West Point 27 Feb 1854

 

My dear Cousin Annie

                                    I have just rec^d the accomp^g note from Childe with no other direction than to forward to you. He writes me he is suffering much from rheumatism & seems to be depressed in sprits & his note to me of about as many lines as yours was principally taken up in directing about his will provided he did not reach here. I trust indeed he may arrive in safety in better health & spirits than he appears now to have. His friend & agent M^r Cotlin is too unwell to attend to the administration upon / his Mothers estate & there other reasons he says for his coming over.

 

            I hope you are very well & have enjoyed during the winter your usual good health & the society of those around you. Our letters from Arlington do not give as full accounts of you as formerly. Mary would have gone on before this had she not been detained by the whooping cough of the little children rendering it unsafe both for them & others to hand. Rob^t is getting over his but M— still has it very bad. Coughs vociferously. The rest of the children are well. You must give much love to Sushannie the Lloyds & all friends. I hope my Cousin John & his R.R. are well & that all in the E.S. / are equally prosperous.

 

            Chudie is very well has been doing better since the examination both in his studies & duties. He still seems however to be better pleased to avoid than to accomplish his duty, which though very natural is still to be regretted, & which I suppose time alone will cure. I hope he will be able to go on furlough this encampment & that it will be the means of developing new views & tasks that will operate to his advantage on his return. He is a fine boy & will make I have no doubt a fine man. This is his period of thoughtlessness & idleness, and he is unable to realize the future benefit of present exertion. That is the way with most all of us. Cousin / Annie, our experience follows our acts, & unfortunately does not prevent us committing similar follies & blunders.

 

I enclose a few lines from M— which I presume will tell you her own messages. My pen & eyes are so worn & torn during the day to official matters, that I am loth to tax them after hours. I heard recently from Carter. He was still in Richmond with his family recovering from his whooping cough. The baby was so sweet & good that every one said it must be the last. That nature must have exhausted it his self in so perfect a production. The servants even were "all amazement & stupefaction" at his beauty & goodness. With kind regards to M^r Dana & all friends I remain truly & as ever yours  RELee

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