Letter to Spotswood W. Corbin, 1865

Scope and content:

Written from the Office of Colonization, 13 Calle San Juan de Letran, Mexico. Letter comments about colonization effort and false rumors that Matthew Fontaine Maury has requested a pardon from the United States government.

Language:

English.

Other descriptive data:

fr. Manhattan - recd. by R.M. 18 Nov a.m. in company with a shorter letter to himself and a short note to Mr. Thos. Bold, but none others.

To Mr. S.W. Corbin

My dear Corbin

I am not a seer, nor can I control events. I may want to go to the U.S.: I may want to go to Siberia: but when the time comes, then there will be time enough also to decide as to the way.

I have asked, and the Emperor has ordered the authority to be given, to make Dick my Sub. at $2500."(salary.)" I have not been officially informed of it yet: but he has been hard at it in the traces.

As to the success of Colonization, those "ifs" which have hitherto prevented me from calling you and Nannie here, are still in the way.

Mexico has been trying for 40 years to put the tide of immigration this way, it can't. - I have from the beginning told the Emperor I must have full sway in the matter. - otherwise I couldn't. This sway has not been given yet: and in the mean time many immigrants have come,- knocked, and no one opening. they have gone away. - As I have always said, if colonization fails, Mexico is no place for me. But before I set about to hunt a place to die, I wish to make the experiment. Where that place is, I cannot tell: - it may be Farley Vale - it may be Old England. - But of I stay here that long, I shall want you to come out a little after this time next year, look at the country and bring Nannie. - It will take you two months: - 2 weeks to come, a month to stay, and 2 weeks to go.

I am now in a condition to support my family again in their wonted comfort; and that's a great blessing for a man who has done all the foolish things attributed to "Matthew F." This is early. I have not seen Dick. I wait with some curiosity to see if Dab: and Will between them, will in that free country of theirs, dare to publish our Decrees etc., etc. - Kiss "(I know not whether it is "Maria or 'Mama", or what)" for me.

Yours affectionately,

[Note by the copyist] There are 3 copies hereof; of which one goes to Nannie, another to Betty, and the 3rd will go to Mrs. M.F. - on 22 Nov [ ] Cunard str. from Boston. The letter to myself encloses a draft for £100 to repay my advances for Dick. Except that it does not name the application for Dick, the invitation to Mr. & Mrs. Corbin or the remarks about Will and Dab: it is to the same purport as this: and I sent a copy of it today (18th)Nov.) to Mrs. M.F. under cover to Mr. Bold. R.M.

Subjects:

Mexico—History
Correspondence

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