5

Raleigh. June 23rd, 1840

My Dear Sister

I received yours of the 18th of May a
few days ago and would have answered it immediately but
that our house has been scarcely clear of company since. It was
needless to say that I was pleased at the reception of it for
you know that fact. I cannot say that I thought hard of
your not coming to see me. Nevertheless when I recieved your
letter announcing that you could not, I cried manfully.
I upbraided myself somewhat, for I might have gone to War
renton to have seen you. Could I have conquered that feel
ing of horror at the very idea of seeing that dear old spot
which was once the sweetest of all homes to me and I should
have done so if I had believed that you could not come, but
you know that I was nearly all the time looking for you.
You I remember said that you could start next Tuesday
for Missouri. I received your letter I believe on Tuesday and
I thought there was nearly a week to spar. I immediately
commenced thinking whether my little Mary's clothes
were clean and decent thatI might start right off
[??] see your before you left. I said so to to Mr Battle
when e informed me that I was under a great mistake
that you were then on the road. you cannot imagine
my disappointment. I can't bear to think of it now-
as the matter cannot beremedied, I will stop writing and