Scope and Contents

Tried again to find the missing 10¢, but could not; took a nap after dinner and woke up at 9 P.M.; William offered to go and get Sarah, but he [RM] went; it was raining very hard; was introduced to many people; Sarah had a nice day, even though Miss D[unning] had a toothache; the country looked beautiful; Sarah reported that the people of Darien, Connecticut reported an earthquake last night; thought it was caused by an explosion in the city; they read in the "Express" that 3000 lbs[?] of gunpowder blew up; the shock was felt in New Haven, [Conn] as well; encloses a letter from Fanny James [not present]; (13 May) found the missing 10 cents; got his hair and whiskers cut short; he does not look good enough to sit for a photograph now, but he feels much cooler; encloses the account of the explosion from the "Times" [not present]; Matthew said he saw the flash of light and felt the shock; Walker came over for T[tea] and brought his banjo; the Railway preparations on Broadway have disappeared; Matthew thinks they should draw on their funds in England if they need to, but he disagrees; Sarah has done more work in the garden; the boys have not been helping her; read in the "Times" that Stonewall Jackson died; is saddened despite the fact his death is a great loss to the Rebels; think Jackson, like Lee and other gentlemen, only joined the secession cause once the fight became inevitable; thinks regret over Jackson's death may lead men to think of peace; was glad to see that Hooker promptly gave Lee supplies for the Federal prisoners when asked; hopes that enough supplies were sent so that the Confederate sick and wounded would also be helped; a Southern committee assigned to report on the Union soldiers' treatment of private [Southern] citizens claimed that the troops are cruel and harsh; the report cites no evidence, claiming there is too much to be printed; admits that since there are fewer gentlemen among the Northern officers than among the Southern; they likely have behaved poorly; thinks war would have ended if it were more popular among the  Northern upper classes; suggests that she, Mytton, and Mary Bold shuold take a trip to North Wales similar to the one he took; offers to pay for half of the trip; if Mary Bold cannot go suggests he take her two nephews [Mytton and Fontaine]; (15 May) expects to receive a letter from her within 2 weeks; never received a letter from her or Mytton by the pilot boat [from their ship]; encloses a slip from yesterday's Times which gives a summary of the condition of the Bank of Commerce; tells her again about his conservaton with Matthew about their money in England; sent mail to New O[rleans] and encloses a partial copy of his letter [not present]; encloses a copy of his letter to Mrs. Cox [not present]; wrote to Mrs. Pollard on her [AM] behalf; Walker did not come to dinner although Sarah expected him to; William and Sarah both received letters from Harriet; read that Mr. Crittenden made a speech at Lexington, K[entuck]y supporting the war effort and proclaiming his belief that the Union will be restored; is glad to see that most of the papers came out in favor for freedom of speech and against the arrest and trial of [Clement] Vallandigham. 18pp ALS