Sumter S. C.
Sept. 17, 1867

My dear Fuller,

We are having delightful weather now--just the most lovely weather of the year. Three months of this, and then oh, the horrid winter! I do dread that so much. I believe when I wrote you last I was groaning over the President's "Amnesty Proclamation." Since that I have had a long talk with Mr. Fleming who has somewhat reassured me. He thinks the President cannot possibly do anything to nullify the action of Congress. I don't know: I hope not. Is it not a good thing that we have Grant where he is and so square for the right? I should think A. J. would want to poison him.

Yes indeed, I have often felt the influence which surrounds good people, and makes itself sensible even without a word from them. I have firm faith in those influences which we call magnetic for want of a better name; and magnetic is as good as any if the word had not been made to serve such unworthy purposes. "There are more things in Heaven and earth, Horatio, than were ever dreamed of in your philosophy." It isn't easy to define the laws by which magnetism is governed, and in searching for them it is so easy to go astray, that almost everybody does, and so at last falls into absurdity, and brings the whole into disrepute. But it seems to me that no honest person an doubt that there is much besides imposture in mesmerism, spiritualism, witch craft, or any other form under which the science has chosen to appear. Its time is not yet. Perhaps some day its laws will be as well understood as the laws of gravitation. In the meantime, while we do not know how or why, we can feel in every look and tone what is the real character of the person we are with. I am less easily impressed by these influences than many people, and so am often deceived. Still I never put implicit confidence in the wrong person yet.

That's a learned dissertation! I

I hope your colds & things are all better. I have had no cold this summer, but have suffered the whole season from a troublesome catarrh, the parting blessing of last winter when he could no longer visit me with influenza. I had a continual cold all winter long, & have not yet recovered from its effects. I hope this winter to be more comfortable. You do not know how much I enjoy my vacation. I did not know I was so tired. I have almost two weeks more, and then begin my winter school. I don't yet know what assistance I am to have--only colored I hope.

I sew, read, sing, & sometimes do absolutely nothing all day long. There is a great deal of sickness among my people--chiefly chills and fever. I do not think I shall have it, since I escaped it at the island, where it was so common.

Do tell me when I wrote a letter which was worth anything, and what I wrote. I feel ashamed of my letters this summer--not only to you but to everybody. But my brain seems absolutely powerless to compose anything worth writing. I am sure I am lad one of them stands in the barren waste like an oasis. I am glad to have pleased you my Friend.

Love to Mrs. Fisk.

Truly your

Jennie.