Rec'd sorrowful news this day in a post from Mistress Garrett in Fairfax. Her small son, near two years of age, succumbed to a heart ailment which kept him ill all of his short life. She is grieved at his passing and poured out her anguished heart in her letter to me. She is not unacquainted with death nor loss, yet this little one suffered so and her long hours, days and months of caring for him met an abrupt end so that she is quite beside herself with despair. Praise be to God that His dear servant shall meet her infant once again in eternity and no more be vexed by the tribulations of this earth.

What a wonderful thing the network of express post riders is! The Colonel and I have been sending out inquiries of late about old friends. Some response is enlightening, some happy, some sad. I discoverd that a very dear friend of my youth succumbed some 5 years ago to an ailment of the heart. One inquiry led to information about a young Navy lieutenant (30 years ago) who has just retired as a Rear Admiral. The Colonel has had conversation with him and discovered that he and the wife that we knew are now living separately and have been for some 12 years. Would you believe that the intrepid Col. has contacted said wife? She is well and delighted to hear from us. This woman is on the FAR western frontier! Mother suggested that the Col. seek a dear friend of my Papa. He received word of the death of the gentleman's wife, but could find nothing else. I sent out inquiries in a slightly different direction and found notices where the gentleman is practicing the law. He has contacted us and asked after my friend, Mistress Solis. He plans to contact her for his (step)daughter, reportedly, has extensive skill in medicine and is in the Western Territory where Mistress Solis intends to seek treatment for her ailment.

I experienced a rare treat last evening. Mistress Raudenbush and I were to meet the Col. at the lending library for a gathering of the local businessmen. We were early so she suggested that we stop for some refreshment. We went to the coffeehouse! We were not in there long for they attended to our requests quickly and, as the day was fine, we took our coffee out of doors. Twas much as I have imagined a coffeehouse would be. The air was filled with the aroma of the coffees. Men, for I cannot call them all gentlemen, clustered about small tables, taking their turns pontificating on various topics. All turned and stared as we entered - as well they should, for a lady to enter the coffeehouse is QUITE out of the ordinary.

The meeting of the businessmen was lovely. There were refreshments laid out for us - various cheeses and fruits, with figs prominently featured. As the business ensued, the speaker before the Col. was talking of blocking the streets for a street festival of some sort. A few of the businessmen were upset about carriages and wagons not being able to get to their establishments. The speaker stated that it was hoped that the foot traffic anticipated from the festival would more than make up for the inconvenience. The assembly was perfectly cordial and seemed delighted by our proposed walkabouts. Twill be most interesting to see exactly what our reception is!

Called on Mr. Hunter's wife this day. Her son summoned me for she suffers from milk fever. I attended her with a remedy and staid with her 'til the fever broke. Her infant feeds well and she should be much relieved by the 'morrow.

Attended Mrs. Hunter thro' the long night with her pains. At sunrise, praise be to God, she delivered her seventh son. He is called Clark for his great grandfather. The boy has a hearty cry and I left him in good hands with his papa and many brothers to tend to Mrs. Hunter's needs. She is a hearty woman herself and will no doubt be on her feet shortly, my instructions to the contrary notwithstanding.

The paint in the New House is much better than I imagined twould be. The entry and passage are painted in a blue-green which we have been told is quite the thing in England. The upper wall is yellow ochre - it looks rather like the mustard dressing that Mueller prepares for sallets. The drawing room is entirely painted in the blue-green. The mop boards and doors have yet to be painted but they are to be Spanish brown. I suppose that painter will do all of those together. I am quite anxious to see the upper walls in the dining room painted. The Col. plans for them to be a sky blue.

We shall be well and truly out of the old house by midnight tomorrow. This evening, the remaining lumber shall be removed and the servants will set about a final cleaning. The floors are to be cleaned in the morning. Of course, now the sun shines. The whole of four days moving was done in rain. Tis a wonder that more was not ruint than we have discovered. My bedstead and Mother's were broken by carelessness. Fortunately, they can still hold the bed, but tis disconcerting to have one's possessions mangled. Now that the move is over, we can begin the arduous process of sorting, shifting and tossing out. I wish the painter could have painted BEFORE the furnishings were put in the rooms, but I suppose we can cover them or remove one room at a time.
I have had to summon the physician for this reoccuring stomack malady. The silly quack wanted to give me a purge and bleed me. My body is doing that of its own accord. Why would he think to continue the process! Methinks he wants to kill me!