Scope and Contents

Matthew seems to think the prospect of reunification [between the North and South] looks good and that, consequently, cotton prospects look bad; Matthew also expects Savannah to be captured soon; he disagrees, because Sherman has lost too much time; was sorry to hear about the deaths of Dr. Alexander and young Coles; heard that the Pres[iden]t [Lincoln] told Congress to offer money to slave states that free their slavesl thinks this is a foolish idea, because it would cost too much money if all the states complied; thinks Loncoln shoult not have given so many jobs to Republicans at the expense of Democrats when he needs to preserve unity; thinks Lincoln lacks common sense; thinks that if Congress levies a tax on the northern , they should tax the East and West equally; thinks that a flat tax would have been acceptable, because pepole would understand its necessity; Congress lacks the aristocratic element that the South provided; is sure the South misses the Northern common sense; likens the union of the North and South to that of a man and wife; thinks that a whole nation of cotton states would be absurd; people in England think that once the North establishes it's hold on the border states, the south will be invincible; thinks that it would be easier to take the South if the North had border states; thinks it would be better to conquer New Orleans than Richmond, Virginia; heard that the C[onfederate] S[tates of] A[merica] Legislature voted to burn all the cotton and and tobacco that the North might take; does not think this would happen; thinks that the rebel Army and Navy officers will not be able to find employment if the Confederacy loses; (20 March) still thinks that Tobin's plan to go to China is a bad one; spoke with Fontaine about the prospect of getting a job in Europe; Fontaine said that his Uncle Horatio [Hughes] suggested he go to India to work on the railways, but neither of them [Fontaine or Rutson] like this idea; Fontaine spoke of working as a draughtsman in designing; might go to talk to Mr. Watts, who is a lithographer; is glad Rutson is doing well; would not object to his going to Bogota, [Colombia]; hopes Mytton is careful with his kerosene oil lamps. 6pp. ALS