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Washington City Mar. 26/49 Dear Brother Chandler I am very happy to tell you that I have rec'd your favor and all is safe and everything seems to go on admirably well. Your letter in which was enclosed a draft of three hundred dollars payable to my order; come to hand Sat. the 24th. I found no difficulty in collecting the money on the same. So Chandler all is safe. I was highly gratified to see that you was willing to oblige and assist me. I had confidence in you & felt Sure it would come, yet I did not like to call upon you & planed every way but could not make it go to my mind and as the last resort asked this favor of you knowing at the same time that it would surprise you and perhaps offend. But O I hope not. I hope I shall hear you say sometime that you was glad you acquiesced with my wishes- And at least I hope you will not experience any inconvenience from it. I thank you very much for I have set my mind on this adventure, believing it to be worthy my time and attention and should have been grievously disappointed had I not succeeded in carrying out my plans. When I engage in anything, I like to carry it out. I am quite well, am in good Spirits & hope to be prospered on my Journey. I conformed to the rules of the constitution, Sat night by paying in my proportion & signing the constitution. I was Just in the nick of time, for now no more can be

[left-hand side] I want you all to feel perfectly reconciled- the same as though I was in Boston- and not think that we are never to meet. There is no occasion for such fears. We cannot shape our own course be we where we may, and I feel perfectly resigned to whatever God may design. I love & fear God and in him I am willing to trust and go with as little reluctance to California as I would to go to Boston. We must try and not endanger our lives and pray to be preserved from danger. I went to Mt. Vernon last Friday and had a good long walk. But I got paid for going. I started from here about 9 o'clock walked all the way there and back and roamed all over the farm. While there my Journey I suppose was not less than 40 miles that day. I found myself bright and well the next morning. It was about 16 miles from here and I walked as much as 6 or 8 miles besides. Well it was awful muddy some of the way but I put it through and it made me feel some as I used to when I had to work. I have got a lemon and some leaves from the tree which Washington sat out- no mistake. I saw Washington's tomb. It has been, & may be again a most beautiful place but it looks rather neglected about the fences and out buildings. Still it is a beautiful place and I wish you could go. It was a very warm day--like summer--not a cloud--all was still and it seemed rather melancholy as I stood at Washington's tomb. I hope the Government will fix up this old place and I know of no prettier place in the world if it is improved and made what it might be.__ I have been in Georgetown and Alexandria but these places seem dull and not much going on. I shall write in a day or two and tell you how we get along. We are all getting ready with a great deal of care. We are cheerful and we shall I hope all be true friends. I have been mindful of my friends but I can go ahead I think and not feel faint in the least but I am sorry you feel so bad about my going. But, after all, to know that you all care for me is a great satisfaction and knowing that, I shall feel much better on my way. I shall not dream of tears, I hope, but smiles & I shall as soon as I can turn my face homeward to see those I love who love me.