Diary Kept by Brainard H. Warner, Mainly Documenting His Time as a Government Clerk and Prominent Real Estate Developer in Reconstruction Era Washington D.C.

Washington DC and Lancaster, Pennsylvania: 1866 to 1876. Notebook binding of marbled boards with red morocco spine measuring 13 x 8.25”, containing 43 pages of handwritten diary entries, as well as 14 pages of miscellaneous notes, and five pages of pasted in newspaper clippings. A large format diary kept by Brainard H. Warner (1847 to 1916), documenting his time as a young man working in various government posts in Reconstruction era Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania, and later as an important Washington real estate developer. Warner moved to Washington in 1863, when he was only 16 years old, working as a hospital clerk for three months, before taking a job as a clerk in the War Department. In 1866, he took a job clerking in the office of the controller of the Treasury, while also working as private secretary to Senator Charles R. Buckalew of Pennsylvania. In 1867, Warner moved to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where he worked as deputy collector of internal revenue, while also studying law with Thaddeus Stevens. A year later, he moved back to Washington, where he worked in real estate with Joshua Whitney & Co. Warner went on to become a prominent Washington DC developer and author of "Warner's Popular Guide Book for Washington.” According to a history of one of his developments, he came as "'an unknown country boy who came to work as a government clerk and who found undreamed of riches in real estate.' A collection of letters, sent back to his father, were reprinted in the 1930s by the Columbia Historical Society of Washington DC, and the report notes "he was only sixteen when he arrived in the nation's capital but letters to his father back in Pennsylvania show a keen power of observation and maturity."

The diary itself, meanwhile, contains 34 pages written while in Washington DC, and 9 pages written while in Pennsylvania. The journal begins late in 1866, when Warner was clerking in the War Department. It paints a picture of an ambitious, introspective man, who records his daily doings while also writing about death, politics, religion, the keeping of a diary, memory, and more:

“The Lord of Chesterfield…says that it is highly improving to note down our ideas day after day…We are apt to give a diary too little time for such a purpose. It is made to hear our most miserable scrawling and receive the exhaust steam of minds when tired out.” (November 5, 1866)

“The news does not indicate riot in Balto. I heard a young man in the office say ‘I would like to see a fight in Balto.’ I wish I had those cursed radicals under my feet would I not crush them. This shows the spirit of the conservatives, prejudice is a basis for all their aims and passion mistakes the place of reason.” (November 6, 1866)

“The election comes upon Tuesday next and if the rebels can be kept this once that is all we want. In the eve went to Lyceum. Had quite an interesting discussion on the question Resolved that genius does more to make great men than circumstance.” (November 3, 1866)

“Slackness of energy or rather want of energy I see shown out more and more around me. It is the deadliest weapon ever drawn against success and its wounds are in general fatal. It is born in some and in others it arises from disappointments. Chilled hopes and slighted prospects often stagnate the water of the river of this earthly life…” (October 30, 1866)

As far as his daily doings, Warner writes about going to the office, his colleagues, attending concerts and recitations, participating in a local lyceum, attending church, going to read at the YMCA, socializing with friends, teaching boys’ Sunday School, writing speeches for Senator Buckalew, and more. An ambitious man, he attends Columbia College of Law and the Bryant and Stratton Business College, and urges his patron, Senator Buckalew, to secure him a position in the Treasury Department:

“Went to Buckalew’s…Helped the old man write a speech on Nebraska bill. He is sharper and looks out for No. 1. He says he will go to see the Sect’y of the Trees’y about my app’t tomorrow. I rather urge the matter on him for I know he can do a heap. As merit will not gain promotion for me…I think old Buck rather fancies me and will jump me along all right.” (December 20, 1866)

“In the eve went to Law School at Columbia College Law Building…It is enough to discourage one from going into the law to see the pale haggard faces of those who attend the class.” (November 12, 1866)

“The boys in the office met and appointed a committee to go to the Sec of War (Stanton) before he resigns and ask him to recommend the passage of the act to raise the pay of clerks 20 per cent.” (October 31, 1866)

In another interesting entry, Warner describes a visit to Buckalew in the Senate:

“Went to Buckalews…Went over and heard Mr. Edward from Ver’t start a speech. Nebraska question up. Afterwards went to Denison’s (M.C.’s) room. He is an old reprobate and takes no interest in the affairs of his constituents. The rule here is every man for himself” (December 19, 1866)

The diary takes up again in 1867, after Warner has moved to Pennsylvania. This section contains much about Warner’s participation in church and spiritual life. The next couple of pages were written upon his return to Washington in 1868, with the last few pages written between 1876 and 1878, after Warner has become a successful Washington D.C. real estate developer. These entries are quite interesting and contain insights about his real estate career, particularly his anxieties about the recession of the second half of the 1870s and the economic impact of the contentious election of 1877:

“Times look blue. I have lasted a month longer, am still pained and anxious over the future. Business is dead…The country is under a great strain produced by the excitement and uncertainty of our political state. It is hard to know what to do…We are looking with anxious excitement towards the 4th of March…If the election question is settled then times are bound to be better. If it is not settled and a new election is held…I may have to go out of business…My temperament is not suited to the real estate business and I heartily wish I was out of it entirely and now I will get out at the first opportunity.” (January 14, 1877)

Finally, the initial pages of the diary contain five pages of Civil War related newspaper clippings, a page of notes on centaurs, and 13 pages listing Civil War generals and officers, likely kept by Warner during the war period to keep track of Army personnel for an unknown reason. Overall in very good condition with slight toning and hint of foxing to pages, mild wear to covers. Item #12289

Price: $1,250.00