Incipit

Buffalo 27th Nov, 1859

My Old Brother

I have nothing especial to write but as I have just written a letter to my long brother at Washington, I thought to write you one, although you owe me two – this will make three – I excuse you because of the trouble & perplexities of building, finishing & getting into a new hous is something of a jobb as I know by experience – they call me a fool for building this house sometime s– hell I do not mind it much & sometimes they call me an old fool that I dont care for as I know of a great deal, but I do object to being called an old damned fool as that is rubbing it on to thick