I received your favor of the 10th: instt: the Day before yesterday, with an enclosure for J Q A & his wife, which I forwarded to her, as I perceived it was addressed to them, both.1 They spent a week with me here, during the hottest spell of weather, we have experienced, this summer, and though much overcome by it, I was surprized to find, that they bore it so well. Dr: Rush, in the absence of his lady, performed the honors of his house, with great hospitality & kindness. 125 Young Mr: Adams is a fine boy, and his mother is, of course, proud, as she ought to be, of him. I could not help feeling some fondness for the youth, though I did not testify half enough partiality, to satisfy the exquisite devotion of a mother’s heart. You will perform this office with a better grace, than I could.

The Ex-Ambassador, is to me, precisely the same man, as when I left him; but many of his former acquaintance exclaim—How you are altered! The only difference I could discern, in his appearance, was a sort of fatherly look, which has lately come to him, and which will, no doubt grow upon him, with increase of years. I am happy, that he is once more restored to his Country & friends, for they will both, be benefitted by his talents; however employed. He has no propensity to engage in a political career, and from his contempt of the conduct of all the parties, which have hitherto existed, I think he will not rank with any, unless it be with one moddeled on his own system. Should he converse freely on political topics, and discuss, openly, the conduct & characters of leading men, on both sides, he will, by the federalists be called a Jacobin and by the jacobins, a federalist. As a neutral character, he would not long continue if he could, nor could he if he would.

I received some letters for my Brother since his departure, which I now enclose.2 Your flour, I am told, was Shipped for Boston, a fortnight ago, addressed to Mr: Wm: Smith. I have ordered two Blls more, as you desire.

The half boots, which you have, at my service, if they will suit my brother, as I think they will, may be transferred to him; if not, please direct Wm: Shaw to send them round to me, by water.

I am, dear Mother, / Your son

I have your letter of the 14th: with a paper for which I thank you.1 Mr: Reed, has written to you, in consequence of the information respecting the demur, about delivering his trunk, and contrary to my advice, has sent money to pay Bills, which he says he had already, 126 once discharged.2 I never will recommend any of my friends to that vile house so help me, truth!

Since my return, I have been more occupied with my profession than I had been, for a long time before, though with little immediate profit. My ambition does not aspire to any thing out of the pale of Bar promotion, but it is by no means an easy task to attain eminence in this sphere. The number of competitors added to the difficult and laborious duties in the exercise of our profession, make it a perfect lottery as to success & profit. Every opportunity I get, of holding forth, at the Bar, invigorates zeal, but I have not yet vanquished the terrors & palpitations incident to inexperienced speakers.

During the session of our Supreme Court, we have had some interesting trials & arguments. The case of Pickering vs Reynolds, for a libel was heard a second time, but before the trial was finished, one of the jurors, (a democrat) took sick; the Court adjourned and the juryman was unable to attend during the term. The jury therefore was discharged and another trial must be had. Brown & Relf; who were arraigned on an Indictment for a libel upon Dallas, which was removed to the Sup: Court, plead guilty; or submitted with leave to give matter of extenuation in evidence; the Court sentenced them to pay a fine of three hundred dollars each, the costs of prosecution & bound them over to good behavior for one year—3 So much for this Brimborion.

The ex-ambassador has had a long confab with the port folio-man and I trust it will be profitable to him.4 He has been seriously addressed by several of his warmest friends, and promises reformation.

I spoke to Dickins about sending your paper.

By this or the next Mail I shall send under cover to my father some papers for Mr: Gay, upon business; you will please to deliver them.5

Your friends are all well here. When you write to your good mother, please to remember me kindly to her, and tell her, I hope we shall some day or other meet again, even in this vale of tears, though I hope on no mournful occasion.

Love to Mr: and Mrs: Foster / Your friend