ENPages
page_0001
121 [circled] 89
Home, Wednesday March 23d M[?] 29" '59
Dear Bob. Yours of 16" came yesterday - Better that you should write to the Evanston folk, and so I will not, or at least not now, I presume you still expect to leave Washington next week, and, unless we hear that you are to stay longer, may not write again, there; but will write to Ann Arbor when you say. - I should have no fears, (or no special fear) were you to con=clude to write in Lekirk's settlement; or down near the coast, in same latitude. Tho' I should seriously ob=ject to your wintering far north, where the mercury goes down, down, and the air is as sharp as needles; for I should fear, then, that you might lay the foundation of a lung complaint. But where there are comfortable houses, good fires and plenty of food, you might [word crossed out] spend a winter without danger, and get time to write a book on that region, which would sell,
page_0002
[circled] 90
I do not believe you can stand severe and long continued cold, but I do believe you might winter as far north as 50[degrees] without much hardship or much risk. Charlie has his gun with him, at Reynolds place - I dar say he would bring it up, however, as he has but little use for it. We had letter from Charlie yesterday. He was well; but sales very poor, and prospects discouraging, on that account. I think they will conclude to move the nurse=ry to Sandoval[?] next fall & spring Mr Chase & his [illegible] came out last night - fine looking boys - and our family now counts just 15 males and five females - 20 in all. Shall diminish it by discharge=ing 2 or three men - soon; and Chase will not stay himself. I have been unwell for two or three days - caught cold & got little rheumatism - am better to-day, and must write lots of letters
old father
