Tomi, 8th Sept 1840
Nathl Delano of Fair Haven

Dear Nephew, I have before me your letter of 19th April this year, come by a whaler as a few continue to arrive. I was extremely happy to hear from you, but sorry your dear Mother was so feble, but she is getting old, I believe she is six years older than I am, I have passed 65 since June. That would make her 71, but I am not sure, but I find myself getting old and failing fast, especialy since my last ill turn which lasted me upwards of a year. I am not right yet, I am so feble I can hardly walk, but I ride and go in a boat about once a month to Talcuhuano about ten miles and I would sooner stay at home than go when I do go. The trouble of getting into a boat and out does away with all the pleasure as we have a bad beach for going off or on as the water is shoal and you have to be carried on mens shoulders and liable to a ducking

Your Aunt Ann is also a getting old and feble but much smarter than I am, although she is about one year older than I am, but she has a very troubelsome cough which she has had ever since our last earthquake in 1835, but I hope it will not shorten her days as she keeps about with it. It is what is called a habitual cough from the stomach, not, from the lungs, but at any rate we have arrived to years that we may reasonably expect to become feble and sickly and shortly die

I am doing nothing, the government gives me half pay, which according to law, they must do as long as I live which supports very comfortably, and if my wife outlives me she will get 45 per month all the days of her life after me that it is not so bad thank God for all his blessings which is more than I deserve.

Our daughter Mary Ann has been a long time unwell, since Anna Maria was born has had none since, and Anna Maria is to be married on the 21 Dec if she lives which will be her birthday. She is a fine girl, she is to be married to an American Doctor established in Valparaiso and is thought a great deal of in his proffession. Paul, owns a flour mill, three run of burrs, and a beautiful mill she is, cast iron from America, and William is in company with Mr Liliwaich Mary Ann’s husband in the old establishment at Tomi and doing well. They also own the old Stanton of Fairhaven, good ship, and is out whaling, and they also own two briggs, the Ovally and the Urn that was, and William is going to sea, supercargo of her with a load of Chili flour to New Zeeland, gone about three months, and we are living in Williams house where we have been living this year and a half. I have an idea of establishing the long talked of salt works if I can gain a little strength, it is now the spring of the year in our hemisphere and the evaparation is immence here. I tried the experiment here in 1834-5 and found the rain fell 71 1/2 inches, and the evaparation 6o inches, (say five feet) the year in this--shows the evaparation is great and a proof of it farther is that where the tides flows over the low grounds at spring tides it will frequently leave the salt as thick as window glass, and our poor old friend Joshua Hitch sent me out the plan of the works mill &c. I shall try it at any rate

In the information you sent me in 1837 or 1838 neither did Joshua ever tell me how much water it will take to a bushel of salt, or how long it would he evaporating, however I will endeavor to find out by experience and will let you know from time to time how I get along, and I hope you will continue to write me every opportunity how the folks all are.

Give my respects to all friends, and my wife joins me in love to your dear Mother, and all the family and believe me while I remain Dear Nephew

Yours Truly

Uncle Paul

Dont forget to remember me to my worthy friends Jabez Delano, and Wing Russell and families.

Post mark. Ship 6. Mr. Nathaniel Delano Fairhaven