folder 16: 1853–1855

[top right, in pencil] (September) Saratoga Springs Monday 12^th 1853 -

My own beloved Mother

I did not write you on Saturday because my dear little baby was quite sick he had a high fever & cough - but thank God he is now so far recovered that we look upon him as nearly well - On Saturday I had the happiness to receive your two dear letters of the 7 & 8 - and am truely [sic] thankful that you were able to give such cheering accounts of my dear little King - my own kind Mother how shall I ever be able to express my gratitude for all your devotion to myself & those dear little ones - If I consulted my own happiness how I should fly to you all as fast as [sham?] could take me - I wrote you on Wednesday to say that it was determined that we should [leave?] this on one week from that day that is on the day after tomorrow and hoped that dear Georgia Father & Butler would be here in time to join us _ & am now looking anxiously for them by every train - if they are coming I shall be so glad if any thing prevents them do telegraph us - we are at "J. T. Huestis - Boarding" and we rather than loos [sic] their company would

wait a few days - But I do hope to see them here either tonight or tomorrow - Poor Uncle [Thomas?] is getting in quite a fever of impatience to see you all - he was to have left here on some day last week but is remaining from day to day hoping that my beloved Father will arrive - I continue to drink the water and am told that I look Clairer [sic] every day - It is realy [sic] cold here - William & Cousin A have both taken bad colds & I fear Cousin A may be sick from hers We know no one here now but the T Kings who we see two or three times every day ---.

You must have a hard time battling my poor little boy - he hates water so - I feel dear Mother all your and my beloved Fathers [sic] kindness Oh - how I wish I were with you all - I should like is much better - William went to the office this morning but there was no letter for me - have you heard from St Simons ? - how are all We have not heard a word - from any one - Oh how I wish you were all here & were going to Niagra [sic] - It would be delightful - Cannot you all come? - Oh Mother I long so to see you all & my darling children - My little Anna & Willie & King - it feels like years since I left you - dear dear Mother - it is dull dark weather - and I have not [?] been to walk since Friday evening except just our race to the spring round [sic] the grounds & back

Thank dear Georgia if she is still with you for her dear letter - I hope to see her to [sic] soon - It is time this was off - I shall write you again tomorrow - dear dear Mother may God bless you all & keep you safe & well do not let my beloved children forget me kiss them each many times for us - William Cousin A & Mr W- join in much love - John who is in a high frolick [sic] joins me in fond kisses to each beloved one With heartfelt prayers for all of you I am my beloved Mother in great haste your own child

[signed, to right of page] HC -

[with possible baby scribbles at bottom of page]

[top right] Cannon's P^t 13^th Sept. 1853

Dear William,

I had the pleasure of receiving by the last mail your letter of the 3^rd Ins^t, from Saratoga Springs: by which I am glad to find that you have safely reached that point. I think that you are devoting too little time to the Springs, as two weeks will be insufficient to produce the proper effect in a Southern liver. You may intend however to go to some sulphur spring for an equal time. If you do you have the choice of two very excellent ones in Sharon and Avon. I believe that such a course will be better than one exclusive residence at Saratoga.

Butler has not sent me the newspapers you referred to; but I presume that I have seen the whole correspondence in the Herald. M^r Ward is very clearly the whole authority for the charges against M^r King; and as far as he goes M^r King has had a complete triumph. I hope hereon that M^r King will take up every charge in detail, and dispute them by proper documents. M^r Ward's conduct has been

so cowardly, that the ill natured public may suppose that he has been intimidated into his general disclaimers of intending to impeach M^r King's Character. Such a disclaimer is inconsistent with the charges made in his letter to the Secretary of the Treasury. They directly charge M^r King with wasting the public money in bad contracts, and with cheating the government in false charges for literage: and before he can relieve M^r King from his own charges, he must admit them to be false. If he persists in asserting their truth, his general disclaimer of any intention to each reproach on M^r King only proves his cowardice, in his incapacity to appreciate right or wrong. M^r King's letter is very satisfactory on the lean of buildings, and would be equally so in the subject of literage, had it given more into detail. It should leave the impression on the public mind, that his reputation will be complete as soon as he can procure the necessary documents and proof: much of which I presume he has to obtain fron California. Send me everything on the subject that is published, as the Herald declines any further notice of the subject dispute, and the Republican & Georgian keep aloof from it.