Publication InformationFlorence March 27 1854

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My Dear Friend

I have received your last interesting letter, and regret very much indeed, that circumstances should place it quite out of my power to go to Rome this year. Nothing, I assure you, would give me a greater pleasure than a few weeks--or even days spent with you and yours among the wonders of that place. But the fact is, I am behind hand with several commissions and it would not be honest (in good health and able to work)--to break off now for meere pleasure -- I want to see you again however, before you go home and hope you may find it convenient to stop at Leghorn on your way, long enough to run up here if only for a day -- But if this cannot be, why then I must hope to find you at home, and all well, when we reach there--if by the blessing of Providence that happiness is in store for us --

We talk of home almost daily, as if we had any other home than this, and unmindful of the fact, that there is not enough ground, that we can call our own, in all America to cover our bones -- But hope sustains us, and not without a prospect of means--in a few

years more to purchase a homeste[a]d somewhere in the country --

Were I alone--it is probable that I should spend all my days here for it matters little where one is, so that he is usefull and cheerful but my family must not remain to settle here -- Our eldest girls are now nearly grown, and we must not forget that their destiny is still within our controul, at least as Parents --

Your remarks about the new Capitol decorations require a word or two in explanation of my views and motives --

I foresee, that our Government will always do as it has done in relation to art and Artists -- It will be hit or miss as in the present instance. Had Congress given out the present commissions, no doubt Mr Clark Mills would have had their unanimous vote, but by a chance, the matter was left to the President, who by another chance--left it to Capt Meigs--who by--yet another chance is a discreet man. He wishes to have the work done by capable men and he has secured one capable Artist--(Mr Crawford) to execute a part of it -- Our Capitol will therefore--have some redeeming ornaments upon it. Mr Crawford has the commission indeed but no honor in it of a national character Clark Mills has honor and he is welcome to what it is worth. The good opinion of Capt Meigs is of more

value than "a unanimous vote of Congress" on matters of Art -- I should feel quite as much flattered by a unanimous vote in my favor from a party of Irish canal diggers, as from an equally ignorant Congress of the United States -- This is treasonable talk but look at the facts! Look at the orders of that body -- But these are small matters compared to what is now before Congress -- The Nebraska question. I wish you were there at this moment, to cry aloud against the infamous proceedings of madmen -- That some few should be found to favor such a project would not surprize me, but that our should even entertain it for a moment, astonishes me.

What a void has been left by our Webster and our Clay! We want a at the helm to steer our gigantic Ship now driving with full steam and headlong speed upon a lee Shore -- The crew are all drunk--no man at the watch -- The Shore is near and darkness prevails. Mountebanks and monkeys are capering at large upon the deck and the horizon is is as black as midnight -- Indeed it may be said now of the whole world, "I looked and behold there was no man" unless the leader of the Chinese rebellion is a chosen of God for a great work -- Europe has no --and she needs one more now than ever -- In fact, the whole world seems upon the eve of some great catastrophe. Mankind have become half mad--for a purpose yet to be revealed --

It is in accordance with Divine Providence, that with the occasion appears the for the occasion--and doubtless, the controuling Spirits Devils or Angels will soon take their places on the stages of coming events -- Such leaders have charmed lives--until their work is done. Bullets cannot hit them, daggers can not penetrate them--no accident hurts them, until the Successor is ready--when they are as vulnerable as other men -- The hand of God is in all this, and that is our hope in times like these --

George is now with us, just having had a frolic with the children. he is now talking to Madam in the next room -- He says he will write to you this evening --

We have not had a drop of rain for more than 2 months and the ground is drying up, full of cracks as you have seen it in midsummer vegetation is suffering -- The weather has been cold and there has been much disease arising from colds.

Our family have all been ill more or less from this cause. Such a season has never been known by any of the present generation in Florence -- The wind called Tramontana has privailed--an unhealthy air--so considered here --

All unite in affectionate regards to you and yours -- Yours most sincerely

(In haste)

References in this letter:

Thomas Crawford (1814-1857) was an American sculptor best known for the bronze doors and other work on the Capitol in Washington, an equestrian statue of Washington at Richmond, Virginia, and a statue of Adam and Eve.

In 1844 Powers sculpted a portrait bust of the American statesman, Henry Clay (1777-1852).