San Francisco
13th February 82 [1882?]
My Dear Martha
I have to commence
this letter asking for forgiveness for my
long silence. You must not attribute
it to any want of affection for any
of you, as I sincerely desire the
happiness of one & all & especially
I hope both Mary & Bessy will
not think me ungrateful in not
having written them since their
marriages &c. Some reasons why
it was not convenient to do
so so as I would hope the
future will make up in a
measure for the past give to each
my [unchanged?] love & regard
and kind regards & best wishes
to both Mr McGiffert & Mr
Andrews I understand both
Mary & Bessy are giving you an
opportunity of learning how to nurse
& making you useful in the future.
I fear you would rather nurse
grown up people, Confess a [?]
whom - Now about all here
Louisa & the childn [children?] all well at
present. Mary & Louisa had an
attack of scarlatina [scarletina?] but are
great recovered. Childn [Children?] growing
rapidly. Willie getting whiskers &
[no?] you would be as tall as I am
I have enjoyed good health
for past two years. Constant
at business, growing stouter
not much older looking, vy[very?]
[quiet?] as always, a regular
confirmed old batchelor [bachelor?], now
what else have I to say but for
you to write soon & give me all
the news what prospects of your
following your sisters example
but then you could not be so
cruel as to leave your Papa
could you? all about the
farm, if Tommy does not all
the news that I would Care to
hear generally. How are your
#PAGE 2
Father & Mother we are [as usual?]
what are the youngsters all doing
Sometimes I dream about you
all. Some time ago I sent to
you Anna & Louisa books each
read & [study?] th-- [them?], it is wise
amidst the pleasures & bustle of
this world short to a-y [any?] to think
of & prepare for the coming which
shall be [mending?], either for
hapiness [happiness?] or misery - I hope
dear Martha that you all
young & old are paying more
attention in the religious duties
which give pleasure without
allow tru [true?] & eternal happiness
here after. Write soon, love
to Father Mother Eliza when
you see her & to brothers & sisters
& believe me dear Martha
Your affectionate
Uncle
Chas. [Charles?] K. Breeze
P.S.
Do you know whether your Father was
attended to paying Mr M Cary
for the book he gave me to sell for
him, which I was unable to do
I trust he has, see to it & let me
hear from you on the subject.
