Mr Francis Baretto has as he informs me applied for the Consulate at Madeira and has requested me to mention you to him as an acquaintance. He is a Native of that Island though for many years a Citizen of this Nation He has been known to me for more than ten years and his misfortunes of various kinds have excited my compassion and esteem as I beleive he did not merit them.1 If I should err with respect to my sentiments of what are here called Hamilton’s appointments I hope you will not impute it to any wrong motive He has become the Universal Recommendator Many of the appointments made as I have reason to beleive at his request are spoken of as extremely improper I could mention many Daubeny for instance as first Leutt of the Navy when there is not a single Merchant who would trust him with the Command of a Sloop of Twenty tons

Nay he even went so far as to say at his own Table when I was present; that he had, in his own words “Been that day appointing a Son of the Notorious Bill Livingston’s a Midshipman in our Navy” This modest speech was addressed to Church whose reply was you have then I find weaknesses not confined to the female sex: which produced a laugh and perhaps was not thought of by any person but myself afterwards.2

We are all well and happy in the company of my brother Thomas who I think is less altered than any person who has resided so long in Europe. Little pratler Susan says, she must go to Philadelphia to see Grandpapa who loved her so much and told her to come She looks at the picture and says Grandpapa will have me go to him he told me so himself

With sincere affection and respect / I am Yours

Indeed my dear Madam, I was very happy to receive a letter from you, after hearing you had been so very ill, at the time I wrote, I did not know you was so dangerously sick, or I would not have troubled you;1 That Health may be restore’d, that your day’s, may be free from Complaints, and that your nights, may be blessed with quiet sleep, is the ardent wish of your friend: I hope soon, to hear you are able to come to Philadelphia, and in the Spring to visit this City, as I think it would be of great service to your Health.— I sincerely Congratulate the President, and you, on the arrival of your Son, I hope he has recovered his Health.— We hear of, and rejoice in the good Health of the President, and that His wise measure’s, are so much approve’d of, beleive me my dear friend, it is not flattery when I say, no person’s, rejoice more sincerely than we do, at the exalted Character, which He has Established.—

I feel much obliged, that you will Contradict the Rumor I mentione’d, it gave me great uneasiness, that such a report had reached New England, and I was impatient, that you might be assure’d, there was not any truth in it.— It is not Kitty, that is out of Health, but Sally, and indeed she has been, and is still very poorly, her Complaints are Nervous, proceeding from Obstructions, which I fear will not be remove’d till the Spring, she has been afflicted with the 387 Rheumatism all the winter, I hope it has now left her, and she will soon be better, her Physician tells me, he sees no danger in her, I have had a great many anxious hours about her, she has been confined all winter.— Mr. Dalton is still afflicted with his eyes, which prevents his writing, or reading, otherwise he was never in better health; he wishes to write the President, but his eyes will not permit.— We have had more severe cold, and snow this winter, than in any one, since I have been here; now the weather is fine, our River clear of Ice, and the riding getting good, which I hope will restore Sally’s health; I wish you could partake of the mildness of this Climate, which is fine throughout the year.—

Mr. Dalton, Mr. & Mrs. Deblois, and the young ladies, desire to be affectionately remembere’d, to you, and Louisa, and please to accept the sincere regards, of your very affectionate, Friend, and humble Servant.—