folder 18: February 1856

me Many times- all here join in love & kisses The girls will tell you all they [or?] we know of our loved Father - with earnest prayers for you and love fond

devoted affection your own child [T?]

28^th Feb 1856

My dearly beloved Tootee

I thank God! your dear Sisters & Lordy got here quite safe at about 1:o clock - dear Lordy will tell you that our good butler was at Hamilton awaiting your their arrival poor fellow his usual luck. His cold was very bad & made worse by these night watching & rides through the wet pine [barren?]. We some how could not seperate until near three - so the next morning it was near twelve before they had all breakfasted. Poor Floyd went late to bed & was so sound asleep he could not be aroused by a kiss from either his sisters or Lord. Our dear Virginia as well as G & [F?]. seem delighted to have got home - not half so much so as I am. I had become very lonely. I rejoice to add - as yet we cannot perceive any ill effects to dear Appy from her change of residence My poor little girl how very sick she has been. Well for me I was not aware of it at the time. I do not know what would have become of me. I wish my own dear Tootee you & the precious children could have accompanied them. I do so long to see you all & dear William too. I do not blame you for prefering remaining with him though I do think the children even if they had meas les here would be more comfortable than there having it in Savannah. As yet the disease has

been so favorable with our little negros. I wish your dear children were here that I may assist you nurse them through it - It is a disease that generally goes easier with children than grown persons. 20 have had or have it. I will be glad when the last are over it - I had to turn Rhina out of her room. Which she kept in very nice order in appearance a contrast from the others - The Hospital has never been so filled since it was built Thank God! as yet no deaths. Lord will tell you of who has been here since he came. Capt [Ossenger?] the only pleasant one - M^r Bourke has taken such a deadly hatred to [L?t] Longfellow he did not speak to him. Some days ago Portell invited Capt [Ossenger?] to dine with him & yesterday was the day named. Portell told Butler he had invited the Capt & if his (Portells) carriage was not [?] that Butler would give him a conveyance (just like hime is it not) the Capt landed & seeing no conveyance ready - did not come to the house but footed it there - when got there M^r Portell he was informed had gone to Brunswick - so he footed it back & Butler sent & invited him in - but we had nearly done dinner - he however found enough to [satisty?] hunger & spent the evening - The first Clementine has done was your collars &c. If you think it worth the freight - send them all back when soiled & it shall be done again & again & with pleasure - Chirstianns eyes are yet too weak to do nice work. I will put her at your work the end of this week - The shirts for William I presume you will wish done first. All shall be done as soon as I can. I thank you my darling for the fish - I beg dear Tootee that you will send no more. The bread was very acceptable the more so as I am out of wheat

flour. it came in beautifully last night - when those people were here. It is getting dark now & I must con clude until tomorrow. 29^th All pretty much as they were yesterday. Appy took a drive yesterday. & Floyd went shooting this morning & actually returned having killed 11 doves & one hawk. The doves - a turkey - a barrel of oysters (got yesterday) a barrel of potatoes. & 10 chickens will go with Lordy I sent Neptune last evening in my little wagon [?old?] Charles for your fowls - he got back this morning & I went with Slate & pencil to take an account of them & was very much disappointed to find but 10 & one of them with sore eyes. I will give that one to my little sick negros & send you one of mine in its place. I would gladly send you more than Charles' needles chickens could I get them for love or money - but none are to be had. Springtime is coming. I am very sorry you sent back little Bell. I am certain you must miss her servi ces small as they were. I am sorry you sent her back - As regards the rest of that family my dear Tootee I am sorry to per =ceive that you consider the matter in the light you do It is very unfortunate as it has resulted that I was ever so weak as to make that promise. I did not at the time consider that the little I have should be held together. I gave you Middleton from the time he was a child- & n but did not think it necessary I should give you a deed of him - I will do so now if you prefer it I would prefer consulting with your Father before giving up all right to Christiann

her child & future children. I now tell you in good earnest. That I consider her as yours & Nora as Annas - her future children as yours Clementine must remain with me as long as your Father & I live - Bell I want for Georgian. Depend on it my Tootee I will ever do all that I can to assist you. At this time I am exceedingly pressed and unless I am assisted will be in as bad a way as Portell or any other poor unfortunate person - The expenses of my family & plantation are enormous ----

You recollect I made Georgia a promise of giving her Rhina - Florence Maria - & Appy Ellen. They have nothing to show for them. neither will they have. They must be content if I can give them each a maid Georgia has long since relinquishd R & Annie - Flora claims only Tella - & Appy claims no one of Ellens family. Christiann is yours as soon as you say so as long as she stays here she is virtually yours - for since she is put aside to sew for you alone. [While?] you were with me. I required only that she should wait at table on Sundays. I do not wish to give you the papers for C. until I speak to your father. especially as I gave you Middleton without his knowing any thing about it The only thing you can object to in this may be the short delay. As there is no doubt he will approve. still the compliment is due him - And now Tootee let this subject be dropt- you are to un =derstand distinctly that M. is yours & C & her child as soon as you "say send her to me" ------

I do not think you weighed every word you used you are too good to affectionate [?] child to cause me the slightest pang intentionally -