Cincinnati,
Ohio
July 20 
1854

My dearest Bessie,

This note I had intended sending to you long since and almost ashamed to think so many weeks have elapsed since my arrival in America without letting you know I had reached my destination safely. I have felt quite debilitated with the heat of the climate and have had an attack of biliousness which was threatened with fever. I am better these two or three days and I would soon gain strength if I could get rest at night which I find impossible from the mosquitoes and the excessive heat. You will all be glad to hear that my father and mother bore the voyage to New York and the journey whence? here remarkable well. Mama was very sea sick but after it was over her general health improved. Her rheumatism is quite gone and what is most extraordinary in my father's case is one ear which was deaf for many years has quite recovered the hearing. We see Willy every Saturday. He is almost mahogany colour from the sun. He is more athletic than when you saw him. He desires me to give you all his best remembrances. He made many enquiries about you. You and your dear Papa and Mamma are associated in his mind as well as ours with all that was kind attentive and affectionate to our loved Sally as well as the rest of us. Nanny and her good husband are both well. The former I have never remembered looking so well and she enjoys excellent health. I am on a visit to them since I came. In Autumn, if I am spared, I hope to get a situation as resident governess. I sent your mamma's note immediately to Jack in California to forward to James. In a letter which awaited my arrival here Johnny mentioned he had hired a boat to take him out to meet Captain Scott's vessel when he had heard she was over the Bar and on landing in her he found that James had gone to the Manillas. Perhaps he may be in San Francisco again soon and I dare say the letter will eventually reach him. Mamma and Papa are in board and lodging some streets from us, the boys pay for them. We see papa every day, sometimes twice. Mamma has been at Lebanon? some three or four hours drive from here. She was there a fortnight. She returned last night. The city at present is very healthy. There have been some few cases of cholera. It is a pretty place, most beautifully wooded. The streets are shaded with trees. We sometimes walk out at 9'oclock through the streets without bonnets, shawls or any muzzling?. The shops are well lighted and fair for a place so recently of any note. It is only about fifty years old. There are numbers of humming birds in the woods and fire flies dance about the sheets and I have often caught them in the parlour. I must soon stop for however pleased I am to write I must not forget that you might tire reading. How is your dear Grand Mamma and Mrs Eaves and all the rest. I shall delight myself in the hope of hearing from you soon. Tell me all about your Papa and Mamma and brothers and sisters to whom please give my best love. Nanny bids me say she will not send any messages now as she will write you in a few days. Had Mamma and Papa known I was writing I should be commissioned with many loves I know. Do write soon to me and ask Catherine and Fanny to do the same. I remain my dearest Bessy your affectionate friend,

Kate Rogan