To RH Milroy From Mary Milroy Dec 14 1863

              Rensselaer Ind, 
 
Dec 14th 1863 
 
 
 
My Dear Robert, 
 
 
 
		We received on Saturday 
last that box containing those handsome 
presents you sent us, the hat is beautiful.  
 
 
 
Ella is very much pleased with it, and the  
furs are very nice just the thing for 
comfort. furs I think are unusualy high this 
winter, a muff is just the thing since I have 
got out of babies to carry. You are truly a kind 
Husband and father, and I know it is not for 
the want of a good will but the want of ability 
that prevents you from wishing upon us all the 
good things of this life.  
 
 
 
I received your letter of 
Dec 8th yesterday. I think it strange that you  
had not yet received letters from us, for this is 
the third one that I have written and Ella 
has sent one. I waited for you to wright the 
first letter after you returned, and not 
getting your first letter, I did not write 
untill I received your second one so this 
explains why I did not write sooner. 
 
 
 
I have been reading the presidents messsage 
and think it very good so far as I am able to  
judge of its merrits. I am truly glad that  
Colfax is elected speaker, I would think that 
you would enjoy yourself in Washington