I must say it gives me very great concern that I should be the only one of my father's family at a distance from him at this time, and, if your letter did not preclude every hope that Providence might prolong his life till I could get down, I should suffer nothing to prevent my setting out immediately … I must beg too that you will assure my mother that, if my presence can be any way necessary in assisting you to administer to her every comfort which her situation shall require, there is nothing that shall prevent me from coming down – I shall be happy on this occasion in joining you in the discharge of every duty to her as a parent who deserves so well of us all.