New Orleans 27th May 1844
Dear Brother

Since my first letter, the day after my arrival
at this port, Brother Charles has remained much the same,
though his strength has been leaving him, but the tumour
has been slowly decreasing in the amount discharged. It is
now emptied twice a day, morning and evening and still
discharges a saucer a [---?] full each time, besides what
runs from it in the course of the day by his moving about -
He is now so weak & low we are obliged to assist him in turning
from side to side and also support him by pillows while he takes
his food, which is of the most tonick(k) kind he can bear, it
consists for the most part of moss & milk, parched flour & milk,
with some little brandy and a glass or two of ale with
an addition of a little meat when he has an appetite for it. If we
can keep up his appetite, and his digestion again remains good, we
can still hope for a favourable turn, yet it is one of those cases from
which so few recover that I cannot write anything encouraging -
I have had some conversation with Dr. Kennedy who does not like to
hold out much hope, yet he say he thinks none of the bones
are affected and that the complaint is not constitutional. I have
been afraid the spine was affected, and I believe Charles has expressed
the same to John, yet the Dr. says it is not - Dr Stone has been
away till within a few days and I have not been able to consult
him since his return but shall immediately and learn
the worst - As his complaint is local his mind is not affected but
remains as strong as ever and he converses with freedom upon various

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subjects. He experiences little or no pain only when he is moved and
we are obliged to move him with care. John is with him the most
of the time, and I am with him seven or eight hours every day -
John thinks he had better sleep in the same apartment with him and
assist him nights instead of the person who is now with him -
It is a great consolation to him, to you at home, and to ourselves, that
we are here to supply his wants and wishes and to know that any
thing that can add to his comfort in his distressing situation is supplied
him - John's duties call him urgently to Washington yet Brother is
so low he will not leave him - if the case should turn favourably he
will remain by him until he is able to go up the river - yet
I cannot raise hopes you must be prepared for the worst -
Our poor Brother is aware he is in a very low situation yet he remains
very calm and collected. He still hopes for the best, yet has his misgivings
wether he will recover and occasionally regrets he had not gone up
the river instead of coming to New Orleans, he says it would have
been much better if they had acted promptly upon his arrival here, but
it is now to late to regret past events - We had a very destructive
fire here some ten days ago, but I did not perceive it had any
bad effect upon Brother by his removal. I had then some idea
of obtaining a private room for Chs but he seemed to wish to
go back to his old room in the Hospital, as the attendants were
better acquainted with his disposition and wants than they
would be for a long time in a new place. I agreed/fell in with his
views - His room is airy and well situated on the 1st floor and
he thinks it is the best that could be got - There are 2 and
generally 3 physicians here morning and evening. Though
there is no one physician takes any responsibility in Chs. case
but Dr Kennedy, Dr Stone is Surgeon to him -

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I received a letter from Mr. Goodwin before leaving New York
advising me to act promptly on my arrival south to secure
business for the ship, and not let the cotton go all away without
obtaining a fut, so after being here some time I accepted an offer
for part of a Cargo 1,000bales cotton at 15/32 to Liverpool which I suppose
would be as well as anything that would offer for sometime, and had
only made the arrangement two, when I received a letter
from Mess Goodwin and Cours advising to remain here till June
as they had an opinion futs. would be 5/8 and upwards and
that 2 need not be in a hurry - but their letter came to late
I had some few Bales on board - I was very sorry I had not received
it sooner, on Chs. Account - as to any advance their appears no
prospect of it at present unless I should wait until July, which
would be rather late for me, as it is I cannot expect to leave
this port much previous the 20th and perhaps the 25th June as I have
only a part of a cargo - had I received Mr. Goodwin's letter
on my arrival here I should have sent John on to Wash
and taken up my residence on shore and could have tended upon
Chs. And could have sent a letter to Washington in case I had
to leave, so that John could be here in time - As it is, we can
only hope for the best, the waste is now greater than the supply
and it cannot I fear remain long so - I shall write you
immediately in case Dr Stone gives me encouragement
of his recovery - Since writing the above I have visited Chs. and
his appetite is a little better and if you think proper you can keep
this letter to yourself a day or two until I can ascertain more
fully respecting him; to me the cavity is so large and so near
the groin, that under favourable circumstance it will take a long
time to close up. I do not know that we have cause to fear
any very sudden change, as the bowels are in a fair state. Your Bro
Wm H Parsons