Philadelphia, Tuesday 19th, 1853
Ownest,
We left New York yesterday at 3 o'clock, and arrived safely here, where we have spent the day. We leave for Washington tomorrow morning, and I shall mail this scribble there, so that thou wilt know that I have arrived in good condition. Thou canst not imagine the difficulty of finding time and place to write a word. I enjoy the journey and seeing new places, but need thee beyond all possibility of telling. I feel as if I had just begun to know that there is nothing else for me but thou. The children, too, I know how to love, at last. Kiss them all for me. In greatest haste (and in a public room),
Thine ownest,
N. H.
Baltimore, Wednesday, 5 o'clock.—Thus far in safety. I shall mail the letter immediately 224 on reaching Washington, where we expect to be at ? past 9.
With love a thousand times more than ever,
Thinest,
N. H.
Washington, Thursday.—Before Breakfast.
—Dearest, I arrived so late and tired, last night, that I quite forgot to mail the letter. I found about a dozen letters awaiting me at the hotel, from other people, but none from thee. My heart is weary with longing for thee. I want thee in my arms.
I shall go to the President at nine o'clock this morning—shall spend three or four days here—and mean to be back early next week.
Thine Ownest.