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Mosby, John S. (1833-1916) to: Sam Chapman

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03921.01 Author/Creator: Mosby, John S. (1833-1916) Place Written: S[an] F[rancisco] Type: Autograph letter signed Date: [1897]/07/25 Pagination: 3 p. Order a Copy

plans to travel east in September; view of President Cleveland and Democratic party; and opposition to coinage of silver: "If the people want cheap money give them old Confederate notes."

[draft]
Capt: S.F. Chapman 930 - Bush St. S.F.
Dear Sam - July 25th -
I have just recd. the enclosed from Willie - You see that he is both improving his mind as well as filling his purse. He is fond of reading & I encourage him in it - in this way he will prepare himself for something better - There are a good many books on the steamer, most of wh. he has read. This voyage I gave him several to read, among them The Memoirs of S.S. Prentiss, whom I regard as one of the most lovable [inserted: & wonderful] men that ever lived - William writes me that he has been transferred to St. Louis - Got a letter from [Munson] a few days ago - he had not arrived but Munson was looking for him & had invited him to stay sometime with him - He will like St. Louis - Munson knows a great many nice people there - I had a splendid time there last winter - Shall stop there again on my way East in September - when I hope also to see you. Did you see my last article in 'Once a Week'? I have been feeling a great deal of anxiety about Fount - he has been very sick with Typhoid Fever - but is now recovering. I don't suppose William will take [2] old Mrs. Jeffries to St. Louis. If Jesse James were living he might relieve William of any future care over her. Haven't heard from Major Dolly for a long time - never hear from Tom - I sent you two of Carlisle's speeches on the silver question - You know that I have always been opposed to full coinage of silver. It is simply a new phase of the old greenback currency - If you had one barrel of sugar & were to put enough sand in it to fill two barrels wd. you have any more sugar? You can't make people richer by debasing the currency. If the people want cheap money give [inserted: them] old Confederate notes - If the mere fiat of Government can create money why not make it out of iron, & declare that pound of gold shall be equal to a pound of iron - after the iron is coined. Cleveland has certainly done two good things - he has sat down the silver craze, & he has broken up the Democratic party - I wd. not be surprised if Kentucky goes Republican this fall - Willie is due here about August 14th - I have [struck: had] all three of my boys ([struck: at here] Willie - Clay - & Ernest) at work now. Love to your family.
Sincerely -
Jno: S. Mosby
[3] Remember me to my Cousins in Covington -

Mosby, John S.

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