I wish you to forward the accompanying packet to Jefferson, wherever he may be, only taking care that it reach him safely, and without delay. I hope soon to have time to write to you;—the books have arrived at last, but more of them anon. Mr of New Orleans is here: how I wish I knew whether he...

It is a long time dearest Ellen since I wrote to you, or have written regularly; and I so seldom write to any one else, that although the list of my correspondents is an appalling one if they were at all particular with me yet they are mostly indulgent kind friends glad to hear from me when I can...

I will at least begin a letter to you, my dearest mother, although I scarcely know when I shall have time to finish it, perhaps now, perhaps not until next time week. my baby has been very unwell for several days and this morning I sent for Dr Warren whose prescription seems already to have...

I think the books had best be sent to Philadelphia. which is the only city in the union which has a numerous class of Literary persons who would buy rare books: this class in Boston is less numerous and less wealthy than in Philadelphia (the wealth being great in the hands of a few). in...

I have this moment recd your letter. What an excellent plan has been entirely defeated! of course it is of no avail to mourn now, but it seems to me unaccountable that having been compelled by his necessities to sell the books J. did not take the only steps in his power to make them produce...

Ben has returned but the waggons are still out and loaded with plaister from Fredericksburg which I think I shall regret. Poor James is infinitely worse and if some change does not take place can not hold long. Ben brings us the report of the death of Young Lee who from Fauquier, known to have...

brother Jeff came home last night & my first enquiry of course was about “the morals of Christ” which I had sent you, (not knowing if I was doing right or wrong) he did not mean that it should have been sent & desires that you will keep it & return it to him by some safe opportunity....

The books are all packed I hope securely and well altho not in order: they were put in according to size very much. paper on the bottom & back, and a slip between each. and as tight as possible to prevent friction. I am afraid to trust them down the river and as the distance to the steam boat...

I doubt not your anxiety to hear from our new comer will make a letter welcome altho. it dates but two days after the one announcing his first arrival: Ellen is quite well, and her infant—although he did make his appearance three weeks too soon is thriving—being what mrs Christian calls “an...

A long time has passed without my writing to you, and several events occurred of so much interest to yourself that I have been on the point, again and again, of sending a line (for I had not time nor thought for more,) to tell you of the pleasure it gave me to hear that you had obtained a...