[Lydia] Maria [Child] ALS to Louisa [Gilman Loring], May 30, 1836

When we shall be less so, is more than I can tell; but I think
it very probable we shall remain here till after you return
from your journey. We may however be off before that.
We must receive letters from various quarters before we
determine what path to pursue. My spirit is sorely tried
concerning Texas. My hope and trust is still placed in God
and England. If this territory be acquired, I shall think it is
the mysterious will of Providence to throw back abolition
half a century.

(The letter containing a few lines in pencil by Mr. Loring was
received. Mr. Child has a duplicate of the bill against the U.S.,
but it is in his trunk at N. York. It can be sent to Mr. Sibley, when
we go there. If Mr. Loring had time to write a few lines, I wish
he would inform my husband what was the purpose of a letter
which he told me was written by him from the jail, to Geo. H. Snelling.
Mr. Child has in vain cudgelled his memory for the remotest recollection
of such an epistle; and I am afraid to trust my memory to repeat its contents.
We have had a letter from Mr. Sewall informing us that Snelling retracts his
last proposal to settle.)

{written perpendicularly in the right margin}

Love to dear Henrietta, and let her
see this letter if you can, just to enable
her to keep the track of us.

I won't pay the postage, for fear of
a fresh quarrel when we meet.
My dear husband joins with me
in love & gratitude.
Yr aff. Maria.

{end perpendicular writing}

{address and manuscript postmark}

10
West Boylston MA
June 1st

To
Ellis Gray Loring Esq.
State St.
Boston.
Massachusetts.

{end address}

{docket}

1836
May 3rd

{end docket}