Princeton, Ky. March 5, 1848
My Dear Son,
On the first instant we received your letter from the city of Mexico, and on the 3rd, yours from Perote came to hand, the first by Mr. Ward. They were received by me with sincere pleasure. We had become quite uneasy about you, hearing of so much sickness in the Army and so many deaths. It greatly relieves our minds to hear of your welfare and sincerely hope it may continue and that you may soon be able to leave that doomed country. The last mail brought the news that Polk had sent in to the Senate, a treaty concluded by Trist and the Mexican commissioners, making the Rio Grand the line including New Mexico and Upper California, for which we are to pay the expences of the war, the indemnity due our citizens, and give the Mexican nation $15,000,000. I don't have any idea the Senate will ratify the treaty. John Quincy Adams is dead. He fell in the House of Representatives and died the same evening by a paralitic stroke. As a fine, honest, fearless and able man, he has left no superior. The great Whig convention met at Frankfort on the 22nd Feby, a day rendered sacred as the birthday of Washington and the day that the memorable battle of Buenevista was fought, and nominated the Hon. John J. Crittenden for governor. His name alone is a post socofocoison (?), will flee before him. John L. Helm was nominated for Lieutenant Governor. Gene Taylor will be the Whig canditate for President. Mr. Clays friends are very unwilling to give him up, but they think it's uncertain about electing him and all agree that Gene Taylor can be easily elected. Mrs. Campbell is no more. The Legislature divorced her and changed her name to Duncan. She is well, but has not received your letter. Smallwood and Julian Fowler went to Colconda today to see if they could get married. Nancy Mitchpon and Holloway married a few days since. Shelby and Miss Lyon are married. Baylor Spratt got home about a week ago. He remained all the time in the hospital. Since he got his discharge his health has greatly improved. When your letters came he regreted very much he was not with you. The winter has been mild but wet, though it is quite cold now. I am sorry to learn that you have not heard from home. I have wrote three letters to you. We are all well. Your mother quite as well as usual. Nancy has another gal. Sarild and Louise are both looking. Edward is boarding at College. Biddle has gone to Winchester and Dulany takes his place. A good exchange. Flournay has sold out his store to Cain, bought Adams place. Thos. Satterfields wife died about the 16th Dec. He is a full candidate for matrimony. Some says it will be Elscy Astorn, others Sarah Cash. Certain it is, he don't intend to be long without a wife. Lawren has been staying here since you left most of the time. Also Mrs. Anterose Rucker, old Milley Rucker, wrote to her and got me to write also, saying if she would come down, she would give her two negroes, a man and a woman to help her raise and educate her children. After coming and remaining a few days and we _?__ , the old woman refused to comply and ordered her to leave. She has brought suit for damages. I have sold my place adjoining Dyer to Mat Crow. He has built and will move in a few days. The connection and all (are) well. I believe no talk of any of them being married. All things in this section are about as usual. I have wrote you everything of which is in this section in my formal letters, which I hope you will still get. You must write often and give more in detail the peculiarities of the country and people, what they raise, how they cultivate and irrigate their land, their customs, in a word, everything that distinguishes them and their country from us. You will not forget that the Mexicans must cordially hate the North Americans, as they call them. Altho they may make profession of personal esteem, they are not to be trusted, for they are treacherous and never forgive, and will most certainly use any chance to be revenged for the wrongs they think you have done them by invading their country. It is certainly necessary to be constantly on your guard. The Spaniards is an ___?___ nature. I am done shelling corn but am not done hauling. I shall send off 2000 bushels, corn is low. I am not done shipping oats and have none of my tobacco off. The friends in Livingston (and) Crittenden seen well when last heard from. No news, John Gray sold to Holman everything in his boat but his whiskey and agreed to leave. I understand (he) has dropped down to Livingston. Don't know what he intends doing, but no good until he leaves the river, which I hope will be soon, for the sake of his family. For Franklin's comfort, you can tell him Clarance Martin is still single. Port Foley is to be tried next week for stealing (from ?) Banister and Franklin. You may say to Chambers their friends are well. Mrs. Prince lives at the Poon place. C. College is going on as well as usual. You must write often. You have arrived at that age you are now forming a character for life, altho you are in a camp where no great degree of morality reigns. It is equally incumbent on a man to govern his conduct by the strict rules of propriety, whither at home or abroad. I hope the want of there employment while doing garrison duty will not be the means of you indulging in habits of disipation. The gaming table should be avoided as you would the road that leads to death. You are now in a situation where, if you do not guard everything to temptation, you will be impreceptibly drawn into habits that may prove unfortunate for you. It is much easier to avoid bad habits than to get clear of them when once contracted. Give my love to Franklin and the boys. Tell John I saw Mr. Martin a few days since. All well. We send our to you and hope you may be home soon. Affectionately, your Father
Wm. Mercer