John Torrey letters, 1831-1873. Asa Gray correspondence files of the Gray Herbarium, 1820-1904. gra00078. Archives of the Gray Herbarium, Harvard University.

5) Wednesday, July 15. You doubtless learn from the newspapers that our city is still in the power of a brutal mob. We were not mo= lested on Monday night & I slept well, partly undressed. We are all quite calm & are chiefly concerned about our servants. Yesterday there were cars only on the lower part of the 4th Avenue — all the others in the city, & the omnibuses were withdrawn. I was obliged to walk up from Wall St. in the heat of the day. On reaching home I found that we had been warned that all the College buildings were to be destroyed at night. Jane & Maggie had some of their most valuable articles packed — but we did not know were to send them. A friend took our basket of silver to her house. I looked about to see what few articles I could put in a small travelling bag — but it was very difficult to make a selection. There were so many (to me) precious little souvenieres that it grieves me to think they would probably be destroyed. "Then it did go hard with me to feel pretty well assured that the Herbarium & Botanical Books were to be given up! Yet we had a reprieve. Just as we were expecting the mob to come howling along, — a person came in with a confidential message from a catholic priest that Gov. Seymour had taken

[8] will doubtless arrive, & we shall have law & order. Thieves are going about in gangs, calling at houses & demanding money, threatening the torch if denied. They have been across in the street this afternoon, & I saw them myself. Perhaps they will give us a call: but we are all going to bed in a few minutes.

This evening there was a great light north of us, & I found, on looking with a spyglass, that it was from the burning a fine bridge over the Harlem Valley — used by one of the rail roads. There was some cannon firing in the 1st Avenue — with what result I don't know.

The city looks very strange. Nothing in Broadway but a few coaches. Most of the stores closed — but the side walks are full of people — & not a few ladies are out.

It is half past 10 o'clock & I must go to bed. ___ Thursday. U.S. Assay Office. The cars are running this morning — but the stores are closed in the greater part

[6] the responsibility of stopping the draft & the chief rioters were to be informed of this measure. So we made up our minds to take a good sleep. I was, however, mortified to find that the mob had, at least temporarily, triumphed. But we shall still have to finish the business with salt peter.

This morning I was obliged to ride down to the office in a hired coach. A friend who rode with me had seen a poor negro hung an hour or two before. The man had, in a frenzy, shot an Irish fireman & they immediately strung up the unhappy African. At our office there had been no disturbance in the night. Indeed the people there were "spoiling for a fight." They had a battery of about 25 rifle barrels, carrying 3 balls each, & mounted on a gun-carriage. It could be loaded & fired with rapidity. We had also 10-inch shells to be lighted & thrown out of the windows. Likewise quantities of SO3 {Sulfur trioxide} with arrangements for projecting it on the mob. Walking home we found that a large number of soldiers — infantry, artillery & cavalry are moving about, & bodies of armed

[7] citizens. The worst mobs are on the 1st & 2nd, & 7th Avenues. Many have been killed there. They are very hostile to the negroes, & scarcely one of them is to be seen. A person who called at our house this afternoon saw three of them hanging together. The Central Park has been a kind of refuge to them. Hundreds were there to-day, with no protection in a very severe shower. The Station Houses of the police are crowded with them.

Walking out on 5th Avenue near 48th St. a man who lives there told me that a few minutes before, in broad sunlight, these ruffians siezed the horses of a gentleman's carriage & demanded money. By whipping up, they barely escaped. Immediately afterwards they stopped another carriage, stunned the persons out of it, & then got in themselves, shouting & brandishing their clubs. So that concessions have not quieted the mob, & the soldiers cannot be every where. Reinforcements

9) of the 3rd Avenue. Herb. came up to breakfast. He had been up all night at the Assay Office & had been drilling, under a U.S. officer, as an artille= rist. They had 4 cannon & a rifle battery ready for the mob, at the office. I found a body of marines there this morning. — Just at this moment there was a false alarm — "every man at his post." The great doors were slammed too in a moment — & the arms were siezed. I was amused to see an old tar quietly light his match rope, & swing it about to get it well on fire. He had the shells, to be thrown from the window, in charge. Quiet was soon restored. — Passing down the Avenue, I saw the 7th Regt. at their armory, ready to go wherever they were needed. They will be as impartial as veterans. Thurber & young Etheridge have been at the Tribune office all the week, ready for service.

I shall try & do up some botany at the College to-day — as there is little to keep us at the office. We feel that our chief danger is past. We are now afraid only of the small gangs of thieves.

10) Here I have given you a long account of what has been on our minds this week. I suppose you have been somewhat concerned about us. We were in the most dangerous part of the city — & have been kept more or less anxious on account of our colored servants, but I trust we shall not be drawn from our home. A friend (Mr. Gibbons) who visits us almost every week & is known to be an abolitionist had his house smashed up yesterday.

Jane is going to spend a few days, at Springfield, with Miss Day. She will probably leave home tomorrow. Give my love your own good Jane. Ever yours — John Torrey

New York, Dec. 22nd 1863

Dear friend — Yours of Dec. 11 & 19th came to hand this morning.

Just as I had arranged to spend most of the holidays with you, my worthy assistant, Mr. Mason, came to me & said that he would be much pleased to spend just that time with his relatives in Philadelphia! Now as Mr. M. has rarely asked for such a favor, & his heart seemed to be set on this little excursion, I could not refuse him, not withstanding it deprived me of a like pleasure with you. I had got through with several troublesome jobs, & my electioneering from {Ogden N.} Rood was about ended, so I must very unwillingly delay a little longer. You will, I suppose, go to the meeting of the "50" at Washington. I must be there to report on the Bank-note

[last page] I have not a single carte de visite on hand, but I can send to Martius a larger photograph, taken last summer, if that would be acceptable. Perhaps I may have some small ones taken in a few days. The artist spoiled my best negative