The letter discusses various aspects of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, which operated from 1831 until 1924 along the Potomac River between Washington, D.C. and Cumberland, Maryland. The canal's principal cargo was coal from the Allegheny Mountains. Rhind also mentions the “war fever” then raging in America due to the Mexican War.

 

“Dear Sir,

Since you left this place we have had little lese to relieve the dullness of the times, except heavy rains, and of that we have had enough… There seems to be very little said about the Canal in this quarter, the impression seems to be, that not any thing will be done until after the election for Directors takes place, when, it is supposed there will be a new president., this is the conclusion after the everlasting three days have expired, that was to bring us good news from the District, and then from Mr. Allen president of the Maryland Mining Co. who was to use his utmost efforts to raise money for the canal, so to enable that co. to make good their heavy contracts for coal. I entertain but faint hopes of its speedy completion if it was difficult to borrow money previous to this time it must certainly be more so now as the war fever is raging and seems to supersede every thing else, the question is now what news from Genl. Taylors camp, Matamoras Rio Grande Corpus Christi &c are words common among men as they knuckle down or no slips of the marble playing school boy. I saw a paper this morning headed “Volunteers for Texas,” commencing with a “whereas” and followed up with a goodly quantity of resolves that “we the undersigned” of which there are about fifteen will give their cordial support to the Government in the war against Mexico. The leaders who appear to be Germans purpose raising 100 men and to equip themselves before offering themselves to the President so you may learn that the war spirit has reached the mountains, and I suppose nought else will satisfy these patriots but “revelling in the Halls of the Montezumas” as a congressional stump orator would say. I am glad to see such a spirit abroad and were I a single man I would not hesitate a moment to join a company and share the danger and very little glory of a private soldier.

Mr. Fisk was here a few days ago, he went down the line of canal and I learn he has gone to the city, I did not see him he had left before I was aware he was in Cumberland.

I received a letter from Mr. McPherron, who sends his best respects to you, he states that he would be glad of my assistance at Mt. Savage, but has not heard from the Co. whether they will do the work or not, he is to give me timely notice if he gets the work to do. I certainly feel much obliged to you for speaking to him about me. I have since learned from Mr. Locher who expected to furnish the cement that the Mt Savage Co. have concluded to prop the old wall for the present, so I am out again, the luck of the last five or six years had not left me yet, perhaps there soon may be a change, but little prospect now… Jno Rhind”