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My Dear friend Marsh

Many thanks for your kind letters. This is to both of you --

We are beginning to rally somewhat, from our late terrible trial--and my wife says, that ere long--she will be able to write to Mrs Marsh Some particulars of our poor Florence, during her illness -- We cannot now dwell upon the subject, without relapsing into the state we have been in these last several months --

Your remarks upon the present state of things at home--seem just--although I am disposed to hesitate a little in regard to your conclusions--of Gen Meades conduct -- We must make great allowances, for a General--hampered--perhaps--by his superiors--and in Command of men--who are "The free born and enlightened Citizens of the United States" -- Perhaps if Gen Meade could tell story, we should then change our minds. -- But you may possess information unknown to me, and So I rest the question as

to the integrity of (the really false) McLellans successor -- It was enough for me, that Mc:Lellan suffered the Democrats of N. York to approach him at all, much more--that he received them as friends -- But his star has set never to rise again -- Meade is at least his equal, and two suns cannot shine in the same firmament --

That great common Sewer--of political abominations--The London Times--has at last--suddenly opened its channels--not indeed to any pure current but to some truth--floated--for interests sake--upon the vile craft--that always carries the purposes of The Times -- The Correspondent of that paper--just sent out, has discovered--that 99 out of every 100 of our people--are really for the Union--and he is amazed, that any other idea, should ever have been promulgated--and so The Times--confesses its error. It had been deceived by its former--"our Special Correspondent"! The wonder is that sensible people--honest well meaning people--who have so often been duped by The Times, should still cling to it as to an infallable oracle -- It is their golden Calf -- Imagine too, the

feelings of Southern Leaders--now reading the articles in the Times! -- A case of Seduction and breach of promise! The tender letters! the warm assurances! all forgotten!! Alas!--and much money spent in vain--that cannot be spoken of for sheer Shame!! -- The Times will soon fall in love with the rival of the South, and find out its error It was the North all along and not the South that the Times really loved -- And the readers of the Times will love the North too -- It is amusing to see englishmen at Vieusseux reading room all swallowing the Times -- They will not deign to look at any other paper--unless by way of Sauce to the Times --

"Most able article to day in the Times about American affairs! Have you read it?" So Some have said to me in regard to some of the most bare faced distortions of the truth -- It really seems as if Englishmen had no brains of their own while reading the Times -- I have asked some of them if they ever read the "Daily News? -- No, I never look at that -- It is a radical Paper! -- The Times contains all I have time to read"-amp;c. --

But it is of no great consequence now what the Times says, for the danger

of recognition of the Southern Confederacy has passed away--and Southern bonds will no longer be received in payment for English privateers -- It will be our own fault now if we fail to put down this rebellion--lock stock and barrel -- I think that President Lincoln, with all his faults, has sense enough to hold on firmly to his emancipation policy, and to the Conscription -- If he fails in either of these, then indeed we shall have trouble --

There is a man here from the South of whom doubt[l]ess, you know something--Capt Page, who commanded the Amazon expedition some years ago. Some think that he is to command, the "Southerner" of which you may have read a short time ago in English papers--as a suspicious vessel -- He is often seen at Vieusseux Reading Room in company with "ex Consul Walsh" I think it would be well to have a sent out here soon as possible--for--as for sailing ships of war--they are an expense for no possible use -- A Cock Turkey against an Eagle--would stand a better chance than a Sailing Ship against a Steamer.

There is Some apprehension now, of France recognizing the South and forming an alliance offensive and defensive -- I do not believe it -- For it could . Millions upon millions of expense to France--and no wool -- Doubtless the Emperor thought that the United States had come to an end--when he invaded Mexico--and he will do all he can now--short of war--to embarrass us, but he knows too well the cost of Such a war--and will think twice before engaging in it.

With respect to my own affairs--I am sorry to say--that after promising to pay the installments due on my Statues of Jefferson & Franklin in Coin--I have thus far--been put off in paper.

Mr Chase wrote me a very complimentary letter, in which he said--he could see no just reasons for paying Representatives of the Country in gold which did not apply to me, and that in future the payments should be made in Coin -- You may judge of my Surprise a week or two later

on receiving a letter from my friend Mr Sidney Brooks to say--that another payment had been made in paper, and that Mr Usher had refused to pay in Specie --

Thus, in the first place, I was kept out of my Commission 4 or 5 years by the intrigues of Messers Pierce Meigs and Crawford -- Then President Buchannan agreed that I should make two statues of Franklin & Jefferson 8 feet high delivered in N York at my risk and expense -- He cutting down the appropriation from $25,000, to $20,000 -- And now I am to suffer another cutting down to Government paper! -- I still hope that Mr Usher has acted without the knowledge of Mr Chase--and that my letter to the latter Gentleman will set matters right --

With most affectionate regards to you all from us all, I am ever your friend

.

Florence Aug 16 1863

References in this letter:

Florence Powers, Hiram and Elizabeth Powers' sixth child, was born in Florence in 1846 and died there in 1863.

Robert M. Walsh was U.S. consul at Leghorn (Livorno) until removed from his position by President Lincoln because of his Southern sympathies, after which he settled in Florence.

Powers' over-life-size statue of Thomas Jefferson holding the Declaration of Independence was commissioned by the U.S. government in 1858 (along with one of Benjamin Franklin) for the Capitol in Washington, the price being $10,000 for each statue. The marble version of the plaster original was shipped in 1863 and installed in the House wing of the Capitol.

Salmon P. Chase (1808-1873), U.S. Secretary of the Treasury 1861-64, had sought the Republican Presidential nomination in 1860 and allowed himself to be put foward as Lincoln's rival for the nomination in 1864, a move which prompted Lincoln to remove him from his post. Later the same year Chase was appointed Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Sidney Brooks was for many years Powers' American banker and investment advisor, and contributed substantially to his financial success.

John Palmer Usher (1816-1889) was Secretary of the Interior from 1863 to 1865.