When your Son delivered me your kind letter, little did I think, it would be so long, before I should reply.1 But my youngest Girl went home the Saturday after, & I have had a round of heavy cares upon me eversince. It was ten weeks before we could get any other Girl, & in some of the worst cold weather, & dreadful Storms which has proved quite too much for Lydia & me. But it could not be helped. I find the exertions have worn upon both of us, though we should not 358 have felt fatigue so much if a number of our Boarders had not been taken sick, several threatened with settled fevers, but by care & attention at first, have happily excaped a long sickness— Abby, & I have suffered from severe colds, & sore throats— Eliza Hayes had the canker in hers, & I thought the others caught it from her— Miss Nabby Hayes has had an unsual humour in her Ear.2 Nothing would give her ease but poltices, which I applied two or three in a day, for more than a month, with bathing every day, & you know what work it makes— But they are now both almost well enough to return to Gloucester; they have sent to their Parents, & our vacation commences the 20th of this month, which I hope will afford me a days respite, I do not expect much more, for they are coming & going the whole time.— I should not have given you this detail, but I thought you would think me negligent, if you did not know how fully my time has been occupied; & in bad weather when other families are retired, & have leisure, mine is the most encumbered, & every energy of Soul, & Body is required to keep them still, & improving in their respective Studies—

I do not know that I ever more sincerely rejoiced at the return of the genial warmth of a new born Spring, than at the present moment— Though I feel an alloy, when I consider, that it speedily brings on the day, when my Son must fix upon some Spot, where he may be likely to obtain a livelihood— I wish that his path of duty may appear plain. I know not how to be reconciled to his going at a great distance from us, & one great Objection is, that those of my particular acquaintance, who have gone have either lost their lives, or spent one, two, or more years & then returned disgusted with the People, & dissapointed in all their Expectations—3 But I know he must fix with a degree of energy, hard as it may be, & I pray he may do what appears the most eligible—& then we shall have no cause to repine, though he should not prosper— But he appears to me to be so little calculated for the rough & thorny path of life, that I tremble for him— Chesterfield’s maxim “sweetness in the manner, & firmness in the mind,” is absolutely essential to gain the publick confidence.4 To do good, & to turn the follies, & passions of mankind to our own advantage requires no small degree of knowledge of human nature, & of virtue & integrity in our own hearts— I should have written to him if I could found a Moments leisure— The experienced President, & you, will please to give him your parental Counsel—

Your Son Thomas I trust will make an excellent Citizen, & his facetious, engaging manners will ingratiate him; & he will gain the love, & respect of his native Town,—I think he will be a Blessing to your declining years, & smooth the pillow of age, & these are qualities, which every Child does not possess— May he succeed in buisness, & prosper, for the happiness of my friend is with his, intimately woven—

I was in hopes I should have heard from Quincy, I wish to hear how your health is, & of that of your family, & of my Sisters, & her Children— I have not heard a word of William Cranch & his family, since my dear Sister communicated the melancholly account of their Sickness—5 How is Sister Smith, & Louisa—& Phebe, I have thought of this long tedious winter— Mrs Foster I have repeatedly written to, but she hates to write, as well as my William—& I cannot hear one word, so I hope they are well— I am almost asleep. myself, & hope your repose will be refreshing, that you may awake with renewed strength, is the wish of / Your affectionate Sister

I recieved your very kind letter and was rejoiced to hear that you had arrived safe at New York as I was a little apprehensive Patty might occasion you some trouble on the road I am extremely glad she performed her journey so well—1

It is painful to me to renew the subject of our last letters but I cannot suffer you to suppose that I remained here from choice had I had the slightest prospect of returning with you but you have repeatedly told me that it was not in your power to take me with you after the first winter that we must therefore be separated one half of the year for six years the only thing left for me was to endeavor to make our separation as easy to myself as possible and I prefer’d passing the summer months with my family to living alone at Quincy through five dreary winters I do not think my beloved friend you do me justice when you say I “prefer a separation from you rather than seperation from them” I did not think that my affection for you admitted of doubts but as the strongest proof I can give of its sincerity I am ready when you please to relinquish their society and reside at Quincy to insure your affection and esteem there is no sacrifice however great that I would not make with pleasure for without it I must be wretched every where—

Our Children I thank God are both well John was to have been Innoculated to day but Dr. Weems has not yet called2 the weather has been remarkably fine but very warm I can scarcely keep George in the House and he is so full of mischief I fear to trust him out of my sight I make him repeat his fable every day that he may remember it when you return he has been once to see Madame Pichon and talked a great deal of french—

I have no news to write you it is whisper’d here that Mr. &. Mrs. Law are have separated entirely do not mention it as Mr. Hellen told me and he is not quite sure of the fact Law has a new Scheme to Build a Hotel on the Capitol hill by subscription—3

Poor Mrs. Thornton is in the last stage of a decline and I am told there is but little prospect of her recovery—4

I think Mrs. Payne has had a lucky escape I suppose Mr P. crows not a little I hope the Children will live. I see by the papers that Mr. Quincy is elected Senator I rejoice at it sincerely as I believe he really desired it.5

Adieu my best friend remember me kindly to your family particularly to your brother tell him I expected e’re this to have heard he was married my friends here all desire their love to you and best respects to your father Mother and Brother.

With fervent prayers for your welfare and happiness and an earnest desire to do every thing in my power to promote it I subscribe myself your faithfully attached and obedient Wife

The Children make so much noise I know not what I write