My dearest Friend

The Weather is so extreemly cold that my ink almost freezes whilst I write, yet I could not let a week Pass without writing to you, tho I have few occurrences to entertain You with I received last Saturday your two Letters one of the 12 [John to Abigail, 12 December 1793] and one of the 13th [John to Abigail, 13 December 1793] , December I have not yet had a Philadelphia paper. When the pamphlets are out containing the correspondence between the Ministers I hope you will send me one. In Edds paper of the last week appeard a low abusive peice against the British minister for the conduct of his court towards America but it is really too low for notice. The Chronicle exults, without Reason however at Dallas'es Reportt. It has become as much of a party paper as Freaneus. There is a great and general Allarm arising from the depredations which it is reported and feard the Algerians have made upon American vessels. All imported articles particuliarly West India produce has risen in conseqence of it; Congress will indeed have their hands free of Business, and will have no time I hope, and very little disposition to quarrel I am solisitious to know what Genets conduct will be at Philadelphia. I presume he does not show his Head at the Level, nor will he venture a visit to you in his publick Character; I think he is much like Cain after he had murderd Abel. Columbus closed last Saturday. I hope you have seen all the Numbers.

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We have had in the course of the last week a very sudden Death Dr. Rhoads was taken sick with a nervious fever and dyed the 3 day leaving a most distrest family 5 children 2 of them quite Babies, and Mrs. Rhoads hourly expecting to get to Bed, and in want of every necessary of Life. I never was witness to a more distresst Scene I attended the funeral, and found her in fits, the children and People in the Room all terifye'd not knowing what to do with, or for her Dr. Phips had run home for some Medicine; and every person seem'd to be thrown into the utmost distress. The Dr. was a kind Husband and an inoffensive man, dejected and disspirited tis said by his prospect, Her Situation is pityable indeed. She has since got to bed and happily I may say lost her Baby which no doubt sufferd from her distress of Body and Mind.

Our Friends here are all well. I do not learn that any persons have been endangerd by going into the city of Philadelphia so that my fears and apprehensions are much quieted. This very cold weather if it reaches You will tend to preserve the health of the inhabitants, but I fear it will pinch you severely. It gives me the Rhumatism.

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