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Solomon Brown, First African American
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Primary Source Document
Exercise

Smithsonian Institution Home

                                       Smithsonian Institution
                                                   Washington July 15^th 1864

Prof Baird

       Dear Sir

              Yours dated July 12^th have just Arrived and we are all glade to hear from you and family All here is well - many have been much frightened at the annual visit of the Rebels to their friends at Maryland, but we are told that the johny Rebs are returning home with lots of Presents am including money from their [?joy] Entertainers, we are also told here that among may other funny thing they performed that they knocked but the door of Washington was not opened unto them. they being a set of high bread gentlemen concluded but to come in with no, […] of civil treatment, so they marches off much to the joy and comfort of a greatly Excited Populace of this city, but you would really feel secure wane you here just now particularly when the Report came in that the Rebels had left for the South, to see the great number Brave fighting men that came out from their hiding Places and Paraded through streets in serch of arms to meet the Rebels. but they was mustered out to return to they several dens .I.E. the drinking Saloons, gambling halls and after hour places. to fight enemy them selves, for it was Imposable for decently disposed persons to pass cirtin localities with out be interfered with by this brave men who wanted to fight when the Rebel had gone, But not one gravel on the Roof of your very pleasant home has been misplaced. the Inmates have much frightened the past 3 days refusing all consolations, but glad to say on my visit this day found them [?Panladen] of Food which sustain life and do at least afford consolation to the hungry. Mr Varden desire to be remembered to you and says that up to this time nothing have come with the excesptions of one Flügel Box (114) Books which Prof H. had me (Solomon) to open and Miss Jane to Enter send off. your chest, jun box & trunk shall be put Ready to day and sent of[f] to E. [?Torn], Ny. the work of Rearranging stock on hand progresses but slowly. The Sec'd Nat. Pant. l. of Meteo Results is being dilivered Bound in cloth.

The Building is very slimly attended by visitors scarcely one person to be seen in Museum at any one hour in the day.

Mary, & Sarah desire me to remember them kindly to you Mrs Baird & Miss Lucy.

And I would beg that I may also be remembered to them Prof Henry & family, Mr Meek, Mr Gill, Mr Banister, Mr Rheese Mr Force & Miss Burner is still here Also Mr Gount Mr Diggs, Mr Sulivan, Mr DeBust and [?occasionally] Mr Brown is also here.

All able to be at their several post & duty so that no dissatisfaction seems to Exist. All is harmonious The Market here have taken a sundon Rise so that the cost of living scence Saturday last is awfull in the Extrem. flour $20 to 25. Butter 50 to 75. Hares 35 to 40 [?mulding] 30 to 35. shoulder bacon 25 to 30 per lbs. and I learned this moment that they are yet going up in price. Should you go to phila[delphia] Please send me word what hams can be bought for there with the address of the Parties. and Brown sugar is 35 to 40 here with an upward tendency. now what people here is to do is a question remain to be solved.

I will not write more here will look for a letter soon from you.

I send on to day another Batch of paper to the care of your Brother Mr. Wm Baird If your mother is at Reading Be kind enough to give regards to her-

       Yours very Respectfuly
              Solomon G. Brown

P.S. I had prepared aplace in center of the cole celler under south tower under stone floor for the deposition of a box of valuables committed to my care should any thing suddenly turn up to prevent them being shipped to a place of safty outside of town.

This you will remember should anything turn up -but at present they remain where you last saw them

       yours
              Solomon