Tyler, John (1790-1862) to Robert Tyler

Sherwood Forest
March 8. 1859
My dear Robert:
Healy's portrait of me is certainly admirable. He spared no pains upon it, and seemd to me to be working for the immortality which a first rate picture bestows upon the artist. He writes me that it is his intention to exhibit it at the annual exhibition of paintings in New York, I think in April. I suppose he places it with Easle for a frame- would it not remunerate an engraver. I have been often mortified at the misrepresentations of me which are occasionally seen in the print shops -
I have like yourself been struck with the rilease of the Enquirer relative to my late address in Williamsburg. I handed it over to a committee of the Alumni who propose publishing all the proceedings in Pamphlet form your good friend the reporter for the N. Y. Herald came down two days before the celebration, and made a copy of the address and accompanied me to Wmsburg. He said to me that he should forward all the proceedings to the Herald, but we hear nothing further of [them]. [2] You will be pleased with the address when you see it. I never know any thing take better. W. R. Saunders who is [illegible] of compliments and has stood until lately much upon reserve towards me expressed himself kindly and warmly about it to me I took occasion to say that I estimated his good opinion most highly. I suppose that the pamphlet will see the light in a few days.
A letter from James Semple puts me at ease relative to his accounts. He must be urged continually to vigilance. [text loss] has been here some days and is now with [text loss]. He is wholly engrossed with speculations about the future of America and seems to have marked out for himself no chart of life. Considering his undoubted Talents and information he constitutes an anomaly in the human race. I propos'd to write Floyd a private letter asking employment for him in a distant territory, but he gave such an answer as will most probably deter me from doing so. The future is a blank to him I fear- But I bid adieu to this painful subject.
We shall commence rebuilding the old College at an early day- Some $10,000 have been subscribed by private individuals.
[3] My health has been better during the winter than for many years past. If I can avoid taking cold I indulge the hope of shaking off my old disease. However it is a hard matter for one who in a year more will be a septuagenarian to rally thoroughly.
The Country I fear, is in a bad state. The dissensions existing among the Democrats, augur success to their opponents, and yet their quarrel is about a mere abstraction- as to which I think the Douglass men and Northern Democrats are wrong- but it is after all a mere abstraction. A cotton region will have slaves, while a grazing country does not want them.
Julia writes in love to Priscilla and the children and in affectionate regards to you.
Yr. Father,
J. Tyler

Ro. Tyler Esq

[docket]
March 8. 1859
- Healy's portrait
- Address at Williamsburg
Discussions in the Democratic party