[P.] R. ALS to William C. Rives, Jr., April 8, 1866

Castle Hill April 8. 1866.

I received your letter about the
darkies, a few days ago, my dearest Son, and
will, with the greatest pleasure, set enquiries about
them on foot and do my best to meet your wishes.
Like yourself, I think any of them would be
wise to go to a country where the mild and equable
climate, spontaneous fruits and fertile soil furnish
the necessaries of life with little exertion, for their
[?] ideal of happiness and comfort is in idleness.
I have felt, and still feel a sincere wish for the
welfare of the race, though I am sorry to say our own
experience has convinced us that there are very few
of them for whom it is possible to do any thing.
I thought that those immediately around us would
have more reason and intelligence than the mass
and that something of the old family attachment
might be developed, but I am sorry to say I have
been sadly and sorely disappointed. It seems to have
been all in vain that we have waited with