Potosi October 3rd 1830—

My Dear Husband—

I direct this letter to Pittsburg and flatter myself that you have been their some time injoying the Company of your Relations, where you have been so long a Stranger. I hope that while you are enjoying their agreeable Society, you will not forget how limited your time is, and how anxious we all are for your Safe return home; it appears to me that you have been gone two or three months; I was so a[n]xious for you to take the journey that you took in the Spring, that the time of your absence, I hardly regarded, but it is diferent now, every day that you have been gone appears a week; and God grant that you may be bless'd with a continuation of good health; to innable you to return to the bosom of your Family; the Children have all been very well, also all the rest of the Family; but there are a number Sick in town; Flemming Johnson, was buried las Thursday, he has left a large and distress'd Family; Samuel Perry is very much as he was when you left home; John Perry and Lady left home yesterday for St Louis, Eliza expects to be gone some time. I shall miss her very much; but I intend to apply myself to work; for an amusement I have quilted two quilts since you left home, and intend commencing on the third next-week, so you see, if my mind is uneasy, I still can work:— Col. Smith has killed another man he was a Shoemaker living in St Geneviere, a Stranger, he had not been long in the Country; they were drinking togeather and got to quarrelling on Politicks. Smith shot the man through the Heart, (I do not recollect his name,) he was put in jail, but has been Bail'd out, after Laying in jail three or four days—their was but one person, present a Dr Robertson, and he will be put out of the way on the day of trial; I expect, poor wretched Old Man what is to become of him;—-

Mr Hunter says that he intends to commence packing up the goods by the 20th of this month, you will have to bring on some Country Linen for Family use, for their is none in the Store you wished me to make you up some check-Shirts, their is none of that article in the Store; and very little Domestic, I wish you to git me a PocketBook of needles, and a good pr of Scissors; we have heard that the Lead is all Sold; times are as dul as ever; Mr Hunter has Sold the Lead-Ashes to Casey for five-hundred Dollars—he says that he intends to write you by this Mail; I think he is close-enoug God knows, and if he does not make money it will not be for the want [of] screwing; I hope you will be at home by the Last of this Month I wish you to bring Guy some little trifle for his feelings are very much hurt that you did not give him something when you come home before, and if you will recollect you made all the Children a present but him I never obsev'd it untill he told me, a few days ago, and he shed tears while he was taulking about it, and observed that you liked all the Children better then him— I tryed to convinced him [that this was not true?] I wish you to git some little trifle that you think will please him—remember me to all your Relations, Lavenia is well and intends writing, to her Mother by this Mail—¦

Adieu may God protect and conduct you safe to the arms of your Affectionate Wife

Emily. M. P

Rachel Dunklin wishes you to git her a Large Tucking Shell Comb—Suppose you git Guy a nice Hat, as he stands in need of one.

[Addressed:] Mr James F. Perry—Pittsburgh—Pennsylvania—