To John Henry Riley
27 March 1871 • Elmira, N.Y.
(MS: CtY-BR, UCCL 00597)

Dear Riley:

My wife has been very sick for two months. So I moved her hither on a mattrass & she is slowly recovering, though still in bed. We shall remain here 2 or 3 months, & eventually will move to Hartford & build—though we’ll not build for the next 18 months likely. We shall ‸sell‸ the newspaper & the Buffalo dwelling, but retain the furniture.

I have nothing new to tell you, & am simply writing to let you know I am not dead. I delight in the anticipation of an African letter from you in the course of two or three weeks.

Give my love to the niggers.

Ys [ T ] Ever

Mark.

Textual Commentary

Editorial Signs

Description of Texts and Provenance

Source text(s):

MS, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University (CtY-BR).

Previous publication: L4, 371; Boesen, item 67, with omission.

Provenance:The MS, formerly in the collection of Dr. Samuel W. Bandler, was bought in 1947 and donated to CtY by the class of 1884.

Emendations and textual notes:

T • [partly formed]