Lachen, February 20, 1860 No. 1 
Dear Children and Relatives, It is with joy that I take pen in hand to write you children, to let you know that we are still all well and healthy, thank God. Dear Daughter Karolina, the letter [from] Orlins [New Orleans] that you wrote on December 29 arrived here on February 1, and from it we saw that, God be praised, you had a good journey, which made us very happy. It made us very happy that you were not sick on the ship and that you were [...?...] with each other. It also made us happy that you were immediately well received and that the merchant hosted/entertained you so well. We were also pleased that you were so well received by your aunt, and that you were at her house for three days. However, it made us sad that you haven’t written us about your arrival or your reception in Baionsara [Bayou Sara]. We believed that when you arrived in Baionsara that Uncle Abraham would send us a few lines about your arrival or your reception, written by his own worthy hand. Be so good and write us everything, because Fanny has written her parents about everything. She wrote that she received presents in Metallio [Metairie? Marrero??] and you did too, and [you] didn’t tell us about that. She received a brooch and ear- rings from Forchheimen, and a new dress [from] her Uncle Lui, and Forchheimen wrote a very nice letter to her parents with a 50 fl. bill, which made her parents absurdly happy. Dear Son Mayer, we received the letter [you] wrote on January 22nd on February 17th, and [page 2:] and from it we see that you are healthy and happy, thank God. And [he?] received you with the greatest joy. Dear Brother Maier, I want to let you know that you were very fortunate with the cotton, because Resenberg from Neustadt [grew? hauled? drew?] for those who were absent and [grew? hauled? drew?] [40 florins per pound] of cotton for you. Dear son, one believes this is good, but one can’t yet say it is certain because people are again talking about [war] here. Dear son, when we write to you again, we will write whether you won it [a contract??], because they have to go back to Speyer by February [29 ?]. Dear son, Jul was put back last year, and this year it/he will be released/approved in Neustadt* and definitely will have to go back to Speyer. I conclude my note and wish you all farewell and hope that the letter finds you in the same state it left us. I greet you and greet your uncles and aunts. Joseph Maier.
 [same handwriting; probably Joseph’s letter was dictated to Heinrich or Heinrich had to copy it for some reason, e.g. ink spill] Dear Brother Maier and Sister Karolina, It is with joy that I take pen in hand to write to you about our well-being which I hope is the same with you. Dear brother, you write me [asking] whether I am tired of the [?types of ?meat?]. Dear brother you may have guessed that I am sick of it, but have to do it. As you write, I have to deal with it [?until?] it is better, and if it isn’t different soon, then I will have to look around for another business, because nothing can be earned anymore from slaughtering. Our [brother-in law?] can tell you that and that since our sister has left home, there’s slaughtering every day, because we are slaughtering all sheep [and?] beef with Maier. Dear sister Karolina, I was very curious about your [letter from] Baionsara [Bayou Sara]. When I opened it, though, I didn’t see a syllable of your handwriting. Dear sister, that seemed very strange to me and I didn’t know what I should say. I don’t know of any news to write about. I am ending my note and greet you dear sister and brother, uncles and aunts many thousands of times. I hope that the letter finds as it left us and hope for answer soon. Heinrich Mayer [writing in left margin] Greetings from the Maiers, particularly from Rosa and Fanny, from Georg Jung, from our aunt, from cousin Theobald, from Mortge and his family, from Lemler & from Geinstmann, and from all Jews from Lachen, also from Abraham, from August, from Jul. Heinrich Mayer [page 3:] Dear Brother Mayer and Sister Karolina,
 I have to let you know that I am, thank God, still quite fine and happy, which I hope is the same with you. Dear brother, you wrote me [asking] if I have learned anything since you left home. I have now done my utmost, because I am leaving school at Easter and will have my bar mitzvah 80 days after Easter. I would [like to] learn even more, though, because I am thinking of going to school in Neustadt in the summer, if we have the strength, because business with us is very bad right now. Dear, dear sister, no day, no hour, no minute passes that I don’t think of you all, of my dear sister. I remember especially every Sabbath when put on my beautiful shawl that you bought me as a reminder of you. I greet you dear sister and dear brother many thousands of times and remain your loyal brother until death. Karl Mayer.
I greet my dear uncle and aunts many thousands of times and remain your loyal nephew. Karl Mayer.
I hope for an answer soon and hope, dear sister, that you will describe your arrival and reception in Bayou Sara. Karl M. [different handwriting, various minor spelling mistakes] Dear Sister Karolina and Brother Emanual, 
It is with joy that I take pen in hand also to write to my [dear] brother and sister that I am well and healthy. I hope the same of you, too. Dear sister, you said I should write to you when I finished the blanket. I have been busy with the blanket every evening until [fold] o’clock. Dear sister, I greet you many times and brother many times, and hope dear sister that we will soon see a letter written by your hand. [same handwriting left margin] Dear Brother and Sister, I hope that this letter finds you in the same way it left us and remain your loyal sister forever and I greet my dear uncles and aunts many times. Babette Mayer. [page 4: not yet transcribed]