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Finding Aid for the James C. Luttrell Letter, 1857 October 4


MS-2219

University of Tennessee Special Collections Library, Knoxville, TN


Encoded by: Elizabeth Dunham, June 1, 2006.

Summary Information
Title: James C. Luttrell Letter

Date/Date Range :   1857 October 4

Extent: 0.1 linear feet

Abstract:
In an October 4, 1857 letter to his wife, James C. Luttrell, a former Knoxville mayor and Comptroller of the Treasury for the State of Tennessee, describes the Nashville political climate just prior to the Civil War.

Call number: MS-2219

Repository: University of Tennessee Special Collections Library, Knoxville, TN

Access and Use
Aquisition Information:
The collection was purchased by Special Collections in August 2001.
Access Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Copyright:
The copyright interests in this collection remain with the creator. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library.
Preferred Citation:
[Identification of Item], James C. Luttrell Letter, MS-2219. University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Special Collections Library.

Arrangement

Collection consists of a single folder.


Biography / History

James Churchwell Luttrell (1813-1878) served as mayor of his hometown of Knoxville in 1854 and again from 1859 through 1867. His two sons, James, Jr. and Samuel, also were Knoxville mayors. From 1855-1857, Luttrell served as Comptroller of the Treasury for the State of Tennessee, a constitutional officer position elected by the General Assembly for a term of two years.


Collection Scope and Content Note

In an October 4, 1857 letter to his wife, James C. Luttrell describes the Nashville political climate just prior to the Civil War. He expresses disgust as the ways in which members of the Legislature are campaigning for various offices, saying "I shall have nothing to do with their elections -- shall let them fight it out among themselves."

Subject Terms

  • Tennessee -- Politics and government -- 1820-1858.
Contents List
Folder   1     Item   1    
Letter from James C. Luttrell in Nashville to his wife, 1857 October 4

Scope Note:

Transcription of Letter:

Nashville, October 4th, 1857

My dear wife,

Upon my arrival here on Friday morning I wrote you a short letter, the first thing I done, which I hope you have received before this. To day is Sunday and this morning went to Church. Last night, I heard a lecture delivered by the celebrated George D. Prentice of the Louisville Journal of Louisville, Ky -- it was the richest and most elegant thing of the kind I ever heard.

Nashville is crowded to overflowing -- the members of the Legislature are nearly all here -- the number of candidates for the various offices greatly exceeds the number of Members of the Legislature. I never in all my life have seen such a hungry pack -- it would seem every Democrat in the State thinks himself entitled to some office. Some of the more decent among them have told me that they felt ashamed to say they were candidates. I have now lying upon my table more than half a dozen cards from candidates asking me to aid them -- to ask members of our party to vote for them. My opinion now is that I shall have nothing to do with their elections -- shall let them fight it out among themselves. Parson Lewis & Tom, Box Hill, Matt Allison and Shin Newman are here -- Shin says to day he will not be a candidate for Clerk -- why he declines being one I do not know. I saw at dinner today Miss Margaret McFarland -- she came down this morning with Mr. George Bridges.

I am likely to have my hands full here -- I think fully one half of the Free Banks will be obliged to suspend -- I hope I may be mistaken, but things look that way. In getting your money changed get Mr. Morrow to change it for you and get money upon the Bank of Tennessee -- if you get notes upon the Free Banks, and there are so many of them, you may get some upon Banks that have suspended, if you do you cannot now use them.

I have been very busy ever since I got here and expect to be while I stay here.

I hope, my Dear Wife, you will write me very often -- tell the children to write also.

My best love to you -- Love to the children and Mother.

I am very well and will write you again soon.

Your very affectionate husband,

James C. Luttrell