Sherwood Forest
Ch & City County Va. Feb. 12. 1854

My Dear Col:
Before this reaches you the newspaper
and private letters will have informed you of the great
loss we have all sustained in Alexander. A loss in
which I claim to be as large a participator as any member
of the family. To me he was almost every thing
in connexion with my worldly affairs, and I had in
a great measure look'd to him to put history right
in regard to me. His mind was of that excellent
order which suited him for the investigation of truth
while his feelings and sentiments were too pure and
lofty to have led him for a moment to compromise
with wrong. There is a universal regret among all
classes at his death. The newspapers have paid to his
memory the most mark'd respect. The Richmond
Enquirer set it down as a public calamity, and
the article was copied by other papers. His promptitude
in deciding the first case which arose
under the fugitive slave law inspired the whole
South with confidence, and led the way to the great
meeting at Castle Garden which did much towards saving
the Union. His health had never been better than it was
only a few days before he was taken ill, and your
mother and Margaret were quietly fix'd with us here
as we hoped, for the winter, when a telegraphic despatch

hastily summoned them to New York, whither I should 
have accompanied them but for the rather sudden
sickness of little Julia. I dwell not upon other
particulars which doubtless have been detailed to you
by others. I know not of course what may be your own
intentions as to remaining where you are or returning
to New York. Your decision on that point will I suppose
be regulated by the state of your business at San
Diego, and I write principally to say that if I can
be of any use to you in any way you can command
me quite as freely as you would do Alexander was
he alive. Put me on the same footing with himself
and be assur'd that any regard for you is as great
as you could desire it to be. Our whole household
is at this time well. The children are growing up
fast and the little Julia is the sweetest thing in
the world. Julia will add a postscript
which may be longer than this. So I conclude
with the expression of my best wishes and with
assurances of affectionate regard.

Yrs. [?]
John Tyler

Col. D. L. Gardiner

[Swingardia?]
Feb 15
J. Tyler
Free

Col. David L. Gardiner
San Diego
California
via New York City