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Please send the letter to Mrs C Robbins Cambridge Massachusetts
Raleigh Oct: 9th 1865.
My Dear Mrs. Cameron
We had a pleasant journey down, not more dusty than we had every reason to Expect. Maggie & I sat beside each other & kept in check the excitement as well as we could. I left her in Mr. Mordecai's keeping. Gen Grimes met me, Major Polk & Mrs. Jones took the same, omnibus so I did not entirely part with dear old Hillsborough until I reached this gate. I should like to hear from Maggie this morning but I will see her tomorrow. Dr. Mason has been sick - he was to leave this morning to sit at the general convention in Philadelphia. Mr. Marshall has been officiating & giving much pleasure to the congregation thereby. The same choir is in operation - the troubled waters having been quieted. Brother William has not yet come - I found no sweet letter from him. Awaiting me was a letter from a cousin in [Charleston?]. She gives me a deplorable picture of the state of things there. She says "the long dreary summer is drawing to a close - that she has not felt the heat their sufferings have been so great, so much more poignant is mental than
corporeal distress" She tells me could I know the dreadful things that happened in Columbia my hair would stand on end, that many ladies died of terror. The only sister of Major van der hurst among them. Well, well Mrs. Cameron - let who will love the Yankees. I can not. I am willing, for Christs sake, to let them alone & were they needing my aid, I hope I would receive them like a good samaritan - I hope never to be able to have any other feeling (always & firm though I trust). The convention now assembled in Raleigh is leaving no stone unturned (as it appears to me) in the endeavour to disgrace North Carolina with friend & foe. If our friends do not respect us our enemies will not - even while they make a vile use of us. I am glad Judge Manly & a few others, are found to sustain a noble minority. Goodbye, dear Mrs. Cameron. Give heartfelt love to all the household. And all my friends in Hillsborough - I miss you all truly. Give my love to Mr. Cameron. I shall not see him again. Please give him my fare which I enclose in this letter. Dear Mrs Cameron warmly & affectionately yours.
Mary B Pettigrew
[Letterheaded to OLD STATE HOUSE, BOSTON.] Boston 13 Oct. 1865
Paul C Cameron Esq
Dear Sir
Yours of 8th inst is at hand and contents are noted. We can fill your order; but the earliest moment when it will be possible to forward your goods will be Nov 1.
We have between one hundred and two hundred [accts?] now on our books. Your name is entered that you may not fail of your turn. If you amend this at your earliest convenience the garments shall be sent as soon as if we know 10 days precisely what you had.
and shall be put into [Name and Co's?] care Nov 1st. For your Dress suit we would recommend a West of England Cloth Frock at $35. It is one of the most desirable cloths in the world. Will wear you every day for a year and look handsome [therein?]
We enclose you sample of Goods for Dress suits and Vests. Those marked (unclear) are new in style - of fine quality elastic and durable.
We cannot give you a Business suit for $35 which we should feel satisfied to send you. We are making more from $40 to $45 than at a lower price - and a suit at the latter price we deem every way more desirable & in the end economical.
They will not fade and look fair & fresh until worn only.
We have sent a number of suits south this summer, into Alabama, Tennesse, Missouri and Kentucky and in all cases they have served a good purpose as the very best advertisement we could send.
We are confident of our ability to please you; and trusting to have your decision soon as to goods. Very truly yours
Chas A Smith & Co. E D Hinckly