Mobile Alabama

May 4, 1865

 

Dear Sister Martha,

                                    This is rather of a business letter than otherwise, so you may expect on the start a little troublesome running around, and not a pleasant chat. I know it is not very agreeable for you to look after my money concerns, but you must find comfort in the consolation that these are war times and if the men are all off to the war or the like, the ladies must of necessity assume such onerous responsibilities as an item towards putting down treason and rebellion. Besides you have the pleasure of seeing my debts paid, and of rejoicing with me that my liabilities are growing beautifully less. So to the point, I send in this a receipt from Adam's Express C^o for ($200) two hundred dollars which I have this day delivered to that concern to transport to you. On the receival of this you will ask Mr. Hopkins (if he is still the Express Agent), if the package has come, and as soon as it is obtained you will open the envelope and see if there is $200, in it, / and count it with him that you both may know it is right or not. You will probably have to sign your name upon the back of the Receipt herein enclosed.

 

As to the disposal of this money you will please take up a note Mr. R. Richardson has against me which is accou a promise to pay 100 dollars with interest from date. It may be the note is in Geo. W. Reed's or Mr. Willard's hand. Anyhow go to Mr Richardson and he will tell you where it is if he has not got it.

 

You will also pay up the note Geo. W. Reed has against me if you have not already done so. You remember I sent money to cancel that once and you used some of it. You have never told me whether it was paid or not. You will then please go to Zenas Wood and pay a note he has in my his against me. I think the note was 40 dollars with interest but not sure. The remainder you will please pay to R. R. Kieth. It may be the note held by Mr. K— will be cancelled by what you have left after paying Mr. Richardson, Geo. W. Reed, & Wood. I have forgotten what amount is due Mr. K—. I think I borrowed thirty seven or there about from him once and whether I got more from him I cannot say. The memorandum of these accounts are in a book in my trunk in Wisconsin. / If you have not enough left to take up all that Mr. Kieth has against me you will take a receipt from him of the amount paid him.

 

            The notes you pay you will keep safely until I come that I may see it is am all right.

 

            You will please pay the persons in the order I have mentioned above. I hope Father will be at home by the time this reaches you so that he can see to this matter. If you receive the money and pay it as directed you will be glad to hear I have but one debt more and that for tuition at College, unless the 200 be not enough to settle all the above persons have against me. If there should be money left after paying up all of these dues you will keep it for me at home.

            Yesterday I received two letters, or I might say three, as one envelope contained one from you & one from Laura. The other was from you and dated a few days after the former one. I must leave the answer of them until a day or two. I will say however in this that I think your fears about my illness are greater than the state of the case really was. I consider my health far from being weakened by this soldiering, for it certainly / seems to be better than when I was East. And it is almost presumptuous to say I am very much exposed now. So, seeing I have only to Aug 10^th to soldier and to be in Wisconsin by that date, that only ninety eight days longer remain, it looks to me like imprudence to resign now. It would take doubtless about a month to get such discharge and about half a month longer to reach home—that is about forty five days and half my stay if I remain.

 

            I think it would be better to continue unless that illness appeared again, and if it did come up to get a furlough which could be obtained in a few days. I hope you will not have any extra concern about me, as I am apparently in very good health. I shall not fail to keep you promptly posted in case any danger comes up.

 

            You will please excuse this short and business letter. I will try to make up soon.

 

Much love to you all.

 

In case any letters come for me you will keep them until they I come. And if any come from Washington you will open them and let me know in brief the contents.

                                                                                   

Your dear brother

John P. De Merit

                                                                                               

Direct at Mobile Ala

 

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Father says he is going home this month. Is he to stay home? Does he want me to look up some situation like the one he had in Worcester?

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