Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 8.djvu/86

 78 DOCUMENTS LETTERS. will be the last published. Write me what you think the best course to pursue in case of a break up. What will we do with the public property & funds. In some places there may be a general scramble. Major Eagan has no money. The troops ought to be paid very promptly in this crisis, that is if the government wish to use them. I myself come from a Union loving State, but matters are taking such a phase at present that she & the other border & Union States such as Ky., Tenn., Md., Mo. cannot make their voices heard. The Republicans in their pride & flush of victory will not listen to the terms proposed by the conservative element from those good & true States, when they ask but their rights and no more. No they are ignommiously rejected. On the other hand I do not like to be bullied nor draged out of the Union by the precipitancy and indecent haste of South Carolina. Since seeing you last I have learned the sad news of my mother's death. Sad and desolate as it leaves me still it would be a selfish wish on my part that it were otherwise. For years she has been an invalid and lately has been a constant sufferer, uncomplaining always. My sister wrote me that her bodily pains were sometimes terrible to wit- ness. A woman of bright intelligence, very well read, and of a dis- position full of love and tenderness. Even to her last hour she made those around her happy. It is a great consolation to know that she is where she can no longer be subjected to our earthly afflictions, and that she did not live to see the country she was so proud of torn with civil strife & discord, and our once great nation a ruin. My uncle writes me that her estate is left to be divided amongst her three children, and which a year ago was worth at least $100,000 could not now be sold for half that sum in fact I don't suppose it could be disposed of at all, on account of the depreciation in the value of slaves, etc. Everything is quiet here. We see a good deal of the offrs [officers] from the other camp and are on very sociable and pleasant terms. Please present my regards to Mrs. Alvord & Mr. Charles. Love to John Kellogg. All here Griffin included desire to be remembered to you. Where is Longstreet? Ever your friend, GEORGE E. PICKETT.