New York
Decr. 19th
My beloved son,
I have refrained from writing
these many weeks in the hope that the desire
of hearing from your family would force you
into writing to us. You really do not do as
you should do - you my only boy - the only
brother of your sisters - the object of our fondest
love - our dearest hopes ought not to neglect
the only demonstration we ask as you son give
of occasionally forming us with a communi-
cation. I trust it does not proceed from
coldness of heart - I will not - cannot
believe that - I would not do you much injus
-tice. It cannot be attributed entirely to
preoccupation - however laborious your studies
at present - a fine minute can be found in
every day for the purpose I ask - What then
is the cause - indolence I fear - indolence
and procrastination - avoid the two demons

I entreat - or they will haunt you through life-
and interfere with every summit - Let me, your
mother entreat you to change this habit - let me
beg for five minutes once a week or even a fort
night - a mere line to tell me of your health
and progress in improvement - and I promise
is [?] at least three contrast correspondence 
and four more occasional ones - It is a bargain?
Well shake hands! Done's the word! Dallas
Backe during his four year sojourn at the point
and with his indefatigable industry always wrote
once a week a long letter to his mother! Lag
not to your heart!
I hope and long to hear of your elevation
to the top of your class to the first section of
mathematics - A great mystery has been made
about which I think in your case should be
understood - for I know you so well as to believe
you want all the excitement your vanity may desire
from it - look - we have been urged - from very
high authority - to [?] you upon your pride
to get adorned from your present situation - 
It has been intended and [?] point of being

done - (advancing you to the 1st section) - but the fear
of want of application on your part has presented it [?] times - 
It is said that of your ability there is no doubt - 
but they fear your want of industry - you would
have been long since advancd, but it was judged a
dangerous experiment - for if [?] of exertion
you should loose your will, afterward the effect
might be mortifying and discouraging to your future
success - Let the industry be exhibited then and
the promotion will soon follow - What I have now
told you is treason - I have been expressly told
not to let you know that any interest exists in your
behalf - but I know you better - I know you think
but too merely of yourself - It will not injure you
to tell you you are an object of interest - that a
strong feeling exists in your favour - So show
proper stuff - whilst your perseverance - your
application, and none stand a better chance than 
yourself - They wan to make an office of
you - but mum's the word - Let [mohentry]
be your watch word - 
We are here for the winter all hands
Miss Nonneh and all - Your grandmamma
begins to [?] - but she never can forget her less
your dear [...] this moment [?] letter

[?] dated Decr. 9th Cincinnati on her way to
New Orleans - In a few days he says he will write to
you - What shall we send you for Christmas?
Tell us and your desire shall be gratified - Write some
and Priss will return you a [?]. She is bursting
with the desire to see you - John Fantie is under
promise to take the girls up some day before the [?]
closes - God bless you, my dearest boy and dispose
you to the performance of all your duties - that your
mother's heart may glow with joy. M. L. Cooper
[...]
18 December [?]
May 10
Cadet James Fairke Cooper
To the care of
Mr. Cozzens
West Point