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My Dear Son Monday Dec 17.1827
I expect you have been anxious to hear from us. I had doubted when
we left you but we should have gone home before this time, but
your fathers cancer began to look worse in a few days after we came
here, the Doc began last saturday was a week to put on his powder{?}
more plentifully than he ever did, & continues putting it on every other
day. it looks very bad, but the Doc says that is a matter of
course from the application of the medicine, & that he has
know doubt but he will perfect a cure. there is a good
many of our friends in townnow, the administration convention
is to meet this evening in the Presbiterian meeting house
your uncle Garard is here his son Wm that has just commen
ced the Practice of the law a promising youth, died about three
weeks since. we often see the uncertainty of earthly prospects,
oh that you would take the adminition in the Bible to remem
ber your creator in the days of your youth the fear of the
lord is the begining of wisdom. david irvine and five
or six others is here from Madison. he brought us four
letters from our children, they are all well.
Son Harrison intends to go home next saturday if we should
not write then you muts ask permission of President
to visit him and enquire about your Father, I dont
tell when we will go home. write to us by the {?}

tell Mr Roberts your Father walking cane from there
we thought it was Mr Smiths, he says it is not his
but he thinks it is Sidneys. we intend sending home
when we learn whose it is farewell S. Clay