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Difficulties of maintaining epistolary contact. Family news, farming preparations, and tobacco cultivation. Comments on mental health of acquaintance, Stephen, currently at an asylum in Jacksonville. "... considered a hard subject to treat... He almost wore Eliza out with care and anxiety... He wrote that he was considered the most insane man there -- writes very intelligible and talks in the same way when he talks at all-- but he does not have but a few moments at a time but what the spitits are tempting him inflicting all kinds of pain, &c-- consequently, he is tumbling and rolling in all kinds of shape in order to resist as he calls it the spirits."

The physicians of the Boston Indian Medical Institute responding to an update about Bemis’ mother. Suggests bathing her arm in alcohol and water to reduce swelling, or "any local application you can make." Suspects that there is a circulation issue due to an obstruction. Written on the Indian Medical Institute letterhead with a detailed printed description of the institute on the back. Description includes a list of references and the names of the administrators and physicians.

Notes from a travelling salesman on medicine sales in Nashville, [Tennessee], and the area. Requests two or three thousand almanacs, finds them especially good to distribute in the Market House. Selling medicine, which local doctors oppose due to it infringing on their sales at drug stores. "...Made a Cure on a doctors Wife. he will send you a certificate of cure made." Has been travelling in Kentucky and Tennessee, stopping at "a great many P[ost] offices & store towns not on map." Notes the sale of 1860 almanacs written by Ayer and Jayne and his desire "to get ahead of them if I can."

Is retiring from ministry due to weak lungs. Hopes to begin a farm, but must teach to raise money. Has been reading about the science of agriculture, and describes how science informs farming practices. Advocates the benefits of an education for farmers. Gives details on crop rotation, raising and feeding cattle, and agricultural journals and books. [Incomplete]

Circular sent to agents of Louden & Co., listing the medicines they offer along with notes regarding the terms of sale. The medicines listed are: Indian Expectorant, Oriental Hair Tonic, Alternative or Sarsaparilla, Liquid Hair Dye, Female Elixir, Fever and Ague Pills, Pile Remedy, Compound Carminative Balsam, Compound Tonic Vermifuge, Indian Sanative Pills, All-Healing Salve, and Cherokee Liniment. Explains that "the medicines are charged to you at the net wholesale prices, at which you will account to us; the difference between the wholesale and retail prices being your profit or commission, for selling them." References almanacs and show cards that were also sent to the agents and explains the procedures for reporting their sales and making remittances. "N.B. – Please to read over carefully the 'Catalogue of Diseases and their Remedies,' which you will find in the 'Almanacs,' so that you may be able to determine at once which article would be the most appropriate to administer."

Detailed account of tuberculosis symptoms and treatment. Also notes tornadoes.

Family news. Tending to a woman who is ill. "A cancer is a dreadful disease, I never knew much about them before."

News on fern research, conferring with specialists, and sharing specimens between researchers and the Smithsonian. References scientists such as Dr. Gray, Eaton, and Brackinridge. Miscellaneous scientific news.

Regarding books received and friends in Cincinnati. Sends a portrait of himself [not included].

Written on Townsend City Savings Bank stationery, the letter discusses stocks in the Seneca Oil Company, the amount of oil being produced, and profits. Includes religious reflections and gratitude, news of their mother's illness, South Carolina's secession, John Buchanan's negotiations with the forts, and laws relating to slavery in Virginia and Texas. The Moore letter gives a technical description of the process of preventing water from entering an oil well. Also discusses the attempts to drill deeper, struggles to get an effective well running in various locations, and an "ignorant engineer" who believes a Pittsburgh well had been running continuously for fifteen years.