Charleston Monday evening, May e 30,
I think
My Dearest Frances,
Your letter received this morning sings yet
like a knell of hopes in my mind. It announced that your
letters would go thenceforth to Washington. So through my
own stupidity I have first lost your society and next
your correspondence. You will however know my whereabouts.
The Court did not sit today except to hear the
account of the death of Mr Bailey a member of the
Bar who was to be my associate. So I am to go through
this trial, this great trial in a strange place in which
I am so much abhorred, all alone. You ought to be
here to cheer and comfort me. As it is I am studying
to prepare myself. But I find little time to do so,
for although I am held in very general disdain a
town so large permits some generous and hospitable
men who offer all customary civilities to a stranger,
and prejudice wears off upon acquaintance.
I dined yesterday with Mr. Pettigrew a Whig
and the Chief of the Bar. The party was pleasant but
the weather was warm dry and close. The dinner
knocked me up, and I was fit only to read Macau-
lay and go to sleep. I rose at five, and went
to my studies. At ten I went to Court, and my excellent

friend Mr King then took me to see the Libraries, Courts City Hall
Records and other monuments in the City. After dinner eMr
Granger called and showed me the Battery, gardens &c
and I have just returned from this excursion. Every step I
have taken I have deplored your absence. Charleston
is an old town, well preserved. It resembles a European
town. Every house is old and most of them are spacious
substantial and elegant. They are surrounded by gardens
rich in shade trees shrubbery and flowers which approximates
to the luxuriance of the Tropics. There is no decay, but
on the other hand there is no enterprise. But why write
to you of the these things, when it is only an aggravation of regret
for your absence.
I shall commence my cause on Wednesday perhaps,
close it say Saturday and then wend my way North to
meet you where? Shall I find out the answer to that
question in the meantime?
Ever your own Henry.
hMay 30
1849