I presume this will find you at Philadelphia, fix’d in your Lodgings; and in possession of your office, where I wish you much of the Good things of the world, tho purchased by toil & trouble, they may serve to enhance their value; above all worldly Goods. I wish you Health, for destitute of that great blessing, few others can be enjoyed.

The few Hot days which we had in May, brought upon me the disorder & complaints from which I sufferd so severely last summer. it reduced my strength, prostrated my spirits, and I lost my sleep, my appetite, and was ready to give myself up—but Some exertions, and application to medicine, amongst which is a preparation of steel powders, with Winters Bark has restored me again, and removed my complaints; I am in as good Health at present as when you left me, far enough however from firm.— this has been the chief reason why I have not written to you more frequently. I received your kind Letter from Annapolis dated May 17th and was gratified at your account of your reception, & the civility and attention with which you have been treated. your Letter from Philadelphia of May 3d came safe to hand, tho I was not able to acknowledg it, at the Time.1 the Count & Countess of Tilly, have now become an old story, of which no one here, talks or thinks any more than they do, of the nomination of Envoys to France, tho the late papers announce to us, the great Love and moderation of the directory, which they are about to manifest to us, in the most generous manner possible, by sending the Marquiss of Fayett as minister to adjust all differences— even the capture of the insurgent, they do not mean to resent—!!2

Federilism is gaining ground daily, our Elections have been so, very generally. Commerce flourishes our Navy increases, and the face of the Earth wears a promissing aspect. Quincy looks delightfull now I assure you; yet in the midst of our joy we have sorrow. our Worthy Govenour Sumner is considerd by his Physicians as irrecoverable. from the nature of his disorder, an instant dissolution may be expected; his death will be a public loss— he has however outlived Election day, which is considerd a favorable circumstance 477 as it respects the public putting it out of Question, who is to be the successor for the present year. mr Ames you will see is chosen a Counsellor to the Gov’r 3

I find from a Letter of mrs otiss to her sister, that much grumbling has been made; because the President did not remain in Philadelphia, or return to it, during their good pleasure; and that his Enemies made use [“]of his absence to his injury” this paragraph which was transcribed & sent to me I did not think proper to communicate; for tho I dare say, both mr and mrs otis wrote out of pure Friendship & regard, their own fears and apprehensions upon the occasion, I knew it would be of no avail to retail the subject out; I could not learn that any buisness sufferd. the post goes in four days, and Letters are daily answerd which come by every post. if the Philadelphians were really affraid, that the Rebellion of their own raising and fomenting could not be quelld without the presence of the President at the seat of Government, why they have found themselves mistaken. Let them give themselves a Good Govr and they will not be the focus of insurrection; the Hot Bed of sedition. the President will never desert his station when the exegencys of the Government require his presence, but he will not stay from his wife. tell them so, to disprove so absurd a lie, as that he had drawn all the money from the Banks, made a Bargain with the King of Great Britain & Run away which amongst a hundred other lies as silly and Ridiculous were circulated amongst those stupid Germans; and which it seems he was to stay at Philadelphia to contradict and disprove as tho Bach, Porcupine and others, had not lied against him to his face.4

They may all make themselves very easy, when the President thinks it necessary for him to be at Philadelphia he will go, but not an hour before to please friend or silence foes—that was never his object. so thank mr & Mrs otis for their good intentions; but tell them, all the distant din, the world can keep “Rools o’er our Grotto & but sooths our sleep”5

William received your Letter in which you mention the situation of your office—upon which the P——t told a story of a man addicted to liquor, who had taken a resolution to reform— having waited a few days he went to the Inn, smelt the Brandy, but tasted not, went out and boasted to his companions of his firmness, and to shew them how triumphant he was, he would return with them & take a Glass to commemorate his victory— he accordingly tasted—and was conquerd—

I say let Thomas a lone he is old enough to judge for himself. please God to give him health and spair his Life, prosper him in buisness—and I will trust to his discretion as to a wife—

I have one thing to insist upon which is that you do not remain in the city if it becomes sickly but flee before it be too late, and as you have made your visit Southward, come to Quincy if you are driven a way

this is the advice / of your affectionate / Mother

not a line from your Brother at Berlin. I am sick to hear— I cannot do like you, coppy my Letter so take it with all its imperfections all friend desire to be rememberd. little Thomas grows a fine Boy he is quite handsome6

The President went to the Launch of the Frigate Boston. He went to Election & tomorrow he goes at the request of the Ancient & Honorable Artilliray Company in full uniform to attend Artilliry Election. Amorys light Horse came out as his Escort Genll Eliot & three others attend as aids— So much to please our sovereign’s—7 Judge chase has come up to Quincy to keep sunday with us. the more I am acquainted with him, the more I esteem him— He says he hopes it may be in his power to serve you. you will see him at the Court in Philadelphia

On my journey through this place, about a fortnight since, I wrote you a few lines by a vessel bound to Bremen; on returning here I find another ready to sail for the same place, and I have found a moment to give you a little sketch of my journey, which though not long has been a very pleasant one.1

After passing a few days here, I went to Annapolis, where the Supreme Court of the State was sitting, and where gaiety & mirth rendered my visit quite delightful; a number of very genteel families reside there and from the general acquaintance of Mr: Tom Johnson I was introduced to them all, and was treated with much hospitality. I proceeded to the Federal City, Georgetown & after a day or two spent there, I went with Mr: & Mrs: Johnson & Mr: T.J. to visit the venerable Washington and his lady, both of whom we found in perfect health & spirits. The General received me with a cordiality & treated me, during my stay of two nights, with a degree of kindness & distinction, which was highly flattering— He enquired with interest after you & Mrs: A— and said many civil things to Mrs: J— respecting you. In fine, we were all highly gratified with our visit & received a very cordial invitation to repeat it. Mrs: Lewis, who was Miss N. Custis was absent from Mount Vernon on a visit to her husband’s relations— She was married on the Genls: last birth day, and I toasted her at Boston, that very evening, connected with a sentiment; viz: “May her nuptials, lay the foundation for a numerous race of patriots & hero’s.”

On my return from Mount Vernon I stayed a day or two at Georgetown & at Mr: Cranch’s Fed: City. I saw the Capitol, which is in a state of considerable forwardness and might be ready for the accommodation of Congress in a few months, if necessary— The President house, another fine spacious & magnificent pile, not yet complete, excepting the exterior, and not likely to be so, as one of the Commissioners told me, without a fresh grant of money. It seems incredible, that so large a sum as twelve hundred & fifty thousand dollars, should have already been expended in the improvements & public buildings, but I am assured it is the fact. Complaint against the mismanagement &ca: of the Commissioners is very loud; charges of incapacity are equally common & not one of the three is allowed to be a fit person for the conducting so great a concern. Every man, it seems to me, within the district of Columbia, is more or less desirous of being a Commissioner himself, and very few, in my opinion, would give less dissatisfaction, than the gentlemen now in the Commission, however they might surpass them in talents, capacity or integrity. The affairs of the City have, very certainly, from some cause or other, become confused & embarrassed, so that property in the soil cannot be conveyed to those disposed to purchase, free from any question as to title; this discourages enterprize, which might otherwise take that channel and change the appearance of things to a more cheering complexion. Congress will not I think, be at their ease, when they first remove thither, though a number of buildings are going up, for Hotel’s & boarding houses. The number of dwelling houses is small, and what there are, yet chiefly unfinished; the neighborhood is by no means well supplied with provision, but when the navigation of Potomak is open, as it may be ere long, a fine rich & florishing back Country will furnish an abundance of every comfort. The situation of the City is beautiful & by all account healthy; perhaps you would like to have an house there; if so, signify it unto me, as I dare not buy on speculation.2

I returned hither two days since, having taken Annapolis again in my route, for the sake of passing more time with Cousin Cranch, who was attending the Court there. His health has been much impaired by the anxiety & distress which his misfortunes brought upon him; but his character & reputation survive in all their purity. He is the father of three children, the last of which is a daughter, only a few weeks old— I think he will get over his difficulties, though they oppress him heavily—

My last letters from Quincy are of the 10th: ulto:—then all well. I expect to be in Philada: on the 6th: currt: and to open my Office there immediately— God avert the pestilence from that City, is the fervent prayer / Of your affectionate Brother

Love to Mrs: A— her friends are all well.