I received mr Bourn's Letter to day, dated this day week, and I was very happy to Learn by it that you had made so Rapid a progress.1 I hope you stoped at my old acquaintance Avery's, and that you met with as good entertainment as I had led you to expect. all 334your Friends rejoiced in the fine weather which attended you, and conceive it, a propitious omen. I enjoyed, the Triumph tho I did not partake the 'Gale, and perhaps my mind might have been a little Elated upon the Late occasion if I had not have lived Long enough in the world to have seen the fickleness of it, yet to give it, its due, it blew from the right point on that day.

Mr Allen was so polite as to come out to Braintree to day to know if I had any Letters or package that I wish'd to send forward to you, & that he would take them. I pomis'd to forward a Letter & News papers. mr A. I presume has buisness of importance by his return so soon. I hope it is not an office that a Friend of yours now hold's, and who is in some little anxiety about his own Fate. I received a Letter from him this Evening. I will inclose it by an other opportunity, yet I promisd to mention to you what I conceived almost, or quite needless, because I knew your sentiments with respect to him so well, that I was sure you would interest yourself for his continuance in office whatever the System might be. if I have written a little ambiguously you may the more easily guess at the person meant.2

The Children are now at home. Charles tells me that the Class which take their degree leave colledge the 21 of June and that if you have occasion for him he can come on as soon after that day as you wish, that he can have his degree as well as if he was present. he seems to be fond of the thought of getting rid of the parade of commencment. if it would be no injury to him, I should be equally fond of getting rid of a trouble in which there is very little Satisfaction, a good deal of expence & generally many affronts given by omissions

I mentiond it to the dr & he approves it. I wrote thus early that I might know your mind upon the subject. you will give me the earliest information respecting prospects I hope you will be carefull of your Health, and be enabled to go through the arduous task in which you are engaged. I wish to hear from you as often as possible. my Love to mrs Smith & childr[en.] Let Brisler know that his wife & child are very cleverly, that she is able to Nurse it, & much better than she was before she was confin'd3 mr Bass moves tomorrow into our House.4 I have reserved a part of it for Esther if Brisler should continue at Newyork, and that will obviate the difficuly of being alone in a House. I had the misfortune of loosing one of the Young creatures a day or two after you left me by the Horn sickness it faild of eating in the morning & before I could get any body to it, it was dead— the Horns were hollow upon inspection but I suppose your Farm is quite out of your head by this Time & you will only think of 335it as a departed Friend, & without the consolation of thinking its situation better'd, the 20 Trees are all set out, & came in good order.

I am my dearearst Friend / most affectionatly yours

I this evening received your letter of April 12th. tho' you love a labyrinth you always give a clue. Mr & Mrs L may be assured that an old friend so well qualified for the office he holds will not be forgotten, and that it would be of little consequence whether P: is at Braintree or N York.1 Mr L is surely sufficiently acquainted with my friend to know that he may be sure of his interest. I presume the enquiry will be in the appointment of offices, Who now holds them? Are they qualified? Have they discharged the office with fidelity? Why displace a man worthy of his trust? I know Mr A is sufficiently sensible of the importance of having the naval office filled by a gentleman of firmness and integrity, and I can scarcely think there can be any occasion of calling to his mind the man who in former times has fought by his side and of whose indefatigable industry and perseverance in the cause of his country he is so perfectly acquainted, and whose sufferings he has felt! Yet that P——a may have the merit of a mite She has this evening in a letter to her best friend reminded him that there are persons upon the spot and going there who think to carry their point by solicitation and unwearied application the method by which the Clerkship to the Senate was carried

My best regards attend Mrs Lovell who has really flattered me by hinting that it was in my power to serve her or her family, of this I am sure I cannot fail if my power be half equal to my inclination

I am &c &c &c &c