I have received, My dear Mother, your kind letter of the 23d: ulto: and it gives me the most cordial gratification to learn that your health was daily improving—1 I have also the satisfaction to tell you that my wife and children as well as myself are in very good health— As are all the family with whom we here reside, excepting Mrs: Hellen, and she is fast recovering.

My brother has concluded to wind up his affairs at Philadelphia, and remove to Quincy—2 I presume you will see him there in a very short time; and I hope he will contribute largely to your comfort and enjoyments— If I may be permitted to suggest one idea, which I am sure will contribute to his happiness, it is that he be left entirely, and in the most unqualified manner, to his own choice and humour in his mode of life and his pursuits— I would even wish that no advice upon these subjects be given him unless at his own desire— I am fully confident that the most effectual means of reconciling him both to his removal and to his future residence at home, will be to leave him in the complete satisfaction with his own independence; that sentiment so natural and so powerful upon every mind, and which is of peculiar weight upon his.

We are going on here, smoothly enough— Our Session is to be very short, and we are to rise at latest by the beginning of the new year—3

I have enclosed to my father a copy of the Report from the Secretary of the Treasury on the State of the finances.4

Mr: Cranch and his family are well.

Faithfully your’s

I did not expect a very frequent correspondence with you when You left me; however interested we each of us feel in the happiness and prosperity of our Country, there is little hope that observation, upon the measures pursued, or anxiety for the event of them: would alter or amend them: The Group Which compose the National Counsels is certainly Such an one, as has not heretofore been collected together. they may truly be call’d Birds of a feather; our own papers do not give us the debates. we are indebted to the National Intelligencer for all we know. there are many reasons why I neither ask or expect from Your pen any political observations— I am always satisfied with your Vote because I know that it will proceed from a Sense of what you consider Right, and proper; divested of Party Spirit.—

I received a Letter from You in which you mention Your Brothers determination to come to Quincy1 His Books have already arrived. as far as depends upon me, he will be left to follow the bent of his own inclinations; I know it must have cost him many Struggle to bring his mind to quit a place where he hoped to have obtaind an independance, and resided for Life.

We are all in Health, cold excepted— We have had a very pleasent fall; Mrs Adams with her Daughter arrived here from NYork about three weeks since, & will spend the Winter with us.

Remember me to Mrs Adams and Family. / affectionatly Your Mother

I recieved your letter dear Madam and should have answer’d it had not the illness of the two children prevented me1 John was very sick cutting two teeth but is now perfectly recover’d and larger and fatter 308 than ever George has been very ill owing to a severe cold which occasioned a smart fever for several days which reduced him very much he has not yet left his room but is nearly recover’d—

Mrs. Pain and Mrs. Morton are both here2 Mrs. P. looks charmingly and is very much admired Mrs. M. is not quite so much the fashion as last winter I have seen them both several times.— The arrival of Mr. & Mrs. Merry has afforded great satisfaction as they seem inclined to live in great stile and magnificence and which will enliven the society very much. they have taken the houses which my Mother and Mrs. Tom Peter lived in the two are to be thrown into one enclosed with a handsome railing and a large and elegant garden laid out at the back of the house this will certainly be a great advantage to the City.3

Mrs. Hellen is in a very ill state of health indeed we are extremely anxious on her account the loss she has sustained preys heavily on her spirits and the illness she suffered so immediately after redoubled her affliction and proved a severe shock to her constitution.4

The family all desire their best respects Mama looks very thin and Pale and has quite lost her spirits remember me affectionately to the president and Louisa and believe me dear Madam your affectionate