I take so little note of time, my dearest mother, even by it’s loss, that I do not know exactly when I last wrote to any of you, but it seems to me more than a fortnight, and perhaps you are beginning to be surprised at my silence. I have been very busy getting the little girls ready to go into...

I The day I intended writing ...

We arrived here in safety on the tenth, my Dearest Nicholas, & found James alive, but having been for several days on the very brink of the grave. for three days he was in a raving delirium, and he has, in living through it all, showed more constitution than either his...

I sometimes fear, dearest Virginia, that you will all imagine, that I have become perfectly stupid, such miserable trash do I send you once in two weeks, to let you see that I am alive, & well in bodily health at least, my letters are written under such disadvantages that nothing but a...

I have been waiting several days, dearest, in the expectation of having time to write you a letter; but I must not let this post pass, if I send only a line. I literally have not had time to write. The branch permanently assigned to me makes this the busiest time of the year; & it will...

When did I write to you last? for I took no note of, and don’t recollect the time. I have been intending to do so again, a day or two before, and ever since, Ben’s arrival with the books. But, what with the business of the office, what with having to attend at the auction room from after dinner...

I leave here to day for Washington, & if nothing happens will get there early on the third day. you may appoint a day of sale sail now for I shall keep constanly with the waggons & hurry them on—

The books, Dear Nicholas, are all packed & Ben went to day to have the boxes nailed up & directed to you, & tomorrow they will set off to go in waggons as far as Fredricksburg. if the steamboat is running they will be put on board, but if not the waggons will go on to Washington. The...

I write to you on the subject of the books; my will consist of two parts: those contained in the former I wish you to purchase for me at all events; those in the latter may depend upon circumstances.let me promise that your decision of the articles wh. I should want, at the sale of furniture ...

I have been so very much occupied, dear Nicholas, this winter that I have not had time to write to my friends. Mary & myself have been correcting the manuscripts for publication, & we scarcely keep ahead of the printers. we devote about as much time every day to them as you do to the...