I have now received your favour of the 29th: of last month, enclosing a letter from your Mamma, for Mr: Murdoch, which I shall take care to forward, by the first vessel that will go from Boston to England.—1

You had been so long without an attack of the spasms, that I had flattered my self, they had taken their final leave— I grieve to hear of their return— Perhaps it may only be in consequence of the change in the whole nervous system, by weaning your child— As the fine Season is now in its glory, I hope you will not omit to take frequent exercise, and a change of air as often as you can—

As for George his age for mischief is now come, and we cannot expect he should be exempt from it more than others— Is there no such thing as a day school where he could be sent, and kept quiet?

Tis very unaccountable that the other young Gentleman should 390 be so passionate as you tell me—for you know it could not come from either of his parents— Perhaps he derives it by transmission from some former generation— But upon further recollection and calling to mind what has happened to me this very week, I must confess that I can account for some degree of irritability in a child of mine, without going more than one step upwards to find its source.

I went last Tuesday to Dedham, to attend a Court there on the same old business of a new road in the town of Quincy, which called me there more than once while we lived in Boston— I dare say you will remember to have heard us talk about it— Certain persons wish to make a new road through the town, at the expence of the town, and against the will of the town— They had already been beaten twice of the ground; and Tuesday we had the question for the third Time— They were beaten off again: but still will not be quiet— I suppose we shall have another pull for it in September.2

Our General Court are in Session, but I have not been in Boston since they met— They are employed as usual with an abundance of Turnpikes, and Bridges, and Banks, but they have also some other matter to Amuse themselves with. They are to determine how the Electors of President and Vice-President are to be chosen— Whether By a general ticket to be elected throughout the Commonwealth— By separate districts, or by the Legislature themselves— It makes no difference as to the issue of the Election, which way it is determined, but the parties think it something worth contesting against each other.3

We have had hitherto a very fine Season since the Spring opened, and plenteous rains, which were very much wanted last year— Hitherto there has been no very warm weather— This is the first day of genuine summer heat.

I enclosed in my last Letter which I hope you have before this received, a 50 dollar bill.4

I am my dearest Louisa, ever affectionately yours

I recieved your kind favor of the 31st on Friday Evening with the Bill enclosed for which I return you many thanks

I am rejoiced to hear that your Garden affords you so much amusement and hope to find it in high order against next summer I think if you intend to make any alterations in the House as there is nobody at present residing there it would be better to have them done this Summer We talked of adding a couple of Chambers and if it is possible without too great expense I should very much desire to have some change made in the staircase which makes the entrance to the House intolerable as it stands at present should this be attended with any difficulty I entreat you to excuse the request as it is only made from an idea that it would contribute both to health &. comfort—

Is Mrs. Gore much alter’d? I think Mrs. Derby should come here for the heat is so excessive that we are in a great measure obliged to adopt her mode of dress though with as much decency as we can very light cloathing will admit pray do not forget to remember me to my Boston friends when you see them, more particularly to Mrs. Smith—

Mrs. Merry surprized us last night by a visit quite en famille with Mr Moore a very agreeable man they staid a couple of hours he entertained us with some delightful airs on the Piano which he accompanied with his voice he sings entirely in the Italian stile &. with exquisite taste Mr. M. favor’d us with a trio of his own composing which is really one of the finest pieces of Music I ever heard the words were likewise written by himself & begin “Lady fair where art thou roaming” this is the gentleman who translated Anacreon he looks very young to be so celebreated Mr. M. quits this place tomorrow it is probable he will visit Boston I have a great inclination to give him a letter to you that you may become acquainted with him—1 The day the Chargé left the City Mrs. M. paid a visit to Mrs. T. Peter and they are likely to become very intimate.—2 Chargés namesake the Dr. has very suddenly changed his Politics and is now become a furious federalist to the astonishment of all the world—3

Our little John has been extremely unwell & is wonderfully reduced he is now cutting two of his high teeth which have made him suffer very much for the last three weeks &. are not yet through I have some thoughts of taking him to Bladensburg which is about eight miles from this place for a day or two as I think a change of air might be of great service to him he is much better the last three days & I make no doubt will be perfectly well when the teeth are through therefore do not be uneasy if he had been very seriously sick I should have written you before—4 George is very well Mrs. Merry says he is formed for a Politician he understands the art of twisting a subject better than any child she ever saw— I am sorry to say he has lost almost all his French—

Adi[eu my] best loved friend remember me affectionately [to] your fam[ily &] be assured of the unalterable affection of y[our]