1870 La Fayette Ind. July 29    Dear Father, and Mother Rounds, The news of your last letter dated the 4. And 10, Inst. Past marked the 12. Came to hand the 26. filled our hearts vith sur prise, and great sympathy for you all. First, the possi bilities, or even intimations, about that College matter, are exceedingly trying, and depressing to people of culture, and high toned sentiment. The very thought of your being dragged avay 6000 miles to                                                                     to Oregon for a specif ic position, and service, and then in two short years, be subjected  the embarrassing intimations of a change, of being supplanted by some   
         upstart aspirant, is perfectly abominable. It is Enough to Excite indignation, and open rebellion. My ve had supposed the thing Established and settled, beyond the reach of fancy, caprice, or jealousy of ambitions aspirants. How sad and painful this con viction, what the church, is  ?degenerated?  and demoralized in these days. Just as the great political vorld is. Intrigue and sophistry, and a desperate struggle for place and pover seem to be the ruling focus every vhere, instead of true merit, capacity, honor, and integrity. Alas, for the honor, trust, and right eousness of the church of the living God  The church needs another Martin Luther   
         and another reforma tion like that of the 16. century.  Concerning the college matters, you know all before this. Vhile ve  axxy  here are in great anxiety and unhappy suspense. If you are supplanted there by any selfish Haman, I hope you vill rise up in the strength of the God of Israel, and shake off the dust of your feet on Oregon, and come back vhere you are known and appreciated.  We shall be inpatient to hear from you again soon. Then that sudden turn about sister Matties affairs, hoo very trying it vill be for you all  We feel deeply for you in this and all trials.    
         Though Mattie decides and acts in harmony with her noble impulses and her souls purest affections, still it vill be as much a trial to her as the any of your, vhen the time shall come. But it is all right, you could not expect to have all your large family of chil dren alvays around you. It vould not be in harmony vith their opportunities, their capacities, and the spirit of the age, and enterprize of the times. God bless Mattie, and grant her the full consummation of all her cherished hopes, and brightest expectations.  But the particular thing I sat down to do, vas to insist that Mat tie and her Husband come this vay in their journey    
         towards the sun rising, and to tell them how to do it. If they or you vill Examine a late Rail Road Guide, you vill see the connections. The Wabash Valey R. Road is forms one of the great links between East  amp; vest. Its Extreme connections, is Toledo Ohio, and Quincy Ill. On the Missipi River, 400 miles. La Fayette is in the centre, dividing it into two sec tions Eastern  amp; vestern. At Quincy Connection is made vith Omahov  xxx  to the Pacific. At Toledo vith the Mich. Southern  amp; Lake Shore. Toledo is 112 miles from Cleveland  amp; 300 from Buffalo. La Fayette is near 700 miles from  Scranton?    
         I presume Mr. Vale vill purchase tickets at San Francisco for N.Y. Tell him to get tickets from Omahoo (as that is the end of the Union Pacific Road.) to Toledo. via. Wabash Valey Road instead of via. Of Chicago. If he goes to Chicago he vill go either Mich. Central, or Mich. Southern. In that case they vould pass us about 100 north. To be sure they could come to Chicago and then come here by the Levisville  amp; Chicago R. but it vould be out of their vay and break their Tickets. If they are particularly anxious to see Chicago, they   
         had better ticket only to Chicago, and then see Edvard at the Me trapolitan Hotel vhere he Boards, and then drop down here, and thence ticket to N. Y.                                from Dunkirk or Buffalo or Cleveland, via of York  amp; Erie.                                            30 miles At Buffalo they could drop down and see the Falls   amp; back for the eve ning train. And reach Binghamton Early morn. If not particularly anx ious about Chicago, they had better come from Omaha directly here. After leaving Quincy Ill, any vhere on the route Telegraph us, and ve meet you at Depot, a few squares from our house. Edvards place of business is 24,  amp; 26, Lake St.   
         Father it appears to me that John is rather too young yet, and had not experience enough to enter into business alone. I should be afraid of the results. Edvard  amp; Charlie have both been here a veek each. Charlie is at  It.  Charles Mo. Secretary to the manager of the Northern Mo. R. R. running from St. Louis to Kansas City, also far up into Iova. My cousin is the manager. Our Boys each had their lives Ins.  3000,  amp;  3,000, for my ben efit if I outlive them. I do not expect to remain alvays in Lif. Ins. business. I feel that I aught to be preach ing the gospel as Pastor. We are all as vell as ve can be this terrible hot veather. Loui had got to be a big Boy  amp; a good Boy. All send much love, Affectionately Leland.