Dear Sister—Sam tells me you want him to go over land instead of by sea——to avoid danger. He wants me to “explain” to you, &c. By George, ma’am, the thing isn’t worth the wasting of good ink. If Sam were a girl, your solicitudes would be rational. If he really turns back, now, & goes overland, put him in girl’s clothes, for that will be the correct raiment for him.

All well here but Livy, & she is not ailing much. Jean weighs a ton, & never cries, never is any trouble.