Yesterday my mother went to Boston, and in the Evening brought out Mrs: Foster with her two children, one of whom is unwell, and requires the benefit of a little rural air—1 But what was of more immediate consequence to myself, was your letter of the 6th: instt: which my mother also brought out, the profiles and all. One of your profiles is much more like than the other; and that of course I keep for myself, together with Caroline’s— My Mother spoke for one of yours before she knew it was intended for her— And so I consented she should have it— I shall send or give your enclosed paper and orders to Mrs. Whitcomb— When your things were sent on she had not got all the bills, and of course did not know the prices— I have been into Boston but once since, and then had not time to settle— But in a few days, I propose to undertake that weighty expedition again, and then shall be able to let you know what the prices are.

There is nothing on this earth that can give me more sincere and heart-felt pleasure, than to hear of any thing prosperous befalling any part of your family— And I most ardently sympathize with your 395 joy, at the brightening prospects which promise to add comfort to the future situation of your beloved mother— The letter to Mr: Murdoch which you sent me to forward with your last, will go by the ship Warrington to Liverpool, now just about to sail.—2 Poor Shaw is confined to his chamber, with the rhumatism.

The name of the Prussian Gentleman, whom you mention as having been at Washington is Humboldt— I think I recollect hearing of him, and of his voyage to South America while we were at Berlin.

Since I last wrote you my remotest expedition has been to Weymouth, where I went with my mother to tea at Dr: Tufts’s— We called also at Mr: Norton’s, whose wife is just getting up from the birth of another daughter—3 So you see she is not in a decline— The last fortnight the weather here has been very warm and dry— The pease and strawberries are just come— My farming labours slacken, as the Sun becomes intense; but I find enough to do within doors.— We have not much solitude— Since my last we have had visits from Dr: Welsh and his Lady— Mr: & Mrs. Otis (the elder) with their daughters—Mrs: Quincy, with two of her children and Sister Margaret— She (not Margaret, but Mrs: Quincy) looks portly again

Our State Legislature have had some very animated debates within the last ten days— If you read the Boston papers you may have remarked the answer of the Senate to the Governor’s Speech— I believe Quincy drew it up— It contains some remarks which stirr’d the blood of several Gentlemen, who thought that every censure upon political hypocrites and impostors must of course be meant for them— They attack’d it with no small violence, but without success.4

Then came on a question about the manner of choosing electors for President and Vice-President— Whether by Districts or by a general ticket— The latter was adopted, after long and bitter opposition—among the supporters of which Mr: Morton has made himself very conspicuous.5

Last of all they have begun to carve out work for their Senators in Congress. A motion has pass’d the House of Representatives, and either has or probably will go through the Senate, to Instruct the Senators of the State in the National Legislature, to use their endeavours for obtaining an Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, whereby the representation of Slaves shall be done away— All this I know only by hearsay, and the newspapers; for I have not been near Boston since the General Court met.6

My brother has been gone nearly a week upon a tour to 396 Haverhill— I presume he passes his time there as agreeably as here— Miss H. Adams has been here some days; deeply engaged in the compilation of her new work

In the course of my recent reading, I met for the first time some verses by Dr: Donne to his wife, on his being obliged to go to France, and leave her behind in England. They struck me the more forcibly as they are so peculiarly applicable to this painful separation, which we endure

The versification is not quite so perfect as it would have been, if written 200 years later, but if I could have sent you any thing half so pretty as the thought, of my own growth, I would not have turn’d copyist even of Donne’s poetry to show you, how faithfully I ever am, your affectionate

The Sun is just making his appearance for the first time these five days, during which we have had a cold North-East Storm, and almost continual rains— In the midst of this gloom, which has confined us closely to the house, I received your letter of the 10th: with the account of our dear child’s illness— It has distress’d me much; and though I hope it is only the previous indisposition to the cutting of his teeth, I shall be uneasy till I hear from you again—

The same weather which has confined us at home, has produced the same effect upon our neighbours, so that scarce an incident has occurr’d since my last, that will bear relating— We have been cut off from communication with the world like Noah and his family in the Ark, and I have had nothing to do but to plod over the books in the Office—Sometimes alone—And some times in delightful tête a tête with my namesake Miss H. Adams, who as you know has the same propensity— You will not be alarm’d— She is a woman of few words though of manifold contemplations, so that although we have pass’d a considerable part of the last four days together, and quite by ourselves, yet all the words that have pass’d between us, would hardly 398 compose a Laconian apophthegm—1 The day before yesterday indeed my brother return’d from Haverhill—still alone— And since then he has turn’d the duet of Miss H. and myself into a trio.

The news papers inform us that Mr: and Mrs: Merry have left Washington, to visit Baltimore, Philadelphia, New-York and Boston—whether I shall see them in this last place or not is uncertain, for as I visit it scarcely oftener than once a month, it is a chance whether I shall be there at the same time with them.2

The first-Consul’s brother Jerome, it is said finds it difficult to get away from New-York, because two English frigates of much inferior force, are watching the departure of the two french frigates which are to convoy him— Or rather they were watching; for it seems the frenchmen applied to the Mayor at New-York, to prevent the sailing of the English frigates within twenty-four hours after them— The pilots on board the English frigates accordingly received orders not to carry out their charge, untill the expiration of that term after the departure of the french ships; whereupon the pilots were landed, and the English ships immediately went to sea.— The french frigates will attempt to slip out by the way of the Sound.— This is a strange sort of dodging, for the strongest side to use— But I confess I should be very sorry that a serious engagement should take place between these ships, with the Venus of Baltimore on board one of them— The villainous salt petre may be dug from the bowels of the Earth, to lay low the tall-fellows— But it should respect the beauties of the sex.— The Lady, may perhaps be one of the reasons, why the french frigates are so anxious to avoid a contest, with a smaller force than their own.3

I should be much surprized my self, if the report which you mention of the Chargé’s namesake having turn’d federalist, were well founded— It has appeared to me that the Dr: was never a very warm partizan, and certainly at this time federalism will not be much for his interest.

I enclose you a copy of the Song to Hebe, which you asked me for several times last Winter, when I had none at hand, and could not recollect it—4 You have I think the music with you.

Your’s ever affectionately