Scope and Contents Bill has gotten married, spends great deal of time telling why he shouldn't have "don[e] the deed"; begs son not to go to Central America because climate not good for health; crops are doing well except cotton; inquires about "Ben's wife"who was lost on a boat which was sunk on 20 April 1856; has hired new help who is young and "don't know much"; other family news.

Scope and Contents Gives long philosophical and metaphorical arguments about the importance of good health; compares the "excruciating pain"of the invalid to the "vast freedom"of the healthy; will remain at College for 6 week break in isolation as few students have remained.

Scope and Contents Refers to a debt owed by Mr. Scurlock and to Mr. Scurlock's absence at this time; mentions a hired black man in the employ of Mr. Scurlock.

Scope and Contents Has not heard or seen [Theodoicus Joshua] Scurlock nor has he been in [Texas]; Has not the funds to pay the debt but will soon; refers to a boy [slave] who "has plenty to eat but nothing to do."

Scope and Contents Pleads with brother to stop his traveling, to buy a home and settle down; claims that hundreds of tears have been shed, thinking he was dead; begs [T.J.] to meet brother Billy in Marshall Texasand stay with him.

Scope and Contents Glad to receive letter and that he [T.J.] hasn't gone to Nicaragua; sorry to learn he has been "lying on the bed of affliction"; encourages him to go to Marshall County, Texas to meet brother Bill who has just married; sister has been married; sent 2 letters to different addresses; other family news.

Rejects Scurlock's proposition to buy his land in Nepsher County; would like $3 an acre; doesn't believe land in that area is selling for less.

Scope and Contents Hopes business better for Scurlock than himself; selling out and moving to New Orleans; enjoyed traveling from his town.

Scope and Contents Has returned to "this city"and plans to say; is pleased by the business prospects; believes could make good profit on investments; likes the amusements of the city.

Scope and Contents Has not received word in 3 months; very cold weather and is affecting the crops; very little corn; money is tight; has bought "a negro"; had poor crop last year; other family news.

Scope and Contents Has had a "very cold and backward spring"; 200 deaths since Xmas from measles; brother is talking about joining U.S. Army; Democrats have full ticket for legislature and County offices; many old Whigs have gone Democrat; Democrats only party "able to beat back abolitionists and save our country from ruin"; reports Freeman and Williams lawsuit decided in favor of Williams; other family and town news.

Scope and Contents Relates family is well, brother Dan is home from Tennessee, brother William had measles; will try to visit [T.J.] and that part of country; a few deaths have occurred caused by measles; other town news.

Scope and Contents Glad to have received letter; sorry Josh didn't come to visit; crops doing badly because of cold spring but should make profit in cotton; voted for Buchanan in election as did Josh.

Scope and Contents In good health; has been trying to find a job; reading law now; married an unnamed woman; crops okay except cotton for which it has been too cold.

Scope and Contents Glad to receive letter and all in good health; American Party has won full representation in both Houses of Congress; describes political antics of both parties concerning "burying"the opponent; crops doing well except cotton because of cold; relationship between Jones family and Scurlocks not on firm ground as a result of daughter Mit's husband; other town news.

Scope and Contents Has not been well but glad to receive letter; crops not very good, cotton getting a high price, about 15 cents; Wishes he could come to visit before she dies; discourages [Josh] to go to Central America as there will be "fighting enuf [sic] to do in your own native land."; other family news.

Scope and Contents Has a slight cold; have been several weddings; thinking about going to law school in Tennessee; would like to set up practice in Texas or "other new country,"; other family news.

Scope and Contents Has the "clap", likes T.J.'s proposition, would like to be doing something; hard times coming on; other family news.

Scope and Contents Just returned home; has a cold; expenses for trip amounted to $60, Did not need money advanced by T.J.

Scope and Contents Has on hand $150 belonging to T.J. received through money order; Mr. Barker has paid nothing on debt; sister sends word T.J. must get married.

Scope and Contents Misses Josh very much, encourages him to come and visit several times; family is well; has been married; other family news.

Scope and Contents Has received no word since February; refers sarcastically to Cupid and Social Life; reading [law] at home; intends to come to Texas following winter; other family news.

Scope and Contents Describes the fashions of LaPlace and the young ladies; crops doing well, plenty of food; convention meeting in Montgomery, Alabama, to discuss dissolving of nation; court system inefficient and overloaded; other family and town news.

Scope and Contents Surprised to hear he is studying medicine although thinks he's too old; married a 45 year old man to his first wife, thought that was strange; has been very ill with chills and fever; crops not very good, winter was too wet.

Scope and Contents Describes in detail the "examinations"which were attended by all the music lovers; loves young America; still plans to go to Texas to live, would like to practice law there; sister is living in unfortunate situation; encourages him to study medicine; other family news.