Foreword
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This group of letters turned up
at the Missouri State Historical Society in St. Louis. They supplement
the larger collection of similar letters excerpted in our Massey
Appendix XLVII. I have again purposely omitted the chit-chat
between the two men about local politics, of interest, really, only to
them. This group of letters contains almost nothing about 6.Benjamin Franklin
Massey's personal life, but he occasionally expresses his personal
views in interesting language. The openings and closings of B.F.
Massey's letters are also interesting and both men appear to have
private understandings that they never put into intelligible wording.
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I have put the excerpts of these
letters in chronological order; but I have not combined Massey
Appendix XLVII and Massey Appendix LVIII into one chronological
sequence.
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The Excerpts:
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Sarcoxie
Aug 6th 1843
Thomas Reynold's [Governor of Missouri]
Dr Sir - your favor of the 15th Just has come to hand. Have secured
copies of the "Standard", but Democrats in this portion of the State
will not subscribe to it. They feel strongly in their own Democratic
faith that they won't subscribe to any central Democratic Government.
The Whigs are organizing in the South West and are establishing a Press
in Bolivar, but I feel that Nationalizing will get them no more than
one Whig for every ten Democrats, but I expect them to better sustain
their Paper than the Democrats sustain the "Standard".
Democrats here in the S. W. are perfectly satisfied with what the
Democratic members of the Legislature did in the matter of the
Presidency, and my opinion that a State Convention to be held in the
early Spring will be equally approved.
I am also certain that Van Buren is much stronger in Missouri than any
other candidate mentioned for the Presidency.
I have heard little of the State office for Governor, but Edwards has
been favorably received, and I feel that he is pretty strong for
Governor. I have a partiality for Parcon Hardin for any station,
although I have not mentioned the office of Governor to him.
With Statements of Esteem
I am very Sincerely Yrs.
B.F. Massey
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Jefferson
City Feby 5. 1859
Doct. J.F. Snyder
Recd yrs of the 24th.
It is a great relief to have two win, in a Deliberative Body, even
though politically speaking, they be Grand Rascals. The present
Legislature is composed of Members who nominally are respectable in
person, interest and talent, but so similar that the whole affair is
necessarily monotonous.
As to the bonding matter, opinion got afloat that Stewart was anxious
that a certain sort of Bill should pass, and it was quite sufficient to
back it. I think, as you do, that there is power in the Executive to
attend to this. If not, there should be a general Law.
As to what you say of Freemen, his opinion of the Law Makers and the
Secrets of the Inner Circle, I am satisfied that nothing is being done
about the election next year. The Legislative Houses are much engaged
and perplexed about the Rail Roads, Banks and Savings Institutions.
These are matters of great importance, involving, as they do, great
interests. With me, there would be no difficulty at all; I would adopt
such measures, and would pursue such a course, as to free the
government from any Speculative Projects as soon as possible. The
interests of a few, however, nnnn by a regular system of nnn claims,
the Legislature becomes to such an extent blended with the interests of
all (in the opinion of some) that it is impossible now to operate them
without doing unfavorable injury to anybody. It that were a fact (and I
by no means admit that it is) all legislation of that character should
be exterminated, root and branch.
I think that Freeman is not personally or politically sufficiently well
known to qualify him for a place on the State Ticket.
The Douglass Resolution elicited little attention in the House, and
somebody feel it as an attempt by Mr. King to get into communion with
Democracy. Some one ought to invent some way to permit gentlemen who
have gotten out of harness, to get back in, if they have only slightly
strayed.
I have heard nothing of Paris' RailRoad, nnnn or Probate Court Bills,
but suppose he will have no difficulty about them.
It is very doubtful, I think, whether there will be a Dollar more, for
any Bonds loaned to any RailRoad Company, at least at this Session; not
because the present Legislature is one whit less reckless than others
are their particular, but because the amount, above 4 1/2 Millions, is
sufficient to command votes enough to pass it. If this case could be
confined to old Roads, they could pay up and divide out this small sum
very quickly, but there is such a host of new Projects, whose friends
think that they have a much better claim on the 4 1/2 Million than the
old Roads, that is apparent that any Bill would be defeated. If I am
correct in this I think that all the Speculators will be mad with each
other; and a Proposition to place the whole of it in the Sinking Fund
may carry.
There was a Democratic caucus Saturday night and it was complete
confusion because Parsons was a prominent participant. I tell you;
Democracy in Missouri is a decade in the past. Nevertheless, I fell
that Democracy will carry the flag for some time to come, not because
there is more virtue in the Democratic Party as a whole, but because
there is none at all in the opposition.
They say the darkest time is just before Day, and if this is so, the
Democrats in Missouri must be about it.
Write often
Yrs truly
B.F. Massey
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Jefferson
City March 26, 1860
Col J.F. Snyder
Dr. Sir - Yours of the 23rd just recd.
The Land Tax matter has been attended to long since, as far as I could
attend to it.
The Application has been filed at the Office of Registration of Land;
but a vast amount of Land Tax is paid here, and during the coming in of
the Collection, and the sitting of the Legislature, the clerks are
often weeks behind. I will try to get it attended to as soon as
possible.
The Governor an the Legislature got tangled. The Railroad Bill passed,
but the Governor has had the Bill several days, and there is doubt
whether he will sign it.
The Railroad men are very hostile, and if he don't sign it, Oh!
Jerusalem, won't he catch it!
I am told half the Delegates favor Buchanon and even more for Jackson.
Yrs truly
B.F. Massey
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Jefferson
City Feb 8, 1859
Doct J.F. Snyder
Recd yrs of the 24th. I have been waiting for several days for
something to happen before I wrote you, but nothing is happening or
likely to happen.
It is some relief to have a Smart Man or Two in a deliberative body
win, though they should be, politically speaking, Grand Rascals. The
present Legislature is composed of members who are nominally
respectable in person and in talent, but only respectable, and they are
all so respectable alike that the whole affair is monotonous,
necessarily so.
I notice what you say as to the border matters, and opinion got afloat
the Stewart was especially anxious a certain sort of a Bill should
pass, and that it was quite sufficient to beat it.
I think as you do that their is power in the Executive to affect this
business, if this not there should be a general Law.
In reference to what you say of Freeman, his opinion of the Law Makers
and the Secrets of the Inner Circle, I am satisfied there is as
yet Nothing being done as to preparation for the Election next year.
The first, second and third houses are now very much engaged and
Perplexed about Rail Roads, Banks, and Savings Institutions.
These are things of great importance, involving as they do great monied
interests. With me there would be no difficulty at all. I would adopt
such measures, and pursue such a course as would free the government
from any Speculators Project as soon as possible. The interests of a
few however nnnn by a regular system of Claims nnn legislation becomes
to such an extent blended until the interests of all (in the opinion of
some) that is impossible now to nnnn them without doing unfavorable
injury to anybody. It that was fact (and I by no means admit that it
is) it would only be an unreasonable reason why all legislation of that
character should be exterminated and root and branch.
I think the chances of Freeman getting a place on the State ticket is
not very encouraging, not that I am heard any one say a work about it,
but I think he is not either personally or politically sufficiently
well known to justify him in expecting such a thing.
The Douglass resolution elicited but little attention in the House and
now out of it. It was an effort on the part of Mr. King, I suppose to
get into Communion again with Democracy. Some one ought to know a way
by which when gentlemen get out of harness they may be able to get back
again; without getting back reflecting on themselves in any way. This
is a very Difficult thing to do, and I am certain it is a difficulty
that has kept many from getting back among those from whom they may
have slightly strayed.
I have heard nothing of Paris railroad charter or Probate Court Bill,
but suppose he will have no difficulty about either.
It is very doubtful I think whether there will be a dollar now if Bonds
loaned to any railroad company, at least at this session. This will not
result because the present Legislature is on whit less reckless than
others in this particular, but because the amount, above 4 1/2 million
is not sufficient to satisfy enough interests to command votes
enough.
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Jefferson
City June 3, 1860
Col. J.F. Snyder
Dr. Sir - Yours of 21st May and 29th May both rec'd, and I have not
answered them.
My pen has not worn our, nor has my inkstand gone dry, but I have been
very much engage recently and the nights have got short.
I have been preparing some articles which I intend to be published in
the Advertiser; I sent it to them because it has more circulation in
the locality I desire to reach than the Courier, for instance, Jasper,
Laurence, Newton and Barry.
I am confident we have nothing to lose, but much to gain, in discussing
the Rail Road matter. Prominent men appear to approve it, and I
conclude that Johnson is taking strong ground in favor of State aid.
It is not use talking to Slaking about Arms, but if your men will come
to him and fix up the paper, he will sign them, and then they can get
them and carry them home. He will only attend to this sort of thing if
the parties are right there and do all the work.
You need not take on about Reed; he is a nothing, and the rest are
idiots, except Phelps; he is a better man, any way you take him, than
any other man in Congress.
Yrs
B.F. Massey
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Jefferson
City April 29, 1860
Col. J.F. Snyder
Dr. Sir - Yrs of the 26th & 31st arrived.
Marrows Certificate of Resignation has been filed for some time: the
Governor has not been disposed as yet to order an Election, though he
says vacancies are to be filled in the State Senate, so nobody has any
further use for the Convention, for the President.
Sterling Price, who was here a few days since, is of the opinion they
would move not, and any day pass, an Ordinance of Secession, I doubt
it.
I should much prefer they should not be concerned, the Legislature can
propose and Ordinance of Secession, and if the people ratify it, all is
right.
We are here, entirely satisfied an Ordinance would be Sustained now by
the people by a very large majority. A united North in fact making a
united south, or those who are not with us will have to keep their
mouths shut.
We are doing something even in advance of the inaction of the
Legislature toward getting arms and ammunition, though really I can not
tell you exactly what it is, as the Commander in Chief, and his Staff
are very shy on this subject.
A couple of Steamboat loads of Powder arrived here yesterday, and are
now being unloaded. I understand there is between 6 and 7 thousand kegs
of powder and I don't know how much Saltpeter and Brimstone. There is
also something going on about Guns, but I don't know what. I have been
particularly avoided knowing anything particular about these things.
I only know, and have advised, what should be done, if possible; and am
content to leave the execution to them whose special duty it is.
You will probably notice a Leader in the Republican of the 27th. It is
one of the most artful and gross misrepresentation it is possible to
conceive, and it should be protected (in your Paper I mean) as such.
The article says: - "Glad Tidings, All is Well" and also "Missouri will
not, for any reason that has happened, Secede." a most villainous
article.
If Lincoln shall not stay his hand, the Devil himself cannot keep
Missouri in the Union.
Yrs
B. F. Massey
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Jefferson
City June 20, 1860
Col. J.F. Snyder
Dr Sir
I recd a letter from Graves today. He said he did not wish to publish
my article in the Advertiser, but did so because it would do "less harm
in the Advertiser than in the Courier". Is that a complement to the
Courier or how? He also says: if I was to make a Speech in Springfield,
or in any other forum in the S. W. I would lose the whole ticket one
thousand votes!!! He says Jackson's speech was very prudent, and very
satisfactory, but which he said, he did not say.
I also received a letter from Bishop, delicate, diplomatic and
friendly.
He says Jackson's remarks on the Railroad question met the views of the
warm friendship of the West, he says many of my friends in the S. W.
regret my views on State aid, and that even those who agree with
me cannot see the propriety or necessity of engaging the matter now,
because there is imminent danger of losing something by so doing. He
has also found out that any thing I have said in opposition to the
system of giving to the Rails all who have to give and would be willing
to give them if we had it. I am satisfied that this is the case with
the entire ticket, except myself.
I made some remarks in the County, arguing the propriety of having a
column in the roll Books for and against State aid - Price was present
and made a Railroad speech, and against our ticket generally, and nnnn
wort that purported to be a report of our speeches, holding me up as a
great anti-R.R. man.
I did not care for this, as any one who pretends to know anything about
Railroad affairs knew my position. Will how they combined friends and
nnnn and RR news.
Why, what are you doing, don't you see you are putting in jeopardy the
ticket? If I tell them I do not care what effect it may have on myself,
so I combat the Railroadites, let that be admitted. Still I know no
right so great as would have a tendency to defeat the ticket. If I ask
them why they have nothing to say when a Railroad man talks, they
answer no one on the ticket is making R Road speeches.
By the by, I see you subscribing to a State aid line, and are you
pledging an executive to veto nothing save for a Constitutional
objective and two reports and distinct lines, and I can no more
subscribe to one than the other.
I can't see myself that it makes much difference who is elected.
I believe the Black Republican will be elected President, and I think
under the circumstances it is the best thing that can happen, because I
think we have amongst the politicians just as many unsound men in
reference to Slavery in the South as in the North, and the election of
Lincoln would enable it to be proved to them.
n our State affairs in reference to the two great monied position
influences, Banks and RR. there is just as many unsound amongst those
now known as Democrats as you will find in any Party, and I am dammed
sorry my situation is such as to have anything to do with them, but I
shall get out among them as soon as I possibly can, and I swear if
things don't mend I had rather take my chances among the Osages, and I
should advise you to quit forthwith unless Freeman is nominated. In
that course, put off quitting until after the elections.
But, I had about concluded not to go to the S. W. or anywhere else,
since I read what purported to be the substance of a view because I
thought you had a right to know them.
While I admit you are quite as capable of determining your course for
yourself as any, yet, I will admit I have also written you as I have,
in the hope that rather through accident than otherwise, I might say
something to keep you out, or that might have a tendency to keep out,
of this Jackson and Parsons movement, and I think that you wild have no
difficulty whatever, in view of your known anti-Douglass sentiments, to
show such a course to be entirely consistent. I wish to state also that
I am not taking any active part in this matter, what I now bring still
to you, I have not said to any other, except to Parsons and a few
others who know the movement. I mean I do not intend to be known, is
the opponents of his. yours, and mine, as opposing or rather as not
favoring it. I think it best for you and our cause that you should keep
out of it. At the same time, if your judgement shall be different I
shall have no quarrel with you, nor nothing but cordiality for you
Yrs truly
B.F. Massey
P.S. Since writing the above, I understand old man Parsons will support
the Jackson, Parsons ticket, though he would much prefer it had not
been brought out. Paydon has he says, in Cass Co. is almost unanimous
for Brooks, yet he is very much displeased at Jackson and Parsons now.
He says if Jackson is to be cut off any one on the ticket, who favors
Douglass, must be also cut off, and this is likely.
What this comes up to is two separate tickets, and for What? there is
something noble in ones sacrificing himself for the success of a cause,
but to sacrifice oneself and the cause.
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Jefferson
City June 26 1860
Col. J.F. Snyder
Dr Sir - Well, what's to be done now? a dispatch in the Republican
today, purporting to be from Phelps, says he will support Douglass. I
confess I can't yet believe it, yet it is hardly probable that the
Republican would publish such a thing if it had not received it, but it
is hardly probable that any one would have sent such a dispatch unless
it was genuine, yet I can hardly believe it.
I confess this has unsettled me more than anything I have yet had in
connection with this nnnn difficulty. I had flattered myself, on man in
the S. W. almost an unit on the Douglass line. Our whole State ticket
is known to be anti-Douglass, yet I would not be surprised if some of
them did not become shaky. How is it possible for men who sustained the
Jackson Resolution to go for Douglass is strange to men. This, by the
by Phelps never did. The long and short of it is, our Congressmen have
concluded to give us all over into the hands of Douglass. A dispatch
from Fayette says that is a speech there, Jackson and Reynolds will
declare for Douglass, but we think this is bogus; there is not a
Douglass Democrat in the State that I know of that nnnn Douglass
position.
The Republican threatens we must all come out, but we understand this
to be only an attempt to frighten. If it gets after me, I shall feel
three more things against me, they may best me yet hit me up Damn sure,
we have as yet Green and Polk, Anderson and Woodson and Reid
uncommitted.
They have, or they are to that effect, Anderson, Chust, Clark, Craig,
Norton, W. P. Hall, Sterling Price, Phelps and North. The State
officers here now have been candidly anti-D. But you can't get a word
out of them now.
Knott is the most nnnn man I ever saw. So now it appears that the day
is near when Missouri will be Abolitionist.
In reference to Phelps, there is no doubt he might be elevated, The
Republican declares any candidate must declare himself like Phelps or
be defeated.
You know more about this whole difficulty than I do.
Yrs truly
B.F. Massey
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City of
Jefferson
July 8th 1860
J.F. Snyder, Esq
Dr. Sir - Your dispatch has been received and I handed it to Col.
Massey, He cannot come out now.
As for myself, I have made arrangements to start Sunday for the County
of Osage, Marcus, Phelps, Texas and Devil tonight, Pulsaki, La Clerk
nnnn, nnnn and Miller
I deem it important to go without Counties. The Breckenridge elements
are recovering, however there and all they present are of like
encouragement to go a nnnn to nnnn for now. I am sorry to see some of
our prouds here still praying for Claib. Jackson, because he is the
Nominee, this the Douglass Day, and some of the Breckenridge men are
nnnn by it. This fight must be fought over and that boldly. To give the
State to Jackson or Douglassism can help without a struggle would be to
abandon all hope of success in Nov. We should not let the Epithet of
"Bolter" to prevent our Claib Jackson and nnnn have any terror for us.
He is the supporter of a Declared Candidate opponent of the principles
of our platform Acres are so, during the debates, our Farm Peoples, our
promise to support him as never good for a nnnn case of consideration
for our new nnnn by us, but our duty to our Party and its principles
demands that we should accord him without hesitation. Platt County has
passed resolution against all Douglass candidates. The Chronicle at
Chillicothe says that Jackson's declaring for Douglass taken the whole
County by surprise.
My respects to all the men nnnn we expect to hear a good re-accord of
him in the South West.
Yours in great haste
M.M. Parsons
The Examiner haunts Amon C. Jackson and Polk up Hancock Jackson.
M.M.O.
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Jefferson
City July 9 1860
Col. J.F. Snyder
Dr Sir - Capt Parsons showed me yesterday a dispatch from you asking
you and myself to come to Balboa right off. I presumed the Capt will
inform you that he cannot come and why. In the present aspect of
affairs it will not do for me to come. Things are going on, rotten from
bad to worse. The arrangements that a few hot heads, about St. Louis,
who never look beyond that City, have hurried Hancock and Parsons into,
is altogether inexcusable, and ill judged. The result can only be
disadvantageous for themselves and upon the Party.
In view of all the circumstances as they now stand, their is not one
valid reason why Democrats should not support the entire State ticket,
nominated here in April.
I am as much opposed to Douglass and Douglass views as any, and
will be as ready as any and nnnn occasion to strike him and it as any
one. But I carry the wisdom, by an ineffective effort in that direction
to damage my own cause, if I have any, to put us both on the fence.
So far as I am concerned, I would not threaten any one for the World,
but I say for their own safety they had better watch their ways. The
State in 6 months will not be done with, at this election nor at the
ensuing Legislature, even though there should be a majority in favor of
granting every dollar authorized by the Constitution, and should want
it. I say even in that case it will not be done with, indeed, it will
only at the next Session be fairly begun. The dancing with them perhaps
be getting over with, and then the paying the piper will commence.
In view of the fact that Mr. Graves thinks my article would do more
harm in the Courier than Advertiser I shall hereafter send them to the
Courier. It will sway him from nnnn, I reckon when he sees the Courier
publishing them.
I have already sent my fourth article to Graves; I had intended to stop
with the fifth, but now if the Courier man don't want me, I feel
disposed to let fly hot and heavy until the election day. I shall write
nothing imprudent.
And I would not vote for Phelps, but if I could contribute to his
defeat, if a Democrat shall be against him, I could not urge a Democrat
to vote for Rains, but in such a case I would advise them not to vote
at all.
I hope you got home safely and had a profitable trip.
Yrs truly
B.F. Massey
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1864
Mr J.M. Wilson or Col J.F. Snyder
My very dear friend, I am out of liquor. If you can possibly
accommodate me, by the loan of about a gallon, you will very greatly
oblige me. By or before this is out, I will have to send the wagon to
Boonville and I will return it dead sure.
Hard at work as usual. Can't you come so I can have an occasion to stop.
Yrs
B.F. Massey
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