Two months having elapsed since I made the proposal respecting the note of hand due from your brother Justus to me, and being still without an answer from him, I presume either that the proposal was not agreeable to him, or that some accident has delayed or misdirected his answer, and prevented its coming to hand.1

I have now settled once more in this town, and resumed the practice of the law— But I have to maintain a family, necessarily expensive to a certain degree, and I am burthened with the heavy charge of furnishing my house at a time when I am without any income sufficient to meet it— I mention these circumstances solely for the purpose of justifying the request that you yourself would pay that attention to this debt which your sense of honour and of justice will dictate— When my late brother Charles gave up the security upon which that very debt rested, I mean the mortgage, it was, as he declared, not only for your accommodation, but of essential benefit to you. I think therefore I may with some reason expect that you will provide at least for the punctual payment of the interest— Indeed, if Coll: Smith will consider for a moment his present situation and mine, the use which my money has been of to him, and the manner in which it was obtained (I mean by Charles’s surrender of the landed 162 security) I am confident that the generosity which forms so distinguished a trait of his character will induce him to discharge the debt itself— The sum being now, a trivial object to him, though it has become a very serious one to me.

If you conclude to pay the note and interest, or the interest alone, please to let me have your answer, as soon as possible— As the convenience and even the comfort of my family depend in a considerable degree upon it.

I am, Dear Sir, with great regard and attachment your friend and very humble servt:

Yours of the 10th Instant was presented this morning—1 I am happy you again experience the Utility of the pen— I began to apprehend you had Imbibed an aversion to the little Implement—which I own was a source of regret to me for I am one of those beings who delight in the sweets of participation—and experience a peculiar pleasure in haveing my friends attached—to whatever I feel a partiallity for—

I wrote you the 5th of december—and mentioned my Intended visit— but I perceive you are Indepted to Mrs Adams for this Information—2 163 I hope she is in better health then she appeared to be while in new york— I feel anxious for her— your earsterly winds I fear will not prove salutary to her constitution— our climate I am convinced is diffirent— If she should expirience any Ill effects—I hope she will be Induced from the benefit that may arise from exercise and change of air—to visit the southward— we have had a remarkable mild winter—not one fall of snow since november—and I am as happily situated as you can conceive—secluded from the busy world—void of expectation— I am Induced to fix my contentment on a basis that will not be deranged by the malevolence of unrelenting fortune— I view it as a duty to enjoy the blessings that are daily bestowed—and they are bountifully presented to me— their is but one circumstance that Interferes with my peace—that is—the seperation of my Dear child— I long to see her— I wish them to be with me— thay will naturally Imbibe each others feelings—and time will cement that affection— which has been Cherished in their early Infancy— I wish to know your futer Intentions as it relates to her schooling You will make allowance for my anxiety—when you consider three months has elapsed without hearing of her— I hope you will not be Induced to let her pass a week in Boston—the season is a sufficient excuse to keep her at home— I do not wish her out of your sight while seperate from me— Immagination ever ready to torment—has presented scenes of sickness and grief— do write if it is only four lines— I had the pleasure of seeing Thomas last week he looks very well—and promised to visit us again— I have been here six weeks—daily expecting Elizas confinement—3 she still keeps up and I shall prolong my visit untill the spring— It is Immeterial where I am while peace prevails— Abby is with me and blessed with health— I have a room and fire to my self—and in the strict sence of the word enjoy the sweets of solitude— this is a delightful situation— Eliza is surrounded with all the comforts—and luxirys of this world—she is domestic and leads the life of a recluse— her farm is her hobby horse—she sees to—and knows as much as any farmer in the country— I received a few days since—a letter from Mama—enforming me that John and William were on a visit to her.—4 I hope their Parents may not regret the step thay have taken— the scene is diffirent and alluring to then— I cannot close this without remarking that I had no Idea that you was the auther of the letter alluded to—neither did I suppose a connection of mine—had a thought bordering on partiality—5 If I know myself— my mind is callos on this subgect—and when I lose sight of principle— and virtue—I lose—what is dearer then life— be assured of this—I 164 respect and love your advice—and I shall never forget the ties of duty and gratitude that are due to a tender Parent— You will remember me to all enquiring friends—your domesticks likewise their enquiries are gratifying to me— give my love to my Dear Aunt cranch—and kiss My Dear susan for me and her sister; who is a very good child— she is sitting on my lap which must be an excuse for this carless writing— let me My Dear Madam hear from you—and beleive [me your] affectiona[te] daughter—