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Washington Cty [City]
Dec 13, 1857
My Dear wife
your letter of the
30th ultimo has just arrived I had been walking to the Post office daily, impatient to hear from home.
I have instructed Mr Terrell to supply what may be needed for the family, I am unable to give any instructions with regard to work on the basement story, you will have to bear with a few days longer,
It is quite gratifying to me to be informed that "all the family are well", you can scarcely imagine the great anxiety I have to be at hand. But at the same time I am tird [tired] I am here by causes over which it is impossible for me to exercise much control. In a previous communication I informed you of the progress of my business here. [unclear text: In as ] promise before now a report on the Raper claim in which your father was so much interested


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But the Commissioner of Indian Affairs was unexpectedly called off, and I had to commence in the new with his successor, I presume that I shall obtain action on that case tomorrow, including with it some other cases of the same description The secretary of the Treasury, secretary of the Interior and President Buchanan have come ever favorable to my policy on the interest question of which I informed you. The secretary of the Treasury has promised to embrace those views in a report to Congress. This question is too important to admit of my leaving until I get their decision in writing. That being done it will be easy to effect the balance. In addition to this detention J L Williams who owes me about one thousand dollars is expecting to recive [receive] a large fee if he recives [receives] it while I am here he will pay me, which would be of much advantage. I will under these circumstances be compelled to bear with impatience a few days longer


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surely against my will. But unless prevented by accident you may still look for me home in this month, to take at furthest a Newyers [New Years] dinner with my wife mother and friends. At furthest this is but seventeen days, when I get home I will have to take you visiting for I know that you must be tired of home having been confined there so long. I keep sending your music to you by mail. I send you the other day the old arm chair [armchair] and willie we have missed you .
I have another debt in this city which I may be able to convert in to [into] some musical interestment to keep you company at any time when I am absent, and to amuse me and my friends when they come to see me.
I have been kindly treated since here by all old friends, but I have mingled but little in society I am am [am] generally in my room writing when not at the office,


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I sometimes have regretted that you did not come with me, but then you would have been exposed to cold, in travelling, which would have been unamiable Dont forget to take care of your health. my own health was never better in my life even my [unclear text: poisoned ancle [ankle] ] that gave you so much uneasiness is well, and I hope will rema [remain] so. on my arrival at this place I percived [perceived] a kind of linament of a professor gilman which had a most excellent effect,
After the recipt [receipt] of this letter it will not be necssary [necessary] to write any more to this place In clusion [conclusion] take good care of your health, and remember me to mother the family and enquiring friend. A k_s for my own Sarah may the same Providence that [unclear text: protect ] her Willie in the wilderness continue his protection to both in future wherever they may be.

Your own
[Signed] Willie