Letter from John McConihe to John Kellogg, May 6, 1861
In this May 6, 1861 letter from John McConihe to his friend and business partner, John Kellogg, McConihe tells of his lack of success in freighting goods to Denver (a failure he blames on the Civil War curtailing westward migration) and his decision to quit the venture. He also expresses his disappointment in the territorial government and about the handling of the Civil War. He closes the letter on a happier note, congratulating Kellogg on his impending marriage and graduation from the "Bachelor circle".
Omaha
May 6th 1861
Dear John
Yours of the 24th ult. came to hand by Saturdays mail and I was right glad to read your long and interesting letter.
Accept my thanks for your many kindnesses and believe me they never will be forgotten.
My teams returned on Saturday in good order, and no accidents, and I have concluded to cease freighting for the present. We have not disposed of one dollars worth of our goods at Denver, and I do not feel inclined to risk more. Had our National difficulties been peaceably settled, the troops remained at the Forts and the emigration not frightened off, I should have made a big thing this summer. My circumstances were such, my arrangements so complete and your assistance so generous that I could not lose but must win. But the Emigration is all for Cali-
fornia, everybody is afraid of the Indians and consequently no money flows into Denver. Unless I can get goods of other parties I shall draw out and wait for better times. My partner has not yet come in, but is on the road and will be here this week. If we can get freight of other parties, we may send teams back and I shall await the arrival of Clopper before I determine definitely about selling out the stock. We have now fourteen head of fine animals and all equipments for the road and it is a shame to be broken up in this way. Still I will assume no more risks.
I look by each express for money from Denver. Should have received some on Saturday, but suppose the market continues dull. The articles will keep and must sell soon. I based all my calculations on remittances from there and have been wofully [sic] disappointed. But such is the fate of all men and I feel that soon we will all be relieved. We are as much disappointed by Gov-
ernment, as at Denver. No salaries have come this quarter and the U.S. Marshal and Secretary are broke. Let us have faith and our energy well applied will take us all through these direful times.
Friend John, I do not know, I cannot see, what is to be the fate of our Country. Everything looks gloomy and dark to me in the future. Are we to subjugate the South and can it be done? If it is done, what have we accomplished? Will our Republican form of Government remain and how long must war continue? All these and many other questions bring gloomy forebodings to my mind. I deprecate the war and believe it might have been avoided. But it is upon us, in all its fearful realities, and I say sustain the Government, bear aloft proudly the ensign of our Union, and never let the Stars and Stripes be trailed in the dust. Perish all first. But let us keep our temper and scout down all atrocities, hold back the ruffians and fight as a Civilized people. The East seems
to me to be frenzied. Everybody is going to war under excitement, as if to a feast. George Law recommends the people to wipe out Balitmore, the Tribune calls on desperadoes to maraud thro' the South, and infact all sorts of extravagances have usurped the seat of a cool - calm - judgement. Perhaps when the first excitement has died out, the determined purpose (to some purpose) of the people will evince itself. Let us hope so at least. I am willing to fight for our flag and sustain our form of Government, but I am not willing to enlist in barbarous warfare. Prosecute the war to the end, but do it in a Christian manner.
When are you to get married? I wish you much joy upon your stepping out of the Bachelor circle. It will do you good, although you are a very good man, for a single one. No such prospects of happiness are before me and to all appearances I shall drag out several years of a bachelors life yet. My regards to "Frankie" & everybody.
Your friend
J McC
