While many believe King may have been asexual or heterosexual (but celibate), and there are many indicators that suggest he was homosexual, there is evidence to support the fact that he in fact did have a heterosexual relationship and possibly children. In Washington City on December 8th, 1824 he wrote a personal letter to then Alabama Governor, Israel Pickens regarding his "wayward heart that loves but once and loved forever." Pickens wife had recently passed away. King wrote that "...unfortunate as you have been in the loss of a most amiable and excellent woman, I am almost induced to envy you when I contrast your situation with mine; her lovely offspring are with you, you are training them up in the paths of virtue, and they bid fair to be an ornament to their Country, and to make glad the heart of their Father in the evening of his days." King continued, "You ask, why should it be so? I can only say such is the decree of fate; mine is a wayward heart that loves but once and loved forever. Of Petersburg or of those residing in its vicinity, I know but little, between me and them there never was a community of sentiment, variety, and youthful folly, may have mislead me for a — moment, but returning reason convinced me that perfect esteem entwined my Desire ineffable." Was he speaking of Petersburg, Georgia now covered by a large TVA lake or Petersburg, Virginia outside of Washington. It is unclear but this is clear evidence of a lost love "...of Petersburg" and "...of those residing in this vicinity."