“It is so pleasant to have Friends near in whom you have perfect confidence and implicit trust! How the hardships and troubles of life are lessened and divided by the aid and services of true friends and also the joys and blessings of life increased and multiplied by having Friends to impart them to and enjoy them with us. I have been wonderfully blessed in the number and character of the dear, kind friends God has raised up around me and I try to feel grateful and thank him daily for so blessing me--and oh if I could feel worthy of them I would be so happy, but they are my friends, nevertheless, and among them all I do not feel that I have any worthier or truer or more generous and kind than you and your highly esteemed wife. Major Fabricus C. McCalla (1807-1873) to Daniel Brown Pence (1804-1891), Letter dated December 23, 1872” Friendship Book:The Vice President's Black Wife: The Untold Life of Julia Chinn Source: The Vice President's Black Wife: The Untold Life of Julia Chinn