TNGenWeb Project/TNGenNet, Inc., (a Tennessee nonprofit public benefit corporation). "The Howard-Smith Collection" Transcription copyright: 1998, by Mrs. F. A. Augsbury; all rights reserved. The originals are at the McClung Library in Knoxville. This file is in text format. Please use your browser's "back" button to return to the previous page. ******************************************************************************** To: Major Charles J. McKinney, Rogersville, East Tennessee From: J. A. McKinney, Amherst College, Massachusetts -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Amherst Coll Oct 20th, 45 My dear Brother I have not very much time to write you now, but I mean to write home as often as I can, to see if it wont have some affect on the folks there, for certainly where there are so many to write, they will answer all me letters. I was rejoiced to see cousin Charles, more particularly since as he was the first of my friends from home that I had seen since fathers death. He could not make a very long stop, but then I made the most of it as I was with him all the time asking him innumerable questions etc. It was very kind in my friends to send all the miniatures for me to see there was one thing omitted however, you ought to have told me in your letter that I might keep Fannie's. I did not know before your letter that it had been taken, or I should have petitioned for it strongly I almost wish I had kept it any how. I would easily have recognized fathers, if I had not have known that it was to be sent with the rest, it is not indeed a perfect likeness, but then it is such a comfort to have even this, I do not think I could have given it up had it not been in dear mothers account, all the Daguerotypes are excellent, you can not imagine how lonely I felt after they were gone. I look at mother's & Lizza's five or six times a day. Indeed they all looked so natural, that they only seemed to lack voices. Cousin Charles was with me so short a time that I did not have an opportunity of showing all of them to but four or five of my friends, but so far as they were seen you may tell sister Sarah that they were considered a very respectable looking set. Every person that sees Lizza's admits that I did not brag too much of her beauty. All that saw Fannie's thought her a beauty. My chum was perfectly carried away with it. he particularly admired the expression that was on her face, that is, she looked as if she did not like to have to set so still. I found out all the news of Rogersville from C. M.C. I found out that a good many changes have taken place since I left home. I had not heard before of Mr. Carmichael's death. Orville Bradleys death must have been sudden. I do not know of any person that I thought bid fairer to live to a very old age than he did. I was sorry to hear that you were so soon to be left without a preacher in either Church. I should not wonder if the congregations should be united again, since Dr William Walker has left, (as I suppose he will remain in Va,) & I was glad to hear that things had got so far along towards it that Mr Rop was assisting Mr Carter. You speak of going into business in the spring, I suppose there is nothing to be done in the farming line that is no money to be made at it. If you go into business I hope you will go on the cash principle entirely. I should think that would be the safest, indeed I should think that it would be best every way, for cash down though at smaller proffits, I think is always preferable to the credit system & the never ending trouble that a person has in winding up such a business. In regard to my traveling through some portion of New Eng & Canada next summer vacation I had already determined upon. I think it of the highest [good] fortune as I wish to see & learn every thing that I can during my stay at the North, & I will never have the opportunity again, as I shall wish to get my profession & get into active business as soon as possible after I return home. You used to tell me in the first letters you wrote me after I came north to be careful & not imbibe any predudises that would unfit me for living at the South. There is no danger of any thing of this kind. I shall go home perfectly pickled & cured in my Southern feelings, & I believe if I did not dislike England so very much that I should also go home a Free Trade man. Kiss my little neices & nephews for me. Love to all & regards to cousin's Charles & Eliza Dr & Mrs Walker & Miss Nancy. Yr affectionate brother J.A. McKinney N.B. I have not written half what I wanted & if I had time to write another letter I would not send this, but I will write to you again before long. In haste JAMcK