Scope and Contents Letter from Charles E. Washburn in Binghamton to his wife Mariana A. Washburn in Homer, Cortland County, April 24, 1850. Washburn begins his letter "Very briefly, I must write, chiefly to ask your decision again in respect to 'help.'" He offers various scenarios for hiring domestic laborers in the short term until Caroline, currently in the employ of a Mrs. Humphreys, can be engaged in three or four months' time. "Shall I engage the young African till then? Or shall I secure Irish help, to...