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Lexington, April 10th 1832

My Dear son

I am in good health of body, but my spirits
some depressed. I know you will not be pleased to
read dolefuls, but I am determined to write in chara-
cter [character] to my feelings, so you may prepare for - No,
I will not say it. However, Theodore, I have reason to refl-
ect [reflect] on you, for the appearance of want of affection.
You have been absent for near six months, and I
have not received but two letters from you. I
am almost inclined to think you have more love
for your dog than me. I notice the fruits of your
love to me, much more minutely than you su-
ppose [suppose]. You must reflect that I am a widowed
mother with nothing on this earth to rest her
affections on, but her boys, and that it is per-
fectly [perfectly] in your powers to become the sun shine
of my path through life or over-cast it with clou-
ds [clouds]. I anticipate the former, therefore the slightest
speck has its affect. I am also sorry you enterta-
in [entertain] the opinion you do, for the females. You mus-
t [must] not indulge such sentiments, it will blunt
all your social feelings and unfit you for socie-
ty [society]; and I fear at length you will become a misanthrope.
God never desired you for this, no, no, he endowed you with
tallent, you have a good person health streanth and
acquirements, and everything requisite to make you
an ornament to society. Why do you stand apart
and look on your fellow man or mankind with a
suspicious eye? Remember, we are all mortal , therefore
we are liable err. Charity is a virtue my boy, nourish
it, and cultivate it well in your bosom. Its growth will