Current reading edition
English translation
Square brackets mark uncertain words or editorial explanations. Songs are translated for meaning; their speakers are not necessarily the writer.
Download the English text ↓Page 1
Mount Vernon, November 18 [1857; year supplied by a historical annotation]
Dear brother-in-law,
[Opening word unclear.] Here you have a letter from [name/word unclear], and I bring you my greeting: God be with you, and [may] the dear Saviour [give you] his joy. I shall now tell you [the news], and you listen to me.
We received your letter [qualifying words unclear] and learned that you are still well. Thank God, we too are still [like you / well], with health and a willingness to [fear/serve] God.
From your letter we have learned that in California [the conditions are such that] one cannot earn money merely by going for a stroll. [The next clause invokes the dear Saviour; its exact wording is unresolved.] If you have trust in God, [unclear clause about what is good/useful for you]. My wish is that our God may bless you in body and soul.
You ask about your mother, your sister and Reinhold, and how they are getting on. They are all still well. Your sister was blessed with a daughter this spring, and both delight in each other. Your mother rejoices in her heart in God, her Saviour, and recognizes that everything comes from God. [Further wording about health, blessings and her enjoyment of the household is partly unclear.]
Reinhold also sends greetings. He has grown a great deal, goes to school every day, has entered the first class and looks forward to seeing you again.
You wish to know how my business is going. I can only say that the dear God has blessed me richly. I have a business worth 700 dollars. I obtain boots and shoes from Cincinnati, and live with my family in the house where you and Schlässer stayed.
You ask about your brother. We cannot yet give you any news about him. We have written to [Europe?] —
Page 2
— and up to now have received no news. That is the reason you too have gone so long without a letter from us. But when we receive a letter, you shall immediately receive news as well.
Little has changed in Mount Vernon since I have been here. Two churches have been built, and also fine brick houses. As far as I can see, business here is better in bad times than in the large cities. [Reading assisted by the historical translation.]
[Surname unclear] sends you greetings, as does the journeyman locksmith who is here and has [obtained/made something — noun unclear] to begin on his own. [Another name, possibly including "Paul," unclear] also sends greetings. [Following sentence is only partly legible; it appears to mention the Lausitz and a visit, but cannot yet be translated reliably.]
You ask about your old acquaintance. She is now married to [Fritz?; surname unresolved], and she already looks rather [description unclear]. [The remainder of this paragraph, including another name and comments about other people, is not securely deciphered.]
Faint closing, page 2
[I am about to close my ... letter — provisional reading.]
[But do not forget ... — rest of line unresolved.]
[For remembrance of you ... a likeness/portrait? — provisional fragments only.]
[A further line appears to mention "your sister"; the sentence is unresolved.]
[Approximately three further faint lines are not securely deciphered. They should not be replaced with reconstructed sentimental verse.]
[We wish you all ... — ending unclear.]
[Next line unresolved.]
[... writing — closing phrase unresolved.]
Your brother-in-law,
[Gotthold Leukroth; also recorded as Lenkroth]
