I can endure privation & toil with a cheerful heart while ever I cant keep out of mind the swindles that are being [placed?] off on the Government & its soldiers.  But when I see in all the clothing or nearly all that we draw & all other contracts. how unprincipled men are swindling us. & that a large proportion of Government oficials must be cognisent of & interested in many of these things. it is then that my heart almost fails me, & I "tremble for my Country when I reflect that God is Just".  But the greatest dificulty to settle in my mind is this.  how can our Government hope to succeed with honor to itself when it has been only loping off the branches of the great root of all the dificulty.  But the first of Jan. 1863 is approaching.  We shall soon see what that day will bring forth, I hope that the songs of Jubille on that day may be heard above the roar of cannon. & the clash of arms.  Yes that the songs of the liberated thousands may on that day pierce the skies, and that Rebels may tremble in view of their "inhumanity to man". 
I am looking forward to that day with no little curiosity (& you can immagine with some anxiety too) to see what effect the emancipation proclamation will have.  But I need not speculate on these topics, you are I have no doubt, watching the signs of the times as closely as I am, for I know that you are interested aside from the patriotic devotion with which you love our country.
