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and from what you say I suppose the weather has been still [?] [?] since, but you must keep up a good heart and be well assured that I will have you with me by some means or route, soon after my return to Fort Gibson, and as you say I will not suffer myself to get into another such a scrape as to be again separated from my better half and babies - at least by so great a distance as at present. Truly there is no place like home and God knows that if I do not love you and my children then no one on this Earth does, but this you must know and believe that my most earnest desire is to do all in my power to make you all happy - since I only near [?] now you they, would commence the New Year in a happy mood or at least should not be prevented from so doing by my presence -