From Edward Fitch to Dear Parents
I received a letter from you last night in answer to the last one I wrote which was mailed here Jan. 22 and your answer arrived Feb. 22 just a month quicker than I generally hear from you. There are some thing[s] that need answering in your letter. First how should I know that my draft was honored when I had not heard from you? I shall not probably want to draw again just at present. I am in great trouble to know what to do this spring. I should rather come East that doing any thing else but that will not do. It is going to be very sickly here this spring. I think but of my business troubles hereafter.
Yes Mother, I remember that you asked me about an umbrella and old coat and I remember that I have written about it in half of my letters home and told you several times that I did just what they wanted me to do with them; vis, left them at the Coffee House for them to take.
Was Albert married before he went home? How is George now? Give my love to him and tell him I say he must be a good boy if he wants to see me again. I am much obliged to Calvin for writing to me and I would write to him if I could but you must tell him I have no place where I can write except on Sunday at Mr. Stearns home. I have been to meeting twice to-day. It is growing warmer and we have meetings more regularly and shall continue to if we are not all killed. March is near at hand and our Legislature will meet. Pierce says we are traitors so of course the Missourians are to put us down but if they try it we shall have a bloody time out here. God grant that it may be avoided. Our cannon was fired 17 times on the reception of the news of Banks election as Speaker, 16 for the Free States and one for Kansas.
The Merchants of Lawrence had an oyster supper on the 14 inst, speeches etc. & closed with a dance. I was one of the Merchant princes attended and had a good time. The Military Com[panies] or rather one of them, Com. A gave a ball on the 22, Washington’s birthday, but it was stormy & they did not have a very large gathering.
March 9
I wrote so much so as not to forget what I want to say but now it is time to write again. We have had no Eastern mail for about three weeks now though the contract for carrying the mail says three times a week. They don’t get it through Mo., partly on account of the muddy roads and partly because they are so shiftless down there. Consequently Eastern news is at a discount here. Our Legislature assembled on the Fourth inst. At Topeka. We have seen no Missourians yet and don’t expect to at present.
I want to find out John Wheeler’s P.O. address and let me know as soon as you can. And also Uncle Williams for at the end of three years I shall be as likely to be in Georgia as anywhere else. I think that plan is going to succeed but don’t know; anyway I want to write to Uncle Williams and know how they are getting along.
Where does Father have to go to court? and how long? is it not a profitable job? I was thinking that he said it was once.
It has been very unpleasant weather for a week or so but this afternoon it has cleared off warm and fine. I hope you will get the water into the house this time and have one thing done.
My house has now cost me about 200.00 cash besides a little time that I worked out and I have rec’d about 7.00 rent and am now renting it at 2.00 per week besides keeping my things in the upper part of the house. 200 for the house & 200 for the lot; 2.00 per week pays a pretty good interest on 400 dollars. That is the best investment a man can make here now is to build houses to let; if I had money enough I would build me another but the cash is wanting. I shall probably a little more than make my living this winter but I hope next year I shall be able to raise a crop to sell. Has E.D. Ladd been at Hopkinton? Did Mr. Patterson ever return and give that lecture that he did not give when I was there? How are Uncle Doctors folks? and Mr. Webster? If I had sold my claim when I talked of it, I should have come home and staid this winter but should then probably have returned in the spring but it is possible I may yet come home to Mass. again within a year. Tell the boys to write. They have more time than I do and a better chance.
Write soon to your affectionate son E.P. Fitch
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