Scope and Contents

The "Express" has articles about the gathering in Union Square the previous night [about Vallandigham]; Sarah said there were many policemen there; the matting has been laid in both parlors and it looks nice; Walker came to dinner; Sarah and the servants had to put down the matting themselves, since Mr. Chapman never came; Sarah plans to go to Highwood once everything settles down; the vines aren't blooming as well as they did last year; (21 May) Sarah was busy all day with visits from Miss Van Ness and Mary [Matthew's daughter]; William showed him an article in the "Express" which said that Jeremiah Thompson saw the Persia [the ship Ann said on] on his journeys; this is the first report of the ship he had heard; they have enough money to pay their income taxes; copies Harriet's letter of 18 May [1863]; her baby Nannie is doing well; many people are being arrested and banished [from St. Louis, Mo.]; their well is finished and their garden flourishes; wrote to Harriet to tell her the Persia had been sighted; Cousin Lewis [Nan's husband] left before she did; Walker bruised his eye; he [RM] did not notice it at dinner and no one told him about it until later; Walker had it checked out the next morning, and it is alright; Sarah objected going to HIghwood because the weather was too warm; copies a letter from Miss Fontaine of 8 May [1863]; they all look forward to seeing her at Bexley and are disappointed that Sarah is not coming along; supposed that Sarah had been to Highwood but wanted to tell him without having to ask; she had gone and complained of the heat; thinks Rutson might be able to make money with all the cotton coming into New O[rleans]. 10 pp. ALS