Letter: John G. Parliman to Aaron Olmstead
Aaron Olmstead II (associated with)
November 16 1844 (Earliest/Latest dates)
Paper, Ink
9 15/16" H
X
7 13/16" W
Letter written from Poplar Plain, Westport, Connecticut resident John G. Parliman to Aaron Olmstead of Wilton, Connecticut. Dated November 16, 1844, the letter discusses Parliman's hope to see Olmstead soon despite some financial difficulties, as well as the recent presidential election of 1844 and it's implications for abolition in the country. Letter reads:
Poplar Plain Nov 16th, 1844
Friend Olmstead,
I have been trying for about a week to get away long enough to come up and see you but have not been able. The truth is I am quite out of change or ready and though I do not intend this as a [illegible] yet if you could raise some 25 or 30 dollars for me in the course of a week or so it would accommodate me much. I am at my school and like it very well so far- have about twenty five scholars most of them pretty well disposed. The parents too seem quite sociable and accommodating. My school house is on the road to Norwalk and about three miles from that place and two or three and a half from Betts’ store and as it will not be much out of your way to go to Norwalk through here I would like to have you come this way occasionally and give me a call. Since I saw you the people have given their suffrage for the chief magistrate. The result is anything but what might have been expected from a generous, intelligent and noble minded people. But the result shows but another black leaf in the book of abolitionism for, while they have been pretending good to the slave they have voted Polk or rather Calhoun the worst ultra pro slavery man in existence into power and such a direct increase of the slave power and slave chains by the annexation of Texas as to perpetuate it forever and render futile every succeeding attempts which they may make for its abolition hereafter. But the story is told and the consequences must be borne by them equally with us who would have had it otherwise.
Remember me in much friendship to yours’ and except [sic] of my warmest wishes for your welfare.
Yours,
John G. Parliman
Poplar Plain Nov 16th, 1844
Friend Olmstead,
I have been trying for about a week to get away long enough to come up and see you but have not been able. The truth is I am quite out of change or ready and though I do not intend this as a [illegible] yet if you could raise some 25 or 30 dollars for me in the course of a week or so it would accommodate me much. I am at my school and like it very well so far- have about twenty five scholars most of them pretty well disposed. The parents too seem quite sociable and accommodating. My school house is on the road to Norwalk and about three miles from that place and two or three and a half from Betts’ store and as it will not be much out of your way to go to Norwalk through here I would like to have you come this way occasionally and give me a call. Since I saw you the people have given their suffrage for the chief magistrate. The result is anything but what might have been expected from a generous, intelligent and noble minded people. But the result shows but another black leaf in the book of abolitionism for, while they have been pretending good to the slave they have voted Polk or rather Calhoun the worst ultra pro slavery man in existence into power and such a direct increase of the slave power and slave chains by the annexation of Texas as to perpetuate it forever and render futile every succeeding attempts which they may make for its abolition hereafter. But the story is told and the consequences must be borne by them equally with us who would have had it otherwise.
Remember me in much friendship to yours’ and except [sic] of my warmest wishes for your welfare.
Yours,
John G. Parliman
2004.53.23