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Has filled his ice house with ice three inches thick; killed his hogs, which averaged 225 lbs. each; has taken all his Negroes to his new plantation that he intends to make the finest in the county; is determined to make a good farmer; asks after all the news, especially of the Asylum, who the candidates are for the Senate and the House of Delegates, and whether there is no opposition to Garrett for Congress; informs him that Mr. Clark gave Bettie 15 Negroes and $3,000.

Informs him that Mary has been extremely sick for a week, but it appears that she is recovering; will return home next week if she continues to improve; regrets that he has no concrete information to give him regarding Mr. Hughes; advises him that if Lou has made up her mind about Hughes, that there is little he can do to stop the wedding; was sorry to hear of the death of A.C. McCandlish but was told by Robby that his habits were bad.

Scope and Contents Informs him that George and his family have been staying with him since last summer; assures him that George has quit drinking and will hopefully do well; has been enjoying the company of Laura and family, who is at Hampden Sydney College in Prince Edward County; has a good crop this year but finds groceries and salt difficult to obtain; purchased salt for $25 a bushel last week, corn sells for $10 a barrel and wheat $4 a bushel; decribes the prosperity of the tobacco farmers in these times; feels that "times will be worse after 1st of January if Lincoln attempts to carry out his Emancipation Proclamation"; assures him that "our success (in winning the war) is certain"; informs him that Burnside will fight at Fredericksburg but is sure General Lee will defeat him whenever they meet.

Scope and Contents Reports that his wheat crop has been damaged by a hailstorm and fears he will get only a half a crop; hopes for rain because otherwise he will not make a good crop of corn or tobacco; discusses politics and who will be elected; informs him that his ankle is no better and hopes that he can send the "receipt" he made for his leg; has decided to go to White Sulphur Springs this summer.

Scope and Contents Asks him to write when he can; describes the "grand celebration here on the 4th" where he gave the address on the subject on Texas, Oregon, and the Mexican War; received many compliments on his address; has decided to speak on every occasion due to the successes he's had in addressing the Court and the crowd on the 4th; mentions that business is slow and has only four suits this term; is anxious for success; has not called on any ladies but will write to Susan if he does begin to court; will meet Mr. Leigh at Charlotte Court; has misplaced his account but is sure Mr. Leigh will pay the amount owed; believes Mr. Leigh owes him $30 but asks if he could send the account with his next letter.

Scope and Contents Describes the praise that his (ACG) speech has received from various members, including Segar and William Ritchie; informs him that the editor of the Whig will publish it next week; regrets that he cannot come home until after Christmas because the Internal Improvement Bills come up next Saturday; hopes that he (ACG) will be able to come up before then; asks him to tell Ma that he intended to visit her but circumstances prevented him; will bring Maria and Mary to visit Ma.

Has not written due to wrapping up his former business as he intends to quit the practice; feels it impossible to make it to Williamsburg at any given time; has pulled their house down and intends to build another; and Maria is at the Court House visiting her uncle Bailey during this time; is willing that he and brother Robert divide the slaves between them and asks if he needs to be present during this time; encloses a letter from Francis H. Lee and asks if he will need to find out from Mr. Lee whether he wants to advertise the selling of the property according to the deed; informs him the railroad will be finished to Clover Depot, near his home, by the first of February.

Has heard of Lou's impending marriage but is concerned that she is a bit young, being not yet twenty; assures her that Mary is quite recovered and has an enormous appetite; Mr. Garrett has gone up to Court today, so she will have three or four servants to sleep in the house and protect her and the baby; informs her that the baby is getting fatter every day, but still has no teeth; asks after her garden and shares news on her own gardening.

Has not written to her because he was waiting for the circulars about Old Bruton Church; surmises that they were sent to his nephew, R.E. Lee, Jr., believes that it is important to preserve the old; remembers the good times they spent together; would like to see her again and assures her that when he comes to Williamsburgh (sic) he will accept her invitation to visit.

Was elected a Professor at Giles College on the fourth of July; does not wish to take her money because she needs to have it for herself; informs her how to send a box or a trunk, but also tells her that it would be very costly, and believes the clothes will be suitable for the boys; informs her that John is back from Scotland and would like to teach school.