Autograph Letter Signed, “John Lohmann.” Three pages, 8" x 12." “On board the Steamboat.” “Monday afternoon,” no date, no year. Addressed on integral leaf to “Mrs. Bloomfield, Burlington.” Lohmann writes, in part: “... I arrived yesterday at New York in the packet from Havre after a pleasant passage of 36 days - The political horizon of Europe is by no means clear and it is more than probable that a general war will soon take place - The French are not united! I have found them in the South of France as well as at Bordeaux much in favor of the unfortunate Charles X or rather the Duc de Bordeaux in whose favor he abdicated - At Varés, Lyons and the Northern Cities people are most enthusiastically inclined or better ‘determined’ to support the present King; but it is almost doubtful that they will be able to stand the shock of the Northern Autocrat and his allies, who should he be successful in submitting Poland will doubtless push his hordes and tribes towards the Rhine and Belgium to reinstate the house of Orange and then attack France! ... the Duke of Wellington would ‘ere long be again ‘Premier’ of England and then France would lose a powerful ally! The Belgians have postponed another month their election of a King. The Great Powers of Europe told them ‘you are independent provided you take the King we like’ A charming liberty indeed! ... of the King of France nothing has been decided yet; but Brussels was in a state of great misery according to the last accounts and a great many persons wished back the Prince of Orange ... if predictions and prophecies are to be believed, Paris will be burnt and level’d to the ground ‘ere July next! We live at present in such an extraordinary age that wonders will be quite a common thing ...” Interesting, wide-ranging commentary on European affairs, including references to the aftermath of the recent revolutions in both France and Belgium, all from the pen of a well-informed American. Paper loss on third page affecting the conclusion of ten lines. Splits at folds and toning on address leaf. Else Very Good.
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On board the Steamboat
Monday afternoon
My Dear Madame,
I assure you that I find it almost impossible to pass delightful Burlington without paying first my respects to you and to your lovely friends; but I hope I shall have this pleasure very soon.
Business calls me to Philadelphia first.
I arrived yesterday at New York in the packet from Havre, after a pleasant passage of 36 days.
The political horizon of Europe is by no means clear and it is more than probable that a general war will soon take place.
The French are not united. I have found them in the South of France as well as at Bordeaux much in favor of the unfortunate Charles X, no matter the Duc de Bordeaux in whose favor he abdicated.
At Paris, Lyons and the Northern Cities people are most enthusiastically inclined, or better determined, to support the present King; but it is almost doubtful that they will be able to stand the shock of the Northern Autocrat and his allies, who, should he be successful in subduing Poland, will doubtless push his hordes and tribes towards the Rhine and Belgium, to reinstate the House of Orange, and then attack France.
This was the general opinion when we left Havre on the 3d March.
It was likewise reported that Mr. Brougham could not support himself and that the Duke of Wellington would ere long be again Premier of England, and then France would lose a powerful ally.
The Belgians have postponed another month their election of a King.
The Great Powers of Europe tell them—
"You are independent provided you take the King we like."
A charming liberty indeed!
The French Ambassador had orders to quit Brussels should they elect the Duke of Leuchtenberg, and the English Chargé d'Affaires would have left in case they had chosen the Duke de Nemours, son of the King of France.
Consequently nothing has been decided yet; but Brussels was in a state of great anxiety according to the last accounts, and a great many persons wished back the Prince of Orange.
In the course of a few weeks we shall have some important news from Europe, and if predictions and prophecies are to be believed, Paris will be burnt and levelled to the ground ere July next!
We live at present in such an extraordinary age that wonders will be quite a common thing.
Any how, I hope the French will support themselves in the present independent situation and plant the tree of liberty through Europe according to American principles; but I am afraid the old country has too old manners to admit of such a happy [change].
When I have the pleasure of seeing you I will, I hope, be able to amuse you with my travels in Turkey, Greece, Italy and France.
I certainly have again seen many a delightful spot and found many a hospitable board; but believe me, my dear Madame,
East, West, Burlington is best.
Would to God that my fate was once decided and that I could settle comfortably, for it is too tiresome to remain always a traveller.
Be so good, my dear Madame, to remember me kindly to all the members of your family and other charming friends, and particularly to one who has been and is in my thoughts constantly.
I remain, meantime, with sincere esteem,
Yours devotedly,
J. John Lothrop
Mrs. Harrington
Burlington
