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Wednesday 8th I am hoping we shall go to St Anthony tomorrow I wish you could join us ti's one of the prettiest spots on the globe and now is the time to see it before men have made what they term improvements. Mr Tuttle resides there. Mrs T is sister to Sarah, and seems very much like one to me, a very good roomer Father has come in a time when we are all extremely busy, so we are not able to go about so much as I would wish, but I think it would be scandalous not to visit our capitol and St Anthony and another beautiful spot Fort Snelling, situated at the junction of the Minnesota or St Peters, and Mississippi rivers, the Fort itself is something to look at but it seems almost ridiculous to me that such strong fortifications should be built as a defence against the indians, ti's said however, that at the time was built there were apprehensions of an attack by the British, coming by way of red river where they have a settlement and down the Mississippi - by the time you get ready to visit it and sooner perhaps the steamboat above the Falls will be in operation and we will take a trip to "Crow Wing and fort Gaines Your poor Brother Joseph is indeed afflicted, it must be extremely hard for a young man in the vigor of manhood to become like a blasted tree and wither away with an untimely grave, what comfort can he find now out of God? and yet hard as it seems it may be, and no doubt is for his greatest good for God seeth not as we see, I pray this dispensation may be sanctified, not only to him but, to all his friends - I knew a similar ease in Parkman a son of old Elder Hall. I have often thought of him and would like to know whether he is living or not, he was injured on a saw-mill. The last time heard from him he had no sensation below the hips - well I must go and get dinner, and see to my pudering, for I judge by the sense of smell tis running over - do you like to cook? if so I shall expect to get something very good when I visit - I always find those who cook poorly say "I dont like to do it - and " vice versa Helen