folder 12: June 1852

to send by William but - I was so confused while he was with me. I hardly knew what I was after. Georgia tells me she sent two trunks by Adams' Express to the care of Messrs Andersons & Co. She expected them to reach me before I f left. Now the girls will require their cloaks before they get home - it will be less expensive for me to get them back than to get new ones - therefore my darling - if these things reach you - please pack in one of the trunks the 3 cloaks - the 4 bonnets the dress intended for me the caps for Amanda & myself, & send them back. I will write to you again in a day or two & may be able to give you clearer instruction. William mentioned that Hamilton will probably come North as soon as his parents return home. Now if he would have the goodness to take charge of this trunk it will be doing me a real favour - take the chance of sending me one of your dress's - one of Anna's, Willie's - Bell's, I have & you can tell me if dear Cooney has grown any. I hope the dress the girls sent you for Anna fitted the precious child. These girls are talking so much nonsense around me I hardly know what I am writing. I believe that dear William will attend to all my interests at home. But I will write more fully another time. As William will tell you I already feel better - tho' last night I experienced had a terrible headache. Rhina is much better - but is as home sick as I am I can scarce believe it is not yet 2 weeks since I left home. I hope all may yet end well. I will try & hope for the best. Oh! that I could just peek first at you & the babies & then at the poor people

at home. I would be better satisfied - I suppose you received dear Butlers [sic] letter of the 16^th May. It is strange. I have had no letters from your Father. I thank God! they were well when Butler wrote. Give Render Davys [sic] Daguerreotype & keep for me dear Butlers [sic].

It is now time for dressing for tea & I must close this scrawl. God! bless you my precious Child - Kiss the dear babies for me. My love to poor Mrs. Gale. Remember me to all my negros [sic], especially to the house & yard negros [sic] ^ Pussy, Toney & old Cupid. Tell all they are never absent from my thoughts. I shall tremble when ever I get a letter from you - fearing to hear news. Georgia.,Florence, Appy & Rhina send lots of love to all The three former are enjoying the luxury of having a servant once more that they can call one - I fear poor Rhina will enjoy very little idleness _______

It is very unfortunate that William did not see the girls - the guard chains are here - I think you will like them. Lord sends you much love as do also Floyd & Tip - I must now stop - Praying God! to bless you all - I am your devoted Mother

AM King

[centered] Copy. [a subtraction sum, written in pencil] 115 [-] 72 [=] 43

[top right] Saratoga Springs 24 June 1852

My dear Mrs King

Immediately on the receipt of M^r King's letter, through William, on the subject of the purchase of Hamilton, I placed his offer before M^r Corbin, the Trustee of his daughter Miss Isabella H. Corbin. Before his reply to it was obtained I heard of the expected return of M^r King, and immediately after of your intended visit to Philadelphia. Hoping to have met with M^r King in New York, I thought it better to communicate with him personally rather than by letter: but, being disappointed in this, and not having any assurance of the time of M^r King's arrival, I have concluded to address you, as the surest way of placing M^r Corbin's views before you both as early as possible.

M^r Corbin declined selling at $50.000 and at 6 per c. interest; but will, if he concludes to sell at all (which is probable, but as yet dependent on some other arrangements) he will take $12.000 for the lands, buildings &c at Hamiton & Couper's Point, $350 per head for the negroes, being now 115 or 118 less 3 children belonging to the Hopeton gang, - say for 115 $40.250 - and for the Hog-e-rack tract of 100 acres of pine $100. Tools, carts, flats, boats, horses, mules, & cattle $16.50 - together $54.000. The payments to be $10.000 on the 1^st of January 1853______________$10.000 on the 1^st of January 1854_____________________$10.000 on the 1^st of January 1855______________________10.000 on the 1^st of January 1856______________________10.000 on the 1^st of January 1857______________________10.000 on the 1^st of January 1858_______________________4.000 ___________________________________________________ ____________________________________________$54.000

With interest at 7 per cent, payable annually on the 1^st of January each year. The first payment of $10.000 to be forfeited in the event of ultimate failure to pay the $ 44.000, and the debt to be cancelled be that for feiture, provided the interest is annually paid. Possession to be given on the 1^st of January 1853 - but if the cotton crop is not then ready for market the hands are to be employed in it until it is ready, and for which no charge is to be made. The corn & pease [sic] on hand on the 1^st of January to belong to Miss Corbin. If the $10.000 is paid be-fore the 1^st January 1853, interest at 7 per c. will be allowed on it.

I expect to be in New York on the 8^th of July and to sail for Savannah in the Alabama on the 10^th as I wish to give M^r Corbin your decision before leaving the North. I shall be glad to hear from M^r King by the 8^th of July, di-rected to the care of M^r J. Couper Lord, 49 South 8^th N. York

I observe William's name among the arrivals at New Y. yesterday, and whence infer your safe arrival at Philadelphia, where you no doubt met Lord, as he called on us Fri-day evening in New York.

[top right] Allentown 26^th Jun 1852

My own beloved Tootee

I added a few lines to a scratch which Flo-rence sent you on Tuesday last - I do not know that I can make this letter any more clear than was the last - I can only say that I find my health wonderfully improved & if your dear Father your brothers your dear self & family were only here, & I could forget the many I left who are dependent on us for support - I could be perfectly happy - but matters stand I cannot control my thoughts - they will fly to California - New Haven & the South end of S^t Simon's I think in my last-letter from Savannah I requested you to direct your letters to this place until further advised consequently I have been looking every day for another report from you & home since my reaching this spot, it seems scarce-ly credible than only two weeks & not ye not yet two days have past [sic] since I bade you & those sweet children adieu - it seems more like so many years - & yet we have been most kindly dealt with My time in Savannah was made as pleasant as kindness could render it. Our passage a delightful one - Our stay in Philadelphia as agreeable as the noise would admit of - Our ride here not to be complained of. Our reception by your Uncle & Aunt all that could be wished for. The house commodious & dellightful delightful, most agreeably situated, every thing in & out doors kept in beautiful order - The affectionate attentions of Henry & Mary unbounded. Ought I not to be happy? & yet my child I am far from being so. If I could forget the past & only look with hope to the future it would be better. Where could have been my eyes - my senses when I was last here - sho surely the