So. Hadley, June 11 1850
My dear 'Rosa'
Your note to Miss Whitman containing the painful intelligence of the loss of the most valuable part of your bundle was recd. on Sat. evening. I should have replied yesterday - knowing the degree of anxiety you must feel - But have waited one day to investigate the matter a little farther. The facts in the case are these. Miss Whitman was unable to attend to sending it, before she left the Semy, & left it in my care. She directed me to deliver the bundle to Mr. Heywood, & to tell him the value of it, wh. she said was about $50.00
I did not put on the word "valuable" upon the package, neither did Mr. Heywood. Probably Mr. Thompson himself put it on. We have sent the note & receipt to Mr. Thompson of Springfield. Mr. Hawks says they are responsible, & he thinks there is no doubt, but that it will be found. If not, you will receive pay for it, although money could not be an equivalent to you. I [...] sympathize with you, in your suspense & [...] wh. you must feel, & I trust it will soon be relieved by the restoration of the lost article - I have not seen Miss W. yet to enquire of her respecting the other articles, but will do so, as soon as possible.
Miss Whitman is not gaining as fast as we had hoped she might. She has a troublesome cough, wh. is an obstacle to her recovery. Miss Hazen is unable to be here steadily. The remainder of our teacher bunch are in usual health. As one after another in whom we trusted are removed we are feeling very weak. It will be well if we can learn to "be strong in the Lord" & to rely on His word. "As thy day, so shall thy strength be"
Accept my congratulations & sincere desire for your happiness & usefullness in your new sphere of action - & believe [...]
Your friend
H. Johnson