mary Louisa Mitchell Binckley to John Milton Binckley, August 14th, 1867

Washington City Evening Star, July 29, 1867, p. 2

[Mary Louisa Mitchell Binckley at Abingdon, Virginia, to John Milton Binckley at Washington City, August 14th, 1867].

My dearie

Yesterday I received the batch of newspapers, which have been a great treat to us all. This morning came the book from Mr. Klopfer[?], for which please return my thanks in your most graceful and expressive manner. I have looked over it and find several articles that I will take much pleasure in reading.

The papers I read with unusual interest, as your report or criticisms on it are the leading topic of interest. The opening sentence of the report struck me as quite an elegant and dignified bit of composition.

Is it possible that Ashley can be guilty? It seems hardly credible. Dunham is a perjured man -- how can we believe anything he says. But all will come to light sooner or later.

I hope I am right in my belief that the Radical party is fast hastening to destruction. Corruption and Death go hand in hand. 

You are in the midst of such stirring scenes -- yourself an actor. Your life is full. And yet your work now will not wear you out, soul and body, as in years gone by. It is no longer hopeless work -- you have taken your rightful place among your peers.

Shall I tell you what I wrote to a dear friend who had written about your recent appointment? "To me he will ever be greater than any worldly honor can make him in the sight of men; but it is pleasant to find he is at last appreciated by others."

My beloved, relax your watchful and suspicious hold over yourself and the world. Be at peace. Let the holy Dove fold her wings on your heart.

Later. Company came in. I am very much taken up just now with such "trifling matters." The Johnston girls have persuaded me into undertaking tableaux, and we are as busy as bees. I have some calls to make, and serving to attend to.

Have not yet heard from Lulie on the "wedding-day" subject. So I can't tell yet what day has been fixed upon.

I suppose the Att. Gen. has returned, as I saw a notice of a full Cabinet meeting. Gen. Grant acting as Sec. of War. I am charmed that Stanton is out, but please defer that thrashing until [the] close of the Administration. You must not get into trouble now.

I am charmed to find Mac's paper gains ground. Prayers and blessings attend him. As for Donoho's little attempt, I like it all well enough except the editorials -- they are [as] mawkish as their writer.That puffy style of womanly conceit is insufferably disgusting to me. But I'll stop -- if I say two words more, you'll get so sorry for him that you will write for him.

I must stop and go dress up -- you ought to see me, with my lilac lawn dress white sack [or silk], white bonnet and violets. Sue dressed just the same way. Thanks to you she has looked very pretty dressed all the summer. 

I do long so for you. Come soon to your Wifie.

[p.s.] Sue sends you a bit of verse for publication. 

[Pencil note: J.M.B. so disliked politics he would not keep in a political position and returned to editorship. He hated Stanton]. 

[John Milton Binckley (1821-1878)
Mary Louisa Mitchell Binckley (1838-1930)
Lulie = Lucy A. "Lulie" Dennis (1845-1923)
Sue = Sue Henry Mitchell/Michel (1845-1940)
Donoho = probably William H. Donoho (1829-1909); the 1870 Census lists him as "author" living in Washington, D.C.] 

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. 

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.