Port Sullivan

Texas. Feb 11^th/61

 

Dear Father

            Yours of the 21^st Ult. was received yesterday. I have also received a letter from Rebecca, dated from Brooklyn. I am much greaved to see her write so despondingly of her health. Her symptoms, from her description, are so peculiar that I am inclined to believe that her main trouble is hysteria. By the last mail I wrote to D^r Wilson requesting him, with D^r Pulling to call on her, at the Warings, examine her, prescribe for her, and write me the nature of her disease.

 

            By this mail I have / written to her enclosing a note to my friend & preceptor Prof. W^m H. Van Buren, which I hope she will present to him.

 

            I am glad to hear that Zada is improving.

 

            Texas through her Legislature & Convention, has passed the ordinance of secession. It is however referred back to the people to be voted upon on the 23^d of this month. That vote will amost unanimously place Texas in her old position, as a free and independent republic.

 

            The North can never conquer the South. The attempt will lead to a war of extermination. My bread is cast on the waters of the South, and there I expect / to find it. Should New York attempt to coerce Texas, my position would be in the foremost ranks of the Rangers of my adopted state.

 

            We all know you have good men among you—those we love—but you are few and powerless. Fanaticism rules the day. Let us of the South shake hands with you, and "depart in peace". If war comes it will be the North that strikes the first blow. The South will return it with interest.

 

            My health has been very good, and my professional prospects are improving. Our mails are very irregular. I receive a paper from you only once and / awhile.

 

            I have not written to J. P. Robinson as yet but will do so soon.

 

            Capt. Briggs has answered my last letter.

 

            Tell Ned I wrote to him last month, and expect an answer soon.

 

Love to Mother. My thoughts are ever with her.

 

Love to Zada. I sent her by the last mail, a piece of music composed by one of my most intimate friends in Port Sullivan.

 

Love to Elvira. Her letter was not in your envelope. I have done wrong in not writing to her before. My next letter home will be to her.

 

Love to Sam & King. Texas is the country for them.

 

Remember me to Dr Gurnsey Esq.—Peck—The Thornes—Thompsons &c—Write soon—and accept the love of Affectionately

                                               

Your Son

W^m

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