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the cotton is opening very fast. your Pa hopes to make a fair crop. also the corn is doing well, and the peas up here, are splendid, more than waist high. some cotton he put in here as an experiment surpasses any thing he ever saw, both in size and in the number of bolls, he regrets very much this whole place is not in cotton. how is the prospect, weather &c up there? The city is said to continue healthy.
Sarah expects to go to Claiborne's to morrow to spend a few days. Martha has promised to return with her. she is one of the sweetest girls I ever saw. how I could love her. I wish Sami, could have fancied her. she is gentle, warm hearted, cheerful, sincere, industrious and very pretty. I did not know her well until now. we have seen a great deal of her. she was here nearly every day, sometimes to dinner, sometimes to tea, and sometimes to remain all night. she has been very sociable and unceremonious I know you would be pleased with her. she is splendidly educated, but very plain and unpretending. this is all true, and I could say much more, for I prefer her to Miss Fanny of whom you have heard so much. I wish you could see her. if I was fixed at the Hermitage I would invite her up to spend some time with us, but poor Willis is throwing himself away, he as contracted dissipated habits which will soon destroy him.
They have all been very polite to Martha & Saarah. they appear to be enjoying their visit very much. the children are a great draw back to Martha's pleasure. they are so unmanageable and so fitful. she is tormented day and night with them they will neither lead nor drive. but Sarah is all life and joy, and as happy and merry as a b[illeg due to copying] she has become a member of the church, and I believe her to be a sincere, devoted,