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Ottawa Ills. January 29. 1860

Dear Dr Kennicott

I find myself alone
this evening - that is to say. the childern have
gone to bed & Mrs Nash has gone to church
have just written to our friend and will
now intrude myself on you for a moment
I scarce ever write friendly letters, partly
for want of time and party from the fact
that few if any of my relatives sympathise
with me in my motions - they are mostly
religious people - I am a free thinker -
they believe the sin of Adam to rest upon
us - I believe if a man does right,
pays his just debts & deals honorably &
charitably with all [illegible] he is good
enough - they see utility in hogs &
squackes[?] - I see beauty in trees, plants
flowers, running brooks and most
every think God has made.