John's letter, which he wrote after eleven days of silence has been received. It is a rule of the office that agents should report at least once a week. McMaster reminds John that he promised to let him know how he is and where a message can reach him. He hopes John does not deal so lightly with other promises. McMaster was threatened with congestion of both kidneys a few days ago, which attack, had it gone unchecked, would have left him but three or four days to live. His written instructions for his burial specify that there shall be "one day only intervening between death and burial." Had death occurred during the days when John's whereabouts were not known, not only would John not have seen his father alive, but he would have been buried before John could have been reached. McMaster assures John he is not in the least pleased with his conduct in this respect, and hopes John, like a dutiful boy, will do better. He feels also that the lazy ways of the Southern States are not doing John any good. He is dissatisfied with him, and is solicitous on his account. John was in a great hurry to get to New Orleans, and McMaster is desirous that in John's present disposition his stay may be short. There seems to be no serious object in John's present comings and goings, and McMaster may have to request John's return to New York in some weeks. While he was ill McMaster thought of the one child he had for whom he had solicitude, of that child's forgetting his promise to inform his father of his whereabouts. John's letter to the office stating that he may be at Atlanta seems to say that they should take a chance at catching him. McMaster is taking a chance with this letter. He had some very pleasant things to tell John, but does not choose to throw away what he writes, on a chance of his letter reaching John. He hopes John will be able to spare part of an hour to write him. :: I-2-m A.L.S. 5pp. 12mo.