Page 147
Copy . Received on 26th March, 1877.
ST. LOUIS, March 4/77.
Dear Mother:
I received your kind letter a few days ago and am very glad
to hear that all our family are so well. I have been in good health
and have got settled down to my church duties and in a very nice con-
gregation. It feels a little strange at first after so long an ab-
sence-six years at least- but I now attend regularly and intend to
continue so. I have been up at uncle Hugh’s once or twice since I
last wrote you. I forgot to say in my last that they agreed with me
in the opinion expressed of the pictures of Virginia but do not remem-
ber what they said about Hugh’s picture. It appears to me that his
neck was made to look too long and his shoulders were
not taken to advantage in the picture. I showed uncle Hugh your last letter to me
and there was one passage in it which neither of us understood and
which both wish you would explain in your next. In
speaking of Aunt Ann, you said she had been very angry at Robt. Dunn about some sales he
had made for her of a horse, cow and flax etc. and that she had asked
you which you considered the wrong he had done her or Robert Charles
& Sam Dunn’s oaths in the Dublin trial which was the most heinous in
God’s sight etc. Now the point we want to be enlightened on is what
was the nature of the trial and what their oaths were. You will please
answer this as clearly as possible and please write as soon as you get
this letter as he is looking for the news from me.
Page 148
The amount which Robt. Dunn’s illness cost me was about $75,0[?]
or nearly equal to £15. English money at the present price of gold which
is 5% above par. I have not heard from him since I last wrote you and
do not know how he is getting along. I hear occasionally from Mr.
Lithgow, they are all well and gave me a pressing invitation to go on
and spend a month with them at the Centennial this year. The money
which old Joe Campbell got from his son John he claims was his due from
the estate of his son William, although John denies this , yet the ac-
counts seem to be in favour of the old man. You will not say anything
to anybody about this. I do not blame old Joe for giving his son’s
ring to his grandniece in preference to you as she is his relation and
we are not related to them by any ties of blood ,although Joe and
William claim to be nephews of your uncle’s, but I have put a great
many people right in this matter. You will say nothing at all in your
letter about any of Joe Campbell’s family as I have to show it to uncle
and I don’t want any of our family to be mixed up in their affairs . I
have not heard from Kansas City for a couple of years and it is not
likely that I will hear soon. I am glad to hear that Hugh is progress-
ing so well at school. I know that he has the capacity to succeed in
his studies and I am glad to see by your letter that he is applying
himself so diligently.
All our uncles and aunts with their families are in good
health, except Aunt Mary, who has got a slight cold in her throat, but
will get well in the nice spring weather which is opening up now.
Your loving son
Campbell McFarlane
Transcribed by Brian McCrory
