I thank you very much for the copy of the historical sketch furnished by Judy (&?) Thomas Beer of Bucyrus Ohio.  You are certainly getting a valuable lot of family history.  Mrs. Josephine Hay took the letter and history and read them over two or three times.  She says that it is brought back to her memory, that several of those things were told by her grand father in her younger days.  The matter of the fir(st?) acquaintance, and the marriage of the Revolutionary soldier Thomas Beer and Adda Aten, would make good groundwork for a novel. The woman(?) would be a reality.  I would have been

I have been waiting for something new to give you, before writing an answer to your letter, and now I have it, but it is however not new to you. We are now in the midst of war.  I could not really make myself believe there would be war, but so it is. I don’t yet think there was a very good reason for our country getting into a war with Spain.  The people out here are full of patriotism, and several have already enlisted.  I am somewhat afflicted and would not be accepted in the service, but nevertheless would go in some capacity if it became necessary.  You have been in war and you know the realities of a soldier’s life.  I am pleased to see that the whole length and bredth of the land is united in the support of the government, and solidly support the present administration.  I hope that Fitzhugh Lee will be made a

They are taking measures to guard our coast. Long Branch is right out on the ocean and an ocean steamer can land at the iron-pier. Also Ocean Grove and Asbury Park are similarly situated. As to your suggestion about my going west this summer; go right ahead and make your plans and I will defer all of mine to meet your wishes. If the war goes on I shall not probably go west, and if I should be able to do so, I will defer all my arrangements to suit yours.  I would be greatly pleased to see you