Poe Archive

Columbus July 23, 1840

My dear sir,

I arrived home one week ago after a long and disagreeable trip of seven and a half months and am happy to inform you that I found my family and friends all well. When I left your place I promised to write our mutual friend Mr. Noah Allison, giving him a statement of the pork purchased at Spencer. You will please inform him that the pork was so mixed up with the Gosport lot that it would be impossible to give a statement but will write him upon the subject of pork in a few weeks. I suppose you think what I told you last winter respecting Gen’l Harrison’s prospects and popularity will prove true, I solemnly believe that such a feeling never pervaded the people of the United States in favor of any one man as now prevails in favor of that good and virtuous man, Gen’l William H. Harrison. You know (of course) since I left your place I have seen and conversed with a great many people—people that have little to do with politicks—people that work for their living, and you may depend that there is a voice among them to be expressed in November next that will make the office holders and calumniators of Gen’l Harrison quail with fear and trembling. The whole river and its tributaries are alive with Harrison men the boatmen, pilots, raftsmen, men at the woodyard deckhands, and passengers all—all (as you pass up the river) give one continual shout for Harrison. All the little towns have their log cabins built upon stumps with small flagstaff run through the chimney and at the top of the small flag streaming to the winds with the inscription of “Tip & Tyler”. The news from Louisiana (to those not acquainted) look rather dark at present, but my word for it, it is as true a state for Gen’l Harrison as Ohio, Kentucky, or Indiana. I wish you to write me a letter as soon as you get the returns of your county and please send me a paper containing the final result as it regards the Governor’s election. Our boys here are all waiting anxiously for the time to roll around to give their votes for Harrison and he will get a good one and no mistake. Please give my respects to Mr. Howe and Lady M. Allison, Westfall, Capt M. Secrets, Med Lemen Franklin, John Young, Mr. Kerr, the collector, I Hudson, Esq, (Champor go it thou Roman) but I must stop for I believe I could mention one half of the county whom I should like to be remembered—please accept my best wishes for your welfare.

Respectfully,
Joseph P. Brooks

To:
Thomas C Johnson, Esqr
Spencer
Owen County, Ind.

P. S. M. Secrets and Lovin went up sick with a fever. I should like to know how they got home and if they have recovered their health. I. Young left [?burg] for N. Orleans about the first of July and suppose he had arrived home to his family, like the rest of us he has strove hard this past winter and not much profit for our pains except the pleasure of being called a “Pork Speculator”. I must add a little anecdote and then quiet. Yesterday an old gentleman in one of our stores says he was traveling and wanted some papers to read. What kind of politicks do you prefer? said the merchant. I want a change said the old man, for I am like the man at the tavern this morning, the landlord asked if he would have tea or coffee. I want a change said the man, if I had coffee first, then I want tea, if I had tea, I want coffee. I want change so that it is with me. I want a change. I have had enough of Van Buren.
J. P. B.