h ans Feb
Ans Feb 2^nd
Dec 24^th 1848
My dear Son,
Having written a short time
previous to the reception of your letter
from F^t Towson I did not answer it
immediately and I now find that more
than two weeks have passed since it
came — I was very glad to hear of
your safe arrival, in good health —
You have long before this received some
if not all of my previous letters
which were directed to Ft Smith—
It is now six weeks since your father
left home — most of the time he has
been at Baltimore or Washington attending
to the trial of causes in the Supreme
Court — I expect him home some time
next week — Our winter until the
last week has been very mild — without
snow — the last week we have snow
cold weather and high winds — the
snow is now about a foot deep
I would like much to know what kind
of Winter you have at F^t Towson
you are so much further South they

must be milder than ours — Do write me
all about it and also the manner
in which your time is occupied — give
me the details of one day — I hope you
will find some time to read which I presume
you have not yet had — Do not fail to
let me know when you will come home —
I of course do not expect you this
Winter but will you not come in
the Spring — The circumstance of your
being ordered to Mexico before the expiration
of the usual furlough I think will
entitle you to make an application before
the expiration of the two years — dont
you think so? — Aunty and Frances
went three weeks ago to Flatbush, Long Island
to consult Dr Vanderveer— I have a letter from
them every week — Frances’ health is improving
They do not yet know when they will be able
to come home — The Dr speaks very encouragingly
of Frances entire recovery — for the last six
months she has not been able to walk even
in her immediate neighbourhood without much
suffering her mother writes me now that she
walks two or three miles a day — Uncle
Worden has gone to Albany and will visit
them this week — Your father will
also see them when he returns to New York —

[right Margin]
We hear nothing new from Florida since I last
wrote —

The Cholera has made its appearance at the Quarantine
ground there has also been a few cases in the city —
So far it has made much less progress than in
S.C. I see by the papers that there are some
cases at New Orleans. Since the election the
Newspapers have found a new subject of interest
in the gold mines — every body seems deter-
mined to go to California in pursuit of gold —
And yet how few persons have ever been
made permanently richer by money thus
obtained — I have no doubt that every person
who leaves an ac occupation which affords
a competency to go to California will rue
the day he went — Of the thousands who go there
in pursuit of wealth how few, if they return
at all, will return with their anticipations
fulfilled. In almost every city and village,
companies are forming for the expedition —
You may recollect Shepherd who used to
be in our office — he is one of a company
from this place — Willie thinks he would
like to go of all things — Just at this time
he and Fanny are talking about hanging
up their stockings for Christmas — They are
both perfectly well — Frederick has been teaching
Willie through his vacation — I think Willie
is getting along with his studies very well
when we consider the weakness of his eyes

[top Margin]
25^th — I wish you a happy Christmas

which for so many years has prevented any application
to books — Fanny is four years old a fat chubby
little girl — She has quite mind enough to make
amends for the want of a pretty face — A great
pet with her father — indeed with us all —
I believe I can tell you little about our neighbours
that will interest you — Mr J. Richardson's
sons are all actively employed in the cabinet
business and are doing well — They enquire frequently
about you — George has some thoughts of going
to California but if he goes it will be in the
capacity of a sailor — William Muir continues
in business with his father — He too has dreams
of California but they will not amount to any-
thing — he says he would go if he had money to
go with — Mr. E. Hills has sold his house to Samuel
Blatchford for $6,500 — I cannot but feel regret
to have neighbours leave me with whom I have
peaceably 22 years — James is at home part of the time
and part of the time at N. Haven not in the college
but keeping pace with the sophomore class — Fred has
come to the conclusion that young men are no where
thoroughly educated but at West Point — Fred will
return to Schenectady next week — Clarence has not been to
Florida yet — They both desire to be affectionately remembered
they have gone to dine with Aunt Clara She is well
and sends as usual much love — Grandpa is well
he will miss Fred who reads for him continually —
his impaired eyesight makes him every day more dependent
upon others for entertainment & amusement — May God bless
you my dear child and lead you in the way of truth
and usefulness — your Mother