better walk with Wooster than with Walker, to show your fine English walking-staff.
* * * * * * * * "I dare not express to you my concern regarding our present situation. It is very unhappy and we may expect to undergo all the horrors of war. In Missouri, especially, the division is greater than elsewhere. The devastations are terrible here and calamities multiply daily. Pray much and often for us.
In all probability I shall go and spend the summer among the numerous Indian tribes of the great desert east of the Rocky Mountains. They beg me urgently to come and see them. The upper Missouri river will be open by the Ist of May and I expect to start on the first boat leaving here for the Great Falls, 3,000 miles distant from St. Louis.
I returned two days ago from Washington whither I had been called by business of the Society. The Belgian ambassador, Mr. Blondeel, was very nice to me. I dined at his house with the ambassadors of France, Russia and Spain. I had a long conference with President Lincoln. At this moment the capital is guarded by an army of 200,000 men. The daily expenditures of the Government, we are assured, exceed $3,000,000.
University of St. Louis, Feb. 27, 1862. Reverend and Very Dear Father (Boeteman) :14
P. C.
I have received your good letter of the 19th of January last. Your good news concerning your interesting mission 13 Extract from letter in French to brother Francis, February 12, 1862.