6 Dec 1847

6 December 1847

Anthony Manning to his son, Anthony L. Manning

(Collection of Karen Nicholson, Arlington, VA)

Mr. Anthony L. Manning -
Carlisle, Cumberland Co., Pennsylvania - 

East New Market  December 6th 1847 

Dear Anthony 

      I recd your letter of the twenty sixth of November, and I find enclosed a list of articles amounting to thirty dollars, and forty three cents - and Mr. W. H. Allen says (scratched through) you deposited with him, one hundred dollars which I expect is all right - I feel gratified to find you arrived safe, but am truly sorry to find you feel so lonely, and destitute.  I am in hopes you will have more fortitude than to suffer yourself to be led to despondency - you should reflect and know, that you have the same friends - and more particular - a father who ever reguards and feels for your wellfare and interest - and I am in hopes I shall ever do while living - my son do your part, and you will ever find in me a father willing to do any thing - which will redown to your happiness, and interests - You must not suffer yourself to be low spirited, or dejected, you should recollect in a few months you will return home to all your friends and relatives if you are afraired - and what satisfaction you will afford them - to find you are improving your self and particular me your father - for I do assure you nothing would afford me more satisfaction than to find you doing well - and to be able to pass through this troublesome wourld with ease and satisfaction which I flatter my self  you will be able to do if you will apply your self properly - which I am in hopes you will (scratched through) and the reason which has induced me to send you away to school, was purely for your advantage, and not mine, which I have said to you before - and I feel satisfied it is the best thing I can do for you to give you a liberal education, it is the richest legacy that a parent can leave his child, nothing will afford him greater pleasure in life, I see you were not forgetful of your dear departed mother - who I am in hopes is in heaven enjoying eternal bliss - where the wicked cease from troubling and where the weary is forever at rest - I can say you had a dear, kind, and affectionate, mother who was always ready to alleviate your distress - but she who was the dearest of mothers she is no more - but you should remember your Creator in the days of your youth, who has ever been mindful and watched over you, and preserved you, until the present time - and that he has blest you with a father, who sympathizes and feels for you in all distress, and affections, and feels ready, and willing to do all I can consistently - therefore you should be thankful to the great Creator that you have yet one person who feels willing to do for you, you must endeavor to over come your feelings of uneasiness, respecting your home, and friends, for you should recollect is is the best thing you can do to promote you in this life - I feel an anxious desire that you would apply your self to your studys - and treat every one with politeness, and civility, which is the course you should persue through life.  I heard from William to day they are all well.  Col. Vincent & Francis'es familys are all well you must write as often as you can and let me know how you are and when you will want money or anything - I have nothing more to write you worth notice - except a considerable mob took place in this town last night - its originated from some negroes which was brought to this place and sold here to a purchaser, which is believed to be free kidnappt negroes (scratched through) those supposed to be the kidnappers two of them was arrested, and one committed to jail in Cambridge, and the other made his escape by running away and on last evening - the noted Macooms who had a trial in Cambridge, last Court - who was from Caroline county came down to see if he could bail the one in jail by the name of Chance, and on his return he stopped at the tavern, and they went to the tavern and took him, and put (?) him on a rail and carried him up  and down the street hollowing and hooping (?), and after letting him down, he went up to bed, and about eleven o'ck they went up to him made him get up and told him to clean himself, or what they would do with him he ran of and cleaned himself such is the immoral seen inacted in this place - We are all well at this time  Your sister Eugenia sends her love to   the children frequently talk about you - when you write again let me know how your health is, since if you feel the soreness in your hip any worse - nothing more at present but remain your affectionate father ----

To A L M        Anthony Manning