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Date Original
1861 March 30
Description
Letter from Samuel L. Griffith to David C. Williams requesting 500 copies of Washington's Farewell Address to help gain Union support and to discuss his critics from the Times and Herald over his stance against secession.
Transcription
[Page 1] Fort Smith Mch 30 1861
Mr D.C. williams
Dear Friend
If you have had
Washingtons formal address printed, send me
500 copies-it must be placed
in the hands of all men-not only so, but
we must spend our money freely for good
union papers-the people must have union
papers to read-but I need not tell you
of the necessity of this. I feel the
great necessity of its being done imme-
diatly-No time should be lost-the
mind of the people must be prepared
for the poisonous influence of lying
secession papers, and foul speeches
from men, reckless and desperate political
gamblers, who would stake the destiny
of the union upon a game of cards
and play that game upon the grave
of their Fathers.
You doubtless have no-
ticed the foul attack made upon
me by the filthy sheet published here
the Times & Herald. My friends here
held a large meeting night before
last-and passed very complimentary
[Page 2] resolutions, approving my course in the
convention, and censoring the edition of
the Times & Herald for the foul charge made
against me. Now friend Williams, I
assure you I never in my life had my
feelings so hurt, coming as it did from
a man toward whom I had always
entertained the kindest feelings-which I
thought was reciprocal-an acquaintance
too of 22 years. I had flattered myself
that I had at least succeeded in building
up a reputation for truthfulness and honesty
which was the greatest object and consolative of life
I would not exhange
the name of an honest man, for all the
gold of California. While said that
my appointment to the office of super-
-intendant" in place of Rector acc-thus saying that I have been bought by
Lincoln. The misfortune of my life has
given me so much trouble and pain.
The resolutions above referred to will
be published in the Press- will not my
old and true friends- those who have
known me longest and best. Mr. Turner
Maj Henry, Capt Pennyest, Mc(?) Scott
Messers. Morrill & Marian, Ogden, yourself, & others do me
the justice to note the resolutions.
[Page 3] in the
same number of the Press, in such a man
-ner as they may think best and due me?
I have never sought to be, am not, nor
never will be a politician- have not
applied for any office, nor do I ever
expect to do so-and send me 100
copies of the same paper, to send my
friends through this county.
I met Wheeler yesterday on the
street-he offered me his hand- I told him
I took his hand but it was to bid him
farewell forever-that henceforth
we would be as strangers-that I was
very sorry, but he had him-
-self severed the tie of friendship
between us. This perhaps may not be
christian-life, but I could not keep it,
and if wrong, hope God will forgive
us both.
In great haste
Yr Frd Truly
Sam.L.Griffith
P.S.
Mayers noticed me yesterday in the Par-
-allel in a manly and dignified man-
ner. Wheeler I hear is now very
sorry for what he said of me.
Physical Description
Letter, 3 pages, 9.75" x 7.75"
Subjects
Correspondence; Civil War; Political activity; Newspapers
Contributor
Samuel L. Griffith
Geographical Area
Fort Smith, Sebastion County (Ark.); Van Buren, Crawford County (Ark.)
Language
English
Identifier
MS.000086
Resource Type
Text
Collection
Clara Bertha Eno collection, MS.000086
Publisher
Arkansas State Archives
Contributing Entity
Arkansas State Archives
Recommended Citation
Letter, Samuel L. Griffith to David C. Williams, Clara Bertha Eno collection, Arkansas State Archives, Little Rock, Arkansas.
Rights
Use and reproduction of images held by the Arkansas State Archives without prior written permission is prohibited. For information on reproducing images held by the Arkansas State Archives, please call 501-682-6900 or email at state.archives@arkansas.gov.
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