
          West Point 28 Jany [January] 1843.


 My dear Doctor


 I am greatly obliged by your kind letter of
 Decr [December]: 20 & 24 instant. It was my wish about the time
 of receiving your first, to visit the city when I hoped to
 thank you in person for your kind attention to
 my request of the Battery; & this wish I
 have indulged to the present moment, but something
 has always intervened to prevent its gratification,
 this I beg you to receive in explanation & apology
 for being apparently so unmindful of your kindness.


 Our superintendent has placed the matter of
 payment, & receipt of the battery, in the hands of
 the Quarter-Master, who promised that he would
 send a check for the amount today to your
 care. This I suppose he has done.


 Baily says he received your letter and intends to
 write you in a day or two. We have just got through
 one of our long and most laborious examinations
 which unfit one for any kind of mental action, &
 I suppose he wants to resuscitate a little. I can
 very well appreciate the disagreeableness of a separation
 from one's family, such as you allude to, & truly
 sympathize with you. You observe the risk enough
 to render such things unnecessary - but the best in this
 world, get not their reward here. Be pleased
 to bear me in mind when you next see your kind
        