will tell you all my troubles and hardships. Mother, I hope you do not
forget me, your dear and only son. I should like to know how Sophia,
and Betsey, and Hannah, come on. I hope you all will forgive me for
all that I have done.
'Your son, PETER VAN WAGENER.'



Another letter reads as follows, dated 'March 22, 1841':-


'MY DEAR MOTHER:

'I take this opportunity to write to you, and inform you that I have
been well and in good health. I have wrote you a letter before, but
have received no answer from you, and was very anxious to see you. I
hope to see you in a short time. I have had very hard luck, but are in
hopes to have better in time to come. I should like if my sisters are
well, and all the people round the neighborhood. I expect to be home in
twenty-two months or thereabouts. I have seen Samuel Laterett.
Beware! There has happened very bad news to tell you, that Peter
Jackson is dead. He died within two days' sail of Otaheite, one of the
Society Islands. The Peter Jackson that used to live at Laterett's; he
died on board the ship Done, of Nantucket, Captain Miller, in the
latitude 15 53, and longitude 148 30 W. I have no more to say at
present, but write as soon as possible.

'Your only son,
'PETER VAN WAGENER.'