Transcribe Orton, James. Letter to Ward, Henry A. (1855-11-19)

[another hand-incomplete] Lisle Broome Co. N.Y. Nov 19th 1855. My dear Ward

  I arose at

three o'clock this morning in order to finish two important letters before the mail closes. This is one of them; but ^I^ greatly fear that my haste, arising from an earnest drain that this may reach you by the next Steamer, will prevent me from doing full justice to your kind message which now lies before me.

  You need no assurance on

my part, friend Ward, that your letters are </u always welcome >. I am </u proud > of your correspondence; for I [written vertically in left margin- Packart Buntic & R. H. Mather: Dc, Ward write me down & continue to believe me your true friend in every course. </u James Orthu >