Washington, D.C. March 31st, 1864 My dear Brother, How are you all in Scranton? Give my love to your dear wife & dear children- - Sarah is at home fitting Fannie to send to the School at Farmington connecticut - The School begins 27th of April. So that I shall not be able to see her. Fanny is not well. So Sarah writes. She will not go to school until she is well. - the child has a great dread of the consumption. -Sallie is well. - Geo. Adam went with Sarah as far as Niagara. She had a hard ride home - She remained 4 or 5 days at Stockbridge and hurried home to fit Fanny for school. She was very, very sorry that Cornelia could not go to Berkshire with her - I hope that the disease which she dreaded has escaped your town & that Physicians have learned everywhere how to treat it. This court does not close until the last day of this month. I never dreamed of staying here until this time. When I left home the court thought justice [unclear] to the Public required the holding of a long term - next winter the term will be from 1st of Dec to 1st [unclear] March - This prolonged absence fr home don't suit me - If I had any means in money so as to draw an income I shd not serve in this office many years. There are compensations in every position in life - And cares + disadvantages Every situation is about equal with another in the long run. I thought I shd be able to apy you the $700 I owe you this spring but shall not be - I shall have to be indulged a ilttle longer - I have promised Geo. a gold watch with chain to hang to the button hole of his vest - He wants what I believe he calls a slide + not a hook I want him to have a good watch one that will always do him - of course I dont want to make him an extravagant present - - will you do me the favor to make the purchase when you are in New York at the end of this month + send it to him at Pittsfield by express to the care of Judge Rockwell - I leave the whole matter as to price + quality to yr good judgment - I should get cheated if I attempted to buy it. I hence must beg you to do it for me - - Get a plain face - I think what is called a hunting case is less liable to [gap] - Please have engraved on the inside the following words - 'George P. Davis June 3 1864 from my father' June 3. is his birth day - I ought to have given it to him a year ago - Geo. will have a vacation the last of this month - I wil be in Pittsfield - I wish that I knew what to do with him when he gets out of college - Have you been dealing in stocks this winter? If so you must have made a great deal of money. When this court is over I shall to the straight way home & pretty speedily Please send the bill for Geo. to me at Bloomington if you don't go to New York until the last of this month. If before send it it here - What shall I do about the stock in the Bloomington Bank when I go home? Love to all the loved ones - give my love also to Wm [unclear] How is he behaving- yr aff Bro
