Boston, November 2, 1838

Partial letter contents as provided by bookseller: “I have just returned from [Charles] Hayward & must tell you that I think his case almost hopeless. The delirium has assumed a different & most unfavorable cast, that of a [low?] nervous character with perfect indifference to all external objects … His appearance to-day has reduced me almost to despair – I want to prepare you for we must bring ourselves to it & God knows how hard ‘twill be for us to follow him to the grave …”