[No paragraph markings in the original. Some added here to making reading easier.]Palmyra July 16th 1843
My Dear Sister
By your actions towards me I should almost come to the conclusion that you had well nigh forgotten that you possess a brother bearing the appellation of Jimmy, who perhaps feels as dear to you as a brother can.
I have been absent from you near four months, and not one word have I heard direct from you, neither by letter or newspaper, what excuses or apologies you have to offer I know not, but rather suppose that you will in a way of extenuation say that I have almost neglected you; - now sister you should bear in mind that I have a multiplicity of cares resting on me, and that it is with much difficulty that I discharge them all, conseuqently let not the fact of mynot writing oftner [sic] affect you in the least, but only write me the more and oftner.
Hoping that what I have said above is enough on that subject, I will say not more, but but [sic] trust to you for due consideration of the facts and an early answer to this letter. Well I suppose I have a right to judge that all is pleasant and happy with you this summer, or rather that your situation is such that it has a tending for you to find enjoyment in every thing. Happy shall I be to hear that this even so.
With me it is not so much as formerly, and you will find if God in His mercy should spare your life, that as you grow older, or I should say as age increases, the cares and perplexitys [sic] of life will steal along in a much faster ratio; however this fact is not so peculiar to your sex as ours, but in a great degree it is so with yours, then how necessary it is that in youth we should qualify and fit ourselves for the proper discharge of the many duties necessaryly [sic] devolving upon us in after life. The habits which are now aquired [sic] "grow with our growth," are strengthened, with ever sun, and nurtured by every dew.
Then Harriet, how necessary it is that we examine well and learn what habits we are daily acquiring, guard against the bad ones, and nurture with fond care the better ones. You may perhaps think that I have become rather prosy, (this of course I shall leave for you to judge) or that I am repeating some old advice which was given in the days of the Patriachs, that it is old I shall not deny, nevertheless that is equally good and true I shall contend; and I desire (if you have not) you to place a proper consideration on such matters. Study well your own character. Know your own situation in life, reccollect [sic] too that though you onow possess no fond Father to advice [sic] and counsel you that you have a Mother, brothers, and friends who will freely do it, and above all that when it is done, that is done through motives pure and sincere and for your future good alone.
By your letter to Charly I learn that you have concluded to go to Mt Holyoke Seminary in October; from what I can learn of the school I think you have chosen wisely and trust & hope that the time that you spend there will prove to be of much benefit to you in after life. Miss Julia Fletcher, Mrs Butterfield[s] niece from Bennington VT who spent last year is going there also, you will find her a fine young lady, agreeable and amiable. She is sent there by her Uncle Richard Fletcher of Boston who I presume many of the Keenites know by repuation. What class do you expect to enter; I suppose the middle; from the fact that you will not continue there more than one year. How are you pleased with the idea of going there? Write me particular about it.
I suppose mother is at Keene by this time anxiously awaiting some word from me relative to her coming here. I have not written her before, first from the fact that as she was absent from Keene and did not know how soon she would return; and then Mrs Woodward contemplated some new plans after my writing before which did not require an early answer as it places us in the same situation we were in at first. She is going [to] Boston first then to New Orleans to spend the winter, will probably be gone a year from here she now wants to rent her house for one year. Mrs Butterfield talked the matter over, and we come to the conclusion that it would not be for the best for us to hire for that time. And have left the matter to be determined upon when mother shall come here what course is best for us to pursue.
I shall probably have to go to Albany next month, after [...] But when she gets through visiting and feels ready to come here, I will meet her at Albany. I want she should write me what things she is going to bring with her, and then I will write immediately how to have them sent.
What has been doen with the Piano, and are you agoing to keep it? You must do whatever Mr Hall, Mr Dinsmoor & Mother think advisable on the subject. If for the best, of course sell it, and if you need one in after life one can be purchased. Now does Mr Dinsmoor get along settling up the estate? I have not heard one word from him in relation to it. I suppose the Cheshire Houses flourishes [sic] as well as it did, to say the least under the financial auspicies [sic] of one Jas. E. Walker - "Mine host" although of the lean kind I presume is pleasant & accommodating giving good satisfaction to Travellary community does Dinsmoor like him?
I forgot to mention in one of my excuses for not writing that I had been sick confined to my bed for five days with the Influenza or "Tyler grip" as we call it here. This is the second day that I am out of the house. I told Charly not to mention it in his letter as it might perhaps trouble you or give you needless alarm. I am very well now and probably shall get along without much difficulty.
Charley[s] health is excellent he is the same care for nothing go ahead boy full of what he calls fun & life, and withall has got to be somewhat of a gallant. I learn that the report is that Eliz Wood & Geo B. Twitchell are engaged the last persons I should thought of. Elzabeth [sic] is good girl, and I suppose George is fine young man I always supposed that I. F. White was the "beau ideal" of her fancy, but I find that in these matters there cannot much be depended upon in the way of supposition. We want as the lawyers say "prima facia" evidence before we can judge, and then perhaps some clonclusions may [be] drawn, give my best respects to Eliz Wood, ask her if she recieved [sic] a newspaper from me. If she says she has tell her that I say that I have not from her.
I suppose that by the time I visit Keene again many if not all the young ladies will be married off. Alas! "Pity poor Yorick"
But I shall not despair as I keep in view the old adage "that then are as good fish in the sea as have ever been caught", and when the times come and I feel in proper mood if I may throw in my Hook & Line; however I have many doubts about it. You may tell those that are left if they make any particular inquiries about me that I have an exalted opinion of the Yankee girls; but away with this nonsense, for it is mere idleness - the old bachelor is the happy man, and the "true lord of creation".
Some think that in process of time Mr P. Lamson will marry a young lady in this place. I have many doubts about it, yet it may be so. I do not think that she is engaged or any such thing although many say so, it is a fact though that he will never marry Harriet Handerson. How do matters and things in [...] flourish at Keene this summer, finely I suppose, every thing and every body pursuing the "even tenor of their ways." Are any or have any of the Yankees gone west this summer?
How does mother get along boarding out and visiting, does she enjoy herself - You must remember me kindly to Mr & Mrs Hall & Julia, for I am under many obligations to them for the politeness & kindness they manifested towards us all this winter - give my love to our relatives when you see any of them. Dont forget to give my respects to Mr Dinsmoor and to write me what he says about the estate and if it will be necessary for me to come to Keene soon, you need not say that I requested you to ask him. Show this letter as soon as you recieve [sic] it to Mother and you both write soon for we are anxious to hear from you. Give my best love to her, & Charley, also to her & to you. Mr & Mrs Butterfield &c &c wish to be remembered to you both with much love.
Oh, I like to forgot to mention one thing that is that Miss Hester Perrine frequently inquires about you and says give my love to her when you write. Now you need not laugh about htis Miss Perrine, for there is no love affair there with me, she is only a particular friend of mine. Give my love to Mr & Mrs Colony my repsects to Mr T Hall, wife and Ann Elizabeth. Tell John Ainslie [?] that I should like to hear from him & Wright and how they and the Cheshire House flourish; my respects to them.
Good bye, write soon, do not delay,
Your ever affectionate brother
James E. WalkerRemember me to Dea Woods people