18

if she will come to me. I shall not be able to send Flora & Appy
to a boarding school next year, & they could not lose the time it
would take to make another crop. I have seen Alic Couper
but twice - he said he was afraid to come too often - we may get
tired of seeing him, he is the same Alic Couper he was at home
Mall tells me Alic is now in New York. Mrs Gordon sent little
George / her grand son to see me yesterday / he is a very sweet baby
just trying to talk. Mrs Devereux is quite shocked at Davy's ingra-
-titude. She says 'well after this tell me nothing about negros [sic]' his
leaving so kind a master was bad enough but to rob him shows
the real nature of the race!! I do not like to even think of Davy -
& yet I never am alone but I see him as distinctly as when he was
at home coming to ask me about "Master". I hope poor creature he
repented his error & may be forgiven. Rhina is very anxious to return
home & if I had a good opportunity I surely would send her - it
would be a relief. She does a great many things for us - but it does not
equal the expense she is to me, & since Davys [sic] conduct - I have lost all
confidence in the colour. Eliza Gordon is spending the morning
with your sisters - she is about Appys [sic] age - very tall & will
be handsome. I hope & trust my own darling this may find you all
well - My anxiety increases every day - I have so great a dread you
may all be sick. But I will trust to the Mercy of Him who alone
can keep you from danger. Do not trouble yourself to write more
than one letter a week to us - I know it hurts you to write & I know
you have a great deal to occupy your time. I have every reason
to hope your dear father will leave California on the 7^th Novem-
-ber, in that event you need not write after the 22^nd of this
month. All here write in love & kisses to yourself dear William
and the babies - Say all that is kind to my servants - & remember
us to M^r Dunham. I had intended writing this letter last night
but my room was filled with company until near 12 o clock
May God! preserve & bless you my children - I will write again
in a day or two --- your devoted Mother
AM King

if she will come to me. I shall not be able to send Flora & Appy
to a boarding school next year, & they could not lose the time it
would take to make another crop. I have seen Alic Couper
but twice - he said he was afraid to come too often - we may get
tired of seeing him, he is the same Alic Couper he was at home
Mall tells me Alic is now in New York. Mrs Gordon sent little
George / her grand son to see me yesterday / he is a very sweet baby
just trying to talk. Mrs Devereux is quite shocked at Davy's ingra-
-titude. She says 'well after this tell me nothing about negros [sic]' his
leaving so kind a master was bad enough but to rob him shows
the real nature of the race!! I do not like to even think of Davy -
& yet I never am alone but I see him as distinctly as when he was
at home coming to ask me about "Master". I hope poor creature he
repented his error & may be forgiven. Rhina is very anxious to return
home & if I had a good opportunity I surely would send her - it
would be a relief. She does a great many things for us - but it does not
equal the expense she is to me, & since Davys [sic] conduct - I have lost all
confidence in the colour. Eliza Gordon is spending the morning
with your sisters - she is about Appys [sic] age - very tall & will
be handsome. I hope & trust my own darling this may find you all
well - My anxiety increases every day - I have so great a dread you
may all be sick. But I will trust to the Mercy of Him who alone
can keep you from danger. Do not trouble yourself to write more
than one letter a week to us - I know it hurts you to write & I know
you have a great deal to occupy your time. I have every reason
to hope your dear father will leave California on the 7^th Novem-
-ber, in that event you need not write after the 22^nd of this
month. All here write in love & kisses to yourself dear William
and the babies - Say all that is kind to my servants - & remember
us to M^r Dunham. I had intended writing this letter last night
but my room was filled with company until near 12 o clock
May God! preserve & bless you my children - I will write again
in a day or two --- your devoted Mother
AMKing