Slack Letter 2

Letter Dated January 21, 1845 From John’s Brother Robert N. Slack In Louisville To His Brother James

“…Nor no resources whatever left me save what I made by gambling for which I would be ashamed now to acknowledge to any one save yourself ” Robert N. Slack, Louisville January 21, 1845

Dear Brother,

I received yours with pleasure and gratification. —- I beg to be excused for not noticing it’s contents earlier, but for a number of reasons too tedious to mention I did not do it — I have been quite unwell for several days with a bad cold, which has given me a severe cough and sore throat, which has just reached its acme.

You advised me in your kind letter not to grieve and sorrow of my unhappy condition never to give up the ship. I do not know what time the unraveler of all mysteries may unfold to my view, but this much I do know that I will from this time be able to maintain myself — independent of assistance provided I can once establish myself — and provided I have my health.

That though I am fearful will fail me. I doubt exceedingly whether my constitution will admit of practicing in this country — cold it seems does not suit my health.

I have not yet fully determined where I shall settle. You said something about your situation. I suppose that it is not very agreeable to you. At least I know very well that it would not be so with me – yet – however James yours is comparatively speaking a better condition than mine for several reasons, namely, I began a pursuit in life which requires some capital to get along with and I had none. Nor no resources whatever left me save what I made by gambling for which I would be ashamed now to acknowledge to any one save yourself – Thus far have I advanced with my professional learning without incurring any new debts. I have paid off a good many old debts without scarcely knowing how I have done.

You are young yet and stout and have nearly acquired an excellent trade by which you can maintain yourself – gentely at least. I advise you to go on and acquire all you can. Also borrow some good Literary Books and read then attentively. I know when you have finished reading a Book what you have read and not through a work just to have to say you have read so and so. I feel the effects of that kind of reading too much myself — now that I can not help reminding you of it.

I hope the times will not be long before I shall be able to see you when I can say more to you on your condition and mine also. I have forbourne saying but very little to any of my friends in regard to this subject knowing that they were not able to better my situation therefore I bear it in silent melancholly. I think though with health to be able at no distant day to alleviate both of our conditions.

I named something about the time when I should return I do not know exactly but will let you know that you can go on [ ] with me when I come thru. I should like to see you very much. I am quite unwell and shall close.

Excuse my hasty and desultory way of writing for I cannot write tonight no how.

Adieu Your Kind Brother Robert N. Slack, Jr. P.S. Reply to this early. R.N.S.

Robert N. Slack was born 1818 in Kentucky. There are letters written from Louisville, Kentucky, Galveston, Texas, Fort Bend County, Texas, Wharton, Texas, Houston, Texas, San Francisco, California and finally from Shasta, California by Robert N. Slack to his brother James Brown Slack which are dated between 1845 and 1852. (Robert S. Riley has the original letters.) Robert N. Slack left Louisville because he was disappointed in love. His last letter from Louisville is rather sad, speaking of not hearing from anyone in his family for a year and concern for whether his “father and Ma” are still living. In the letter from Fort Bend County he speaks of their brother Joseph living near Richmond, Texas, his brother John who was in Bastrop, Texas and his sister Margaret. In Fort Bend County, Texas there is a marriage certificate issued to John Slack and Teresa Lee on October 5, 1870.