Autograph Letter Signed Baltimore, August 3, 1855, to James Shaw, Jr., Philadelphia

No Binding. Very Good. folio, two pages, in very good, clean and legible condition, accompanied by original mailing envelope. Dear Friend Shaw, Here I am, rusticating a short distance from Baltimore, enjoying myself lustily, and intending to do so while I may remain. I find the cause progressing finely here, although it is in the very hot bed of Catholicism (Roman) as you can scarcely turn without overturning a Jesuit, or setting your foot upon their property. The Irish here are as "green" as you find them everywhere else. I heard a tale the other day about one, whether it be true or not, is left for you and me to determine. An Irishman having started on a gunning excursion came to a tree, and seeing what he imagined to be a bird, fired, afterward on going to look for his game, found a little tree frog at the root, and picking it up said "och, fother - el - dol! What a beautiful bird ye were, before I shot the fithers off ye entirely." But for a fact an Irishman just over coming to my Uncle to get work, in conversation said they raised corn in Ireland to a very great extent, and that he understood how to cultivate it, on turning round and seeing a field of fine corn growing near the house enquired in good faith, and seriously asked "sure Misther is thim beans ye are growing there" . On Monday I start for Washington, where if I should stay more than a day you may hear from me from there, if not then not. . Write me if possible so that I may get it before Monday. Mail me if you please a copy of the Aug. number of the "Friend" & I will try and oblige you some time in the way of papers &c. if you have anything that you think will interest the cause here, and I can be the means of forwarding the interest I shall be pleased to receive & make such use of. If I can attend to anything for you I am willing ." The "cause" to which Mitchell refers was apparently that of the newly-renamed American Party, formerly called the "Know Nothings," an anti-Catholic (as well as anti-slavery) movement which sometimes led to violent confrontation; just days after this letter was written, in Louisville, Kentucky, 22 people died in an anti-Catholic riot during a hotly contested race for Governor.