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Subject: [IASCOTT] 1910 Conway's Remarkable Letter
Date: Sun, 9 Jun 2002 07:26:00 EDT

Chapter 13 cont.

CONWAY'S REMARKABLE LETTER

In reply to this resolution the Hon. Secretary addresses to the Hon. Council
the communication following, upon receipt of which the following proceedings
were had.

The president laid before the council a communication from the secretary of
the territory.

On motion of Mr. Hempstead:

Ordered, that said communication do not appear in the journal, and that it be
referred to the committee upon expenditures.
                                                                             
             SECRETARY'S OFFICE, NOV. 24, 1838.

To the Honorable, the President of the Council:

SIR - A resolution in relation to knives, tin pans, etc. was duly transmitted
to this department of the territorial government, where it received that
attentive consideration which the magnitude of the subject appeared to
demand.

To prevent an interruption of that perfect harmony which has heretofore
existed, still exists and should continue to exist between the honorable, the
legislative assembly and the department of state it becomes necessary to
offer in a very respectful manner a few explanatory observations, and
especially in relation to the knives.  The secretary would therefore beg
leave to explain.

In the latter part of last summer a young man of rather interesting personal
appearance and associated as then alleged, with the executive department,
called on the secretary and stated that he (the young man) was then on his
way to Cincinnati in the state of Ohio, on business connected with the
territorial library and then and there delivered an executive opinion that it
would doubtless be better to purchase the stationery at Cincinnati and
politely offered the use and exercise of his own talents in procuring the
same, if authorized so to do.  The matter was then held under advisement and
in the meantime a letter was received from the executive department directing
the attention of the secretary to the facilities afforded by the visit of the
young man to Cincinnati, where, it was believed, that stationery could be
procured on better terms than at any other place.  In reply the secretary
proposed a converence with the executive which resulted in a letter of
instruction to the young man, then at or on his way to Cincinnati,
authorizing him to make the purchases which it is alleged he did make with
his usual ability and on advantageous terms.  A bill of articles has been
returned and the young man has returned, but he found it inconvenient, or to
use his own language, impossible, to bring on the stationery.  This young man
was vested with certain discretionary powers and for reasons which satisfied
his discretion after much mental exertion and consultation he omitted the
purchase of knives.

The navigation of the Ohio was entirely suspended.  This was the act of God
whose holy name is pronounced with deep reverence and to whose holy will it
is our duty to submit.  Human power cannot resist the dispensation of his
providence nor can human wisdom counteract his unfathomable designs.  His
excellency, the governor, in pursuance of law named a day on which the
legislature should convene; and the secretary to meet the difficulties of a
very difficult case proceeded to St. Louis to make preparations for the
approaching session, and returned in despite of every peril to provide for
the comfort of the honorable, the legislative assembly; in which dutiful
design - always exepting knives.

Much exertion has been made to procure knives in Burlington but knives of a
suitable finish and quality cannot be procured; nor can knives in a
sufficient quantity of any quality be obtained, and and the secretary can't
make knives.  If he could do so, he would do so with expedition and pleasure,
but if it should comport with his own wishes and the wishes of all those whom
it may concern, that he should occupy his present station until the next
session, he will take especial care  to supersede the necessity of any
further legislation on the subject of knives; - for it is the earnest and
anixous wish of the secretary that all the members should have knives and
stamps and folders; and all and singular, such thing or things, device or
devices whatsoever, as may facilitate the operations of the hands in yielding
assistance to the deliberationsof the head.

The part of the resolution which relates to extra ink-stands and tin
pattypans, can, and will be promptly complied with; as well as the separate
resolution thus acknowledged which requires increased accommodations for
spectators in the lobby and in conclusing the secretary renders to the
honorable members of the council, individually and collectively, the fullest
assurance of that high consideration which they cannot be more anxious to
receive than he is to bestow; and whilst he has no reason to invoke their
indulgence, he would make every proper exertion to conciliate their respect,
remaining most entirely their obed't serv't,

                                                            W. B. CONWAY,
Secretary of the Territory.

A few days later the committee presented the following:

Debbie Clough G-erischer


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