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Alamance, [Dcmb?] 6th 1865
My Darling, If you live to be as old as I am, you will find, that, next to the consciousness of a well spent life in the fear and love of God, the chief, if not the only, enjoyment of the aged consists in the respect, reverence & love of children & [childrens'?] children. This is my joy; and, thank God! I have [is to?] the full! I have an excellent - the best of children. I may say is, with truth, of them all. For, if any of them fall short of what they ought or of what I want to wish them, to be, certain by the [deficciency?] is not found in the "honour" they owe their Mother & Father. In that [a-spect?] they do all that I could expect or desire. And I must say, that not one of them has given or could give higher proof of dutiful & affectionate regards than is exhibited in the offers contained in the work of [capnfing?] them, in the two letters just received from my dear daughter. yours [C-rn?]
-self. Such offers, thus expressed, create or, at least, almost create an obligation to accept them. But, yet, I cannot do so prescriptorily at the present moment. I must think on the subject a little, and likewise consult my other children who are near me, as well to receive their aid in making up my mind, as out of respect ot their judgment & filial regards. There are advantages & disadvantages here & there. But upon the whole, I & all those in this house, think it best in point of comfort, quiet, a case, especially to "Mama"--which is the great consideration with me & certainly best in reference to the Society & conservation of our children & the interchange of good offices with them, that we once more go back to the scene of my youthful exertions & aspirations. We think it therefore, probable, highly probable, that you will have us for [illegible] hours; and in that expectation I already cherish the thankfulness I ought for kindness in realising the difficulty of our situation here & providing , hopefully without our knowlege, for the moderate enjoyments, which under existing calamities
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[6 Dec. 1865]
Judge Thos. Ruffin
Paul C. Cameron Esq Hillsborough No Ca
Wm J. Ruffin