[Page 143]

Personal.
                                   COLUMBUS, May 29, 1871.
  MY DEAR JOEL: - I was much gratified to receive your kind
letter of the 10th. Chills and fever, and as a consequence, in-
flamed eyes have prevented an earlier reply. I went up the
Shenandoah Valley two weeks ago, visiting the battle scenes of
1864, hoping to benefit [my] health, as well as to revive recol-
lections of stirring events. I am now nearly well again.
  I congratulate you and Mrs. Joel on your new happiness.
We also have another boy, now three and a half months old.
A healthy, well-behaved little fellow. It will not be possible
to visit New York this season, I think.
  I am looking forward to a release from public life and to
freedom as hopefully as a schoolboy to his coming vacation,
or a soldier to a furlough. I retire absolutely. I shall make
no attempt to go higher. If I ever accept public employment
again it will be incidental and for special reasons, not as falling
within the line of my life as now chosen.
   I shall always cherish you as one of the true friends, and shall
be interested in whatever befalls you.
                             Sincerely,
                                                  R. B. HAYES.
    JOSEPH A. JOEL,
        New York City.