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In the first place I have so often heard you say "you would never have a little negro girl brought up among your children" then again Georgia was anxious to have a [trachible?] girl to learn to sew and wait on her [x] asked me for Bell [x] I gave her for that purpose. I am sure Georgia would have cheerfully let you have her during your present stay in Savannah [x] if you had only had the frankness to tell me you wanted her she would have gone with you. Whether your sisters go on the 15 or not -[Tip ?]will ( God! willing) leave me that day. [x] will send Bell with him. Remember she has never had whooping cough. [x] you please keep her very close. I have promised to let Clementine go as maid to your sisters. It will be ? my doing so to take care of their things. I would not have cared for Chris to ? remaining at home had Maria not have been laid up. She does nothing for me -but help her mother put the house to ? in the morning [x] puts the chambers to [night?]- but for her [chila?] as soon as Maria is well enough I could send her to you. I have no [nurse?] to give her but the one she has. [x] I am sure you do not want [Julia] about you. Now be frank if you want C. after Maria gets well say so- if you want Bell keep her til you come. Nothing is gained by false delicacy. I do feel for you this cold weather [x] your babies-[God grant] the exertions you made in preparing to leave may not make you sick. Oh! [Tooter?] it would be terrible for me to hear you are ill- God forbid!! I have your sausages ready 33 strings- 1/4 barrel lard