Chapter XXIX (2)

—— was expected to return from Cape May last evening, where she
had been for some time with her brother ——. I think she manifested
a want of taste in not cultivating the “three rowdies.” Certain it
is, sinner as I am, I found them very agreeable. I think she
should marry, and to this I would have no objection, if her
yoke-fellow should be a proper person.

I expect Mrs. Johnston here from the 15th to the 20th. I shall,
indeed, be very glad to see her. The Baltimoreans whom I met at
Bedford say she never looked better, and that she appears to be
very happy. God grant that her marriage may prove prosperous, and
that she may not neglect the things which belong to her
everlasting peace!

Miss Hetty is as busy as ever, and although we now have a good
waiter and cook and two good girls, yet her employment is
incessant. She could not live without work. I have never known her
to take so much to any of our visitors as she did to the three
croquet players.

I have now nearly filled my sheet with a grave letter, and hope
you will ponder over its contents.

Give my kindest love to your father and mother, as well as the
rest, especially to Lois, for whom this letter is partly intended.
Never again call her Lodi.

Yours affectionately,
JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MR. CAPEN.]

WHEATLAND, October 2, 1866.

MY DEAR SIR:—

I was greatly amused and pleased with the graphic description of
your dream which placed me in the pulpit. We have sore need of
such preachers as you saw in your vision. I fear that infidelity
and indifference to religion are making rapid advances in our
country. Away with political preachers!

I rejoice to learn your advancement in the very important history,
and earnestly desire that the blessing of Heaven may rest upon
your labors.

In answer to your inquiry about the probable result of our
governor’s election, I can say but little of my own knowledge. Our
most discreet friends, however, calculate with considerable
confidence on the election of Clymer. The President’s pilgrimage
to the tomb of Senator Douglas has done the cause no good. It
would have been better had he rested on the issue as it was made
by the Philadelphia Convention.

Mrs. Johnston returned to Baltimore a fortnight since in good
health and spirits. I intend to pay her a visit soon after the
election.

Your friend, very respectfully,
JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO CHARLES GRAFFEN.]

WHEATLAND, near LANCASTER, December 22, 1866.

MY DEAR SIR:—

I regret deeply that I did not see the Philadelphia firemen at
Wheatland on their recent visit to Lancaster. A visit from them
would have been a gratification and an honor which I should have
highly prized. Unfortunately, I did not receive Mr. Howell’s note
of the 18th, appointing the time at half-past nine o’clock of the
next morning for the purpose, until the afternoon of the 19th at
five o’clock. Instead of this being sent to me by messenger, it
was deposited in the post office, and thus it did not come to hand
more than seven hours after the time appointed for the visit. I
would thank you to explain the circumstances to any of the firemen
whom you may happen to meet, should you deem this necessary. I
should be deeply mortified could any of them suppose I had been
wanting in the high respect to them so eminently their due.

From your friend, very respectfully,
JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MESSRS. OSBORN AND BALDWIN.]

(Private.) WHEATLAND, near LANCASTER, December
26, 1866.

GENTLEMEN:—

I received, on last evening, the New Haven _Daily Register_,
containing an extract from Abbott’s Lives of the Presidents. This
is a repetition and concentration of all the slanders which were
in circulation against myself during the first years of the war,
notwithstanding their falsehood has been since established by
clear and conclusive official evidence. For your very able and
searching reply to Mr. Abbott’s statements, please to accept my
most cordial thanks. As the work purports to be history, I may
possibly notice it in the only manner which would make its author
feel how much injustice he has done me. I remain, very
respectfully and gratefully,

Yours,
JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO THE REV. E. Y. BUCHANAN.]

WHEATLAND, December 29, 1866.

MY DEAR EDWARD:— I have received your favor of the 26th, and am
truly happy to learn that you and yours are in the enjoyment of
good health, and that you have received so many substantial tokens
of regard from your parishioners. May it be ever thus! My own
health, thank God! is as good as it was when we parted in
Philadelphia. Your kind wish that the good Lord may spare me to
see many Christmases will scarcely be realized. This, at my
advanced age, I cannot expect. May He enable me to be always
prepared for my latter end!

. . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . .

Mr. and Mrs. Shunk passed the evening at ——’s a few days ago, and
I was sorry to learn that a principal portion of the entertainment
was spirit-rapping and communications from the spirits.

. . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . .

My dinner at Judge Cadwalader’s was more than usually agreeable.
With my best love to your lady and family, I remain, as ever,

Your affectionate brother,
JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MRS. JOHNSTON.]

WHEATLAND, February 12, 1867.

MY DEAR NIECE:—

I was glad to receive your favor of the 6th, after so long an
interval. Poor Mrs. Jenkins was buried yesterday, and Miss Old and
myself were invited as mourners. Her death made a deep impression
upon me. I have been intimately acquainted with her ever since I
first came to Lancaster, and was groomsman at her wedding. Her
life is all before me, and, with some slight failings, it is a
beautiful picture. Her social and domestic character were nearly
all that could have been desired. Whether in prosperous or adverse
fortunes, she was ever the same kind wife, mother and friend. I
was always attached to her.

My own health is now pretty much as usual, though after my dinner
in Philadelphia, which was all I could have desired, I had a
pretty sharp attack of rheumatism, which confined me to Wheatland
for a week, but thank God! it has passed away. Like Achilles, I
was wounded in the heel, and, funny enough, it passed out at the
little toe......

I knew that Henrietta Jane would render herself agreeable wherever
she went, and am not at all surprised that the Carrolls are
unwilling to part from her. This shows they are sensible
people......

I have not seen Mrs. Franklin since the receipt of your letter.
When I do I shall not fail to inform her how much gratified you
were with the present......

I regret to say that the slippers are much too large for me, and,
therefore, I have not worn them; but, as a token of your regard, I
value them as highly as if they were a good fit.

We have no local news of much importance, except that everybody is
to be married. The engagement of young Mr. —— to Miss ——, so soon
after the death of ——, is thought by some to be strange.

On Thursday last, Jane Slaymaker, Harriet Old and Mrs. Lane passed
the day with me on their own invitation, and it was a most
agreeable day. Mrs. Jenkins was not considered at all dangerously
ill on that day, though she died on the next. Mrs. Shunk was not
with us, having gone over to York to look after her house. She is
now here, as agreeable as ever, though Mr. Shunk has gone to
Philadelphia for a few days. I see the Nevins as often as usual.
The Doctor and Mrs. Nevin, Blanche and Wilberforce, were all at
the funeral, though the Bishop in embryo was not present. I
presume he has returned to his studies, as his mother said nothing
about him, and I forgot to ask her for him......

With my kind regards to Mr. Johnston, I remain,

Yours affectionately,
JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MRS. SHUNK.]

WHEATLAND, March 7th, 1867.

MY DEAR MADAM:—

On this auspicious anniversary of your birth, permit me to present
my cordial wishes that you may enjoy many, very many, returns of
it in peace, prosperity and happiness.

Please to accept the enclosed trifle as a birthday token of my
affection and esteem for one whose society, during the last few
months, has imparted a charm to my old age, the memory of which
shall never be effaced from my heart. Deeply regretting that you
must so soon leave me, I am, and ever shall remain,

Your much attached friend,
JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MR. NAHUM CAPEN.]

WHEATLAND, April 29th, 1867.

MY DEAR SIR:—

I have received your favor of the 14th instant, and have perused,
with much interest, your letter to the Rev. Mr. Blagden. The
subject of it, which you treat so ably, has attracted but little
attention in this part of the country; still, some symptoms are
apparent that the Republicans in this State intend to make capital
out of it. In this, I think, they will entirely fail. Lager beer,
especially among the Germans, and old rye will be too strong for
them. Still, intemperance is a great curse to our people, but it
will never be put down by laws prohibiting the sale of all
intoxicating liquors......

Mrs. Shunk left me more than a month ago, and is now at her
father’s, in Washington, with her husband. They will all return to
York on the adjournment of the Supreme Court. She is one of the
most charming persons I have ever known. I ought to add that Mr.
Shunk’s health is far from being good.

I have been endeavoring for the last two days to prepare an index
for my book, but find great difficulty in the task.

The result of the spring election throughout our State has been
favorable to the Democratic party; but we have of late years been
so accustomed to defeat, that I shall not, too sanguinely,
calculate on success in October.

Your friend, very respectfully,
JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MR. NAHUM CAPEN.]

WHEATLAND, June 11, 1867.

MY DEAR SIR:—

Your kind letter of the 30th April would long ere this have been
answered, but for an _intensely painful_ attack of rheumatic gout,
several weeks ago, from the effects of which I am now slowly
recovering. The index was, of course, abandoned, probably forever.
I cannot think for a moment of imposing the task upon you, by
accepting your friendly offer. I am now in my seventy-seventh
year, an age when my mind should be disembarrassed, as much as
possible, from all worldly affairs.

I trust, for your sake, that the “Grand Hotel” may be a great
success, and may fill your pockets with stores of gold.

I am glad that the Radical postmaster of Boston has been directed
by the Department to apply to you for advice respecting the postal
service. “Better late than never” to recognize the value of your
improvements and your wise policy in removing the post office.

I no longer give any minute attention to passing political events;
but I confess I entertain much apprehension from the efforts now
being made to indoctrinate the negroes of the South with the
belief that they are entitled to a portion of their old masters’
real estate. When will Massachusetts stay her hand?

What is to become of the Supreme Court of the United States—the
conservative branch of the Government? When I recall the names of
the pure, able and venerable men who have filled the office of
Chief Justice, from John Jay to Roger B. Taney, and witness the
efforts of the present Chief Justice to drag the judicial ermine
through the dirt to propitiate radicals, I cannot help thinking we
have fallen upon evil times. But I am now an old fogy.

Should Judge Sharswod be nominated for Judge of our Supreme Court
by the Judicial Convention this day, I venture the prediction that
the Democratic party will triumph in his election in October.

Your friend, very respectfully,
JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MR. BAKER.]

WHEATLAND, July 16, 1867.

MY DEAR SIR:—

Shortly after your last letter to me, several weeks ago, I wrote
to Mr. Reed and invited him to Wheatland in the most cordial
manner. I have received no answer from him, and think it probable
he may have never received my letter; and yet, none of my letters
between this and Philadelphia has ever miscarried. When you see
him, I would thank you to ascertain how the matter is. I do not
like to write myself under the circumstances.

Mr. and Mrs. Johnston will leave here on Thursday for Bedford, but
I shall not accompany them. I am literally weak in the knees. Do
you go anywhere this summer? I have some idea of visiting Long
Branch or Cape May, for a few days, for sea bathing, but am
reluctant to leave home.

I suppose you are now in the midst of your harvest, enjoying the
delights of a country life and enacting the character of Farmer
Baker. May your barn overflow with plenty!

With my kindest regards to Mrs. Baker, Miss Emily and all, I
remain,

Very respectfully, your friend,
JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MRS. JOHNSTON.]

CAPE ISLAND, NEW JERSEY, August 14, 1867.

MY DEAR NIECE:—

I have received your favor of the 12th, and am rejoiced to learn
that you are now at Wheatland, where I hope you may remain until
the change of the season. You say nothing of the health of
baby;[186] but from your silence I infer this to be good. I do not
know exactly when I shall leave this place, but I think early next
week. I have been much pleased with my visit here, and have, I
think, been strengthened, but much more by the sea air than the
bathing. I am not quite certain that the latter agrees with me. We
have had a great crowd all the time; but the weather has been
charming and the company agreeable.

Mr. Bullitt of Philadelphia gave me a dinner the other day, which
I only mention from the awkward situation in which I was placed by
not being able to drink a drop of wine.

I am very well, thank God! Mr. Reed is expected this afternoon,
and Judge Black to-morrow.

With my kindest regards to Mr. Johnston and Miss Hetty, I remain

Yours affectionately,
JAMES BUCHANAN.

P.S.—I ought not to omit to mention the obligations I am under to
Mr. Baker for his kindness and attention.

Footnote 186:

This child, James Buchanan Johnston, an object of the fondest
interest to his great-uncle, grew to be a fine and very promising
youth of fifteen, of great loveliness of character and marked
intellectual powers. He died in Baltimore on the 25th of March,
1881. His younger brother, Henry, the only remaining child of Mr.
and Mrs. Johnston, was taken by his parents to Europe in the
autumn of 1881. He died at Nice on the 30th of October, 1882. Dark
clouds have gathered over lives that were once full of happiness
and hope.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MRS. SHUNK.]

WHEATLAND, near LANCASTER, September 2, 1867.

MY DEAR MRS. SHUNK:—

I know you will be glad to learn that I have so far recovered as
to be able to sit up and write to you my first letter since the
commencement of my very dangerous illness. Thank God! the doctor
gives me reason to believe I am now out of danger, and it has been
His holy will to spare me a little longer.

Next to heaven, my thoughts have been fixed upon a preparation of
my biography, as an act of justice to myself and the great men
with whom I have been associated. This work shall be immediately
prosecuted. I was rejoiced to learn from your favor of the 5th
ultimo that Mr. Shunk will give me the notes and the review.
Indeed, without the notes I know not how I could get along in
regard to my earlier life. I hope he will send me all, as all will
be useful. The slightest note will revive my memory......

I shall ever remember with heartfelt gratification the period
during which I enjoyed your charming society at Wheatland. I trust
you may visit me again before Mrs. Johnston leaves for Baltimore,
which will be on the first proximo.

With kind love to your mother, Mary and Jane, and my regards for
Mr. Shunk, I remain faithfully and affectionately your friend,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

P. S.—You will please to deliver the notes and review to the
bearer hereof, your old friend, James B. Henry, who will await
your convenience.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO J. BUCHANAN HENRY.]

WHEATLAND, September 23, 1867.

MY DEAR JAMES:—

I regret to say that I have not received Benton’s “Thirty Years,”
which you sent me by express some ten days ago. It has certainly
not reached the office at Lancaster. Will you look after it, and,
if not found, send me the receipt? I now need it.

The baby has been very sick, but probably not more so than what
often happens to children in their teething. Harriet became
alarmed and sent for Mr. Johnston, who is now here, but will leave
this morning. The child is greatly better, but has yet got no
tooth. He proposes to return and take his wife home the beginning
of next week......

My health and strength are improving daily, but, in opposition to
the doctor, I do not think the obstruction is entirely removed.

Yours affectionately,
JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MR. CAPEN.]

WHEATLAND, November 2, 1867.

MY DEAR SIR:—

Since the receipt of your favor of the 17th ultimo, I have had
another attack of my old enemy, the gout, in a severe form, from
which I am just now recovering. This is the only reason why I have
not sooner answered your letter and thanked you for your delicious
pears. I shall use them as time mellows them. Please to present my
grateful acknowledgments to Mrs. Raney for her contribution to the
delicious fruit which has afforded so much pleasure to her
father’s old friend.

I hear perhaps once a week from Mr. and Mrs. Johnston. Both, as
well as the little baby, are well.

I reciprocate your congratulations on the result of the late
elections, and I do not doubt that New York, New Jersey and
Connecticut will do their duty to the country. Still, it may be
too late to restore material prosperity to the Southern States.
The establishment of negro suffrage throughout their limits, as
well as negro government, will nearly destroy the production of
the articles which rendered both them and New England so
prosperous. I have always been very much of an optimist, but I
confess I have now greater fears for the future than I had during
the war. Should New England teaching in the South produce a war of
races, commenced by the negroes for rights in the soil of their
masters, which they claim under the teachings of Sumner, Stevens,
and other self-styled philanthropists, the result would be too
horrible for contemplation. But enough.

Your friend, very respectfully,
JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MR. CAPEN.]

WHEATLAND, October 19, 1867.

MY DEAR SIR:—

I have received your congratulations on the result of the late
elections with heartfelt pleasure. For this we are mainly indebted
to the attempts on the part of Congress to grant suffrage to the
negroes, although there are many other good causes for the
reaction in the popular mind. Negro emancipation is a fixed fact,
and so let it remain forever; but the high privilege of voting can
only be constitutionally granted by the Legislatures of the
respective States.

I am happy to inform you that, under the blessing of Providence,
my health has been restored to its former condition. Indeed, I
believe I am better than I was before my attack.

I have no news which would interest you except the old declaration
that I am now, and always shall be,

Sincerely your friend,
JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MR. BAKER.]

WHEATLAND, October 31, 1867.

MY DEAR SIR:—

I have just received a letter from Sample, who expresses a strong
desire to remain on the farm, and says that the impression he
intended to leave must have arisen from the fact that he has been
looking out for a farm for his brother. I shall not remove him.

The sting of the poisonous insect, whatever it may have been, is
now converted into a painful attack of gout in my left hand and
wrist. I have not been able to attend to the biography, or prepare
for Mr. Reed. I presume, however, that the trial of Jeff. Davis
will occupy all his thoughts until after it shall be over.

With my kindest regards to Mrs. Baker and my love to Emily,

I remain, always your friend,
JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MR. SCHELL.]

WHEATLAND, November 9, 1867.

MY DEAR SIR:—

I have received a proxy, to be signed by me, from Robert L. Banks
to H. Henry Baxter, to vote my shares in the New York Central Road
Company, at the approaching election for directors. Before filling
it up, I desire to know whether it is in accordance with your
wishes. I desire to vote according to your wishes.

You have done nobly in New York at the recent election, and your
Democracy have earned the gratitude of the whole country. _The
opposition to Negro Suffrage in the South_, as well as in the
North, has been the principal cause of our triumph everywhere.
Abandon this, and we are gone. The Constitution, as expounded by
the Democratic fathers, ought to be our watch-word. It is long
enough and wide enough to cover all our interests, and needs not
to be enlarged to suit our present size, as recommended by the
_World_. Emancipation is now a constitutional fact, but to
prescribe the right and privilege of suffrage belongs exclusively
to the States. This principle the Democracy must uphold in
opposition to the Reconstruction Acts.

I am getting along as usual, and have had much company of late.
The Misses Pleasonton have been with me for some weeks, and I find
their society very agreeable. I am sorry to say they will leave in
a few days.

Your friend, as ever,
JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MR. JOHNSTON.]

WHEATLAND, November 14, 1867.

MY DEAR SIR:—

. . . . . . .
.
. . . . . . .
.

I know how cordially welcome I would be at your house, but I fear
I shall not be able to pay you a visit for months to come. Like
all old men, I feel a very strong reluctance to leave home. The
idea of becoming dangerously ill away from home deters me from
going abroad. Although relieved from acute pain in my left hand
and arm, yet my hand is still so weak and swollen that I cannot
carve, and it is but a few days since I ceased to have the meat on
my own plate cut up for me. And to add to all this, my left eye is
now as black as if I had been fighting with shillelahs at
Donnybrook Fair. On Saturday last, supposing that I was at the
head of the steps on the front porch, I took a step forward as if
on the level, and fell with my whole weight on the floor, striking
my head against one of the posts. Thanks to the thickness and
strength of my skull, it was not broken, and the only bad
consequence from it is a very black eye. How soon this will
disappear I know not. I sincerely and devoutly thank God it is no
worse. During all this time, the Misses Pleasonton have been a
great comfort to me, and I am truly sorry they will leave me on
Tuesday next. I do not fear, however, that I shall be miserable
without them. I have had a good deal of transient company this
fall. But what a long rigmarole I have written.

. . . . . . .
.
. . . . . . .
.
. . . . . . .
.

I rejoice to learn that the baby is thriving so finely. Please to
remember me kindly to Miss Snyder, and with my best love to
Harriet,

I remain, your friend,
JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MRS. JOHNSTON.]

WHEATLAND, December 9, 1867.

MY DEAR NIECE:—

I have received yours of the 3d instant, and am happy to learn
that baby has recovered from the effects of his trip to New York.
You need not be sorry to hear that James left me as soon as I gave
him notice that I would not want him after the 1st January. I have
obtained a much better man, a Frenchman, for the month of
December. Indeed, he is so good, I shall be sorry to part from
him.

I was truly sorry to hear of the death of my kinsman, Mr. Russell.
He was an able and excellent man. It appears that he died a Roman
Catholic, which, doubtless, gratified his wife and family. I wrote
to her the day after I received the paper from you.

I perceive, by a cable despatch, that Mrs. Eustis is dead. I
sincerely sympathize with her father, although he behaved badly to
me, notwithstanding I rendered both her and him the greatest
service in my power. I always liked her very much......

I wrote a few days ago for Henrietta Jane, with a request that
either Harriet or Lois might accompany her. Edward’s answer,
without mentioning the name of Harriet, informed me that Lois
would follow Henrietta in two or three weeks. Thereupon, I wrote
to Henrietta, giving Harriet a kind and pressing invitation to
come in the meantime. It is doubtful whether she will accept it.
Henrietta is to be here on Wednesday, as well as Emily Baker, so
that I may expect a gay house......

I have no local news to give you beyond what you see in the
_Intelligencer_. The Nevins are as kind as usual. Blanche is an
excellent reader. The Doctor passed an evening with me a few days
ago. Robert has undoubtedly received great attentions from the
clergy in England, and has preached there once, if not oftener. I
was sorry to learn he was obliged to go to France on account of
his health.

I hardly know what to say in regard to my own health, though it
has been pretty good for the last two or three days. Even had Mr.
Reed been able to come here, I felt so dull and listless as to be
almost incapable of mental exertion. Writing was a great labor to
me. I have felt bright for a few days.

I fully realize the truth of the Psalmist’s expression, that “The
days of our years are three score and ten, and if, by reason of
strength, they be four score years, yet is their strength labor
and sorrow, for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.”
Nevertheless, I am neither dejected nor sorrowful, but preserve a
calm and tranquil spirit, thank God! My left hand is still feeble,
but is gradually growing stronger.

It is quite impossible that I should pay you a visit during the
holidays, though you must know I would be very happy to see you.
With my kind regards to Mr. Johnston, I remain, as ever, yours
affectionately,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO DR. BLAKE.]

WHEATLAND, December 25, 1867.

MY DEAR SIR:—

I owe you many thanks for your biographical sketch of Mr. Jones. I
have perused it with great interest and pleasure. It is a worthy
tribute to an excellent man. At the request of the first Mrs.
Webster and Mrs. George Blake, I accompanied them to the house of
Mrs. Mattingly, a few days after the alleged miracle had been
performed, and heard her own relation of all the circumstances
attending it from her own lips.

I have, also, to thank you for the report of the Secretary of the
Treasury.

Thank God! my own health is now pretty good—quite as good as a man
of my age has any reason to expect.

I have been cheered by the company of the Misses Pleasanton, and
after their departure by that of two of my nieces, the daughters
of my brother, and Miss Baker, who are still with me. They have
made the house gay and agreeable.

I have no local news to communicate which would be of any interest
to you.

I saw a telegram, some weeks ago, announcing the death of Mrs.
Eustis, and sincerely sympathize with her father on account of his
sad bereavement.

I presume the interest due on the Virginia bonds, on the 1st
January next, will not be paid. Should I be mistaken, please to
inform me of it, so that I may send you a draft on John B. Martin,
Cashier, for $220, as I did before.

Wishing you, with all my heart, long life, health and prosperity,
I remain, ever very respectfully,

Your friend,
JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MRS. JOHNSTON.]

WHEATLAND, January 1st, 1868.

MY DEAR NIECE:—

I have received yours of the 27th ultimo, and am rejoiced to know
that your health is good as well as that of baby. I sincerely and
ardently pray for your boy long life, happiness and prosperity,
and that he may become a wise and a useful man, under the blessing
of Providence, in his day and generation. Much will depend on his
early and Christian training. Be not too indulgent, nor make him
too much of an idol.

. . . . . . .
.
. . . . . . .
.
. . . . . . .
.

Miss Emily’s party passed off very well. She is gay, sprightly and
agreeable, and has much more information than I had supposed. Her
father is my best and most useful friend, who is always ready to
serve me, and I wished to treat his daughter kindly.

Harriet and Henrietta are still with me, but the former, I regret
to say, will leave some time next week......

We have no local news of interest. The Nevins and myself get along
kindly, as usual.

With my kindest regards to Mr. Johnston, I remain,

Yours, with great affection,
JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MISS BAKER.]

WHEATLAND, January 1, 1868.

MY DEAR EMILY:—

I have received your kind note of the 29th, and can assure you we
all missed you very much, and I was almost broken-hearted at your
departure. Still, I think I shall survive in the hope that you may
visit us again during the winter. I thank you for the _Church
Journal_. It must be a paper according to your own heart. I think
I can see you standing gracefully on the highest pinnacle of
Ritualism, and taking your flight over to Romanism. You will not
have a difficult passage to the dome of St. Peter’s.

John Strube has, I believe, got a place for the winter, but, I
have no doubt, he will gladly go to your father as a gardener in
the spring.

The two girls and Miss Hetty send their kindest love to you.

With my very best wishes for your health, prosperity and
happiness, I remain, respectfully and affectionately

Your friend,
JAMES BUCHANAN.

[MR. BUCHANAN TO MR. NAHUM CAPEN.]

WHEATLAND, January 11, 1868.

MY DEAR SIR:—

Many thanks for your kind New Year’s greeting! The friendship and
good wishes which you express for me are cordially reciprocated.
May you live many years in health, peace and prosperity, and may
your great work prove to be a triumph for yourself and a lasting
benefit for your country! I think you were right in not turning
away from it to write a volume of four hundred pages, as a
political hand-book for the next Presidential campaign. Such a
volume would be highly useful and important, but it may well be
prepared by Messrs. Burke and Gillet. Should they undertake the
task, I would suggest that you recommend to them a careful perusal
of the debates and proceedings of Congress during the extra
session, after the election of General Harrison (first Session of
27th Congress, 1841). Mr. Burke was then a member of the House.

Thank God! I now enjoy reasonably good health.

Your friend, very respectfully,
JAMES BUCHANAN.