Sally Clay to Clay, 17 Dec 1827

Letter from Clay's mother telling him of his father's cancer and how it is progressing, the formation of what sounds to be a new city, and news of the rest of the family that is in the new area My Dear Son Monday Dec 17. 1827 I expect you have been anxious to hear from us, I had no doubt when we left you but we should have gone home before this time, but your fathers cancer began to look worse in a few days after we came here, the Doc began last saturday was a week to put on his powder more plentifully than he ever did, & continues puting it on every other day. it looks very bad, but the Docr says that is a matter of course from the application of the medicine, & that he has know doubt but he will perfect a cure. there is a good many of our friends in town now, the administration convention is to meet this evening in the Presbiterian meeting house your uncle Garrard is here, his son Wm that has just commenced the Practice of the law a promising youth, died about three weeks since. we often see the uncertainty of earthly prospects, oh that you woud take the admonition in the Bible, to remember your creator in the days of your youth the fear of the lord is the begining of wisdom, david irvine and five or six others is here from Madison. he brought us four letters from our children, they are all well. So Harrison intends to go home next saturday if we should not write then you must ask permission of President to visit him and enquire about your Father, I dont tell when we will go home. write to us by the [illegible] tell Mr Roberts your Father a walking cane from there we thought it was Mr Smiths, he says it is not his but he thinks it is Sidneys. we intend sending home when we learn whose it is farewell S. Clay page_0002 Sally Clay Decr 17th 1827 1827-1836 [page turned] Mr Cassius Clay Politeness of Mr. Morehead Bardstown