430 Hackney Road
10th Nov. 1865

My dear Alexander

This day week we sent off a letter to you and Walter but on your papa's taking it to the post office he found it was beyond weight so he brought home, contrary to my directions, Eliza's letter which I had written to her and enclosed - consequently, I am writing again this week. I was thus now induced to do so as I had not then time to write to you.

This morn I perused a letter from Walter sent to Mrs. Evans wherein he writes most energetically about his adopted country. I am glad you are both so satisfied with it as you appear likely to continue in it throughout your lives. I wish it had been otherwise but if it be for your happiness and interest I am content.

By this time the Elections are all over. I wonder whether Walter is elected to any office as he seems to wish it. I hope he has been successful. Your mining schemes seem to have turned out unsuccessful - your expectations are now upon the oil. Stick to your store - you have hitherto been fortunate and do not give it up without it is evident you can do no more good in it; but of course you do not want advice from me - you must of yourself know much better how to settle your business than I can tell you. By this time, I presume your house is finished - how do you like it? It alone I suspect would tie you to St. Luis Obispo as property in such a retired spot is not easily disposed of [with?] advantage enough.

We have just had Sarah Ann Evans visiting us - she is a nice girl, about 21 - she is still in London visiting other friends. Emily Auston has been here - she is still single, but Jane, a younger sister, is likely to be married very soon. George, I expect will at the death of his father go off to join his sister in Australia who is married to a cousin - he has a good situation there with a chemist and druggist and is doing very well.

I expect your paper [papa?] has given you an account of Henry Manfred and his wife - he came over here taking his wife to his various friends with whom they (his friends) are pleased. Indeed she does appear a nice unpretentious person, quite unlike the Manfreds. He gives it out that he is to have a fortune with her but that we cannot know for a certainty - these things are easily said. He has known his wife ever since he had been in America but it is only during the last year that he offered to her - she is at least 8 or nine years the younger - very fail [fair?] and interesting in her manners and conversation and I suspect has been brought up in a careful manner by homely well disposed parents, but we saw her only for one day - that what we do know is principally from his sisters.

Charles is still unmarried - he would not be got into the war but clung to his situation on the Railroad. Did the young man whom you saw from Charles see much of you? He made it out as though he had some difficulty in landing and I think he was laid up somewhere with a fever which he caught.

We received last evening Harper's Weekly Journal - a newspaper of any kind seems to tell us you are well, therefore they are always welcome. How is dear Andrea? I hope you are still very happy. I should above all things like to see you - a lady sailed in the same ship with Mrs. Manfred who had come by herself from some part of California.

Addy Kraushaar has been staying with us - she is a nice looking girl and a very good figure but above all else she is a religious girl - we like her very much. She was with us more than 2 months.

Accept our thanks for various acts of kindness on your part and believe me my dear Alexander

Your affectionate mother

Sarah Murray