Edenton N. C. Decr. 28nd. 1852

My dear Sir
Doubtless you have thought it strange
that I have not answered your letter of September last
but I hope you will [endure] me, when I left you my
reason for not having written before this. In the
first place, I was absent from home, when your
letter got to this place, and on my return home
I found one of my children extremely ill, and before
he got but little better, another and another contracted
the disease, (which my Dear [...]), and then I became
a violent sufferer with the same complaint, thus
my dear Sir, you see that I did not mean to heat
you with indifference, for how could I be guilty of
any such thing, particularly towards one, whom I have
ever entertained the highest esteem.
I have no desire to sell my place in Virginia, and
could not be induced to do so at a much higher price
than the place is with. I have of late recieved
kind offers for the place, and have already done
perhaps very many, in not such tiny of an offer of
$50,000 made me by a Gentleman in New York, for
some of his New Jersey friends.
I shall be highly pleased to see you in this
nation of our State, and I know that others like me
from the good old Mother state, would much gladly
have you visit us - we have a fine Country here,
for agriculture, and the bounty good, and at this time

several fine farms could be purchased, I mention
this, thinking that perhaps your friend in New York
might be willing to try North Carolina. I am 
sure were he to come here and see one of the the farms
which will soon be sold, that he would not fail
to purchase it.
This farm is well situated on the alternate sound
about four miles from Edenton, contains about 1400
ares of the best land in a state of high cultivation
with a [...ery] on the place. The dwelling a modern
building of the first class, and every other building in keeping
with the dwelling, and the place. I have never seen a
farm presenting the advantages as does this one, and
with judicious management, I am sure it will support
a family in fine style & pay for itself in 6 years, 7 at
farthest. I will with pleasure show your friend this
place and all others around about here should he think
fit to visit this part of the country & my house must
be his home when he comes.
Your old acquaintance Dr. Mellane often
speaks of you, both of us entertaining our early admiration
of you, so you see that even in this out of the way
place you have warm friends. Again as we say
that we would be glad to see you, should you ever find time
to leave home. The trip here is a short one, only two days
from your home & then too all by steam boats & rail road.

With the compliments of the season I am dear Sir
truly yours
Mr. D. Mauer

President Tyler
Charles City County
Charles City Court House
Virginia