Lachen, June 2, 1867 My Dear Ones, 
It is with pleasure that I take pen in hand to give you news of our well-being. Which hopefully will also prevail where you are, my dear ones. Dear Heinrich, from your letter of the 12th of last month, which we received on the 27th of the same month, we found out, first, that you are all doing well financially, and secondly that a little change has taken place in your health, which we all regret very much. Just accept the will of the Almighty and think: He the Almighty makes wounds and also heals them. He has helped us all in the past and further help will also be given, for which we all pray day after day. In addition, I saw that business is also slow where you are, which is likely something new with you, while it is an old story with us. But I believe [page 2:] even if business is bad where you are, a person can still earn a living better than where we are. Now you ask me a question about how business is with me. Currently it’s rather — — — slow. Since it’s summer now and we’ve been having a big heat spell for several days, we are worried that gnats will be coming to the meat so, since Passover, we have stopped slaughtering and meat is also cheap — one pound costs 15-16 Fr. Now, dear Heinrich, you soon guessed the time. The farmers are getting 9[5?] fl for 300 [unknown symbol] & 80 fl for 64 [unknown symbol], & so it is with very many other things as well. I don't have enough paper to write everything to you. From this you will be able to tell that I am still American & want to firmly assert my time [to leave for America?] by August. My dear ones, I don’t know of much news to report to you except that people hear that August Maihr will soon travel to Germany. [page 3:] As one hears, he supposedly will get one of Maier’s daughters & the business, since Maier is thinking about moving to Neustadt. (Dear Heinrich, you don’t need to say anything to August that we wrote this). Now, dear Emanuel, how are you? Well, I hope. Once your [son] Heinrich gets big, he’ll soon come to Lachen. Now, dear Emanuel, I am thinking of coming to you if you also have work for me, since I don’t think I will stay in that unhealthy Orleans if God Almighty brings me across these great waters in a healthy state. Even if I were to advise Heinrich he would not stay there either. Now, dear Karolina, how are you? I hope the best. You probably tended dear Heinrich during his illness. God Almighty will reward you, dear sister, a thousand times & soon make you a bride so that I come to your wedding. [in left margin of page] Dear Heinrich, you must not [get sick & tired of me??] because I write my opinion about this because you were sick. Excuse me for this. [page 4:] In addition, I have to tell you, Heinrich, that Mr. Lion [?told?] me he was going to visit us, but so far that hasn’t happened. Probably I will be going to his father this week, so I will ask him when Lion is leaving, and then I’ll do as you wish and send you what you were asking for in this letter and the previous one. Now I am going to end with my pen but not in my heart, in the hope of getting the next good letter from you all. So I greet and kiss all of you many thousands of time. Greet everyone who asks about us. We hope that you soon have better business. Also, you ask if Father is progressing better. It is the same old line: Father says to greet all of you warmly & wishes you farewell. Carl Mayer
Excuse my bad handwriting in haste, since it’s noontime and so hot. [note in left margin] We hope for an answer soon, so that we will be reassured.