Franklin County: Edward McPherson to John B.
McPherson, June 11, 1857
Summary:
Edward McPherson notifies his father of his arrival in Philadelphia and describes
a visit to the Mint to purchase large amounts of cent notes and to order a
plate, for printing.
Monday, June 11. 57.
Philadelphia
My dear Father
I arrived here safely last night about 1, & stopped at the St. Lawrence.
This morning after breakfast, I went to the Mint -- [illeg.] before it
Sunday [illeg.], [illeg.], & [illeg.] &
inside a crowd of probably 200 in a row; each waiting his turn.-- The officer
politely invited me to take my place in the rear, informing me that it would be
2 o'clock before I would get through.-- Of course, my back rebelled at the idea
of such a martyrdom.-- I went to the office, talked with the clerks &
discovered (what I now recalled having read in the circular of the Director of
the Mint) that the [unclear: Adams]
[unclear: Express]
[page 2]
Company would deliver cents in quantities of $50 & upward
free of charge on all the notes.-- This is done by arrangement -- the Mint
paying the expense.-- I will go at once to the office
of the Company, deposit the money with them with proper instructions, take
receipt & have [illeg.] the box sent to my address, New York - to be there called for by
[unclear: Stockholders]. This will cost the bank
less freight [illeg.] than if I had the box to take home with me.
& is a better plan.-- I was glad to be reminded of the possibility of
this, for it at once releases me of what
[page 3]
would prove a tedious
detention. I will go also to the [illeg.] &c. this morning,
& do all the business I can.--
Our committee meeting will be full, from appearances. [illeg.] is here.
The Injunction will be argued here next Tuesday. [illeg.] [illeg.] will represent the company. The public appear to anticipate a refusal, but I have no reliable information.--
We found Mr. Drexel an agreeable companion as far as York [illeg.] [illeg.] day. I expect to call in a moment to see him.
Sarah found all at home about as well as usual.
I hope Aunt [unclear: Polly] has
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recovered.-- Give my love to
her & mother.
Yours
Edward
P.S. I open this letter to say that I have been to the
[illeg.].-- He preferred decidedly the picture taken in Philadelphia, thinking it would make the best of
me. The magnifying glass revealed the superiority of the former &
the defects of the latter, very clearly. -- They think the bank should have a steel plate. The
additional cost is but $50 & it will last while the Bank does.-- I
will go back to the Mint in the morning. This has been supply day for the
city, & the crowd has been greater than usual.-- Adams Express men
think I can have the cents forwarded more promptly dealing directly with the
Mint than through them.-- In either event, the [illeg.]
[illeg.] expense to York. I hope to effect an arrangement, and there
[deleted: will] may be some delay in getting the money.-- I
was at the stationer's & have everything fixed.-- The blanks will
not cost over $5 a ream on an average.-- The envelopes $3.25 per 1000. I
ordered 1000.-- I have Mother's Gelatine & corn starch &
after dinner will attend to other small matters.--
Edward
