I left Philadelphia the 9th: instt: and after passing a few days very pleasantly at Baltimore in the society of Mr: Johnsons family & that of Mrs: John Smith, came to this place where I had the satisfaction to meet Mr: Cranch in tolerable health & spirits.1 I have been received & treated with uncommon hospitality and politeness in both these places, from the first characters, and as no distinction of politics has been shewn towards me, it was not in my arrangement to make any myself. I have seen here all the first families, such as Govr: Ogle’s Mr: Carroll’s Judge Chase’s &ca: and find them very pleasant.2 The Supreme Court is now in session & of course all the lawyers from the neighborhood are collected here. Mr: Cranch will return to George town on Saturday or Sunday, where I shall accompany him. Mr: & Mrs: Johnson went home on Monday—the girls remain at 470 Baltimore with their Sister Hellen who has lately removed there for the accommodation of her husbands business.3 I am beset here, as I usually have been in other places, by all the old ladies, who tell me it is high time for me to take a wife, and each of them has a favorite to recommend— One is remarkable for beauty of person, another for mental accomplishments; a third for insinuating manners & a fourth for fortune, family, &ca: in addition to personal accomplishments— This last it is generally supposed will prevail with a young man who has still his fortune to make in the world, if he wishes to be placed in affluence without the trouble of acquiring it by his own labor & industry. Now few people think but that the youngest son of the P U.S. is this sort of animal; few will think him the wiser for not being such.

People have been very assiduous & kind in their enquiries after your health wherever I have passed and all desire to be recalled to your recollection; particularly Mrs: Smith & Mrs: Johnson. Mrs: Ogle here has been very civil towards me from her remembrance of your attentions at the time she was in Philadelphia, the winter of 1791–2. Her daughter, Mrs: Taylo, who was then unmarried, has now five sturdy children; she is upon a visit at present to her mother and is as much admired for the chastity & simplicity of her manners as she was for her beauty the winter we Saw her.4 The ladies are very fascinating this way, I assure you, altho’ Mrs: Ogle did tell me yesterday that she was a considerable physiognomist & had been looking at me expressly to discover whether I was partial to the ladies, but she had made up her mind that I care not a button for them. There’s a reputation for you. How it would gratify my father if he thought I deserved it!

I dont mean to tell you how I like the Country until I return to Philada: meaning to give it a good chance— How I came to make the journey at this time, you may learn hereafter.5

I beg you to present me kindly to my Father & the family— I have ordered my letters on to Georgetown if any should come during my absence— I shall find some I hope on Saturday—

Before I left Philada I engaged an Office & board in the same house, to enter on the 1st: June— The house is situated in Walnut, between 4th: & 5th: Streets. An old maiden lady by the name of Roberts is to keep the house—she has a retreat for her permanent boarders at Germantown, should the fever return to the City—6

I am in much haste / Your affecte Son

Your friendly & excellent letters of the 1st: & 10 instt: have reached me at this place, where I arrived the night before last, having passed a few days at Baltimore & Annapolis on my way.1 My tour has hitherto been highly pleasing to me, and should it conclude as it began, I shall not regret having made it; indeed a more favorable moment could not have occurred, since had I remained in Philada: my time would not have been effectively employed, for want of an Office & a boarding place, which could not be had to my fancy until the beginning of next month. Should you be anxious to know in what street my dwelling is to be, I have no objection to your being informed, that the Bishop is one of my neighbors and that I hope to see the ladies of that family the oftener on this account.2

I am not in the humor to write you a “long excellent letter” at this time, for several reasons, which shall not here be given, nor do I promise to write you such a letter at any future period, & yet I may write you many letters.

The City of Washington, if I were in a descriptive mood, would furnish a most captivating picture— “Cities shall grow where forrests late have stood,” which might be parraphrazed thus—A City growing in the Midst of wood. What admiration must it not excite on reading of the stately Capitol, the magnificent Presidential palace, the 472 commodious Blodget Hotel, placed equi-distant from each other, though scarcely visible by reason of that distance—3 Here, in the language of Geographers, is a fine champain Country, well stored with wood, abounding in various sorts of game; a majestic river, navigable, full of fish & wild fowl; & other natural advantages too numerous to be enumerated.

The situation of the ground on which the City is to stand is very pleasant, from different positions you are presented with very fine prospects uniting landscape with water scenes, and from almost every point a view of Alexandria mingles with & diversifies the whole.— The Capitol is in very considerable forwardness; I mean one wing of the building, and might be finished in a few months; The Presidents house is not quite so forward; and as to the rest, they are yet on the ground.

During my stay at Annapolis I received great attention & hospitality from the first characters of the place and had an opportunity of making the acquaintance of several gentlemen of the Bar & Bench, among the former Mr: Winchester, Mr: Luther Martin & a Mr: Hollingsworth—all of Baltimore; Mr: Key of Annapolis & Mr: J. T Mason of Georgetown, brother to S.T.M. of memory.4

I ought to have mentioned the family of Governor Ogle & that of Charles Carroll of Carrollton from whom I received distinguished marks of politeness. Madam Ogle gave a Ball, which I am almost ashamed to say, was entirely a compliment to me.5 What a fine thing it is to have a father when his merits are thus visited on the child.

I intend to visit the General at the Mount on Thursday, accompanied by Mr: & Mrs: Johnson, who have been very kind & studious to accommodate me in every thing within their power. Mr: Tom Johnson has resided for some time at Annapolis for the benefit of his health and has recovered surprizingly; he enquired very kindly after you.

Mr: Cranch is well; better I think since I have been here—we got him into company at Annapolis & revived his spirits wonderfully; Mrs: C— is yet confined to her chamber, though doing very well—6

Present me kindly to my father & mother, to Louisa & Boylston I had forgotten to notice the triumph in town meeting warfare— B——n’s remark was in character. Poor Benjy , how frail we are! I do suppose the whole connection will now be ready to desert the Government & abandon it to its fate, as Rats will a ship, just before she sinks.7

I shall write soon to my Mother, whom I now thank for her favor of the 10th:.8 The newspapers are acceptable.