The Beehive: the official blog of the Massachusetts Historical Society

Stephen Greenleaf Bulfinch Diary, Post 38

The following excerpt is from the diary of Stephen Greenleaf Bulfinch.

Sunday, Nov. 6th

In public affairs, I record the startling discoveries of election fraud in New York, & of a conspiracy against the gov’t in Indiana. Next Tuesday decides the election of President; - & my preference is for Mr. Lincoln, alike from personal approval, - as he is identified with the cause I believe to be right, and as I think that a change of system now would delay, instead of advancing, the return of peace.

Wednesday Nov. 16th

The election decided by a very great majority in favor of Mr. Lincoln, & the magnanimous & Christian manner in which he has expressed himself thereon, - are makers of history. There was a very [-elty] illumination here in honor of the result. Last news is of Sherman’s leaving Atlanta, supposed for Savannah & Charleston. At present there is going on in Boston a great ‘Sailors’ Fair,’ for the establ. of a naval hospital; My girls have attended, - through kindness of Uncles T. & H. & we propose to see some more of its wonders.

Sunday, Nov. 27th

Public attention is now fixed on the daring march of Sherman through the interior of Georgia - & the recent capture of the Florida in the waters of Brazil, with the danger of misunderstanding with that power. Hope dawns, but we fear lest we hope too much.

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