Edwin is in Billerica, Mass., a town about twenty miles north of his Acton home, attending a memorial service. His brother-in-law Henry Jenkins, died in Panama, returning from California. Susan writes her condolences.
Danversport. July 26th Saturday eve.
Dear Friend.
I felt almost sure I should have a letter on my return from school yesterday, but instead, I found a paper and within sweet flowers so fresh in their hiding place that it hardly seemed that they could have been folded since the previous day, both proofs of your thoughtfulness and kindness, for which please accept my thanks. A letter was not long behind, which I always receive with pleasure and although the hour is late, I will write to you, lest I should not find time on Monday.
I was thinking of you this afternoon as starting for Billerica if the weather with you is such as it is here, you must have had a rainy ride. I trust you suffered no inconvenience from it. These repeated afflictions must be very sad for your friends, particularly so under such circumstances as you have mentioned. It is so great a pleasure to be with our dying friends, and perform with your own hands the last offices of love. But if those we love died with the Christian's hope, it seems that it is no longer death, but only a separation to be crowned with eternal reunion. And it matters little where the body is laid for He who has said I am the resurrection and the life will gather our frail dust together & clothe it with immortality.
I think we can scarcely be grateful enough for these delightful rains, clothing everything in the extreme heat of summer with all the green freshness of early spring. I do enjoy my early morning walks to school and wish you could look on the same beautiful views. I know you must enjoy your garden and flowers as they appear so refreshed each day.
On Thursday your brother James spent most of the day in Lynn, visiting school till recess. He took dinner with us and returned to Danvers in the five o'clock train.
On Friday we were honored with a call from Mayor Usher of Lynn, and Maj. Gen. Butler. We had the pleasure of an introduction and he addressed the school. The scholars cheered him with a great deal of spirit.
Benjamin Franklin Butler was an important figure in the Civil War, and for many years after an active politician. As a Major General, he was highly praised by some while reviled by others. As Commander of the force that took New Orleans in 1862, many of his actions against the citizens proved locally unpopular. So too were some of his financial dealings. He was a New England mill owner and was especially interested in the cotton trade and profited by it.
President Lincoln moved him out of New Orleans, to Virginia. There, he commanded several African American troops that served with honor, but more controversy followed him. However, his popularity back home remained.
In 1866 Butler was elected to the U S Congress where two years later he was one of the managers of the impeachment of President Andrew Johnson. He also authored the first Civil Rights Bill in 1871 and, after losing twice, served as Massachusetts Governor in 1882.