Letter, 7 Dec[embe]r 1844, of John Bauskett, Columbia, South Carolina to his wife, Sophy Bauskett, in Edgefield, South Carolina, was penned from the State House on a Saturday night and describes festivities surrounding the election of William Aiken as governor.

"I mailed a letter this afternoon written in the Rep. Chamber, saying that we had elected Aiken for governor," Bauskett writes. "And now 9 oclock at night a large crowd are in the adjoining Room drinking champaigne; & a band of music is playing all sorts of patriotic tunes - in a word it is a great glorification of Aiken’s success."

The letter further notes that Bauskett had visited Mr. Sondley and had found "Cozen Harriet," his daughter, in failing health, "I fear there is no hope of her recovery."