[dateline] Philadelphia Nov; 2d: 1792
[salute] My dear Mother,
I have received your favor of the 21
st:1 and as I want a little private conversation with you, must oblige you to pay the
Postage of my answer. At the request of several of our Friends I addressed a Letter
to my Father a day or two since—stating certain reasons for
{ 321 } hastening his Journey to Philad
a: and most of those were of a public nature; but I omitted to mention any inducements
of a personal nature to him, because I chose rather to communicate them to you. It
is feared lest his absence from the Seat of Gov
t: at this critical period, will give a handle to his Enemies, who will use every effort
to divert the votes of the Electors in some of the States from him, and thereby prevent
his having a Majority. I know there is not a man connected with the Gov
t: who is less disposed to trouble his friends upon an occasion of this kind, or who
has less dread of the arts of his opponents, yet the question is whether his absence
at this time may not be construed by them as an unfavorable symptom in public affairs.
The spirit of opposition increases to the southward, and every opportunity which can
be seized, will be eagerly employed to embarrass the public Counsels. The reasons
assigned by my Father in his letter to me, for delaying his Journey, were perfectly
satisfactory, because I considered the delacacy of his situation with respect to the
coming Election, and am acquainted with his wish to have it pretty clearly decided
before he undertakes the Journey. The anxiety which is expressed by his friends arises
from the apprehension lest he should be absent the whole session, which they are now
willing to acknowledge might have considerable influence upon public measures. It
seldom happens that any business of great importance is transacted in the first weeks
of a Session, so that he would not be so much missed as at a later period, but if
the complexion of the Election should be unfavorable, he may determine not to come
at all, which, every one knows would injure the Federal interest materially. I hope
therefore both Public & private considerations will induce him to come on. I hear
no doubts or surmises expressed with regard to the Election; nor do I hear of a single
Candidate whose Rivalship may be dreaded. If any thing like a serious or formidable
contest were meditated, I should certainly hear of it from my young Companions at
least, who have never discovered a disposition to conceal any thing of this kind from
me. Burr is mentioned—but so faintly that I doubt whether he secures three votes,
notwithstanding he has the support of P—— Edwards
2 or A J Dallas. Maryland is said to be favorable to the present State of affairs,
altho’, Mercer has been reelected.
3 But enough of this— Now with regard to Lodgings, I know not where to apply further
than I have allready. It seems as if the whole City was full even to an overflow—
I shall be constantly upon the look out, but all the Lodging Houses are full, as I
find
{ 322 } most of the members of Congress bespoke their old places before they left this place
last year; we must wait therefore till some favorable opening occurs.
There are no complete setts of the National Gazett to be procured from its Commencement,
and my Patiotism is too strong to give so small an encouragement as the price of a
single Paper, to such an engine of party opposition; I shall wait therefore till you
tell me what effect this reason has with you, before I send orders to the Editor—
Fenno will have nothing to do with him. The negociation therefore must be carried
on in my name, to which I oppose the above objection.
I have taken a huge fancy to some of your Cheese, and as I still retain a share of
affection for my native soil, a little of its produce would be particularly acceptable,
at this time; My Quaker Friends, are the most hospitable people in the Circle of my
acquaintance, and my good Lady, by her friendly offices, renders your absence infinitely
less irksome than I could expect; I wish therefore to make her a small present of
this kind, provided you can spare half a Dozen or so, from your stock; you may think
it a singular request, but I hope not unreasonable. They may be put in a small Cask
& sent by water, if convenient.
My health has mended much since the Cold weather set in; I prevent any kinks in my bones by regular exercise, and as to the Ague, the Bark proved too strong for
it this season, tho I come within an ace of it several times; The Wine which was left
me, was of great service, I say was because I finished the last of it yesterday—I can wait conveniently till my Father
comes to have it replenished, if you think it a reasonable expence. My paper says,
good by to you,—my best love to Unkles Aunts, Brothers Cousins &c