I hope you have duly received the letter which I wrote you, from New-York, giving you a regular account of my proceedings untill I reached that city.—1 T[he] packet on board of which I took passage was detained by adverse winds untill Friday, the 18th: when we sailed at about 5 in the afternoon— Of all the passages by water that I ever made, this I think was the most perfectly pleasant; and in thirty 130 hours we landed at Newport, havi[ng] had just wind enough to fill our sails; and scarcely motion enough in the vessel to make us perceive we were at sea— The night of the 19th: we pass’d at Newport; and on Sunday the 20th: went up the river to Providence— The next morning I took my seat with nine other passeng[ers] in the stage to Boston, but without going into that town, came here the same night, and enjo[yed] the inexpressible delight of seeing once more my parents after seven years of absence— This ple[asure] was allayed only by the infirm health of my mother who has again been very ill, though now mu[ch] better than she was last week— Untill this morning I have been unable to find a minu[te] even for the purpose of writing to you; not only the first duty, but the first pleasure I could [be] sensible of after that which naturally engrossed all my feelings upon my arrival here.

I had calculated that Whitcomb might possibly have arrived at New-York on [his] return as early as the morning of the day when I came away; and as he did not come, I was proportionably disappointed, and became the more anxious to hear from you, and from [our] dear child— His legs, arms, and face with the inflamed eruptions upon them have haunte[d me] ever since you got into the carriage at Mrs: Roberts’s door— I shall feel constantly unea[sy] on his and your account untill I hear from you.— Next week I may write you some more, about your prospect of finding a roof to shelter you when you come on.— Here indeed is a roof, and room enough, and a most cordial welcome to await you— I supp[ose m]y brother Tom has sent you a letter from my mother, which she wrote you on being informed of our arrival, but which did not reach Philadelphia till after we were gone.2 Both she, and my father will receive you with most cordial affection; and here you can stay, comfortably, and I hope, happily, untill our arrangements will enable you to go into a house of your own.

Our baggage from Hamburg has just arrived, but is not yet landed— That from Philadelphia, I have not yet heard of but expect it daily.3

Do not fail writing me as soon as possible, when you think of setting out upon your return— My sister Smith will expect you to spend some days with her at New-York— If you can get so far upon your journey I will meet you there— Or I will go on to Philadelphia, or even to Washington, where I understand there is at present no particular motive for me to remain distant.

Remember me most kindly to your father, mother, brothers, & 131 sisters, without forgetting our little godson, whose health I hope is fully restored.4

Ever affectionately yours,

I arrived here in three days from New-York, last Monday Evening, the 21st: instt:— I found my father in good health and spirits— My mother has been very unwell, but I am happy to tell you is upon the recovery.

Whitcomb got here two days ago, and brought me, your facetious letter of the 18th:—with the Port-Folio, for which I give you my thanks— But it is still incomplete for the prospectus, is wanting—1 Be kind enough to get one, from Dennie, or Dickens and keep it untill I see you, which will be soon— I have concluded, or rather find myself compelled to go on, the whole way to Washington, after my wife— And I shall leave this certainly not later than the 15th: of next month— If I am lucky in my passage from Rhode-Island, I may be with you at Philadelphia by the 20th:

I shall not complain of Mrs: Roberts’s bill, which I believe with you to be as reasonable, as we could have lodg’d else where.

I have determined for the sake of peace, and for the want of better employment, to resume my residence and my profession in Boston— I have not yet got an house, nor reconciled myself to entering upon my own.— But I confirm myself more and more in the determination to have no concern whatsoever in politics— There is not a party in this country with which an honest man can act without blushing, and I feel myself rather more strongly attached to my principles than to the ambition of any place or power, in the gift of this Country—

Your’s affectionately.