Tried for many years to get Brother John to come to Alabama and join B.P. in a school. Contemplated raising money next fall to pay off John’s debts in order to get him to Alabama. Would like to help John but doesn’t want to injure himself or his family in the process. If Frank comes he will be treated as one of B.P.’s children especially if he is willing to learn a trade. Only teaches from 8-4. Blair is in Texas and pleased with the country there. He is attending to cattle on a 5 year contract. The oldest child, Wm. T., is good looking but it is feared he will give B.P. a lot of trouble. He can spell 2 and 3 letter words and doesn’t go to school. Tommy is ugly and not so sprightly but is noble. B.P. is the flower of the flock in looks and generally a good boy who is hard to quiet once he gets started. Robt Hanna is rather large (15 lbs at 14 months) but is sprightly and otherwise healthy. Have 260 acres worth about $15 per acre. Work 5 hands and keep 2 women and a boy at the house. Made 19 bags of cotton last year which was worth about $700. School was worth about $1000. Owe about $3500 due next winter. Owed about $1000 and if this year is as profitable as the last, then they will be able to raise $2500. Expect to sell every negro except 3 and buy a new set. May sell them on credit to get 10% more. Trying to raise grain and stock because cotton is uncertain. May come to Virginia to buy new negroes if he succeeds in selling the ones he has. If this happens he will come and visit Fanny. Corn crop sold at $1 a bushel. Drought has been severe. The corn crop looks well and has begun to shoot. If there is a good rain once a week for the next 4 weeks the crop will be doubled. If this is the case there will be 50,000 bushels within 5 miles of this place. Finished cleaning wheat and made about 90 bushels. Wheat crop generally good with between 20 & 30 bushels to the acre. Thinks they will be able to sell 100 bushels for $1. Usually make enough sugar cane to keep the children and negroes chewing all year, but will hardly make seed this year. Wish Fanny could get agriculture friends to get a 1 or 2 of choice white wheat and send it to him in the mail between now and October. Margaret has gone to visit her Aunt who is in bad health. The boys have gone to Sumterville for preaching. Can’t believe he is over 40 when he hardly feels 20. Mobile and Ohio Railroad is coming fast and will be 12 or 15 miles by the end of the year. Building a branch off it to Gainesville which will pass within 2 miles. The railroads will have a considerable effect on the price of land. Land is cheaper here than anywhere else. Added a second floor to his home sand is now a very comfortable dwelling with 8 rooms and a large room for boarders. Wants Brother John’s post office address.