I know not how it has happened that I have not found time to write you Since my return to my long home. The angry North East 43 Wind, which has prevailed with little Interruption has pinched my faculties, I believe. We have been all, pretty well.

This is the Day of our Election of Governor Lt Govr. & senators. The Democrats are very Sanguine and the others are not So. The former Say that Mr Strong is a good man, as good as Mr Gerry but that he does not come in at the right gate.1 The Result may be of Some importance, but I have not Sufficient Information to form a probable Conjecture. There is So much malice among a certain Sett in every State, and Such a bitter Zeal to turn out and run down every Man, who was conspicuous in the revolution that I should find derive some consolation in their humiliation, from the Election of Mr Gerry: though I could not give him my Vote in opposition to Mr Strong.

Your Federalists in Pennsylvania are playing the Same artfull Game, by Setting up Peter Muhlenburg as their Governor. Cunning Sometimes Succeeds and Sometimes fails. In the long run it will do no good to either Party. Mr Shaw left Us, last night and is Settled in Mr Otis’s office as a student at Law— Write me as often as you can and always rely upon me as your affectionate / Father

After living uninteruptedly in your family, for almost three years, and uniformly receiving, both from you and my Aunt, all the affection and tenderness of the most indulgent parents, I should do injustice to all the honorable feelings [of a gr]ateful heart, were I to omit this opportunity and leave you, Sir, without [ex]pressing to you 44 my warmest acknowledgments, for the innumerable favors I have received from your goodness, the happiness I have enjoyed in your family, for the indulgence with which you have always pardoned my errors and the advantages, I flatter myself to have derived, from the wisdom of your councils. These circumstances have made a forcible impression on my mind—they are entwined with the fibres of my heart—with the threads of my existence, which neither time nor absence nor the vicissitudes of life will ever obliterate, while I have pulse to beat or soul to feel.

The principles, I have imbibed under your fostering hand, have added fresh vigor to my pursuits after knowledge. While you, Sir, shielded by conscious integrity, are returned to the peaceful fields of Quincy, and enjoy “the souls calm sunshine,”1 permit me to request a continuance of your parental council and favorable regard, while it shall be my study and delight, to deserve so rich and invaluable a blessing.

That you, my dear Sir and my much loved Aun[t may] long continue to live together in social love and domestic peace, till at some far distant period you are translated from jarring elements and a warring world, to realms of uninterrupted peace and ceaseless joy, is the ardent prayer of one who has the honor to subscribe himself / with affectionate attachment and respectful esteem / your grateful nephew & obedient humble servant