Rebecca Gratz to Maria Gist Gratz - June 29, [1834]

Rebecca tells her sister-in-law Maria about the reaction to Stephen Decatur Jr.'s death in a duel and about a wave of crimes and violence in Philadelphia. She also describes the achievements at the Pennsylvania Institution for the Deaf and Dumb and references the novel Ivanhoe and other recent publications.

Rebecca tells her sister-in-law Maria of the Smallpox outbreak in Philadelphia and having her nieces and nephews revaccinated. She also ponders the unpredicability of life after the death of her sister Rachel.

Rebecca reflects on her correspondence with her sister-in-law Maria, the busyness of the season, a number of international events involving the Queen of England, the Onís-Adams Treaty of 1819, studies of the British Monarchy, and discussion surrounding unidentified Indigenous people and fashion.

Writing in a sorrowful mood, Slowey tells her friend Rebecca about the loss she feels after her best friend's marriage and the visit to her father's and sister's graves.

Rebecca writes to her friend Maria, detailing that she and others in the extended Gratz family are studying Hebrew, and updates her on the health of friends and family.