He has received Francis' letter of June 4. They are all in good health. He had a letter from William saying that Francis intended to come west for a visit and wished to borrow travelling money. If the father and brother can help him to their home he could give what he could spare for the rest of the journey. It has been a hard summer and prospects are gloomy because of the bad crops. Their church or the addition will be finished and another for the Germans is about half finished so that father can speak in English or German. He never saw such a time when the services of a physician were not needed. New York and the west is crowded with doctors and lawyers but there are more entering these professions. Hard labor is thought to be disreputable. He asks if the Catholic Expositor is still being published. He has not received a number for six months. He also asks for geological specimens. Hugh McKean is farming about 26 miles from New York on the way to Philadelphia. :: I-1-a A.L.S. 3pp. 4to.