Augusta County: John Marshall McCue to John Howard
McCue, February 12, 1858
Summary:
John Marshall McCue apologizes to John Howard McCue for his delay in answering
John Howard McCue's letter and assures him that he has followed the right course
of action in his financial difficulties. John Marshall McCue writes that the
legislature has been discussing a public printing bill, describes a speech given
by Mr. Dawson of Georgia concerning the purchase of Mount Vernon, and comments
that discussion has stalled in the legislature regarding the "Idiotic
School."
12 Feb /58
Ballard House
My dear Howard
I regret exceedingly that my delay for a day or two in acknowledging your favor of Monday may have caused the suspicion in your mind that I could under any circumstances have thought hardly of you--
My dear friend & relative, I do most sincerely sympathize and feel with you, but censure you or reflect upon you never Oh no never--and I do most sincerely regret that
I let my engagements in & out of the house, delay me in writing to
you--I had fixed on this evening to write at any rate
and a moment ago, in calling at the office for my letters &c found your
second letter--in which, I fear you feel that I have treated you badly or unkindly--I never
entertained the most remote opinion of the sort, and approve the course
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you have taken--I do not know that you could have done otherwise and I doubt
not it is all for the best--I know Cousin Liz well
enough to believe that she is just the sort of woman
to console you and sustain you in this emergency--God bless her--I wish there
were more like her--as I doubt not they will be found in emergencies--In regard
to the liabilities that I may have incurred by endorsing for you my dear
Cousin--do not let them disturb you in the least--I have not felt any anxiety on
that account--I assure you and although I myself in
common with all will feel & do feel this pecuniary pressure yet I hope I can get
along--I wish I had it in my power to aid you in this
your trying hour--I would do it most cheerfully--Bear up like a man--Let your
noble wife & your interesting family nerve your energies to meet any and
all
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responsibilities of any kind soever--It is always darkest just before day & I doubt not this will in
your case only be a momentary darkness--Imboden with me since I received yours--He said to me the
night I was at the Virginia Hotel he wanted to talk
with me about your matters--but the opportunity did not present itself before he
had to leave--
I reiterate, that you must not suppose for a moment that I reflect on you in any manner whatever--No, no, not in the slightest particular. Give much love to Cousin Liz for me--and assure her in the strongest language you can use--of my undiminished love and affection for her--and the full assurance I have always entertained that she will be equal to any changes of fortune either prosperous or adverse--and Heaven grant it may soon prove to be of the former character--
I have little to communicate of interest in legislation--Have spent nearly a [deleted: ] discussing the reports majority & minority in regard to the public printing & adopted the latter today cutting down the printing 25 percent--Had a Mr. Dawson of Georgia here last night to address the citizens on the subject of purchase of Mt. Vernon--and such a stupid & miserable bore as he proved himself to be--you could not imagine to yourself--and such a wet blanket as he has thrown over the whole subject only those who felt an interest in it, can believe--He is no relation of Honorable Wm C. Dawson deceased--formerly in U. S. Senate--but is a Kentuckian by birth of Virginia parents &c
Wm Ballard Preston was here a day or two ago--on [deleted: ] for Europe--Has succeeded to a favorable extent in his mission--
Not much said in regard to the Idiotic School--There will hardly be time I fear to get it through unless in an extra session.
It has been snowing industriously all day--Do you have a prospect of ice?
Please excuse the hurry & brevity of my letter--I want it to go by tomorrow's mail--Let me hear from you soon and believe me very truly & sincerely
Your relative & friend
J.M. MCue
