Online version 1.
Hold this space for succinct statements about editorial principles here and/or link to the website with more detailed editorial descriptions.
- Family Relations (Sedgwick Family)
- Work
- Politics
- Foreign Relations
- Religion
- Morality and Ethics
- Legal Issues
- Bible
You could not dear Robert for a moment think that you could have any concern on your hands in which I was not deeply interested -- Indeed my Brothers concerns are so entirely mine that the terms mine and thine are to my sense synonomous -- I havenot written to you because I beleived that in your present hurry of business one line of extra reading would be a burden to you -- and I had not the least idea that Elizth was still in NYork -- but I have been every day on the point of addressing a letter to Newport --
I trust that before this time you are entirely releived from your Greek cause 1, but I feel almost afraid to hear the result The sentiment of ardent and independent virtue would dictate a kind of justice far above, as I amfraid, the reach of your 2 arbitrators,
The poor Greeks! -- I am afraid the the Millenm is far off 2 when the heads of these christian people are sent to decorate the walls of the Seraglio and Christendom looks tamely on -- Man is a poor creature after all -- Stirred up by the voice of a mad monk, to fight for holy ground -- and his pulse not quickened by such a scene as Missilonghi 3 -- -- It is mortifying that there are men in our free enlightened nation to take a sordid advantage of their necessities -- --
But I have no time for National interests -- Charles is going to S & I must scrawl off my letter -- Elizth is doing well 3and they are all well at S -- Dearest Robert are you not to be here as soon as this cause is over? --
The Country is exquisite and our hearts are all absolutely longing for you -- --
Love to Harry -- -- -- and all --
Do let me have one line from you -- if you are not coming yourself -- I shall want very much to know how Lizy gets to Nport --
Letter
Massachusetts Historical Society
Sedgwick Family Papers VI
The letter sheet has a missing corner that affects the inner bottom corner of pages 3 and 4 but does not seem to obscure any writing. Wax blot and tear.
R. Sedgwick Esqre/Pine Street / NYork --
CM Sedgwick/Jul 26
Robert Sedgwick co-authored with John Duer a pamphlet titled, An Examination of the Controversy between the Greek Deputies and two Mercantile Houses of New York; together with a Review of the Publications on the Subject, by the Arbitrators, Messrs Emmett er Ogden, and Mr William Bayard. See also https://www.greekrevolution.org/review-published-relating-frigate-affair/
Sedgwick is referring to the Millenium, perhaps as depicted in Revelation 20 (KJV).
Sedgwick is alluding to the Third Seige of Missolonghi (1825-1826), a critical battle in the Greek War of Independence from the occupying Ottoman Empire. When hunger and illness forced Greek freedom fighters to flee the beseiged city of Missolonghi, they were largely massacred by the Turkish army. Missolonghi is perhaps best known in Europe and the West today because English Romantic poet Lord Byron, who joined the fight for Greek Independence, died there in 1824 during a prior seige. French painter Eugene Delacroix's 1826 oil, entitled Greece on the Ruins of Missolonghi, also served to memorialize the tragic event.