From Cyrus Strong to John Clapp

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Woodstock Mill [April] 8th 1845

My Dear Sir

I am in receipt of nothing later from
Binghamton than Cyrus's letter of March 9th which I
answered some days since. Mr. & Mrs. Alberti are now in
St. Mary, they went down last week expecting to meet
the Bishop. Ernestine intends being confirmed.

Tomorrow is the last day the mill will
run for some week. We are to take down the engine
& send the cylinder to Savannah for the purpose of
having it bored out in the mean time we shall be
making alterations & repairs. Mr. Alberti will not be
able to attend to any thing, he has doubts of his having
sufficient strength to undertake a journey to the north.
We have got a young man here from Savannah who is to
take charge of the store. He is accompanied by his mother
an excellent pious old lady. They are at present staying
with us, but the house we have been building for them
is almost completed. They will go into it next week.

A few weeks ago a Mr. Ingersol, cashier
of the Marine & Fire Insurance Banking Co. Savannah, was
at Woodstock on a little excursion to renovate his health
which had been somewhat impaired by too close application
to business - staid a few days with us; we made him
a proposition to come to W. and assume the supervision
of matters, take charge of the correspondence, etc. at a given
compensation, with the understanding that at some
future day when it should be all right he should

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have the privilege of becoming a partner to the amt of one fourth
on fair terms. He appeared pleased with the Idea, said
he would consult his wife & Creditors, & if they interposed
no objections would come. Last mail brought us his
affirmation answer. He is a first rate business man and a most
Exemplary Christian. (When I speak of a Christian Cashier, don't
be thinking of our friend Murdock). Five years ago he failed
in a partnership concern for several thousand dollars, he refused
to make "the benefit" but said if his life was spared he would
some day pay principal & interest, twas with that view
he accepted the post he now holds, doing the duty of Receiving
& Paying, Teller, in addition, & receiving $2,000 per annum.
The balance after supporting his family in a very frugal way
has been applied to the Extinguishment of his debts.
He wishes me to stay a spell after he gets here until
he can get the run of Matters. Such a learning the
quality of timber, our manner of Measurement & inspection,
what is suited to different markets, etc.
The weather has been quite warm for a long time, our garden
is as forward as a Northern one would be in June,
I would remind Mother of the whereabouts, of a certain
Old Shoe filled with Cherry pits. it was put down on
the north side of the Strawberry Square about midway
from the Corners & stick stuck over it. Some care
should be seized in taking off the braids & straw from the
bed, not to obliterate the Mark - As in all, probability
I shall not be home in time for gardening. I wish to have
Patherick [Patrick], retained to attend to that matter for me, under

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mother supervision until every thing is put in order.
There are one or two trees before the house which if I remember
are too high. If they can be got at, I should like to have
a few feet taken off. Father will recollect my having
some talk with him on the subject. I should have
liked much to have returned in time to attend to these
things myself. There is much yet to be done about the place
to render it just right. but I cannot in justice to myself
or to those with whom I am connected, leave the establishment
here for some time to come.
There are two vessels now here taking in cargo.
One for Port Spain & the other for Kingston, they carry 110 [?]
each. One of the vessel brought out our Spring stock
of goods. The monies [?] amount to about $5,000. We can
undersell the Binghamton merchants just like anything.
You will hear from me once if not
oftener, before I leave. Mr. Ingersol will be here
by the 25th inst. by which time I hope to ready to
have the Mill in readiness. I shall probably stay but
a short time after that. If any of you are as anxious
to have me return as I am to get away -- I am
sorry for you - - Remember me to the gentlemen
composing the different "Committees". & Particularly to
the democratic members. We have "much to congratulate" ourselves
upon. The "Arena of Freedom" has been extended & if Democracy
prosper we will extend it still farther
Love to all the family.
Your truly

[signed] Cyrus Strong