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Walt Whitman to Louisa Van Velsor Whitman, 30 April 1867

Dearest mother,

I received your letter—also one from Jeffy. I wrote to Jeffy yesterday—I suppose it is for the best that he should go to St. Louis 1 —as it seems to be a great position—I was much pleased to hear that it was Mr. Kirkwood 2 who was the designing Engineer—& also that Davis 3 is to go to St. Louis on the works—

Well, mother, about domestic matters—I hardly know what to say at present—Jeff did not say in his letter what was proposed, or how he & Mat thought of doing—I can tell better after I hear—But, Mother, you must not worry about it—it will be arranged some way—

There is nothing new in my affairs—I have a little more work these days than usual, but get along first rate—am satisfied with the boarding-house as well as could be expected. Love to you & all, dear mother. I write this at my desk—spring is quite advanced here—it is a damp, misty, cloudy forenoon—but pleasant—I can send you whatever money you need, dear mother, any time—or can come on for a few days—try to take things coolly.

Walt.

Notes

  • 1. This offer was first described in Walt Whitman's April 23, 1867 letter to Louisa Van Velsor Whitman. [back]
  • 2. James P. Kirkwood was a New York engineer; in his September 29, 1865 letter, Thomas Jefferson Whitman wrote to Walt Whitman that Kirkwood had gone to St. Louis to construct a water works. [back]
  • 3. Joseph P. Davis, who accompanied Jeff to St. Louis after returning from Peru in 1865. [back]
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