1874-12-01_Letter-A_Illegible-to-MrsAlvord

Washington, D. C. Dec ^[2?]/ 1874—

My Dear Mrs Alvord,

I rec^d yr two letters on Monday & intended to answer them before I left office, but I have had a [hearing?] [prass?] of business which kept me at my desk till after 5 yesterday & today & consequently all my friends have had the go by & you [caring?] the others. Now about Mr. Alvord—If he is likely to be so weak as to keep his bed most of the time home is the best place for him because in such a state he is not likely to try to do any business & can be [nosded?]

better ^there^ than any where else— If, however, he is likely to be [about?] the house & occasionally I down town it seems to me home is the last place he sho^d see until he is considerably stronger in body & mind—and I sh^d recommend that you go to Brooklyn to stay a few days—perhaps a week or two & [mail?] developments, provided nothing more can be gotten out of [his?] [senior?]—my impression is, however, you will find it is not beef tea or food of any particular kind that is to "build [him?]" up—nothing but rest will start him on that road.

But if he is satisfied that he can't be satisfied to stay longer at W. I would try Brooklyn—and then if

he could get up courage to go to Clifton Springs & try whether he can not get so well placed under Dr. Foster's care as to be able to let you come home & see after things at this end while he attends to the main question at that end [too?]: to get well—But of all this you can judge better after going to Brooklyn

So far as I can see matters are going on smoothly how—Gen'l Whittlesey is looking after outside matters & Miss Mary keeps the house—

I have not heard from Mrs. S. since She went to Brooklyn last Saturday— [St?] [Rul?]^a She did not seem to have received [reformed?] effects for her side or the changes [for?] the [lesyler?]

I think a good deal on that thousand years' remedy which I commanded to Mr. Alvord. I suppose all these troubles will cease to trouble even in [money?] not because they are not real & dreadful, but because there will be other things so overwhelming blessed & good that these will be swallowed up in the "victory" so let us try to wait a little longer for the good time coming—

Please remember me to very kindly to Mr. Alvord. If I could whisper in his ear just what I feel while penning this message I sh^d say, cheer, good cheer, [Brother?],— lean hard—Jesus knows—

My [Rememberances?] to Mr. & Mrs. Dr. Heald & family—

Very truly yrs Edw. [P.?] [Longth?]