Lewis, Amos (1785-1876) to Seth Lewis
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03229.01 Author/Creator: Lewis, Amos (1785-1876) Place Written: Magnolia, Wisconsin Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 16 January 1863 Pagination: 2 p. : envelope ; 31.2 x 18.9 cm. Order a Copy
Lewis writes an eloquent letter to his nephew Seth, in Marshall, Michigan. Comments on the Civil War, his good health, and his ability to make a good living despite "the high prices of all we have to buy and the low rates of what little we have to part with." Discusses family, noting that of three relatives in the army, none have been harmed. His son, Eber, is due to visit, and his daughter, Esther, is a matron in the Springfield, Missouri hospital. Writes again 21 January, noting that Eber arrived. Requests a copy of the newspaper, "The Statesman," if Seth can afford it. Relates that the Emancipation Proclamation has been issued, and wonders how it will be enforced. Writes a note at the bottom of page two, discussing his loss of patriotic fervor: "When war began I was full of patriotism as my skin could hold, nothing hindered me from taking up arms but age and infirmity, but my skin is so porous it has in a great degree escaped and mingled with the darkened atmosphere that seems to hang like a funeral pall over the nation: My ardor which seemed to burn like torrid heat has turned to the temperature of the frigid zone... does the God of Heaven mean to destroy both north and south for our national Sin the abomination of human bondage." Envelope contains 3 one cent stamps.
[excerpt]
The partial Proclamation has gone forth from the White House that the slaves of rebels shall be free while the slaves of union men are to remain in bondage till dooms day unless their masters are willing to sell them to the government for a stipulated price.... But how is the Proclamation to be enforced? Through fields of blood and carnage, sounding in death groans, for the rebels will never surrender their long loved institution only at the cannon's mouth and the point of the bayonet. Why did not the Doctor remove the cause before the Patient was worn out by the disease; he knew how but was afraid to administer the proper remedy for fear the bill would, not be large enough or that the border states would be lost to the Union.
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