Washington City D.C.

                                                                                                United States(?) of America

                                                                                                                        Sept. 4 1863

 

My Dear Niece Mary,

                        Henry is here and has promised to address my note, quite a serious matter, I assure you, for I sometimes think of Paris, then of Ems, then at Wiesbaden &c, at some one of which places I wish I was with you. Henry wishes me to send you a little printed comment upon an order touching your uncle rather sharply, considering that he knows as much, to say the least, about Courts Martial as a raw Secretary who knows nothing at all. This little printed, not published thing you must be very careful, even abroad as far off as you are, not to let / go out of your hands. The army Regulations forbid very positively all controversies among officers, and all publications tending to controversy by which discipline may be affected unfavorably. This is a very necessary provision, otherwise we should have Lieutenants assailing Captains (in the papers) and Colonels in conflict with generals &c. You will readily understand therefore that I am not permitted to go publicly to my defence, in the matter of the order, but I claim the privilege to explain myself to my friends, and this I can most conveniently do by printing a few remarks—as you see. Be very careful that it does not go beyond you and your immediate circle. /

 

            Henry tells me that (you write) that Gen. Halleck’s right hand man has given you a clear statement of our army matters, so I need say nothing of them. We are beginning to be a good deal roused by the conduct of both France & England. The fact is, that all crowned powers must look with jealousy and hate upon republican governments, and nothing since the days of our revolution has pleased foreign powers so much as this division among us, by which they hope to see the free institutions of this country prostrated. But we (many of us) think that this hope of our enemies is not to be realized. We are growing stronger every day, / and are fast coming into a position, even with the rebellion on our hands, to be able to defy the world. I say this in sober earnest. There are enough among us who understand the points in issue, who mean to stand between the republican form of government and the divine right of Kings (the other end of the string) to prevent a return to the latter on this side of the water. But I will say no more of politics.

 

            God bless you my dear niece and give you a safe return to us in due, and I hope no distant time. Give my best regards to the members of your party, who I hope have not forgotten me—and with a kiss for Lize—I am Y^r affec. Uncle

                                                                                    E A Hitchcock

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