This item has the following downloads:

PDF ( PDF )

Mary Louisa Near
St. Mary's Oct. 4th 1860

Dear, Dear Sallie,

I rejoice more than words can express to received [sic] your dear, dear letter dated
yesterday. Oh, how happy I am to possess a heart which in my estimation has no equal.
Believe me Sallie without you for my Bride this world would be a blank. If fate should
decree you for another's Bride I could not long survive the issue of such a union. To
meditate upon such such [sic] a result makes me shudder. I am confidant and do firmly
believe that we are destined] for for [sic] one another. And furthermore I feel sanguine
that nothing can prevent us from being united but cold death he who destroys lovers as
well as any other mortal. You cannot imagine how dreadfully bad the musquetoes
[mosquitoes] is here and at Fernandina. Tonight we had to pertake [partake] of our
supper on the deck under a musquetoe bar. And now I am writing to you dear Sallie
under my bar while millions of them a humming around my head. Fernandina has not
her equal in those abominable insects Smyrna and Indian river not excepted. Battern
Island [Batten Island] would be a paradise [sic] compared to Femandina in regard to
musquetoes. It is impossible for me to name any definite [sic] time as I mention in my
last epistle to visit you. If I should name any particular [sic] time I would most positively
go as I never have nor never shall disappoint you who is dearer to me than life itself. I
can promise dear Sallie to visit you very [sic] soon, some future time when I connect
with the Steamers and while dischargeing [sic] at Fernandina. I can then promise to visit
you. I do wish it was tomorrow. Remember me to all of you dear beloved family and
Miss Mary must kiss you every night before retiring [sic] for me. I will mail this letter
at St. Mary's tomorrow morning as I go by. Yours I received a few moments before I left
Fernandina. You must address yours dear Sallie to me as you always do.

Good night dearest one and sometimes think of your Affiance
Jacob E. Mickler


Transcribed by Nicole J. Milano, University of Florida, 2009