University of Virginia Library

LETTER CXXXIX.

You may imagine how much I was gratified by the
receipt of your letter of the 25th March; which did not
reach me until yesterday, too late to reply to it by return of
mail. Last week I received one from Colonel M., of the
same date, in which he mentioned that you had not got back;
comparing the time with that set for your departure, I was,
in spite of my system, a good deal uneasy about you. Indeed,
the times are awful and depressing. Yesterday we
buried poor S. I staid by his bed-side the night before he
died, (Monday.) Jupiter was worn down by nursing him,
and is still feeling the effects of it: he returned home on
Sunday morning, and has been sick ever since. My own
health is not much better, and my spirits worse. As soon
as the weather and roads will permit, I shall bend my course
homeward. The loss sustained upon my tobacco, will put an
end to some of my projects. I send you, by Mr. D., some
money.