Leonidas Polk Family Papers

{label above letter} [?] South Manuscript Collection MSS 090 Polk Family Papers Box 10 of 27 Folder January 9 1861 {end label}

Jany 9th 61 W Hardman

Dear Sir,

I received from Bishop Polk the specific sum of $57.40 to pay a certain Bill of freight due by the University of the South to the T.C. & RR Compy and not having the exact amount convenient I sent $60 by Mr. T to pay that Bill, supposing that you would follow your usual custom of and return me the change, which Change was coming to me as my own private property, as in allowing it to be appropriated to University or any other purpose without my instructions. You have my good friend done very wrong, as no doubt it as no doubt it will now appear to you.

I return the Bill sent by the Compy in which my funds are erroneously used to the Credit of the University which of course will enable you to [restore?] to [me?] my funds. [and will thank you when ?] [my just dues?]

On the day I paid the Bill of $57.40 _was paid I wrote to [Mr? Wm?] [Williams?], informing him for Bishop Polk, Why the additional [Charge?] of $10 _ is not paid [w/ ?] p[?]t- __ The reason why Bishop Polk did not give me the funds to pay the additional charge of $10.94, is made R[?] by [?]tt[?] to [Mr? Wm?] J[ohnson? acobson?], which is no doubt fully satisfactoy to him.

have arisen out of the changes in our civil affairs.

We have taken it upon ourselves to address you this Circular because we happen to be together, and are the Senior Bishops of [?] Dioceses within the Confederate States.

Very truly yours [?] obend of [o?] Episcopali [Leonidas?] Polk Stephen Elliott Bp of [?]

P.S. We have named as late a day as the 3d July because the Dioesan Convention of So. Carolina does not meet this year until the 16th day of June.

New Orleans, July 1 1861

My dear Bishop,

The whole canonade of the [North?] [ed.?] [was?] have shaken me more than the announcement of your course-- but I stood the fire, because I had confidence in my Leader _ nevertheless, injuries were rife upon the streets & when forced to answer, I cd. but say, the [?] is right but I condemn the act _ which condemns the right? Yes - He is too rash for me _ I know he is right because he has reasons for what he has done _ I condemn the act, only [one?]. I am not in [justification?] of those reasons-- but when I ascertain them, I feel confident I shall [oppose?] them. Now I never was afraid of you before -- but I am now, because I know you [?], and I am afraid that these have had more influence in determining yr course, than the [consequences?] of our cause _ I pray you write to me _ I do not desire a full explanation of yr every [?]. it may be imprudent to give them by letter in these times.

but only tell me, that yr. views have been conveyed & endorsed by uninformed, right - thinking, Christian men, & I shall be satisfied, tile I see you. I take you seriously & affectionately, I am afraid of the Polkism of yr nature. You are right, inasmuch as you violate no law - but is it expedient? if it is, then surely our cause is hazardous - write - if I tell you, you have shaken me to the very core for my Being.

I shall not attend this meeting, for reasons that I cannot now mention - nor is it necessary, for the object, for wh. it [may?] called, buy a recognition of our dismemberment, is now a fact, recognized by the whole Confederacy. It is at best but a preliminary_

Yrs. Affectionately W. L. Leecock

Right Rev. L Polk Memphis

[image: embossed seal]

Ridgefield Louisiana July 18 [unclear]1861[/unclear]. My dear Bishop, I feel assured that knowing me as you do, you will acquit me of a lack of friendship when I say that the news of your appointment to the office of Maj. Genl. in the Army of the Confederate States filled me with despair & astonishment. It was so unexpected & seemed at first, so incompatible with your sacred calling & high position in the Church of God that I was completely overwhelm- ed, for awhile, by a tumult of conflicting emotions. But although a feeling of right was continually present which I thought of it, still was I prompted by my long and intimate acquaintance with you, to doubt the correctness of

Wilmington, Jan 15th, 1861

My Dear Bishop,

I had received before your letter to came one from [Wm. Borcue?] asking me to marry him, and had replied to it that it was my rule not to dimmish the small salaries our clergies have in this Diocese by marrying their parishoners and that consequently I must decline a service which otherwise would have given me pleasure. The school at Asheville is to be [operated?] by Mr. Lucian Holmes a clergyman of experience and high reputation as a teacher, and will be a better one than it has ever yet been. I can strongly recommend it. What a loss have we sustained in the death of Cobbs!

Take him all in all, his mission, his goodness, his tenderness, his piety, I have never met his like.

These primate troubles, and our national calamities make me apply to our Day, our Lords language in Matthew 24: Surely now if ever there ever is "distress of nations with perplexity". If the Southern States go on to secede, I think we ought to have a meeting of the Southern Bishops, to determine what steps we should take about the Liturgy, and other pressing matterss before a General Convention meets. If a meeting be considered impracticable (and perhaps at present it is) then there should be consent arranged by letter as to the form of Public worship. Perhaps an Address to our Dioceses might be agreed on. If however the [Bardes?] should

not [symbol = join?] with the bottom states, there could be no such united action. Yet since four have already seceded and others will probably follow, it is clear that we should consult together. You meet with our brothers Otey, Elliott and Green as you go to and from Sewanee. If you have come to any conclusions as to steps proper to be taken in the approaching emergency let me hear them. See that I have determined in so far as, if N. Carolina should secede to recommend to the clergy to omit the Prayer for Congress, and in regard to that for the President, to pray generally for those in authority over us, without naming him, or [recognising?[ [expressly?] his [cessation?] of authority.

I remain yours tru;y and affectionately

Thomas Atkinson

Bishop Polk

Hamilton Place Oct 5. 1861.

My dear Kinsman

I send you a notice of the death of our Kind old Father, the last of your relations here [are?] well.

We are expecting my nephew Tom [Potts?][?], who was wounded at Oak Hill in the foot, and may be a cripple for life as My Son in law [Doct?] Robards is assd [?] to a Regt and passed through the fight without a scratch. My son Eugene, Brother Tom & his son [Leonadus?] have joined a a Compy which is nearly filld up from this Parish, we have already sent off 4 [?] We have a spendid pastor in Mr. Lawson - but is there no sort of use you could make of his wife in your army? Sally joins me Kindest regards. Very Truly yrs [?] {?]

October 13, 1861

[printed:]

1861, Oct. 13

Mrs. A. Fanny Polk, to her husband, Bishop Polk, re; family matters and her desire to settle once more in a home with her children around her; news from the Elliotts that vessel had arrived from England brin[g]ing 8,000 rifles and cannons, and other supplies. 4 pp.