I wrote to you intending to Send the Letter by mr Dexter, but found he was gone. I therefore committed it to the post under cover to mr smith as the Letter had 200 dollors in it. be so good as to inform me by mrs Cranch when it reaches you

I received Yesterday yours of Feb’ry 25th. I think the sooner the Building is begun the better and as Many hands employd as can be usefull in forwarding it. I should be glad to receive a plan of the size dimensions of both the Rooms as soon as I can get them, as I have a prospect of procuring an oil Cloth for the lower Room. I would wish 166 to have the painting done by a person who is a Master workman. the window shuts in the old Rooms are too bad to remain. I think when the new windows [are] put up New Shutters had better be made, and before the north […] is new painted I would have the beams cased, and the Room [painted] of the same coulour as the keeping parlour. this I should be glad to have done as soon as workman can be had. the Green Chamber must also be new painted and of the same coulour as the lower Rooms— I hope to get home in May, but should be loth to have these matter delayd the doors which are to be cut through the clossets should be those which are upon the right Hand of the Chimnys.

I wrote in My last respecting mr Porter. I should be loth to have him go this summer and think She should be allowd the sum I mentiond for 7 Months if he should conclude to stay. some alteration had better be made in the original articles, which gave him Priveledges in the Dewelling House & Garden—and which were the cause of some Heart burnings last year— the Family shall be supplied with vegetables from the gardens, but the fruit must be considered as appropriated to my own use—and the dwelling House: for want of these small alterations a good deal of altercation took place amongst our people last year. neither the cook or Family will be with me this Summer: Mr & Mrs Porter are both very worthy people, and I know not where we could have been so well Served, but Porters great difficulty is not having any opinion of his own asking the judgement of every one, and puzzling himself with them all, by which means he loses his Authority over those, whom he should direct. if he insists upon going, we must look out for Some Other persons for the summer the President says with respect to the other places, he would have you make such agreements with French and Burrel as you shall deem best— I have requested him to write to you himself. he says he will if he can get time— In the way which congress proceed with buisness they will sit untill july. all might be done, and well done by May, if all would consult the public good, instead of endeavouring by every Means to obstruct the public counsels, and wasteing their […] the purpose of deceiving the people with respect to the views […] [co]nduct of the Executive Authority— I really blush at their conduct for the honour of my our Country is wounded by it— the Antifeds know they cannot carry their Resolutions, and if they have any consiences they know they ought not to—but Still they will make declamations for their constituents— a 167 World of Patience is necessary, and moderation too, to bear all that we see and hear—

I send you an oration of Major Jacksons with which I think You will be pleased; and in return I expect yours it was a surprize of an agreable kind to find you engaged in the undertaking—

Pray Present My kind Regards to mrs Tufts and to your son and Family / affectionatly Yours

James got home safe though covered over with mud and dirt, horses and carriage up to their very ears. He got home about 4 oclock on friday. You were led into a sad mistake by Mr Bayard respecting the roads. I traveled them once in a similar state, and therefore have a greater dread of them. I told some members of Congress, that as they were not very usefully employed at present, in order to keep out of mischief they had better think of mending their ways, and I know not of any that called more for their attention than those which lie between this City and N. York. We had a full, rather than a crowded Drawing room on friday. Many inquiries were made after you. Several ladies said they should certainly have called upon you previous to your leaving Town if they had known of your going, amongst the number, were Mrs Read, Mrs Lee, and Mrs Lystone, and I should add Mrs Hamilton Harrison.1 on thursday Mr Bayard made a very excellent speech upon Livingstones resolutions, and on friday Mr Marshall a most masterly one, both of which I hope will be published. Yesterday Congress met to decide upon the resolutions. Nicolas spoke half an hour in support of the resolutions. Some federal members not expecting the vote to be taken until a late hour, were out amongst them Dana, Champlin, Huger, Brace, but the resolutions were negatived by 61. to 35. tomorrow I suppose we shall have the names in the papers which I will send you.2 It is said by those who heard Mr Marshall, that his speech was a full and decided eulogium upon the administration of the government, and the purity of its measures, that he also proved himself a great Lawyer in the Discussion. I am at a loss, to conjecture what the next 168 popular topic will be, the Bankrupt Bill I suppose will be used as one engine as soon as the Presidents approbation of it sanctions the Law, then the Taxation and Judiciary Bills will afford food for Faction3 Last night and this forenoon we have had the greatest fall of snow which has come this season, not much wind so that it is level, but I cannot say I am glad to see it. I shall be anxious until I learn that you got safe to the plains. How does Caroline bear her confinement for such it must be to her, having been accustomed to a wide range. You and I think much more than we say. It is the duty of every one to strive to be content, in whatever state they may be placed, and to be useful as far as their abilities extend, we see but a little way before us the curtain is draped between us and the future, “or who could suffer being here below”4

Love to the Col / Your truly affectionate / Mother.