Lachen, April 30, 1858 Dear Son! It is with great joy that I take pen in hand to write to you, to let you know that we received your letter, which you [wrote] on March 25th, on April 23rd, and saw from it that you, your uncles and aunts are healthy, thank God, which certainly made us happy. That is also the case with us, thank God. Dear son, you write about your [hole in paper] sister Karolina, that she should come to Am[erica] [hole in paper] to you. Dear son, [hole in paper] we don’t say no to you, but for this year [hole in paper] we say [we would like] to let it rest, because you know whenever [hole in paper] slaughters [...] Lachen, then one has to carry the meat [...]. Admittedly that is not a goal for her. I know that, dear child. I think when one more year has gone by, the brothers and sisters will be bigger. Then it can be more likely. Because you know if one doesn’t slaughter then we don’t have anything to do. You want to know news. Fruits [and vegetables] are very cheap. One hundredweight of grain costs 3 fl [= guilders = Rhenish florins] 30 dr [?] and spelt costs the same. Tobacco sells for 11 guilders per hundredweight. You write that you have written a letter to Speyer. Your uncle received it, but Uncle [?Kesel] has died unfortunately, and his [? Lirn = a name?] also and Aunt Mindel is in Wallertheim with Aunt Libet and Uncle Georg and their two children. I think that will be better for her than in Karbach. And your sister Karolina is now firmly thinking of visiting them. And something else that should be mentioned – Karl and I were at Grandmother’s in [Klingen]Münster and picked up the [fold in paper] that you sent us. That [hole in paper] us very much. Your [hole in paper] [page 2:] has [corner torn off]. Dear child, you cannot imagine the joy that we have with these 100 guilders [Rhenish florins] and I told Wolf Maikammer about it and Leveyn [the Levys?]. They are happy that you are taking care of your parents and brothers and sisters. Dear child, I hope that the dear Lord keeps you healthy for many years [so that you] can take care of us, and just follow your dear uncles, because I realize that they are taking care of you so that you can amount to something. Dear child [hole] ... you will appreciate that you are with friends [hole] [who] are taking care of you like a father for his own [hole] [child. I] am concluding my letter and remain [hole] [your] eternal father until death. Please [hole] [excuse] my sloppy handwriting and [I] hope [hole] [that] this letter finds you in the same way it leaves us and greet your uncles and aunts many times. [different handwriting] Dear Brother Meyer! 
I have to let you know that last Sunday father and I were in [Klingen]Münster at Grandmother’s and Grandmother is still as healthy and cheerful as when you were at home. Grandmother sends many greetings and Mayerle [little Mayer?] and his wife and children are all healthy and send many greetings. I don’t know of any other news to write. I greet you many times and remain your loyal brother until death. Karl Mayer [page 3:] [Yiddish] Dear son, I must let you know that I am, thank God, healthy. I hope that all is well with you too and hope that the good Lord brings you yet many years of health. I pray each day for that, that I yet live to see much joy on your behalf. I always hope for that and thank you many times for the hundred gulden [which] you sent us, for the businesses here now [are] doing very badly. Further [I] remain your mother [hole on edge] many greetings to you and your uncles and aunt [torn edge] your family Re[g]i[n]a Meyer Dear Brother, 
You write me that I haven’t ever written to you. That seems very strange to me that you have written that I never wrote to you. Dear brother, if you still have these letters, just look at them and you will find it. Dear brother, you write that you wish you [could?] see us again. That is our wish, too, but it can’t be done. We hope that you send us your [“Borderett” = profit??] when you can. Dear brother, I am furthermore ending my note and hope that the letter finds you in the same it left us. We hope for an answer from you soon. I greet you many thousands of times and remain your loyal sister. Greet my uncles and aunts many thousands of times. Babette Mayer [page 4:] Dear Brother! Something else to mention about Aunt Hanne. When father was in [Klingen]Münster, Grandmother told him that she feels very bad that Aunt Hanne does not write a single syllable. Hasn’t she sent anything to Grandmother? She should write whether she is happy. Even if she doesn’t feel any filial love for her, she [Grandmother] still has motherly love for her. Say hello to Aunt Hanne [hole] [and her] husband and family. [different handwriting] Dear Brother Mayer! [hole] [I] want to let you know that I am still healthy, thank God, and go out every day to do trading, but unfortunately I haven’t earned anything, and for that reason I am also thinking of going to you next autumn [?or autumn next year?] and seeking my luck in America. The guys here are all happy and August and [Jul?] say hello. Every Sabbath we all go to Rheinwald and drink beer. Many greetings to you [and] your uncles & aunts and children. Heinrich Mayer [note, upside-down on the bottom of the page] Received May 29th 1858