 | Berkeley papers |  |
18 Mr. Francis H. SmithUniversity of Virginia Va.
In my letter lately written to Edward I requested him to
say to you that I would shortly write to you, and now I have only
to say among other things that your remissness in your correspondence
with home, presents itself first, & consequently the disposition
here to complain on that score is natural. I got your letter
from Alexandria by sending after it, (the one containing Dr. H's
introduction to Judge Field). I ought to have rec.d that on my
way up to Culpeper. I have just written to Dr. P? C. Slaughter of
Cul. who kindly offered to convey to me intelligence in relation
to several Estates which were expected to come into market soon.
I find in the Nat. Intel. a farm offered for sale lying 8 miles
below Warrenton, which is of good size, but I suppose it is situated
rather low down in the red lands. I did intend however going
to look at it, & may do so next week. It belongs to Temple M. Washington,
when I may also extend my ride along the Manassas R. R.d
up where are other farms to look ar. If I could sell out in Loudon
I should have little hesitation to go farther south, but I should
dislike sacrificing my property here. Yet even this should not deter
me if I could find a suitable location in all respects, especially
as the step would be so gratifying to my children, whose
pleasure & happiness I wish to promote & for which I do cheerfully
labour.
In a late letter from Edward to his Ma he alluded to a subject
which has caused a stirring interest in the family,—the prospect
of your promotion to a professorship, with strict injunctions
however to keep silent for the present, inasmuch as there must be
uncertainty in the matter. I wish you would yourself write me your
views upon the prospect. Such an acquisition would be a subject of
delight & rejoicing here & would confer high honor upon all the
connexion. You are worthy of it, my son, aspire to it. You are a
native Virginian, Virginia delights to honor her virtuous sons. I
pray God it may be so. What a load of gratitude it would add to all
my other obligations to my Heavenly Father who has been so good to
me.
All of your wishes shall be complied with in regard to
the silver ware. Any hint from you as to the assortment desirable
would aid in making the selection. Your hint about the "ware" presupposes
some other interesting advent. Can't you communicate something
more definite?
We are enjoying usual health, for which Blessing from God
we try ever to be thankful to Him. I ought however to say that I
have had a new touch of Rhumatism in the knee & am a little lame
with some other slight indications of approaching age, but we try
to be content & happy, referring all of our interests to a kind
Providence. May the Good Lord bless you abundantly. This is my
daily prayer.
| Goshen has the past year paid me | over | $1500 |
| Leedswood (wheat crop short) | about | 1000 |
| Broad Run | over | 500 |
1150$. Some smaller cattle & some 80 large in partnership.
Have but few cattle on Goshen & B.d Run, owing to the high
price last fall. We are however gathering a few along.
| Berkeley papers | |