13 Sept. 1856. T[homas] Buchanan Read/ Liverpool/ [Eng.], to Mrs. [?] Gray. Tells of voyage to England taking 2(d days, and the discovery of a major leak, "one inch per minute I" from the ship on the second day; constant pumping kept the ship afloat; wrote two poems while on board, which he hopes will be good enough to be published; comments on the upcoming presidential election in the United States, stating that everyone in England is "in favor of Freedom which means of course [John Charles] Fremont"; hopes that Fremont will have the time to write a letter of introduction to Mr. Peabody in London; regards to Mr. and Mrs. Fremont and the "young ladies of his household"; message to Col. James that he expects to paint his portrait in Rome; asks latest opinion on the "Catholic question." 10 Aug[us]t 1871. T[homas] Buchanan Read, Rome, [Italy], to [?] Gray. Is busy painting, and writing poetry and lyrics; has not converted to Catholicism, and philosophizes about his sins and religion; mentions a 4th of July dinner, where his poetry was the topic of discussion; encloses photographs [not included] of his paintings, which he wishes to be mounted on large paper by a photographer/ and shown to whomever might be interested; has a studio full of completed work; comments that Rome will be full of tourists soon, and invites [him?] to come.