James T. Fields — 27 Jun. 1862
To JAMES T. FIELDS
June 27, [1862], New York City
My dear Mr. Fields
I think this will do. I would call it M.H. & other stories as you propose— The motto for Margret will do for all.[1]
I am having a very good time in New York. Mrs. Fremont[2] is well & desires her regards. Why does not Annie write? I am a little homesick for news from 37 Charles St.[3] By the way probably the immigration from west to east will set in soon. My brother[4] writes to me that he is going up to Montreal & perhaps may go to Boston for a day. I wrote to him to be sure & call on you.
Now you must like him, if he does. He is—well, just the best brother now alive. Will you tell him how to find Copps Hill?[5] I would like him to go there. After he is through, there will be an interlude between the arrival—to give you time to prepare that potters field— After next Monday, won’t you direct to me care of Rev. Dr. Cyrus Dickson[6] Baltimore Md. that is if it is right to say Rev. and Dr. both, a point on which I have bothered my brains this forty years.
My love to—all Boston, especially the representative ‘wife’
Yours, R.B.H.
I wrote before. Did Annie receive it?
Notes
No book with the title Margret Howth and Other Stories was published.
Jessie Benton Frémont (1824-1902), author of memoirs and fiction; RHD is visiting Frémont in New York City when this letter was written.
Annie Adams and James T. Fields’ residence in Boston.
Hugh Wilson Harding, who had served as her escort for her travels east.
A section of Boston in the North End; it houses the famous Copps Hill Cemetery where many famous colonial and Revolutionary figures were buried.
Cyrus Dickson (1839-1881) had been minister of the Second Presbyterian Church in Wheeling from 1848 to 1856, after which he was assigned to Baltimore.
Key Words
Hugh Wilson Harding, Jesse Benton Fremont, Margret Howth, Rev. Cyrus Dickson
Source
Richard Harding Davis Papers, Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia
Contributor
S. M. Harris