Letter from Bridget Sloan to Thomas T. Sloan, February 22, 1848

Lexington Feb. 22d 1848

My dear son

The very dating of my letter mindes me that this day is the anniversary of Washington's birth. There was no fireing of cannon this morning to remind me of it. I know not why it has been omited, unless it is that our state legislature has passed a law to abolish mustering for the purpos of appropriating the money expended in that way to the establishing a free school for children. There is such a question in the house, but I do not know that it has passed.

Your two sheets writen at Cadiz Spain is before me. I wrote [you] a long letter last month I think on the seventeenth Mary wr[ote] a day or so after. Be assured Theodore I feel more reconciled to your absence from home than ever I have believing it is a voyage you long have desired and hoping you may realize all you have anticipated. God [word obscured] been kind to you very kind. Here tofore he permited you to walk in [word obscured] that presented the errors of his rebelious people still he was mercyf[ul] and spared you. I think from what you have expressed in your letters you are satiated. Now kind providence is conducting you to the land of saints I pray this great ruler of your destiny will vouch to take you under his special protection, point out to you those hallowed spots that makes the siner paus, and then inspire in your heart true christian love, dispel all clouds from your mind and give you light to see all his divine truths, water your soul, which is lost for want of cultivation, and fertilise it with dew from Heaven inflame and pierce your frozen heart with his salutory fires, and by those red flames enlighten and nourish every part of your body and sou[l] perhaps this theme is tiresome. I do not purpose to tease, so far from Therefore I hope you will attribuit to the true cause. You must be [?]

[word obscured] the salvation [of your] soul is the most predomionant wish of my heart I have not heared from Mrs Reynolds yet. I have sent her a sketch of the Hon. Mr Clays residence, taken by Mary Sloan It is a foot and a half square. I sent it by Mr Cochran. 29th I believe I have not often spoken of [word obscured] I believe I have told you that he is now one of the [dabety?] [sher] [portion of word missing] His qualifications for business is good and he applys hisself very [word missing] you would not know him I think he has changed so. He is more d[portion of word missing] in person, dresses handsomely and wears the beard in the most fashionable mode. He is handom [handsome] no doubt of it but he is vain -- that spoils all The ladys admire him and it has spoiled him. He attends all the parties and is quite the idea. It is quite common now to have fancy balls at privet familys, David always assumes some character. Two weeks since Mr Brinnan was over and attended one of those parties. He wore the costume of a Chinese [merchant]. Old Mr Robert Whicklief was also masked. The latter did not recagnise [recognize] the former, which was fine fun for Brinnan as he and W. has not spoke to each other for years. Brinnnan made his bow to him, had a long conversation without him being found out who he was. I have the good news to tell you that Christy has joined the sons of temperance. I am so delighted [word missing] I think he would not lived over this spring. His family seam so [pleased?]. Father Mathew will visit America in Aprile. I am told they [are] making great preparation in New York to receive him how I should like to witness it -- I have not learned if he will come to the west. I wish he would. I will copy an artical to show you the reform of our citisens "Mr Combs reported a Senate bill to incorporate the Grand Division of Temperance of the State of Kentucky, with an amendement which was adopted and the bill passed." I hope Christy will keep his pledg I know it has always been hard for him to resist temptation, therefore he will get strenth from above. I was told yesterday that he fainted in the street for want of his accustomed drink Doct. Whitny gave him a restorative. Every body appearse so interested for him, and In every thing to incourage him to hold fast to the good promise. This has been a sickly winter with us, many of our citizens has gon to shades. Mr Brewer is dead Mrs Frazer the mother of Mr. Oliver F. and old Robert Frazer is just on the brink. Your good friend Mrs [Fickbin?] is now lying very low not expeted to live Mrs Bradford is very sick strange if her husband should out live her. Mrs Reynolds the daughter of J. W. Hunt is dead, and many others that you are not interested for.

The friends of Mr Irvin is in hourely expectasion of hearing awfull news. [?] was to be fought between young Irvin and a Prentice of New Orleans. The [circumstances?] is this. Mr Irvin the son-in-law of Henry Johnson and formly of Mr [illegible] Clays had an important law suit in the above place. Mr Prentice was the — [word missing] on the other side so in his speach before the Judege he unfolded Mr I ca[word obscured] [word(s) missing] was very black. Mrs Irvin wrote to her step son in this place to come and [word(s) missing] the insult. He did go, and were to fight last saturday weeke. The results [word(s) missing] of been hear by this.

There is a telegraph line from any of the Estern citys to this place When you arive in America you can let us know it in a few minutes wonderful is it not? I scarce know what I write Theodora and Anna are making such a nois around me with their blocks making [word missing] and knocking them down again. I have to submit to it to keepe them [in-] doores. Grand mama roume [room] is the center of gravity with them Paulina, and Liz are at school. I wish you could see Bob and his family after tea all in the dining roum, a table in the center El[word missing] at the table with her back to the fire Bob at her left and I on right [word(s) missing] the peano and the next two learning their lesson Theodora and Anna play with thear papa a while and then Hatty takes them to the nursery When we retire to my room to evening prayer your brother dose not accompany us to my great sorrow. I never ask him I know when he feels like it he will do so I hope to see him join him [his] family in devotion before I am caled from this life. I am thankfull for the conversions already in this family. You must [name] what tune you like, that Mary may learn it, to play for you when you come. Mr Brinnan is here to night I told him I was writing to you. he then sayed send his respects to you, and if you ever tuch the shore of Ireland to give it one salute for him. Mary will be twelve years old tomorrow, March 1st All send you love I am alooking more of your jurnal daly, I shall write to you once a month at least May the Lord protect you

Your mother

B. Sloan

Care of Nathiel Danby United States Agent Marsailles France

Lieut. Thomas T. Sloan Comd'g Marines Mediteranean Squadron Frigate United States Marsailles France Via New York

[in colored ink in a different hand:] 19 Marseille