Polk Family Papers Box 9 Document 29

POLK Letters: November 27, 1858

1858, Nov. 27

Bishop Polk, New Orleans, La. to Bishop Elliott, re: urging him to reply to his previous letters; his anxiety over getting the address and maps sent out; most emphatically stressing the importance of this act, stating that he would take the responsibility for the expenditure and will see that the board pays for it. 4 pp. ( 1 Mss. original, 1 typed copy, 1 Photostat copy ).

New Orleans Nov 27. 1858.

My dear Elliott,

I wrote you on the 28. ult on the subject of the address, & {illegible: feel? put?} you some thanks of {illegible: sab?}{illegible} as {illegible: forms?} for your approval to which as yet I have received no reply.

I am often asked about the address & should like to be able to give an answer.

Will you please write me at your earliest {illegible: because?} when it may be expected. It is of the utmost importance now(underlined} that there should be no longer delay.

We should be getting ready to raise the {illegible: wind?} & I am satisfied the most important matter now{underlined} before{underlined} us{underlined} is the raising the {illegible: wind?}. All other things can wait. This cannot. We have

now the much {illegible} from {illegible} throughout the South, & we should take advantage of the tide while it is {illegible: flush? flood?}.

I gave in to your {illegible} on the subject of the local{underlined} {illegible underlined} out of {illegible: difference?} to the {illegible: appen? appre?}{illegible: hended?} {illegible: clauses?} of certain extra {illegible: ecumenical? economical?} gentlemen among the laity. I did not do it in compliance with my own judgment. I have since reflected upon the matter & regret I did not urge its {illegible: inclusion? Except there is clearly a "t"}. To leave it out is a mistake. It ought to be included. In such a matter expenditure made to furnish information is among the cheapest that may be made. Sad in such a matter as that we are engaged in a few hun-

dred dollars more or less in such a time is nothing & our people will think so. It should go to the general account of contingent expenses. & to baulk at it is {illegible} penny wise & pound foolish

That much would I know afford us -- you & I -- a {illegible: little?} from {illegible: which?} to {illegible} the work telling {illegible} & people who have no imagination & who must see, or see the picture of, every thing to understand it.

To that, my dear fellow, if you can not do it I should hope you would have it included, especially as I suppose we shall have to pay the {illegible} {illegible: four?}{illegible: thirty?} as a {illegible: compromise?}. You say they {illegible: lied? hid?} about the {illegible: matter?} & you didn't like to be used

suppose they did & suppose you {illegible: don't?}. While it is a part of our {illegible: proposal?} in all this thing we are about to get up an establishment {struckthrough: for} to {illegible abate?} {illegible: lying?} & to {illegible: foster? factor?} a becoming sense of self respect, I do not think this is the point at which to begin the work. Let him lie & play the {illegible}, we can better afford this than do without his work. This must pass that ex{illegible: penditure?} to profit & loss & do better next time. A {illegible: leading?} {illegible} of the enterprise of this state saw that {illegible} in {illegible} {illegible} was {illegible} with it & {illegible: who?} the idea of having it {illegible: answer?} {illegible} the address. If you can therefore, I say let us have it. I will {illegible: become?} {illegible: responsible?} for the expenditure & will see that the board pays it.

Do, my dear fellow, let me hear from you yours truly.

L. Polk.