University of Virginia Library

Letter 8

In making out my account and drawing upon you, I entirely forgot to give you credit for the subscription of Mr. Lawson[60] (not Hall) of New York. But I will send an article to Mrs. Griffin which will Square our obligations.[61] I deducted one half of the difference of exchanges, however, as amounting to something like Six dollars. I had directed an exchange with the Companion before receiving your letter, and by this time, I suppose that Mrs. G. must be in receipt of the July number of the Magnolia. A notice of her School Books was prepared but excluded from our July number by the press of matter which had been lying some time on hand. I am in hopes that Mr. Binger will treat with you for the Companion. Say to Mrs. G. that I should really be well pleased to have her a <resident> of Charleston. I do not see that the injustice of her contemporaries is any evil, since it will have the effect of Stimulating her exertion to disprove their disaparagements, and babble their hostility.[62] If wrong indues her with the proper strength and courage it will prove a blessing rather than an injury. As for the Knickerbocker & some of its kindred works, as I happen to know them well, I know how to despise Them. I am glad that Mrs. G. is sufficiently bold to see, the truth, even through that thick veil of Veneration, which, in the South, our people are too apt to cast over the real character of what is distant. Here we venerate any thing that is not known. By a joint & corresponding action, we may soon strip these miserable Jays of their borrowed plumage. —

On the subject of the work "Beauchampe"[63] I should much prefer just now to say nothing. It and its Companions are imputed to me, and in such cases I neither deny nor admit. It will give me no sort of concern

whether they impute it to me or not, in whatever terms; — my rule is simply, not, myself, to give them any authority which they might use, for doing either. Mrs. G— will not only easily understand me, but my reasons, in this matter. Say to her that the Magnolia shall always be sent her — that I have an unfeigned respect for her talents — & congratulate her Sincerely on what she has done, & upon her increasing courage. Her article on Campbell was well done.[64] I shall be really happy to know her better. — I fancy that you & Pendleton[65] had best say nothing to each other. You seem both too bitter & too hostile to concur in any arrangement. Mr. Binger is a man of plain business habits, much moderation & good Sense — very strict in what he undertakes & very Cautious in all money matters. He tells me that your charge for your list is an extravagant one. On this subject, as I really know nothing, I pretend to no opinion. With best respects to your lady & good wishes,