folder 12: June 1852

to me to Allentown until further directed - I will as soon as I reach Philadelphia write to you - It is yet quite uncertain where we shall take up our residence for the summer. I have yet another letter to write & it is now past 10 oclock. Good night my precious child. I fervently pray God! to bless & protect you all William intends writing to you - he looks very well but is heartily sick of Savannah - Oh! Tootee I hope all is going on well with you. Could you not invite Hamilton to come & stay with you until William returns?

Sarah sends much love to you. Good night again my blessed child - May we meet again in health & happiness is the constant prayer of your devoted Mother

A M King

[top right] San Francisco 16^th June 1852

My Dear Florence

I regret that the nature of my official duties is such as to compel me to write under an annoying press of business - My letters, therefore, are of no interest or value - I should like to say a thousand things which might amuse and possibly enstruct [sic] you but I constantly find myself in the gin-horse round of business thoughts which drive all other ideas out of my stupid head - I think two mails have arrived without a letter from you - I suppose you have the excuse, for not writing, that your studies prevent and I can well imagine they do - I have no fault to find - I only beg you to write whenever you can, if it is but two lines. Your dear mother informs me, she has requested M^r & Mrs Couper to take you home with them - I mean Georgia, Virginia

and yourself - I am quite well pleased that you should go - You and Virginia can return to N.Y. or Philad^a and finish your studies - Lord will probably be with you at home and you will all cheer your dear mother and make her happy once more - I hope Butler and myself will be home next winter, so that, if it please Providence, we will have a merry house - Dear Butler has been quite sick with the mumps for some days past. He is now recovering and is quite comfortable. If you receive this before your departure from Philad^a I beg you will take with you such books as will enable you to persue [sic] your studies - including music - with the assistance of Georgia. Thus will enable you to enjoy home and improve ^ your mind at the same time - How do you and Virginia like music - Singing, in particular?

I have never doubted your voice or talent - I have only feared the lack of confidence in yourself - If you had a little more brass I am sure you would improve astonishingly -

Kiss your dear sisters for their and your ever affectionate father

T. Butler King

My Dear Florence - Since writing the above letter the mail from New York of the 9^th May has arrived bringing your dear letter of the 3^d - . I thank you with all my heart for it - It makes me quite happy. I will write a long letter in reply by the next mail -

Ever your affectionate father

T. Butler King

[centered, in pencil] [Mrs. William Audley Couper Frederica P.O. St. Simons Isld Georgia]

[top right] Philadelphia 19^th June 1852

My own dearly beloved daughter,

After a most delightful passage of 60 hours we arrived safe in the much famed City of Philadelphia - from which I this very moment wish myself one thousand miles from. We got to the wharf too late to leave the boat last night. From dear Lordys [sic] letter which I sent you I expected every moment to see him- perhaps your adored father come on board, but hours past [sic] & no enquiry "for Mrs. King" At twelve we retired to our beds - As soon as it was light this morning dear William was up on shore to try & find the whereabouts of Lord or the girls - he could not succeed - returned to us with carriages and brought us to Jones' Hotel. As soon as they got their breakfasts M^r Woolley - William & the boys were off again in search of the girls - called at No 15 Washington Square & returned to tell us that - the Picots believed that the young ladies were 50 miles off at Allentown. The day wears away & we can hear nothing of your dear Father or Lord. I think William intends returning in the "State of Georgia," which will be the aerli earliest opportunity by sea which will offer. God! grant he may reach you safe but for the dread of endangering the lives of your dear Sisters I would take them & return home as fast as Steam could carry me. I am already heartily sick of this horrid place And then my Tootee I am so miserably anxious about your be-loved Father. I would I had heard nothing of his contemplated return until I could have heard of his safe arrival. Oh! my Child how utterly miserable I am. I am like a ship in the midst of a stormy ocean without chart or compass or even a rudder to guide me right. Oh! that I could leave all in the hands of an all wise director, & he resigned to all his wisdom may see fit to order. I said we had a pleasant passage - it was so in every sense of the word. The Ship & Capt unexceptionable the fare sumptuous - the attendance unexceptionable