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2 In New York City andWestward to Chicago May 1866 Thursday 17 May 1866 Coming down in the morning I met young Oyens at once, who had come to meet Meder. Had breakfast together and after that walked through the city, along Broadway to Castle Garden, where all emigrants are landed, and visited several persons for whom we had brought letters of recommendation, like Schushardt and Dulman. I just looked in at Morgan’s but found him leaving at that moment and promised him to come back tomorrow.1 Friday 18 May 1866 Handed out still more letters, among others at Osborn’s, who received me most friendly and, without asking if it would be convenient at all, at once decided that Oyens and I will depart for Chicago this comingThursday to inspect the Illinois Central. In God’s name we accept, and will adjust our itinerary accordingly, although it means that I will be unable to attend the congress. But because of what I have heard of it, I am not too much disappointed to have to miss it. Moreover, the opportunity to accompany Osborn is too good to refuse and after all, best of all, we are just wrapped up and taken. Enfin vogue la galère.2 Letters delivered to Cousinery, represented by the Thorons, and visited with Blake. He receives me most friendly and I am looking forward to a lot of pleasure with him and profiting from his vast knowledge.3 In the evening to a reception at the Dutilhs’ with Oyens and Meder. Mr. Scher­ merhorn, one of the Knickerbockers, with two daughters. Mrs. Wilkinson with two daughters, “one of whom is engaged to be married to Mr. Casimir Thoron. 30 A Young Dutchman Views Post–Civil War America The engagement is first known today.” We danced a lancer and talked all evening , I especially with the engaged Miss Wilkinson, who did not neck much with Mr.Thoron.The Wilkinsons lived in Charleston and went through the bombardment of Fort Sumter and the siege of Charleston. They left before the bombardment of the city, but they survived all horrors of the war. Six months ago they had come to stay with the Dutilhs. Fiercely South­ ern in their views, I heard the girl of sixteen say: “I wouldn’t care for all the misery and all the sorrow over again and to have as many deaths again, if we could only whip them once.” I am not quite sure that I heard the word “whip” coming from her sweet lips, but I do think so. “We ought to fan the hatred.”What a situation! Mrs. Dutilh is a charming woman who knows to perfection how to organize receptions.4 Saturday 19 May 1866 To the Morgans’ in the morning, where I had a conversation with one of the partners. I liked none of the two I met. One is a fop and has a most ridiculous appearance ; the other looks more caddish. His speech didn’t make a favorable impression on me either. He has some superficiality and he lets his tongue run away with him, or so it seems. But I don’t want to judge him yet. With Ameri­ cans this is always hard to do; often the crust is so different from the inside. In many respects he is showing some composure, something that works in his favor. He doesn’t think much of the present situation of the country and is not so much in favor of paying off the national debt, as so many other bankers seem to advocate so vehemently.5 He couldn’t tell me much good of the Atlantic & Western. The construction costs havebeenmuchtoohighandareadrainonthecoffersof the company, caused chiefly by the stealing by the contractors. He named three or four persons who are most culpable, who have made their fortunes out of the business. In one word, his opinion was definitely in the negative.6 In the afternoon with Oyens and Meder to Newark to see the Scharff family. Their abode is lovely situated, but the whole doesn’t show much prosperity; on the contrary it is more decent poverty. He was full of complaints, and although he tried hard to show things in a positive way, it was clear that he would welcome more income. Statistics are clear: a barrel of flour twenty years ago bought—too expensive—for $5, is now $20; cloth before the war $1.25 the yard, now $3.50 or $4...

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