Dear friend,

My best wishes for the beginning of the new year. The old year has gone with its wonderful changes. May you enjoy the part of your earthy pilgrimage you covered so far. That which the world offers us is nothing but dust. But that which the spirit attains in the kingdom of belief, morality, and virtue, is lasting, eternal. I was very pleased by your letter. I can conclude from it that I am still living in your memory (how happy is a human being who finds a dear friend in his life). A serious sickness that I had in the past year, when most of the people doubted my recovering, prevented me from answering your letter sooner. I am still feeling very weak. My sickness was due to various causes. The main cause was a cold I caught on a trip to Canada on the beautiful Lake Ontario and at the Niagara Falls. I was going to see my son August, who has been very happily married there for one year. Another reason for my sickness might have been the unfulfilled desire to make a trip to Europe to see my dear children after such a long time of separation. 

For a long time I hoped and even looked forward to a meeting after such a long separation, but the consideration of the condition and situation of life had to give way to reasonable insight. For the coming summer I still have the same hopes. Should my hopes be fulfilled and should it happen that you still live at the same place, I certainly would use the opportunity to see you again, my dearest friend. It is a pity that I have to miss your pleasant presence so soon after having become acquainted with you. You have the intention to move farther away, from which I want to dissuade you, for your and my own interest. What is all the sickness in this world compared with your life and that of your children? I was told that the climate in Carolina is very unhealthy, which might so easily endanger your life if you live in the South. You should not long for more than you have, namely pleasant conditions of life and a beautiful and healthy surrounding. I know from myself that in every human heart there are always desires which we try to see realized. Referring to that which I mentioned above, it may be interesting for you to know that some families from here went down to the South during the past year, and they all lost several members of their families. I regard it as a duty of friendship to call your attention to it. 

Some more words from here. All my sons in this country are getting along very well with their families and live under fairly pleasant conditions. The number of my granddaughters has increased by two. In Clemens’ as well as in Fritz’s home there have appeared two lovely little babies. There is other news: old Braum, father-in-law of Mr. Hostman, has married at the age of 74 a very beautiful girl of 22. His children are not content with that. Together with her sister and her brother-in-law, who is a minister of our Lutheran community, she arrived from Germany one year ago. Before she came over, she was a companion of a high-ranked princely lady with whom she traveled through half of Europe. She was in Rome, Vienna, and Venice, and then she made a speculative journey to America to look for an old rich man, thus perhaps being enabled to boast herself with his money in Europe. He is very fond of her and buys everything she wants to have. He bought her a golden watch for one hundred and thirty dollars and the finest furniture for her apartment. He gave to each of his children of his first marriage a very nice farm, thinking that it might be all he could give them. Also, old Mr. Jürrich died. Besides him, some more departed this life and changed it for eternity. Last autumn, many people were attacked by illness. 

Hoping to hear from you soon, I close this letter. I am very glad that you and your folks at home are getting along very well. Remember me to your lovely children. Lulika, Sophie and Julius probably are almost grown up. I see it from my grandchildren how they grow up. Kindest regards from all of us. 

With sincere love, 

Your friend Alb. v. Buchser

Erie, Feb. 20, 1846