folder 19: March–April 1856

Savannah March 4^th 1856 Monday

My beloved Mother,

I am most thankful to hear from you, and by [Lord], that dear [Appy] has been none the worse for her journey - I was very anxious lest she should take cold, the [lovely ?] was much in her Favour, and I hope that now she is again in her own [?h?] home, with a [?o?] mothers watchfull care that she will rapidly improve - I miss them very much, and would have done so more, had all been well with us, but these precious little ones though none of them get with the measels, still none quite well - [?] has had a [resing?] in his head - that yesterday discharged a quantity from his one ear - it is too far in, for me to see the [resing?], but I hope now it will get well - all the rest are so so - Our dear Cousin has been very ill thank God she is [now?] out of all danger unless she relapses - on Saturday she was so ill that the Dr ordered leaches put on her side (6 - ) as she was too weak either to be [?had?] or blistered - and the Cloriform & Mustard

plasters has done[gr?] the pain no relief- [?] put on the leaches and they [s?] a long time in filling - after they were taken or rather droped off the places blead very [freely?] - but still the pain kept on - [Dr ?est] said that as soon as the bleeding stopped that warm Mustard poultrers or towels diped & [r?ing] out [in?] hot mustard water must be put over so as soon as the blood stoped, [Mr Toothy?] put on the towels - and [cased?] the pain but started the blood and it blead very freely - till he had to stop it with tobaco - yesterday she had a high fever and was so [perfectly? ex?] that we were much alarmed about her- but last evening the fever left her she slept better than she has done since she has been sick and I think her much better today - She is very weak and has no appetite - but I hope that with care she will soon be stronger & get well - She sends you my dear Mother much affectionate love and asks if the girls gave you all her messages? - she will write to you when she is able -

Many thanks my dear Mother for having my washing done for me - I had no idea of [?] doing it but thought you would allow [Christian] to do it for me - The potatoes oisters and [?] all arrived in good order for all of which the whole house send thanks Also the chick =ens - do not pay old [Charles] for them as you

proposed in [over?] on your letters - as [William?] will arrange all that himself -

I cannot imagine my dear Mother what I could have said to cause you to write me as you did in your last letter about deeds &c I have thought over all I ever [wish?] or said to you or any one and can trace it to nothing - lest it was what I said one day, to - I do not now remem ber, which of my sisters - when they were here and I was much annoyed at [Middletons?] being [?] and very insolent to Mr Couper - one of them and at the same time very polite to [Lord] - [over?] if the girls asked me what could have caused him to make the difference - I replied that I supposed it was that he [?] that [see? ?] not his owners and when they said yes we were - I said no- that I was not, after a little [none?] assertion from them that I was I replied, no that I held him not by any deed only through a [pio?se] - I never said I want a deed - nor do I - In your letter to me when I first came here, you ask why I did not ask you for Bill- and said I did not treat you with frankness - & had too much falsdelicasy - in my letter to you the other day- I gave you my reason for not asking for Bill- and only asked for information if you considered your old promise about that familly [?]- I did not ask you to [keep?] it, (that I can remember) no- I never have asked you for any one of your

[?ants?] - Now I wish my dear Mother to tell you fully & plainly - that as for deed or any paper for any one of your Negros or any thing you possess- from [Middleton] down to the child unborn - I never have asked never have wished- or will I ever accept any such thing I have always thought your property should be kept together for your own use - And if you remem =ber often when you have regreted not being able to [?] me - I have told you what I realy feel- that I thought it was as much as you could do to take care of yourself and your other children - I was, & am very thankful that you allowed [Christian] to [s?] for me but never expected you to send her here or any other place with me- and my sisters can tell you that often when they have [?] of her being here as my servant that I always said I did not expect or wish you to deprive yourself of her - you say my dearest Mother "that as things have resulted you are very [sorry?] you were ever so weak to make that promise" - you cannot regret having made as much as I regret having been foolisn enough to [have been ?] [remind?] you of it - I now my dearest Mother beg to assure you taht I release you from every promise you have ever made me - or my chidren [whether?] by by word of mouth or by letter - Whether lightly or seriously I thought you my beloved Mother to whom I have ever tried to be an affectionate child [?] me better than believe that I ever desired you to do any thing to inpose your comfort or that would be against your will - now let me entreat that you will believe me when I assure you that I never have asked or [expected?] for [?ther] any servant you have - or a deed or paper for any one or them - and I emplore you

[4 Mar 1856]

will never again [no?d] me by [aufring?] me deeds & papers - your property should never be [d?ded] And should be for your own & your [singh?] Chidrens use - I entreat & beg that this subject never again be mentioned to me I have never been [?acting?]- never have or never will ask for any thing - Please keep the letter I write you last - I would like to see it again for I cannot remember any thing I could have said that should give you my dear Mother pain - God knows nothing was farther from my thoughts & Oh you should know that I never could do it intention =ally - But enough of this I only must beg that I may never again hear any thing of this business-----

The measels are rapidly spreading over the city - little children are sickening all round us - Mrs Millin & Mrs Boston each lost a child from it yesterday - poor Mrs Millins baby was a noble boy and died very suddenly she is only two doors from me- the Measels have terminated in Pneumonia in several caces - you may be sure I take very care to keep my children from taking cold - I lady this [strut?] took her little boy to dancing school ball and the child came out with the eruption when dancing - and is very ill