New York June 14^th 1864

 

Friend Simon

                        You must excuse my long delay in answering your letter I will do a great deal better the next time try me. I almost gave you up it was so long time since I had heard anything from Your Highness that as the old nigger said I thought you had forgot dis Child. I see by your letter that you are disapointed in not being sent to the front have patience my lad and you may yet get there. So you are not satisfied to command the Brethren. well keep cool and have patience with them and maybe it will be all right in the end. Somebody must do it and you are not the man to / shirk from duty thats clear

 

I have not been to Jersey City since the day of Youngs funeral but have seen the girls they are all well and I hear getting along nicely. One of them is making a visit to Providence I mean Dellie she was quite sick but seems pretty smart now dont think that she is very long for this world Mrs E sends her best compliments to you and would like the pleasure of your company to tea any time that will best suit your convenience. plenty of tea and as the french say sugar a discretion. You hope in your letter that I am making money but I am not, yet am content to get a good living Every thing is so high that it costs a good deal more / to do business and live Gold is up to 1.98 only think of it in making jewelry why fine copper is 1.25 lb and coin Silver 2.45 an ounce Mens wages are almost double We have melted up some of our old stock without loss on the original cost. Business is very dull just now and every thing is at a stand still all are waiting to see what Grant will do with the Rebs in Virginia. he is so far the best man that we have had and will beat Lee sure When you receive this answer and say how I can send a first rate lot of smoking tobacco Dont forget I know you can use it and if you need any thing else be sure and say so and will send at once / Would send now but dont know how it goes. Franklin sends his respects. Remember me to Ernest. hope this will find you well and jolly, so good bye old fellow until next time

 

Hurrah for Abe Lincoln and Andy Johnson

                                                                                   

Yours as usual

William H. Earle

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