[Crosswise on p.3]

through the place.  I shall have A. E. vaccinated for the kine pox as soon as I can.  <s>It has</s> The disorder has spread to some considerable extent in Albany and some in Troy. 
April 16  Your mission to the South has terminated very much as I expected it would after I saw the Star of March 10.  There has been I presume warm work in the Board of Trustees.  The Board may now invain try to restore the public confidence in itself, or Mr. Rice by a pompous display of respectable names still remaining in the incomparable[?] body; or by exhibiting an amount of money received by Mr. Rice.  I can see from what has been transacted in the board since the resignation of the new members, that it has slipped into its old shoes again precisely[?].  O for the fate of poor Columbian College!  Can any thing now be done to save it?  I wrote you to Augusta as you ordered although I but little expected that you would visit that place.  The letter I sent to Georgetown was sent to the post office immediately after it was written - But a new arrangement had been made in the mail by which it leaves one day sooner in the week than formerly.  My letter was therefore one day too late.  Write to me often.  I am inclined to think you had better stay in N.C. through the month of May, if you think settling there.  Otherwise I should be happy to see you as early as possible.  Remember me most affectionately to Mrs. Billings if you see her in Newbern.  What friends has she to call her to that place?

The spring is remarkably forward.  The fields look perfectly green.  Will you return by Washington or will you passage in some vessel and come to N. York?  If you return to Newbern perhaps the latter may be better way as you may perhaps wish to go back by Washington.  In May or June I may hope to [see?] you.  The intervening hours cannot fly too swiftly away.  I hope hereafter we may be permitted to live together, and to "lead quite and peaceable lives in all godliness and honesty".  Trials we <u>must</u> meet [let?] us share them, and bear them.  The Lord guide, bless, and preserve you.  

Your affectionate wife-
S. M. Wait