Ralph Waldo Emerson writes to his wife Lidian:
On this last evening of the year as I return from Worcester I have just received & read your letter of 10 Decr enclosing also Henry’s. I supposed I had made up my mails for this steamer before I left town two or three days ago & I should not now hurry to overtake this night’s mail, but for news in Henry’s letter, that my cheque was protested! Foul fall the faithless “Atlantic Bank”ers that would protest cheque of mine! I supposed I had taken accurate account, & had not overdrawn one cent: but if I blundered somewhere, they might have charged me interest, so easily. Meantime I have remitted money in two letters to Mr Abel Adams, thro the Barings, and I now write at the end of this letter an order for the amount on him, which Henry must forward after endorsing. I will immediately give attention to the particulars of his letter, & write again . . .
Tell Henry that [Joseph] Palmer & not [Charles] Lane is owner of Fruitla[nds.] He has already paid 3 or $400, and we only [hold m]ortgages. But has Palmer gone?
More money for Hugh [Whelan] by next letter perhaps.
(The Letters of Ralph Waldo Emerson, 3:460-462)
