your obliging Letter of November 7th. came safe to hand, as well as a couple of Hares since Received, for which accept my acknowledgments:2

I was happy to find that the Books I sent were acceptable to you, tho they painted some of your Countrymen in very black coulours; and one cannot refrain from being affected by the disgraces brought upon their Country from the evil conduct of it's Members, tho they abhor the measures & detest the Authors[.]3

I wish I could say that a Change of Administration since the peace, had effected a change of sentiment with respect to America, but this Nation, sir, is still persueing measures which daily, more & more, alienate America from her; & force her into a closer connection with France:4 how much this will benefit England, time will discover:

I take the Liberty of sending you a late publication stiled the defence of the American Constitutions,5 which have been attacked, as you will see, by great Men: how ably they are defended the publick will judge; but something appeard necessary at this time to settle the minds of the Americans, who appear to feel inconveniencies without tracing them to their true source: it will perhaps afford you some amusement, not only as a Friend to America, but to the Liberties of mankind6

By the latest accounts from America (the 10 of Febry)7 general Lincoln had marched against the insurgents dispersed and quelld them; so that I hope they will no longer impede the course of Justice, or disturb the good order of society. Ebullitions of this kind will break out in all free governments, like humours in a Healthy Body; but I presume they cannot proceed to any dangerous height—

Mr and Mrs Smith present their compliments and thanks for your kind congratulations. Mr Adams joins me in ye sentiments of Esteem and / Regard with which I am / Dear sir your Humble Servant

It was not untill yesterday that captain Callihan brought us the bundle containing Newspapers and some Letters, one from my Neice, but none from you tho you refer to a former one in that which I acknowledg'd the recept of by captain Barnard,1 the New york packet arrived in 18 days passage & mr Adams received Letters to the 10 of Febry & a Boston paper of the 5th by which we have an account of general Lincolns success.2 I lament that so atrocious an offender as shays should escape least he should in future create more disturbances; the measures which government appear now to persue will give a permanancy to it, and I hope suppress every tendency to future Rebellion, at the same time that every rational & reasonable redress of grievences will be granted, that the community in general are suffering from a want of confidence in the publick Faith is a Sorrowfull Truth, and this distrust creates an artificial scarcity of a circulating medium, could confidence be restored, you would soon find this evil diminished;

I have written you so lately that I have little to add. The Winter here has been remarkably mild & the verdure upon the ground is equal to what we have in May. I wish you would get somebody to 3take the dimensions & shape of a floor Cloth for our little parlour at Braintree, and the room next to it, they are so much better prepaird here painted years before they are worn that they wear forever tho dear— so you see that I am thinking Seriously of returning to you & trimming my little cottage once more. Should I ever have a better I will rejoice if I cannot I will be content, the Education of my children is more at my Heart than any other object.

I have Sent by captain Scot a couple of small Chamber Lamps which I have found very usefull, & two Boxes of wicks, one be so good as to send to sister shaw, the other is for your self & if your oil is good it will burn 3 Nights with the same wick. I have also sent you Lutestring for a gown. I deliberated some time whether to send you that or a peice of Linnen upon the whole I concluded to send the silk as it was an article I knew you would not purchase tho you might want it ever so much. The green is for you & the Blew for sister Shaw. You will use your prudence either to make it up, or let it lie by till more favourable times. I do not expect to have it in my power to shew you in future how gratefull I feel towards you for all your motherly kindness to my dear Boys, in any thing more than words but you know my Heart.— You will trouble me exceedingly if you express any anxiety on account of Charging the Board of the Children—3 do I not know my sister? do I not know the difficulty of the times I do know very well your prudence your oeconomy & that of my dear Neices, and at the same time I am sensible of your generous disposition and of that care and attention to me and mine which cannot be estimated by pounds & shillings.

I will write to my Neices if I have time before Scot sails adieu my dear / Sister, most affectionatly / yours