folder 11: January–May 1852

By the last mail Father wrote to Mr Couper about the sale of Hamilton We must not let that place go into other hands. But F. will attend to that himself so we will think of something else. I am sure Mr Couper cannot be more anxious for my return than I am to be once more on dear old St. Simons among all who are dearest to my heart. Oh! my Sister I will be too happy there. Mother said in her last letter she would have been miserable if F. (should he have been elected to the W. S. S.) had left me here alone. Why? I am sure I don't know. I am surely able to take care of myself and I never have had a moments sickness since I left St. Simons. And I do think of all places in the world where a man will be likely to keep his health it is this if he only takes the usual care of himself - and situated as I am - so that I never can go out of Town for a day - there is no danger of taking cold as many do who go to the warm climate of the interior and then return to the cold winds of this place

After what I have said I hope should I be left alone here you and dear Mother will not feel uneasy. I certainly shall expect a long description of the Regatta as soon as it comes off. Excuse a short letter. But I prefer writing a short one to neglecting you. My own dearest Sister. Give my love to all at Retreat- dear Mother Floz & Tip & Mrs Gab- in par= ticular. Also to your Husband. Kiss all your little ones for me. my own little anna 10,000 times. And believe me my own Sister

Your most afft. brother T. Butler King Jr.

To Mrs Wm Couper Frederica St. Simons Island

San Francisco Cal: May 15th 1852

My own dearest Sister

Your last affectionate letter under the date of "April 5" came to hand by the last Steamer. — and as you know very well how glad I was to receive it. I will just go on with this to be hurried letter.

You must indeed have been alarmed when Willie swallowed that marble [gap] generations of our family to be so greedy that they will swallow every thing that they put into their mouths. You remember the twelve & a half bit that Lord took the liberty of sending into his stomach one fine Summers evening. [gap] sucking of marbles. Tell Mr. Wm. Couper that I am "man of the world" enough to wish to the Lord I was back at home "plunking at the middle man from [??]" in a small game of marbles" - with him this minute. - seeing him & Dunham puffing away & swaring they have not to a closen the top button of their pants

because they have grown fatter - But because the d -d britches always too small for any man. I can see Dunham straighten up and sware it was the way he was standing. Oh for those happy days once more. I am more distressed than I can express at what you tell me of low spirits of our beloved Mother. - the worst of it is I can't do any thing. Please bug her for my sake not is do so. Oh! I don't know what to do. -

I told Mother that Mr. Bouke wrote to me of the death of M[gap] Hull. she seems to be unfortunate from the very day of her marriage she was the best of that family. —

Tell your Venerable Husband that he can't laugh any more at the idea of my owing him a letter. [gap] I wrote to him some three months ago and I expect a personal & long reply. Of course he will write one of the Regatta

I found a [Jr??] church man this morning who for the curiosity of the thing (and to make money) has stamped some .50 cent bits of gold. he sels them at a dollar

What do you think of the impudence of California prices now. I enclose one of these .50 cts bits to you for my own letter pet Anna. I told you this was going to be a hurried letter.

Give my love to all at Retreat and Hamilton. Kiss all your dear little ones for me - especially Anna - and write soon again to Your affte brother T. Butler King Jr