folder 15: October–December 1852

who have been taken away. Be cheerful, therefore, my dear Tootee and set a bright example to all arround [sic] you of a perfect resignation to the will of our Heavenly Father.

I have no heart to write on matters of business but I must mention that Butler and myself intended leaving in the Steamer which departs tomorrow, but we shall not get off until the Steamer of the 16^th [approximate?]. My successor in the Collectorship has been in office some two weeks, but I still hold the office of Assistant Treasurer of the U.S. My successor in this office has been appointed but is waiting to hear the result of the Presidential Election before he decides whether he will take the office it or not - If Scott is elected he takes the office - If Pierce is elected he declines - In that event the new Collector will be required to take the place, so that in any event we shall get off on the 16^th.

I have a letter from your excellent husband of the 17th Sept for which pray thank him. I have no heart to write to him today - Say every thing that is kind and affectionate to him for me - Kiss your dear children a thousand times for me.

Ever and forever your affectionate father

T. Butler King

Mrs W^m A. Couper

[centered] 5 [top right, in pencil] [1852]

I was still writing when your sisters returned from the party - Georgia as is usual with her - with her new dress torn so as to require a new breadth of [?] in the skirt - so much for (the supremely ridiculous fashion of having dresses to train on the ground.) They say that it was a pleasant party - only 4 quadrelles danced 3 of which Geo figured in. Flora would not dance so she saved her dress. Yesterday Lord left us for New Port to see if it will be a desirable place for us to pass a few weeks. I hope he may find it so in every respect, for in truth I need rest. I miss the delightful quiet of dear Marys [sic] comfortable home. I wish to be where I can walk out & take exercise without having to dress up for the occasion If I cannot do this I shall get as fat as Mrs Abbott was. This Hotel is full - we have no acquaintances among the throng - At present there are 2 couple [sic] of deaf & dumb folks. It is amusing to see how they talk away & seem so merry. The men are very good looking but their wives are very ugly - they try to make this up by their fine dressing - There are some very ugly & none very pretty - In fact I could not have believed it possible there could have been so many real ugly people in the whole world as I have seen since I left home. This m Last evening several young gentlemen called to see the girls. Class mates of Lord. It is well for Flora & Appy that Georgia possesses such conversational powers - she seems never to be at a loss & never says a foolish thing. And then Tootee dear Geo is so good . I thank God! for having given me such a child. I am sure you & William will love her more than ever you did - if God! permits us all to

[written sideways, on left of page] Write me about every thing & every body. I hope to hear from you on Tuesday. It is time to dress for tea - & this letter must go into the Office tonight to ensure your getting it on Tuesday Sunday next. If M^r Dunham is still at home give him our kind regards. Rhina sends lots of kisses - God! bless you my own darling & may we be permitted to meet again in health & happiness is the constant prayer of your devoted Mother

AM King

meet again. Florence has been considered the handsomest of the 3 - in fact she has been persuaded by the school girls that she really is beautiful. If she knew how to manage those eyes of hers & hold herself more erect - in my eyes she would be handsome. Lord thinks Appy really ugly - but I do not agree with him. She is very talented. Malley is really a fine looking youth & is perfectly correct in his conduct - You would be amused at Floyd he almost put Flora & Appy into fits the first day we dined here - when the finger basins were put on table - / he did not follow dear little Tips [sic] example & wait to see for the use to be made of them / Flora noticed that Floyd looked rather surprised - then arm himself with a spoon just as he was in the act of diving into the basin for the small piece of lime - Flo asked him what he was going to do / fortunately the table was unfull / Flo told him what they were for / he said "by George it smelt so sweet I was going to cut it" - What we all would have done had Floyd taken it up to eat - Mercy knows. I think Lord would have fainted - Appy expired. Flora would have scolded & G & myself most probably would have laughed right out. Tip is a general favorite - Where ever we have been he is made a pet of - I am sorry for this, as poor Floyd seems to feel it Last Wednesday as Lord had to go to N.Y. I went with the boys to the school. Tip seemed not to mind it - but Floyd turned baby - & this made a baby of me. Tip tried hard to brave it out - but the tide would rise. They now seem very well satisfied - They come to see us every afternoon - This morning Mrs Matthews called to take us to Church

her son in law - is an Episcopal Clergyman - it was to his Church we went - he gave us a very good sermon. G. F. & T accompanied me this morning. Flora & Appy will go this evening. Mrs Matthews' son Henry - is a Physician of good standing in this place & is very good looking - poor Mrs Matthews seems really glad to see me & is exceedingly obliging & kind in helping us in getting our dresses made. We have really had a great deal of trouble - shall no doubt have to pay a high price & then think our consider ourselves the obliged party. I think you had better direct your next letter to this place. In my next I may be able to tell you where we shall next be found. It is really provoking my not having received my bonnet from N York. I have not yet been able to return the number of calls I have received. Louisa told Lord she would send it by the express on Thursday last & here it is now Sunday & no bonnet yet come I must either get one here tomorrow or make my calls in the old one. The fact is we are strangers - do not know how to man-age & have to pay double the price these yankees do for every thing we get. It makes me sick to see my hard-earned money going so fast into the pockets of these sharpers. How many comforts this money would have supplied us with at home. I fear from what you say that there will soon be a cry of "too much rain". It would be disastrous should I make no crop this year - God! is good to His mercy will I confide all I have ------

Dearest Tootee I really do not know how you will get that trunk to me. I think M^r JH Couper had better have let Hamilton come on - He certainly seems to value his money. I dare say he is right. I wish I possessed his firmness. How I do long to see you all my own dear child - her husband & dear dear children - my negros [sic] & my birds. I do hope & trust you may all be permitted to get through the summer without sickness - Poor Mrs Gale too - how bless'd she is in having so kind a friend as you are - & I tell you what Tootee - William has done more for her than either Mrs G or myself could have expected - The time was when this poor woman may have earned her board but now she is a burden to every one with whom she stays - I hope & trust she will not be sick again. You say nothing of Chris-tian. You know I left it entirely to your option to keep her or not. I must say that I think it very strange my hearing nothing of or from Amanda - M^r Woolley is perfectly mad after novelty. I do long to see dear Amanda. What long stories he will have to tell you when he gets back. The girls will write to you very soon. They have a great many correspondents (their school fellows) & as I write to you so regularly - they think I tell you all the news - & poor me I am so stupid I do not know how to give the best coloring to what really happens. Malley was here yesterday - G. T. V. F. & Tip send lots of love & kisses to yourself - William the babies & Mrs Gale - & tell the negros [sic] everything that is kind for me. Rhina is now quite well - she is quite home sick - I hope it will continue to be the case ------