
          Wms. Coll. July 12. 1825.

My Dear Sir,

I left you rather abruptly - but the
Bell announced the Boat, & go we must  & I
found Mr. [Fred] Cozzens in quite a sweat to get me
along, as he had forgotten to notify me. So, off I
came. The Monday after I reached this place
with my wife, & on Wednesday my children arrived,
just as we had prepared the house for their
reception. I am again surrounded with my family,
& blessed with a most excellent wife as their
new mother & you can not tell how happy the
children appear. Young as most of them are, I
suspected they had been gone long enough to feel
that this would have little attractions - but they
seem to feel that they have not been at home
for the year past & now, all seems to them to
be home home.  Delightful sound to us all 
how much more so, when Providence has [?]
us from all we held most dear. I feel as
if I had great reason for gratitude & praise - &
I hope I shall not be forgetful of my obligations
to the Father of all our [?]. My brother
has not been the best since my return but I am
now quite well again. The weather, yesterday
97°, & today 93°, is rather wasting to our
energies, but I bear it well as I can expect
to do.

The lost trunk has come to
life again - but its loss was great for the time,
as I wished to show you my wife - tho' I should

[lower left margin]
Postage is only
12 1/2 to W. Point
tell your man
that I will not charged more _
it is only 135 miles

[upper left margin]
My high respects to Col. Thayer
Prof. Douglas, [Davies?], etc. etc.
        