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Letter from GEORGE PERKINS MARSH to HIRAM POWERS, dated July 22, 1861.

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Item Description

Title: Letter from GEORGE PERKINS MARSH to HIRAM POWERS, dated July 22, 1861.

Author

  • Marsh, George Perkins, 1801-1882

Recipient

  • Powers, Hiram, 1805-1873

Source Document

Extent: 1 letter

Genre(s): letter

Subject/name

Note [Digital Version]

, Center for Digital Initiatives, University of Vermont Libraries

Type of Resource: text

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For usage rights related to this resource please visit: http://cdi.uvm.edu/rights/
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Permanent Link:

http://cdi.uvm.edu/collections/item/gpmhp610722

Preferred citation

Letter from GEORGE PERKINS MARSH to HIRAM POWERS, dated July 22, 1861., Part of the Hiram Powers and Powers Family Papers, microfilmed by the Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, and loaned by the Cincinnati Historical Society., http://cdi.uvm.edu/collections/item/gpmhp610722 (accessed May 22, 2013)

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Letter from GEORGE PERKINS MARSH to HIRAM POWERS, dated July 22, 1861.

Transcribed by : Ellen Mazur Thomson and Ralph H. Orth

TEI mark-up by : James P. Tranowski andEllen Mazur Thomson


Published by: University of Vermont. All rights reserved.

Publication Information

CENTER>Confidential/CENTER>
Turin, July 22 1861


Dear Powers

I have just learned, with some surprise, that Robert M. Walsh, Sec. of Legation at Paris under the late base and traitorous administration, and now residing at Florence, has been appointed Consul for the U.S. at Leghorn, most probably by the influence of Acbp Hughes.

I have met Mr Walsh only once or twice, and have no personal knowledge of him, no ill will towards him, but I was assured by a credible -------------------------------- Page -------------------------------- person at Paris, who had for months good opportunities of observation, that Walsh's property or rather that of his wife, was situated or invested in North Carolina, that his opinions and sympathies were wholly on the side of the rebels, that he openly and noisily defended and approved the legal and moral right of secession, and that he loudly condemned the principles and purposes of the Republican party and of the President, as indicated by his inaugural.

It was added also, that he is an open and violent opponent of the present policy of the Italian government, an enemy to Italian Unity, and a -------------------------------- Page -------------------------------- partisan of the late King of Naples, the Pope and the Austrians.

Leghorn, as you know, is a most important point, and if, as we have reason to fear, a system of piracy shall be organized under the Confederate flag, in the Mediterranean, it is a matter of the highest consequence that we have at Leghorn not only a loyal consul, but a vigilant & active officer.

You may perhaps know something of Mr Walsh's political position, and if these charges are known to you to be well founded, or if you think there is probable cause of suspicion against him, you will do me a -------------------------------- Page -------------------------------- great favor, and render a service to our country, by writing, with the least possible delay, (which you may do confidentially) to Secretaries Seward, or Chase, or any influential senator you may know. The nomination may be still pending when your letter arrives, & it may be of great service.

I hope to see you at Florence during The Exposition of September, & to find you & family prosperous & well. Mrs Marsh is rather better than when you saw her last, but still an invalid. She joins me in kind regards to you all, as well as in the expression of deep regret for the death of Mrs Browning, and of sincere sympathy with her husband.

Very truly yours

George P. Marsh note:Hiram Powers Esq

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Hiram Powers was best known as a sculptor, the author of the "Greek Slave," which taunted the institution of slavery with a naked white woman and a cross.

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