Letter from Reverend Horace Lyman on his voyage west and affection for Mary

East Hampton July 2 -48

Very dear Mary

I take my pen to write somewhat in doubt as to what I ought to do: ie. whether I ought to write now, or delay writing awhile. I wrote you a fortnight ago to day, and I have been looking for a reply several days, but as yet have rec.d none. Perhaps I ought not to have expected one this early; yet I could not [?] do so, and not having rec.d it I begin to fear that it has miscarried, or at least that your did not receive it as early as I intended you should. I forwarded it four days previous to the Tuesday on which I agreed, Providence favoring, you should have a letter: ample time I supposed for its journey, and seasonable arrival at its place of destination. If it was not [?] in judgment. I would delay two or three days longer before writing, were it not for the [?], than if you are still at Union-Falls, a day's delay on my part will cause a week's delay in it reception.

I have been a short time to write before the mail goes out, and in this time I scarcely know what to write. [?] I sure you had not rec.d my other letter I would expect its most important parts. As it is I will repeat but little. I must repeat some.

In regard to my journey home I will simply say, that I left Castleton the Thursday night next after we packed, and arrived at home on the subsequent Tuesday, in good health and spirits. My journey was pleasant and prosperous. At New York I saw the Secretaries of the U.M. Soc. They thought it would be wise for us, (if it were possible) to make our arrangements to embark in Oct: so that is it should be deemed best for us to go by sailing vessel, we might be in readiness to embark in the right season, which is during that month. If we go by steamers I suppose we shall not embark before Dec. or Jan. This would give ample time for preparation should be made in reference to the most necessary and important particulars. I told the secretaries that it was our decided choice, to go by the steamers if they should deem it practicale and best; but intimated our willingness to be governed their wisdom and judgment in this matter.

And now as I have little more time to write this morning, permit me to say, that thoughts of you, and of our proposed continued and more intimate intercourse have very much occupied my mind ever since we gave each other the parting hand, and the parting kiss. I rejoice that Mr Denison did not [?] you an [?] [?], for in those few house of acquaintance which we subsequently enjoyed, I became more fully [?] than before, that your breast was filled with kindly and affectionate feeling; that you had a heart to sympathize and to love. The expression on your part of such sympathy and affection, kindled up corresponding feelings in my own bosom, which I assure you is not incapable of such emotions. And here as in my last letter I pledge myself, that if Providence permit us to accomplish our intentions, by this assistance, while my right arm retains its strength, and my mind its intelligence, you shall possess one friend at least to sympathize with, and care for you. If you have rec.d my first letter, I trust you will excuse whatever of repetition you find in this, as it seemed necessary to me, from my uncertainty about that, to give some of its facts and thoughts in this.

If you have not written, please write immediately on the reception of this letter, and state to me also where I shall direct my next. I shall direct this to the care of your nephew, Robert Duncan at Keesville, as I may have directed my former one wrongly: requesting him to forward it to you.

I expect now to be in Castleton sometime in the month of August.

Your real Friend and true Lover.

Horace Lyman