University of Virginia Library

Yours of 23d ulto is rec.d. I am concerned at the disponding
tone of its tenor. You must not distrust the Father of all
our mercies. He has been so kind to you in all your ways, ever taking
care of you, can you not still trust Him? I regard myself as a
child of Providence, without any definite object at the commencement
of my active life. I resolved to do my duty, relying upon His
gracious guidance & protection. So far the Lord has dealt graciously
with me, tho the path of life has been strewed with thorns, yet
He has mercifully kept me aloft, and safe from the malevolence of
enemies, of whom I have had my full share.

Your prospects in life I have flattered myself were very
encouraging & bright, look on the bright side my son, hope in God.
You are the subject of many prayers.

In regard to your little ailment, `nausea' I conclude that
it proceeds from your disturbed state of mind, it is a symptom of
dispepsia. Get a piece of best Turkey Rhubarb root and carry it
in your pocket, eat a bit as large as a cherry occasionally say
once a day or every other day to keep the bowels open & regular.
Go to the privy every morning within ½ an hour after breakfast,
whether you have the natural prompting or not, and thus compel
nature to yield to habit. Dont neglect this. A blue pill (5 grains
with ½ gr. of Ipecac will be usefull when there is great lassitude
headache, & indolence of the liver which is indicated by whitish
stools etc, but you have the best medical aid, to which you can
resort if necessary. Still I would advise you to refrain unless
indispensible necessity should require it. Try a bottle of Cherry
pectoral, or Sands Sarsaparrilla.

I have as you know entertained a doubt of the propriety
of your engaging in the business of school teaching, because of
the confinement, and its effects upon your health, & have urged you
to decide for yourself. I wrote a letter to you by Edward asking
you to look at farm mentioned by you in one fo your letters, some
20 miles south of Char'ville, & had concluded that if it suited you
I would endeavour with your assistance to buy it for you. I could
sell the B.d Run for 5 or 6 thousand & could add some 2000$ to it
say 8000$ if you could manage to raise the 4000 out of the profits
of the farm & out of your salary to pay the rest say in 3 years,
after which, should the Good Lord spare us I c.d aid in stooking it
for you. This was one scheme. Another has providentially presented
itself. You spoke of Leedswood, this seems inadmissable or inapropriate
for the purposes. I had occasion some 2 weeks ago to visit
Mr. Peter Greggs who has a pretty little farm with a fine brick
home on it, about the size of R. W. Grays here but somewhat out of
order. The situation is however beautifull. It is situated about
½ mile only from Benton's academy, which is ample & has a dwelling
capable of accomodating 20 odd boarders. Wm. Carr who is now teaching
there Mr Gregg says had 40 odd scholars last year 20 odd of
whom were boarders. D.d Carr the father of Wm. is in treaty for the
purchase of Dr. Clagetts farm, Woodburn, which, if he gets, he intends

for Wm., who will remove there, in that case you could rent
the Benton establishment. (240 or 250 dolls rent) & commence a
school, under I think auspicious circumstances. I can get Greggs
farm, upon which I might move & be near to you. If this scheme
meets your views let me know soon, & I will ride up & make all necessary
inquiry. Of course you could not get possession untill next
autumn. Let us consider this matter seriously, in the mean time.
The neighborhood is good, & a very beautiful country around, as
you may recollect—it is in sight & adjoining Ludwell Lucketts, &
within 4 miles of Mid.lburg to which place there may be a road
soon. The situation w.d be central between my farms. It would require
to accomplish the enterprize a considerable amt of money,
but I think I c.d manage it. May God aid us. My son I feel constantly
the utmost degree of concern for your happiness, of this however
you have no need of further assurance.

I suppose E.d has arrived safely with Powell H. Take some
pains to shew some interest for Powell. His father feels great anxiety
for him, & somewhat intimated a hint that he felt a desire th[OMITTED]
you sh.d notice him. Seemed pleased to have E.d to accompany him t[OMITTED]
school, asked me yesterday if I had heard of their arrival & wishe[OMITTED]
me to tell him when I should hear etc etc. Your poor old grandmother
is very ill & in a critical state, seems wearing away more
rapidly. May the Lord bless her.

I sold my cattle to Mr. Gregg (60 head on Leedswood) on
which I make over 500$ profit. He has also engaged Daily's 35 head
on which I shall make over 250$ & have yet to sell 36 head at
Butlers on which I hope to make a corresponding profit. This has
been a good year for grazing. I shall have for sale at all my
farms some 10 to 12 hundred Bus wheat & say 400 Bbls corn. Cheer
up my son & hope for the best. Encourage Edw.d. Be strict in your
religious duties. Trust in God. He will bless you.