William H. Aspinwall

Letter from William H. Aspinwall to Gustavus Vasa Fox, September 18, 1861

 [WM. H. ASPINWALL TO G. V. FOX]

Rockwood

Sept. 18, 1861.

My dear Fox

I received your letter when in town yesterday. I agree with what you say about McC. I consider him a genius, and hope he will prove himself a great man, by showing himself superior to vanity from the adulation which generally surrounds those occupying prominent positions. In this connection, pray repeat to your brother in law what I told him in April -- not to allow Gen. Scott to resign -- he is loved and revered by the people in the Eastern and Middle States, and from these come the sinews of war at present. His loss would tell fearfully in those quarters. We cannot bear anything of the kind. I have been much exercised the last week about the loan. Have given my sole attention to stirring up subscriptions and promoting the efforts of others in that direction. The Banks of this City were in doubt whether they could take the second lot of 50 millions on the 1? Octo. Certainly they would not at the daily rate at which they were being relieved last week -- hesitation or refusal would be fatal; and yet with the best intentions in the world, they cannot retain permanently more than a certain amt of their capitals; and on the extent of the subscriptions by individuals and other corporations towards taking off their hands what they were already committed for, depended their ability to take more. I think the matter stands much better now, and that a new start has been given. I am prepared for what you say about the Potomac, and have thot from the strength of the batteries there and the efforts
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made by the rebels to secure boats that they might contemplate crossing the river below Washington -- but of this you keep of course a sharp watch.

Annapolis will again become an important point for you, and I should think you would have an armed vessel with a wide-awake Commander there. If the Potomac be closed, Annapolis will be more handy both to your Navy Yard -- the sea -- and to Northern supplies, than Baltimore.

I have sent to the Secretary a letter from Capt. Dall formerly of the Pacific Mail Co. -- on the Oregon route -- a first rate young man -- of the David Porter style -- should you want a commander on the Pacific for any gunboat or small steamer.

By the way, would not Porter be the man to command the naval part of the special expedition to the Southern Coast? and since I am asking questions, let me enquire if you can give one of the new gunboats to Wm. E. Leroy -- now on his way home in command of the Mystic. His good Father has a letter from him expressing a great desire for active service.

Truly Yours

Wm. H. Aspinwall