This is an original handwritten letter written by Maynadier Mason (1807-1865), dated January 7, 1862, at Rome Georgia on letterhead from Confederate States of America, War Department, Ordnance Office in Richmond, Virginia. The letter is addressed to Miss Ellie Bouser who we learn from the letter was seeking a teaching position in some southern female seminary. In addition to chronicling is travels throughout the south inspecting ordnance in Virginia, Kentucky, Alabama and South Carolina, he also mentions in some detail the efforts of his son—Robert French Mason (1834-1902)—to rescue some slaves, particularly Charles and Buck, from the family plantation at Rose Hill that was occupied by Yankee officers in Union controlled Virginia on the outskirts of Alexandria. By the time of this letter, Robert was a member of J. E. B. Stuart’s Horse artillery and though he offered to make the daring rescue attempt himself, his father considered it too risky and persuaded him to try again by hiring a scout to perform the task. In the 1860 Slave Schedules, Maynadier Mason owned 17 slaves ranging in age from 1 to 65.

Maynadier concludes his letter by expressing his profound disappointment regarding the Lincoln Administration’s decision to release James M. Mason (his brother), and John Slidell, figures associated with the Trent Affair, believing that had they not been released, England would undoubtedly have entered the war by this point.

No doubt Maynadier Mason shared the same views as his more famous older brother, James M. Mason (1798-1871) who was a white supremacist. He believed that negroes were “the great curse of the country.” His solution to the “problem” of free blacks was returning them to slavery, stating they were better off enslaved in the United States than they could possibly be in Africa.” [Wikipedia]

T R A N S C R I P T I ON

Rome, Georgia
January 7th 1862

My dear Ellie,

I certainly had expected when last in Richmond to have received a communication from you. The last I heard of you was through your younger sister Tody. You were then sick and promised to write as soon as you were well and was very much disappointed in not hearing from you to tell me that you had recovered. I hope, however, when I reach Richmond which will be in about three weeks to receive a long letter.

Since 1st October, I have been traveling and seen a great many influential and wealthy gentleman and have endeavored to get you for you such a situation as I thought would suit, but find the distracted state of things in the South have thwarted all my efforts so far as a private families. I applied at Florence, Alabama; also in Kingville, South Carolina, to the female seminary, but found they had engaged their teachers. In any other times save these war times, there would be no difficulty, salary from 3 to 7 dollars per day. I shall be here for a few days proving cannon, thence to Nashville, Memphis, and Columbus, Kentucky, from there to this place and then to Richmond. I left Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on my last jaunt; took the East Tennessee route to Richmond, then to Manassas, [and] to Centerville to see Robert who is now there in search of news from Rose Hill. He told me he had engaged a scout at $50 to go to Rose Hill and bring Charles and Buck away. The scout returned (Rose Hill from Centerville is about 20 miles) and reported it is impossible as the house has been guarded for months and the officers made it their quarters. This the scout got from a black man who told him that Charles was dead, also four of his children. I can only infer that black man was Josh, Sophie’s husband.

I directed Robert to renew his efforts and give $100 to bring Buck away and see William Reid who may aid him. Robert said he would go himself. I told him not yet; [to] try your scout once more. I have no doubt with the aid of Mr. Reid it can be accomplished. Now is not this a sad and sorrowful story? And what has become of Mary, Mrs. Swain and Chip, Kitty, and Betsy? God only knows as neither Robert or myself have heard for three months and the scout could not learn from this black man—a sad and mournful story.

After I left, I wrote and begged Mary and Mrs. Swain to come to Fairfax Court House and I could get the Negroes away, but they [Mary & Mrs. Swain] preferred to remain to take care of the property. I write all this as I am sure you would like to hear from those who so much esteemed you. All this war news you see in the papers more than I do.

I wish the Yankees had not given Mr. Slidell & my brother [James M. Mason] liberty as they were very comfortable and well-treated at Fort Warren. John Bull would have soon raised the blockade and pitched into them by sea and the war would soon be at an end & have no doubt it will not be long before a quarrel is raised, if the Yankees have spunk enough to do so, and I do hope and trust if ever we should have a chance, to carry the war into Africa and shew them how pleasant it is to be driven from home, possessions, and all destroyed. You may rely on it if ever our army gets into [paper torn] will give them a sad retribution. But I’m at the end of my tether and must now close & hope to have a letter from you when I get to Richmond. With kind remembrances to all at home. Henry Dixon, or Dan Delany, I believe, are in Washington. when you write, tell me about Mrs. Dixon and the girls.

Yours most truly, — May’r Mason

[to] Miss Ellie Bouser