16

Wednesday 28th [Jan. 1852?]
My own dear precious child
I had hoped to have something of the [Welata?] from old [Frisin?] today. I wrote yesterday a request that he would question the men who landed the mail from the Gaston. But I received no messages from the heartless old man this morning. God grant no accident befell you my darlings- that you are safe once more on land. I know of kindness can make your visit pleasant you will get enough of that from our dear noble minded Ira. Oh my Tootee I suffered agony when I saw you get on the deck of the Welaka. I could not stand on the landing to see you again blown up. I rushed into the house fell on my knees to entreat for you the mercy of God directly I heard like a heavy fall did I not shriek & again rush out but it was only those magnolia aboard you walked to the boat on [thrown?] down - I then saw that the wheel house had had the boards torn off. I had not noticed this before. The boat seemed as if she could not go ahead & seh leaned so badly on our side. I watched you until I could no longer see the boat & then with a sorrowful heart returned home. I shall be miserable until I hear from you my dear child. I could not be so selfish as to try & persuade you to give up going to Savannah. It would have been unkind to that brave girl who thought only of you when she asked her own life to come to you. Kiss her for me [Tooter?] & tell her I thought I loved her when she & dear [illegible] left me in October but this last act of his love for you has made his doubly dear to me. I was right in thinking I had letters from California. The Capt of the Welaka ought to be dry shaved for carrying on the mail bag. I cannot resist sending two letters one from dear Butler the other from dear Lordy to you. I think Master Butler has been taking some new lessons in impudence. I have a long letter from that dear good son [illegible] a long letter from your dear Father & one from Lordy. By this days mail I received only one letter from No 15 dated the 16th as that time the girls were quite happy. Mr. Bourkes kindness had relieved them of all uneasiness about your safety. They seem to have no idea/as you were

Wednesday 28th [Jan. 1852?] My own dear precious child I had hoped to have something of the [Welata?] from old [Frisin?] today. I wrote yesterday a request that he would question the men who landed the mail from the Gaston. But I received no messages from the heartless old man this morning. God grant no accident befell you my darlings- that you are safe once more on land. I know of kindness can make your visit pleasant you will get enough of that from our dear noble minded [illegible]. Oh my [illegible] I suffered agony when I saw you get on the deck of the [Welaka?]. I could not stand on the landing to see yo again blown at. I rushed into the house fell on my knees to entreat for you the mercy of God directly I heard like a heavy fall did I not shriek & again rush out but it was only those magnolia aboard you walked to the boat on [thrown?] down - I then saw that the wheel house had had the boards torn off. I had not noticed this before. The boat seemed as if she could not go ahead & seh leaned so badly on our side. I watched you until I could no longer see the boat & then with a sorrowful heart returned home. I shall be miserable until I hear from you my dear child. I could not be so selfish as to try & persuade you to give up going to Savannah. It would have been unkind to that brave girl who thought only of you when she asked her own life to come to you. Kiss her for me [Tooter?] & tell her I thought I loved her when she & dear [illegible] left me in October but this last act of his love for you has made his doubly dear to me. I was right in thinking I had letters from California. The [Cape?] of the [Welaker?] ought to be dry shaved for carrying on the mail bag. I cannot resist sending two letters one from dear Butler the other from dear Lordy to you. I think Master Butler has been taking some new lessons in impudence. I have a long letter from that dear good son [illegible] a long letter from your dear Father & one from Lordy. By this days mail I received only one letter from No 15 dated the 16th as that time the girls were quite happy. Mr. Bourkes kindness has [illegible] them of all [illegible] about your safety. They seem to have no idea as you were