My ever dear wife

     I received yours of the 22nd on yesterday and was more than happy to hear from you and of the welfare of all my friends. I wrote you of the date 18th and 25th. The former has reached you ere now.
I am as well as usual but somewhat fatieuged and annoyed. Alexander Selkirk once was surfeited with solitude when he exclaimed

Oh! Solitude where are the charms
That sages have found seen in thy face
Better dwell in the midst of alarms
Than reign in this horrible place.

I would risk a few weeks on solitude just now just by way of variety.
I am not quite old enough to have been at the building of Bable; but I can conceive of nothing nearer the confusion, hurry, running to and fro with every body's proboscis in your face than this. If Bable was as bad as this I dont wonder it tottered to

its Fall.
     I have written thus far and I have counted one dozen men who have approached me and said "who are you writting to Meek". I tell them my wife and write on. And now every thing and every body is around me. An infamous fool is now looking over my shoulder. I guess he will quit if he can read.
I have bought me a hammock and swung it to two joist in an old house formerly used for commissary stores. How many are in it! Well I don't know. Somewhere about one hundred and fifty or two hundred. On the floor in the loft in the corners are men sleeping and lounging around. With meat, barrels, old shoes, jugs tin cups, buckets, frying pans. pots. bottles, (but no liquor in them,) bread, carpet sacks, valieses, fiddles sawing with peas, salt and molasses scattered all around. Some men nude, others semi nude and others with pretty fair clothing.
While I am giving you this description, Johnson and Galbreath are dis-

cussing the policy of the electorial colledge with Capt. Roberts. The building we are in, is about 100 feet long by 30 in width. Another specimen looking on at me writing. Like a Yellow hammer (I believe there is a bird by that name but do not know the name in Animated nature) I swing myself up and can assure you I have learned to sleep pretty sweetly. When I want to read I elevate my self to summit of my Hammock. If ever I come home I intend to bring it along for you and Jimmie. You will find it elegant. The electorial college discussion is running high. Other have joined and doubtless an improvement in the system will be made. If you find my letter disjointed make allowances for the variety of the surroundings. No man but one of pretty fair mind and some concentration could write at all. A man has just approached me and wants me to write for him so soon as I am done. Well I need something to improve me so I will get my hand in. We have now been with out coffee for about one week. Used wheat as

a substitute. This morning we got a recruit of two pounds for one dollar per pound. We have a coffee mill and make our coffee in a pot over a hole dug in the ground. Sometimes we have sugar sometimes not. You speak of seeing John Legg—I have demanded an investigation time and again. Adjutant Carter, than whom there is no nicer gentleman, has written on to Knoxville in our behalf. I know if he can serve us he will do so with pleasure. Daniel H Meek will recollect him. I can now appriciate the kindness and amenities of life. Not only Philosophy but the patience of Job is required. Job was a good man and I presume had more to try his patience and faith than I have. I can assure you I have no predisposition to envy his lot or enter on his experiment. I wish you to remain at my farthers and hope I will soon be there to take you home again.
How I would like to join in your discussions over the table of my childhood home! My Love alway to both our home folks.

Ever Yours in love
J M Meek

A kind greeting to the kindness of enquiring friends

I wish Dan to present the within document to the authorities at Knoxville [illeg] let me hear from him.

Galbriath, Johnson, Senter and Rodgers are all well