James Sterret on abolition and the election of 1856

One of the most fragile and tattered letters in this collection is one from James Sterret to his brothers, Robert and William, on September 24, 1856. (Note: In this letter, he spells his last name as “Sterret,” while other sources say “Sterrett,” so I will use his spelling in this post.) James was brother to Mary Sterret, who married Alexander Patterson, my five-greats grandfather whose past is well documented in this collection. James lived in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and was writing to his brothers and his friends back in Mifflintown, Pennsylvania, in the final year of his life.

In his letter, James was looking forward to the election of 1856, which was just over a month away. The nation was moving toward war over slavery, and the abolition movement clearly concerned James:

I have lately published a pamphlet on the subject of Slavery and expect another to be done this week of which I expect to send you a few copies which I hope will be pleasing to you because our country is threatened with war and I hope that all good Northern Citizens will exert themselves by all fair means to put a stop to the Abolition Frenzy which has been disturbing the quiet of our country for many years.

James also wrote about Bleeding Kansas,  violent confrontations arising between abolitionists and pro-slavery forces:

I am sorry the Southern Slave holders and abolitionist have been shedding one anothers Blood in Kansas in violation of the Laws of our country of which particulars I expect you know more allready than I can tell you.

He displayed in his letter an overriding concern about the north/south schism that was clearly leading the nation into war, and he hoped the new abolitionist Republican Party would be crushed:

Please to inform me which of the candidates for President is most likely to succeed in the coming Election at the North although I wish to avoid all unneccessary religious, political and sectional contentions. I never the less desire to operate against the Black Republican menace which threaten to destroy our publick peace and prosperity if it is not counteracted very speedily.

James would die later in the year–before the swearing in of James Buchanan as president and well before the eruption of the Civil War that he had feared.

—

Dear brothers and friends,

I have vast cause of thankfulness to the great giver of every good and perfect gift that I am yet in the land of the living in the (unintelligible), that I yet enjoy the grand opportunity of making my peace calling election sure. I trust that my health is yet very good for which I have great reason to be thankful to the great giver of every good and perfect gift. Since William Sterret and Alexander Patterson met with me in Harrisonburg, Rockingham County I heard no word from you at all, altho I wrote in the hope that I might get information how they succeeded in getting land or any other prospect to please them, I have also been destitute of all opportunity of hearing from my Daughter Mary or from my grandson John James Alexander and their Friends. On the present occasion besides getting information of the travels and prospects of brothers William Sterret and Alexander Patterson I wish to be informed of the wellfare and circumstances of all our other Friends and old neighbours. The great difficulty which I labour under in getting writers in my great hurry in business and constant struggle to execute my works have been such as greatly to hinder my writing to my Friends and acquaintances. Not withstanding these facts I hope you will not neglect to write to me to let me know every particular that you may suppose I would be glad to be informed of. I have lately published a pamphlet on the subject of Slavery and expect another to be done this week of which I expect to send you a few copies which I hope will be pleasing to you because our country is threatened with war and I hope that all good Northern Citizens will exert themselves by all fair means to put a stop to the Abolition Frenzy which has been disturbing the quiet of our country for many years. The harvest in Virginia has been very poor in many places this year yet I hope the wheat and corn will be full sufficient to supply the wants of the people to such an extent as to afford them an over plus for the benefit of the (unintelligible) market. I am sorry the Southern Slave holders and abolitionist have been shedding one anothers Blood in Kansas in violation of the Laws of our country of which particulars I expect you know more allready than I can tell you. Please to inform me which of the candidates for President is most likely to succeed in the coming Election at the North although I wish to avoid all unneccessary religious, political and sectional contentions. I never the less desire to operate against the Black Republican menace which threaten to destroy our publick peace and prosperity if it is not counteracted very speedily. Where in I have failed to write I hope you will still answer me in every particular because I cannot write as I would wish to do yet I am very desirous to hear from you soon and as often as possible. I do not know when I may be able to visit Pennsylvania again – perhaps (unintelligible) before next summer when it gets a little warm should I live so long. With very great respect and affection for my old Friends and Neighbors I am

James Sterret
Sep 24th 1856

Messrs. Robert and William Sterret and Friends

PS please to write without delay so that I may be relieved of my anxiety to hear from you. Please direct your letters to Harrisonburg, Rockingham County, Virginia.