Springfield, Mass., April 12, 1847.
Dear Son John,
— Yours of the 5th is just received. I was very glad to learn by it that you
were then well. I had begun to feel anxious, not hearing for so long a time
since you wrote, that you were unwell. My own health is middling good; and I
learn that all at home were well a few days since. I enclose ten dollars; and I
must say that when you continue to make Indefinite applications for money,
without giving me the least idea of the amount you need, after I have before
complained of the same thing, — namely, your not telling me frankly how much
you need, — it makes me feel injured. Suffice it to say that it always affords
me the greatest pleasure to assist you when I can; but if you want five, ten,
twenty, or fifty dollars, why not say so, and then let me help you so far as I
am able? It places me in an awkward fix.
I am much more willing to send you all you actually need (if in my power), than
to send any when you do not tell what your wants require. I do not now see
how we could make the exchange Mr. Walker proposes in regard to sheep, but
should suppose it might be done to his mind somewhere in our direction. I
should think your brother student might pay the postage of a letter ordering
the “Era” to you at Austinburg till the year expires. I have ten times as many
papers as I can read. Have got on middling well, since I wrote you, with the
wool-trade, and mean to return shortly, and send Ruth to Austinburg. Do not see
how to take time to give you further particulars now, having so much every hour
to attend to. Write me on receipt of this. Will send you a Stenbenville report.
Affectionately your
father,
John Brown.
P. S. Had I sent you twenty dollars, you deprive me of the
comfort of knowing that your wishes have been at all complied with.
SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of
John Brown, p. 143-4
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