Herculaneum Decb 2nd 1820
Dear Stephen
Your favour of the 29th of Augt. I received one mail previous to
the one you wrote to your Mother from Natchitoches: and have had
no opportunity of answering only by mail and it was uncertain if
you would not have left N Orleans before it would have got there: I
Cincerely rejoice at your success and hope there will nothing happen
to Blast them
You Requested me to give you information of your family it will
now be unnecessary as H Elliot can give you everry Information that
I can
no doubt you have met Mr Honey in New Orleans: I Calculated
you would: from the Information I receivd of your Intention of
going theere: that you would be theere about the time he would arive
theere Mary has given him a fine son in his absence Boath are well.
I have had Considerable sickness in my family this season Nancy
has had an uncommon share; three months past she has been much
of the time confined to her Room she is now gaining strength fast
the Balance of the family are in good health—Henry Elliott can
give you all the news that is going which is not muche; hard times is
the General Complaint I hope that the time is not far distant when
I shall here that your are permanently settled in your new situation
and doing well—Allways your friend
Elias Bates [Rubric]