My Ever Dear Wife

     Dan is to leave this evening and I hasten to write you by him.
I left Knoxville on last Thursday amid a perfect jam.
Had the good fortune to get into the passenger coach—and had a comparable comfortable ride to Chattanooga. Chattanoog is the muddiest place I ever saw. I eat my meals in a Restaurant covered with Canvass and

slept in a car at Chattanooga. we remined over night and reached Nashville Saturday morning. It was raining, cold muddy. all of us worn out. Esqr Caldwell Judge Gault Col. Rodgers W^m Harris and others myself included have been staying with a Mrs Holdman on vine street no. 15. On Sunday I dined with Gen. Gillum [i.e., US Brig. Gen. Alvan Cullem Gillem], and last night was invited to Gen James Rickman's formerly of Jefferson County. He says I must stay with him the ballance of the time I remain here.
I think I will it is a very pleasant place.
The convention has done nothing of importance yet. It will make a general ticket of delegates and order

an election is my best impression. A portion of the delegates want to make amendments to the constitution now and submit them to the people. This is too radical and I cannot support it.
Dr Brownlow [i.e., William Gannaway Brownlow (1805-1877)] is the choice of the convention for Govenor.
Gen. Thomas says he will send troops enough to East Tenn. to permanently hold it. I hope it will be done.
By the last of this week or first of next I think we will be home. I hope I can come home safely then.
The convention has not yet made any nominations of delegates. I do not care whether I am on the Ticket or not. Gen. Rickman has

retained me as counsel in a case in the Federal Court at Knoxville with a fee of $500. when the case is decided. It was a fortunate thing I came out here. I think I can manage the case verry easily.
Often I think of you and the children and trust you are comfortable and happy. I long to see you and stay with you. It is so seldom I can be with you that it is the greatest pleasure I have or can have. or want to have. May a kind Providence keep you and Jimmie and Adda under his special care.
Tell Jimmie and Adda to be good children. Pa often think of Ma and them. God bless you all

Ever yours
Jas M Meek

I have had no time to shop yet