Holograph, signed.

Joseph Ricketson and Frank are both recovering from their second attack of scarlatina, more commonly known as scarlet fever. Joey has proven himself equal to the job assigned to him in the mill, and he is becoming a very good violin player. Joseph Ricketson gives news of a number of friends, including those serving in the war. Joseph Ricketson writes: "Thus you will see that the descendants of Quakers are not all Quakers." Mr. (John F.) Emerson has left the high school and gone to Boston with his familly. Joseph Ricketson's friend, Maggi, now a lieutenant colonel in the 21st Regiment, "has nobly refused to return a fugitive, who was pursued by his master Dr. Duval into the lines---he fed the poor fellow & bid him God speed---told his master he came to fight for liberty, & that he would have to answer to a higher tribunal for his cruelty & bid him depart hence." His Colonel Morse is a slave catcher, and Maggi has written Governor Andrews about it. Sumner wrote Maggi "a beautiful note for me to read & forward him, thanking him for what he had done---stating he should denounce from his seat in the Senate all officers guilty of sending back slaves."