President Buchanan | Spared & Shared 23

It seems improbable that the identify of the author of this letter will never be revealed. From the content we learn that he was a resident of Georgetown, District of Columbia; that both of his parents were still living in 1861; that his father held some “office” of importance, and that he voted Republican despite having his job threatened for doing so. This implies to me that held a political patronage job in the central government. His initials appear to read “G. W.” but was it his first and last name or his first and middle name?

The author was likely affiliated with the Democratic Party and benefited from a political patronage position during the Buchanan administration; however, he assigns full responsibility to the Democratic Party for its inability to secure victory in the 1860 Presidential Election, attributing this failure to the party’s lack of unity in supporting a single candidate against the Republican nominee.

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

[Georgetown, District of Columbia]
October 29th 1861

My dear Uncle,

Your welcome letter has been received. We were all delighted to hear from you & yours & that you were all well. I wrote a short time ago in regard to those articles of furniture. Do you not think it best to dispose of them? particularly the carpets? The moth will eat them up. I really do not think they will ever get them again though no one can tell. I trust they may indeed.

You wrote me word that you were going to write Cowan a letter. I think upon reflection you had better not as he threatened to have Father turned out sometime ago. He may probably do more harm than good. Is Senator Cowan of Pennsylvania a brother of his? I should like very much to have some good paying place. I think after the treatment of the Democratic Party, I ought to have something. Although holding only a temporary place under government, I voted for the opposition candidate to the Democratic & at the last election for a regular Republican, when all were told they would be removed from their office if they either time, & I boldly & fearlessly did it in both instances.

I have always bitterly opposed Democracy in every shape & form, and was delighted when they were defeated & hope & pray to God they may never have the reigns again. They have broken up the glorious Union—one which could never be surpassed in this world & one which every American should be proud to live in. I glory in the Stars & Stripes. Oh! what a shame that such a country as ours should be degraded by a civil war. Had Old Buchanan only reinforced Fort Sumter, then, in my opinion, all this would have been prevented. I should have reinforced it at all hazards had I been the President.

There is a tremendous army here and General McClellan so far has proven himself a great man. It looks very lively here in Georgetown.

There is nothing new. I trust this may find you and yours all well. All are well here except Father. He has an awful cold. I am beginning to feel uneasy about him. He is advanced in life now and of course we cannot expect him to live a great while longer. His memory is a good deal impaired. Mother is unhappy about him. Please do not name it because should he hear it, he will give me beans. I trust his memory may last as long as life lasts. Otherwise, he may lose his Office & that would be a very sad thing & a melancholy one too. He looks very well but the slightest change gives him cold.

Well, I must close. Love to all. I tell you my little growing family makes me scratch my head some now. Reply soon & believe me yours sincerely, — G. W.

Your letter postmarked the 22nd I never received until the 27th, making five days. What is the cause? I presume the times makes a difference.

I initially endeavored to transcribe this letter in hopes of identifying its anonymous author, yet, regrettably, there are insufficient clues to arrive at a conclusive determination. My initial impression suggested a male author; however, the content, along with the handwriting and penmanship, compels me to surmise that it was a female addressing her sister. It is my assertion that she was the mother of the young boy referred to as “Willie” in this correspondence, who had the distinguished opportunity to shake President Buchanan’s hand during what was likely one of his final White House receptions prior to his departure from office, the last of which took place on 12 February 1861.

The author asserts that “Mr. Deming” was also present at the White House reception, and I am inclined to believe that he may have been her husband. During the mid-19th century, it was common for wives to refer to their spouses in such formal terms in correspondence. In my research for residents of Washington City in 1860 with the surname Deming, I identified a government clerk named Chester Deming (1814-1862), who had a son named William born in 1850; however, the extended family tree was not sufficiently detailed to establish a definitive connection.

I’ve published the letter on Spared & Shared regardless because I find the content interesting and hope you will too.

*Patriotic fervor in 1861 among the children. (LOC)*

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

Washington City
[Friday] February 15, 1861

Many, many thinks to you my dear sister for your kind letter. Truly it has been a long time in coming “not after it got started, however.” This difficulty seemed to be in getting it written. I hope that it will not take you quite so long next time. You ought to write to me every week. I should be so happy to hear from home and it would also be a benefit to you. I have been intending to write home for a number of days past in answer to Mother’s very acceptable letter, and the only reason why I have not done so is, that I do not stay at home long enough to accomplish anything. you would really think that I was getting to be guide dissipated if I should tell you that the greater part of my time this winter had been spent at “the Capitol.”

We are all enjoying good health. Indeed, I have not been so well for the last five years as now. I think if you were to see me you would say, “that sister looked just like old times.” Little Willie too is very well and enjoying himself very much. I told him what Aunt Lizzie said—that he must be a big boy by this time. “Well,” he said, stretching himself up in his chair, “Mama, so I am pretty big.” He and Coszy have fine times together playing soldier, flying kite, &c. He is very much interested in the military and now as the City is full of regiments and artillery companies, he is also full of excitement. He has just been down the Arsenal to see a company of “flying artillery” that arrived here a few days ago from West Point.

Two weeks ago Tuesday evening [February 1, 1861], Mr. Deming, William, and the two Willies attended one of the President’s receptions. When we were introduced to Mr. Buchanan, I told him that Willie “was a great Buchanan boy.” He then took him very heartily by the hand and said that he was “glad to know it.” This little incident in Willie’s early life will be something that he will always remember. He has also formed a deep seated attachment for his country. You would be greatly amused to hear him talk about the Union—the whole Union & with his little flag of 34 stars and 13 stripes, show forth his patriotism.

This winter you know has been one of unusual interest & excitement in our Country’s history—calling upon every Union-loving heart to yield if needs be & make sacrifices of party & platforms as good old Mr. Crittenden said, “to save our Country.” At times the threatening storm has really seemed to be almost upon us, but htus far our Heavenly Father has kept us from spilling one another’s blood. Our trust and hope is still in Him. He alone can save us and prosper us in the future as in the past—a united and happy people.

Well, my dear sister, how are you getting along with your studies? You do not say anything about them in your letter. I hope that I. am not to infer from this fact that you have no interest in them. No. I cannot believe this. But in your next letter will you not tell me all about your school studies &c. As I have often told you, dear Lizzie, and I repeat again, be faithful, be diligent, and persevering. You will certainly regret it to your hearts sorrow by and by if you. are [ ] in the time to fill your mind.

P. S. Please give much love to Uncle George & family. Also to dear Aunt Fannie for William and me.