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Henry Nov 16 / 60
My dear Sister,
So long a time has elapsed
since I have written to any member of
the family except PA, that I am some
what at a loss how to begin today. I
have been disabled by a sore hand for the
last month, & have found it difficult
to write even short business letters which
now absolutely necessary. My hand is
now almost well however, & I don't
anticipate any further trouble from it.
For three weeks past we have been enjoy
ing the most delightful fall weather,
& from present appearances we may look
forward to its continuance for some time
longer. How is it in Winchester? Have
you had your share of fine weather
this fall too? Frank left us for Alexandria
two weeks ago, although we haven't heard
from him, we take it for granted he
is safely at home long before this. Now I
think of it, only a week has passed since
he left, but time drags on slowly with
us here, & one is very apt to make two
weeks out of one. Uncle Fred is still here
but expects to start homewards on
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next Tuesday. Both he & his wife, as well as
the rest of us, are quite well. Uncle Rich-
ard speaks sometimes of going with him,
but I have very little idea that he will be
ready when the time comes. The boys are quite
busy just now, & are getting along very
well. Money matters are becoming rather tight
here in consequence of the excitement in
the South occasioned by Lincoln's election,
but we hope that it will subside
in the course of a few months & that the
people throughout the Union will quietly
resume the even tenor of their way, & [?]
[?] it with as good a grace as possible,
to an administration, which after all,
will be capable of doing very little injustice
to the interests of the Southern States.
I [?]. I have to thank you dear sis-
ter for several letters which have been
unanswered but which I assure you
have by no means been unappreciated.
I was very much interested in your ac-
count of your visit to New England, &
should have been delighted to have taken
the trip with you. I suppose you made
many agreeable acquaintances during your
visit, whom you will always think of
with pleasure. By the way, speaking of Nor-
thern people, what has become of your friend
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Mr. Dana, whose wedding created such a
sensation in Alexandria? Has he returned to
his native snows, or penetrated still deeper
into the "sunny south"? I observe by the "Alex-
andria Sentinel" that Mr. Walker has ac-
cepted the call given him by the vestry of
"Christ Church." I should think his present
congregation would be very loathe to lose him.
Whom do you get in his place? Give a great
deal of love to dear Mother, Father, Sister
Hattie & Nina, & tell Ma I was very great-
ful to her for her letter which came to
hand a week or two ago, & shall answer
it very soon. I am also in Pa's debt , & in
Nina and Sister Hattie's too, I am afraid.
I hope you will all be as lenient creditors
as possible, & I will try & pay up sooner or
later. It gives me great pleasure to get let-
ters from home, & in spite of my want of punc-
tuality in replying to them, I shall still hope
to hear from you, whenever you have leisure
& inclination.
Your very affectionate brother,
Lloyd Powell