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Thursday July 13th 1851 My dear wife I have recd my regular letter the receipt of which I look forward to each week with such pleasure. Dear little Tammy, how I long to see the spunky but sweet little one. Does she begin to walk yet. And my own dear Tilly ~ she is now eight years old, tell her she will soon be a young lady ~ and I hope and expect to find her much improved. I hope her little birth day party ? off well ~ if she had one ~ if so she must write to me all about it. You ask me to let you know as soon as I determined what we shall do with the house. Just at present it is difficult to say, but I will endeavor to give you my present views ~ When I first came here I gained in strength and my cough was much lessened; soon after I must have taken additional cold, I ceased to gain in strength, and my cough and expectoration increased very much ~ now however I think I am gaining again, my spirits and appetite are good, and my cough less violent ~ and I continue to anticipate most benefit from a residence here in the summer ~ In order then to remain here during the summer and the following winter (for it would not do to return to the North in the winter) it is necessary to find something to do. As yet on ? of the weather and my cold, I have felt it necessary to take the best care of