Scope and Contents

Encloses a copy of his letter to Harriet; got a letter from Fontaine who claims that he would only be able to make money as a Civil Engineer on Railroads if he were dishonest; he wants to go into business with James; thinks James is much deeper in debt than he claimed to be in his last letter; thinks a partnership betwen the two boys is a bad idea; David [Spence] said that the D[octo]r looked at Walker's wound today and said that it was doing well;called at Irving Place and told the cook that he would like one of the servants to come help in 4th Street tomorrow; she seemed disinclined, saying that Mary [Matthew's daughter] will be home tomorrow; wrote a note to Mary inviting her to come to Orange with him; thinks that Matthew's family and their servants are all very selfish, with the exception of Mrs. Gilpin and James; (27 [Aug.]) Anne [one of Matthew's servants] came this morning to help out; Mary had not arrived, so he took back his note of invitation; wrote her a letter and encloses a copy of it [not present]; his visit to Orange was a good visit; found that more of Walker's arm had been amputated than originally thought; Walker looked well and he seemed to be in good spirits; gave him a book [the Bible?] which he did not unwrap while he was there; Walker did not say much about his arm; they finaly got a bigger, better room, in addition to the two small ones they already had; the only problem with the rooms is that they are above the Bar-room, but he supposes they are the best ones available; read her latest letter to Walker and Sarah; Walker seemed grateful he had come; Ann [Nugent] returned with him on the train and Sarah went with them to the station; Sarah pointed out the place where Walker had leaped from, and the "Kind woman's house"; recommended to Sarah that they not go to Dunnington; Dr. Wilkes called that evening to see how Walker was doing; walked to Irving Place, but Matthew had not arrived yet; spoke with Anne [Matthew's servant] about his visit to Orange; Mr. Van Ness called, and he told him about Walker's accident; (28 [Aug.]) saw a slate in Walker's room yesterday and thinks he is trying to write with his left hand; asks her to buy him [WM] some elastic socks, which will be easier to put on, and a knife and fork combined; Mr. Sydney Henop went to Orange and stayed up all night with Walker so William nad Sarah could get some sleep; wrote a note to Elizabeth telling her about his visit to Orange and inviting Mary to join him on one of his next visits; told Matthew about his invitation, but Matthew said if Mary came to town it would be to spend time in the city, not to make a trip to Orange; this made him [RM] angry; does not think Elizabeth cares about their neices or nephews at all, that she considers them to be in the way; wrote a letter to Fontaine; thinks raising their neices and nephews is better than raising dogs and cats, as some of their other unmarried friends do; wrote to Mrs. Greene and Miss Lippett to tell them that Walker was doing well; will begin to work on the books himself. 8pp ALS Including Cy of ALS from Rutson Maury, New York New York, to his neice, Harriet [Ludlow[, 26 August 1863. Walker is still doing well; encloses a copy of the dictated letter Walker sent to him [not present]; thinks that Walker's philosophy is moe stoic or heathen than Christian; hopes that his injury will turn his thoughts in that direction; last night, Walker's arm began to hurt and he was given Morphine; thr trouble might have been due to the drastic drop in temperature; Anne Nugent plans to go back to Orange this afternoon and will spend the night, so William and Sarah can get more rest; hopes that the boils will go away in cooler weather. 2pp