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Monticello Feb 9th 1854-
Dear Bob,
It was a lucky thought that struck
you, when you sent us that hair; I do not think you could have
pleased us better, especialy Ma, than by doing as you did. Ma says
it shows you have a good heart and mind; you can think of the
[illegible] of this world too. Ma says she cannot reconcile it with
her feelings to see Uncle Hirams hair streaked with gray while
all the rest of our Uncles hair is black. As for me I believe
it made me love them all, better, if that can be possible,
to have some moments of them of them; and while you were sending
I wish it had entered your head to send yours and Alice and
Coras Daguerotype, we have Asas and woud like to have yours
too. You did not have as many Kennicotts at the gathering
this time, as you did when we were there seven years ago,
nearly fifty five persons I think. We had a pleasant time then
I can reccolect it all and look back upon it with pleasure.
We are especting a steamboat this morning. Yes, and now I hear
the Bell, and here it comes puffing and blowing, now I must
go to the bluff and see it. There has been three steamboats
up this Winter. A steamboat here is a great rareity as they only
come up in the Winter; I am always glad to see one. The last
one that was up had the misfortune to sink, as it was on the
way down to New Orleans about two weeks ago. Pa lost five
hundred dollars by it, there were others though that lost more
than Pa, by not having their cotton insured. I see by Asas
letter that you are already on your way to Cleveland. I
hope you will have a pleasant trip of it and enjoy yourself