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"The Howard-Smith Collection"

Transcription copyright: 1998, by Mrs. F. A. Augsbury; all rights reserved.
The originals are at the McClung Library in Knoxville.

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To: Major C. J. McKinney, Rogersville, Tennessee
From: John B. Brownlow, Washington, D.C.
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                                                  Washington, Jan 7th 1873

Dr. Major:
    I have your letter.  Since its reception I have heard Maynard express
himself.  He and Papa both think it very foolish in you not to accept of
that office.  It is one of the best in the State.  Nothing so good as that
(since Assessors were abolished) except the Post Offices of Nashville,
Memphis, & Knoxville.  The Mail Agency Rule has & will keep for four months
to come or until Rogers' term as Post Master expires which is the 10th of
May. And Rule's office is not as good  as that you have because it don't
pay as well & there you have harder work & more travel.  You are travelling
in that half the year.

    Papa says tell you there will be no necessity for your removing your
family to Middle Tennessee, none whatever.  You can talk about moving,
and keep talking about it until you have held the office 3 or four years
or until you have held it until you are relieved of your pecuniary
embarrassments.  In that office you can be with your family as much as you
would in Rule's place.

    There are several of the best men in the State ready & anxious to take
that Collectorship if you don't accept it.  For your own good Papa hoped you
would have the office.

    Your name is now before the Senate & you will be confirmed.  If you
don't accept somebody else will, of course, be appointed.  As soon as I
came here (the 1st of Dec.) I went to the Commissioner of Internal Rev.
and tried to have you appointed a travelling Revenue Agent but failed to
do so.  I did all I could there but wrote you nothing about it.

    Our only chances are for the offices at home.  These Northern men
get everything else.

    I have not made inquiry about your claims.

    My wife joins me in regards to all your family.  To day Payne & his
wife (nee Lucy Alexander) took lodging where I am boarding.

                             Yours truly,
                                Jno B Brownlow