[added:

Excuse me for not writing sooner, for I have been so busy and so vexed of late that I was afraid I would say something to displease you or Mother but I can write now more to please than I may be again for a week or ten day. I will try and put a few sentences together without offending or annoying any one.

My health is only tolerable, as the we [added: a] ther [weather] is cold and damp. Yesterday I had a very severe headache but I feel some what better today. I am very glad to see the young people of Florence so fortunate as to meet with each other and to please and to be pleased & to marry it shows a happy and peacefull [peaceful] community when so much gayety and galantry [gallantry] is going on, may they live long and be happy in each others love is your humble servants prayer. I understand that our town is receiving other benefits besides the matrimonial ones, she will soon be a large and beautiful city.

You have heard no doubt before this of the [unclear: rascally ] set of resolutions the Legislature of Vermont sent the United States Senate, with a petition as long is my arm praying that slavery be prohibited, and a thousand other things too foolish to mention The most vilainous [villainous] thing that could be done, and will at length bring [unclear: evil ] war among us. I wish all of them had their necks stretched and it depended on me to save them or not

The Canadians are making strong headway a good many of the Citizens near the line have gone over and help them and I understand that several regiments have gone over with plenty arms and Stores if it is so may have dif [added: fi] culty [difficulty] with England , perhaps a severe war. From the present prospects I think we [unclear: bid ] fair to have a war some where before two years either amongst ourselves or with some foreign power, and the Senate is still squibling [squibbling] away.

I have no particular news, The winter has been uncommonly mild, generally but for the last few days it has been geting [getting] colder every day and until the first of March. I expect to see very little pleasant weather; There is large quantities of ice in the river, but it has not frozen over, it is expected it will tonight. I would like to take a hunt now, if it were possible, with a good pack of hounds a good day, a good gun and you to drive, then if I did not kill a deer, God help me, I am very glad to hear you are making a good crop of coton [cotton], and I Sincerely wish you may make a better one next year

If I should ever come home I will keep you to your promise to present me with Old John or Limble Jim

Maybe I may write you a more interesting letter the next time, provide you do the same.

My love to all friends & Relations

Your Brother

A J [Andrew Jackson] Coffee

[added: Give my Repects [Respects] to Mr & Mrs Hightower , "I congratulate them". AJC [Andrew Jackson Coffee]]