Franklin County: Samuel G. Lane to Edward McPherson,
March 3, 1860
Summary:
Samuel G. Lane asks Edward McPherson to approach [Simon] Cameron in support of
the request for a loan by the proprietors of "The Times."
March 3d, 1860
Chambersburg
Dear Sir:
Messrs. Frey & Foltz, proprietors of "The Times," have unexpectedly
become embarrassed financially by the sudden withdrawal of one of their backers,
who had engaged to supply them with their Spring payments. A very trivial Social
misunderstanding has excited the aforesaid gentleman's incorporated, and although he is a brother of one of the
firm, he refuses his promised aid just now when it most urgently needed. They
Know not where to look for assistance at so late a period, and it having been
suggested to them that [unclear: Mr.] Cameron is perfectly able to
render them timely help, they have requested me to
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make the
application for a bona fide loan. They need $1,500 or $2,000, and will be able
to furnish good and ample security for that sum, and will pay whatever rate of
interest may be properly demanded. This is a simple business transaction, and is
just such an application as would be made to any man whom they thought had the
means; and as has already been made to persons here, who would have assisted
them had they been in possession of the funds. They are aware that a
misconstruction may be put upon this, but they earnestly declare that they apply
to [unclear: Mr.] Cameron only because they think that he may have it in
his power to accomodate them, and because he has often come to the rescue of
young men; and not at all with any false ideas of the matter, and because of Mr.
C's
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present relations to the party. Unless they can procure such
security as would satisfy any money lender, they would not expect to be helped.
I have no personal interest in this affair, for although I am acting editor of
the paper, my salary is perfectly sound.
I have taken the liberty of addressing you on this point, as I think you could bring it before Mr. C in such way as to dissect the application of any seeming indelicacy, and present it, (as it is honestly) as a purely business one. If you see it in another light, I wish you to decline it at once, for we have too high a respect for you and your honorable position to wish you to engage in anything questionable or indelicate.
It is said to be a common
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thing to ask Mr. Cameron for direct
donations, and of course at this time, many such solicitations are made; but
this has nothing of that character, being, as I have before said, only a simple
business transaction such as they would make with Bigler or anybody else, who could afford the aid.
In compliance with the request of the boys I have laid this matter before you. They have no fear of the people of this vicinity not sustaining their paper, as it is growing rapidly in public favor and is doing a fine business. You understand why this can be so, & [unclear: they] yet need help.
Permit me to congratulate you upon your recent speech, which has given us the greatest satisfaction, & which I see so generally complimented. [deleted: ] all hope that you may long live to adorn this district in the National [illeg.] & to reap higher deserved honors.
Respectfully
S. G. Lane
Honorable Edward McPherson
