Page: [1] Marion Sunday Evening - Oct [October] 26th/56 [1856] My dearest wife, I have just returned from Cousin Mary Ann's where I dined and coming by the post office was exhilarated by the cheering news from my darling and Joe has got to be a goober [unclear text: merchant] God bless his little soul how [unclear text: turned] delight my heart to have seen him on that wagon -- thats [that's] right, keep him out doors [outdoors] , exercise in the open air is the thing for him. I read your first letter to Dr [Doctor] Bates, who says "give as little medicine as possible, dress him warm in flannels and that you must ride him to some good spring and give him a little water fresh from the fountain -- he thinks Joe will soon begin to improve" he sends kind regards to you, Ma and [unclear text: Jim] -- he seemed delighted when I read him your note this evening about little Joe's [unclear text: pea-nut] [illegible text] I returned last night from the Canebrake -- all well, little Eliza had loss [lost] her baby -- Crop short, I think my crop will reach 205 to 210 Bales the river is so low that it is impossible Page: [2] to ship a bale -- I have written to Mobile to have my cotton insured -- don't you think it best? Robinson leaves me next week, my new overseer sits in thurs [Thursday] 'tis [it is] an unnatural arrangement -- I attended a mass meeting of the Democracy at Uniontown and heard Mr. Yancey and Senator C. C. Clay and others -- some two to three thousand people present -- a large number of elegant ladies Mrs. Phelan, Brooks, Blassengame, Tinsey, Price, Munge, Harrison, &c. [et cetera] Mr. Yancey speaks here tomorrow, it being the first day of court -- We are jubilant over the Pennsylvania elections -- Tell [unclear text: Jim] to be of brave heart, the Democracy will save the country [deleted text: over] in spite of Fillmorians and Fremonters and save them too. I have been so very busy with my business that I have not even made a " few remarks" in fact I haven't had the heart, but now my darlings are better I may probably some night of court make a few -- business however first Father went down with me, [unclear text: he] was like his former self, Kind and affectionate -- he talked much and so sympathisingly [sympathetically] about you and Joe -- [unclear text: it] really gladdens my heart -- I stayed at his house last night -- old [illegible text] Page: [3] kind but disgusting -- she goes to Florida next week by way of the Montgy [Montgomery] fair Sis Sarah is out at Bob Goree's or [unclear text: Sal's] Aunt Ruthy went out to Jno. [John] Walthalls [Walthall's] on Friday evening and has not yet returned -- Think not darling that I am annoyed by suggestions about home affairs, I am delighted thereas and shall adopt them, some at [unclear text: least] -- I have had the butter beans gathered last week -- tis [it is] too dry to touch the strawberrys [strawberries], not one drop of rain since you left the dust, the dust -- If I was only with you now, you would hear hawking, the dust having given me a desperate cold -- How delighted, this blessed Sunny day, to be with my darlings -- you know not how I do love you, how necessary you are to my happiness -- God grant we may be long spared to make happy one another -- Kiss my noble boy a thousand times for -- Your devoted husband [Signed] Porter In compliance with my promise I went to church this forenoon -- Kind remembrances to all -- Page: [4] Have you an Almanac? No date to your last two letters --