Department of Justice
Washington.
187 Thursday night—½ past 81

Dearest mama,

I will write you a line, to begin my letter, before I leave the office—I have been sitting here alone for a couple of hours, having a good time, all by myself, nobody in the building besides me, but the watchman—Mama dear, I suppose you got the order in my last—I have also sent you the old Franklin Almanac—write if it arrived safe. There is nothing new or special—I am well, & only hope your cold is better—I sometimes think a bad cold is about as aggravating as any thing one can have—

I saw Grant to-day on the avenue walking by himself—(I always salute him, & he does the same to me.)

Friday forenoon ½ past 11

I have been hard at work all the forenoon—it is a cloudy day here, threatening rain—Mama dear, I don't seem to think of any thing to write about this morning—Love to you—& to George & Lou if they are there.

Walt.

I send you a couple of Washington papers.