Robert Atkins Tovey, Sr., wrote to his wife, Eliza (Matthew) Tovey at their home in Albany, New York. Tovey mentioned his current task of finding a suitable land claim. He discussed the situations of his nearest neighbors as recent homesteaders and businessmen. Tovey also remarked on the "great deal of excitement" surrounding the prospect of forming a territorial legislature and anticipated "a smart fight" between proslavery and free state men.