The System of Government reported by the late Continental Convention has afforded much Matter for Pens and Tongues— The Friends & opposers of it are distinguished by the Party names of Federalists & Antifederalists— These Names I suspect will continue as long as Whig & Tory— which of the Parties will carry their Point, is difficult to say— Many of the Advocates for the Constitution are enthusiastic open & severe in their Attacks upon all that oppose it, those on the other Side act more secretly, but with great Success— A prevailing Sense of present Weakness & Danger for want of an efficient Government together with the Fear of having one that shall be the Result of Force, will probably reconcile many to this, who would otherwise be decidedly against it— The Choice of Delegates (for our State Convention) in the County of Suffolk & Essex so far as they have proceeded, has in general fallen on the most respectable Characters The Town of Braintree, has done itself Honour in the Choice of Bror Cranch & the Revd. Mr Wibirt— also there are some of the first Characters from other Parts of the Country— Newyork is said to be opposed to this Plan—and have not as yet called a Convention— Pensylvania is said to have met & adopted it—1 The Determination of all the States will not probably be had in a less Term than a Year till which Time We must wait with Patience—

In a former Letter I informed You of the Death of our worthy Uncle— I am exceedingly grieved to find that his Estate is in Danger of being represented Insolvent, in Consequence of the Deprciation of our public Securities— To the House of Champion & Dickenson he was indebted & made Remittances during the War to the amount of £10 or 11000, (Scarce any other Merchant made Remittances during that Time) he sent to Europe Two Vessells, which had they not been taken, would have discharged his whole Debt now amounting to £6, or, 7000 Sterlg— discouraged in his attempts he vested this Money in public Securities for the purpose of answering that Debt whenever Peace should arrive— Was that Debt to be paid in the public Notes left on Hand—at nominal Value—there would still remain on hand some Estate to be divided among the Children but if the Demand be made in Specie only—the whole real Estate must be sold— other Debts against the Estate are but small— Forty years Business he carried on with that House—and to such an Amount—as they must have made an Estate from it—and I hope they will have goodness enough to make a reasonable Composition, since like an honest Man He did the best that lay in his Power to secure their Interest—

The Town of Boston entertained an high Esteem of the deceased and as a Mark of their Respect, have chosen his Son William as his Successor in the office of Overseer of the Poor. for a Time before his Fathers Death, He married to a Daughter of Mr Nathl Carter. of Newbury Port, to the great Delight of his Connections— Our Cousin Isaac not long since was appointed Librarian to our University— Mr. Otis is gone (a Member of Congress) to New York— His Wife last week brought him a Daughter—

At Weymouth We have ordained a Mr Norton and are I think happy in our Choice— Hingham has settled a Mr. Ware. Scituate a Mr. Dawes in the Parish formerly Revd. Mr. Grovernors, Pembroke Mr. Whitman as a Colleague with Revd. Mr. Smith. Titicut (part of Bridgewater) Mr. Gurney, in the Room of Revd. Mr Reid decd. 2 all in the Space of Two Months— what Think you? Are't We growing Good Folks in this part of the Country?—

Your Children were all well, last Week & your other Connections Wishing you all Happiness & a safe return to America

I am yours respectfully

I last week heard from all your sons they were well. After this you may read on calmly— We are all well excepting great colds & coughs. I think in this Letter I shall not have to mention the death of any new Friend many very many of my Letters have convey'd the sorrowful tydings of some dear Friend departed, & if you should live to return to us you will find vacancys which will draw Tears from your Eyes—

I have been waiting with anxious expectation for these many months to hear from you not one line since your excursion into the west. By mrs Wilcox I heard of you there she does not mention your being out of health so hope your ride was of service to you cap Cushing has been a long time expected, by him I hope I shall hear of your welfair—

Mr Smith has remov'd into his Fathers House I have been there but every thing is so alter'd that I did not know how to bear the place cousin Betsy is with them & Nabby also nothing else looks as it us'd to—all the Pictures are remov'd & the Parlour is new painted

Mrs Welsh has a son whom they call Henry, & Mrs Otis a Daughter—both Mothers & children were well a few days since

The publick Prints will inform you of the Persons chosen for this State to meet in convention—1 our Parson will not go, Lucy says because he never went before.2 he cannot bear to be put out of the course he has been in for so many years. He will not change his Lodgings because he has not done it before nor marry for the same reason & I know no other why we do not have a new sermon. I am not sure that I have heard one from him since you went away

This Federal constitution makes a great part of the conversation of our Politicians—but as I am not one of them I can say nothing about it— It appears to me necessary to be a great Politician to judge of so large a Plan. Heaven direct them to such determinations as shall tend to make us a happy People— Mr cranch had sat himself down very quietly to watch-work in his little shop—but this Town 213have call'd him off once more to act for them in this convention. When it is over he will return to his favourite employment again

Such a time for ordinations in our Neighbourhood you never Saw—ten or a dozen at least within these three months & a number of sensible gentlemen they are I hear—but we live the wrong Sind of the Hill for preaching at present— There is a Mr Dawes settled at Situate who is a sensible man & a very good Preacher Doctor Tufts says—

I have not heard from sister Shaw since she returnd in october at least I have not had a Letter— Polly Smith is still with us miss Paine has been with me upon a visit for about three weeks—is in better health than in years past but will never be other than a cripple. She sends her Love & many thanks for her stockings— Mr Palmers Family are to remove to Boston next week they have been greatly distress'd for Bread to eat o my Sister! What a reverse of fortune it falls hard upon us for we cannot see them suffer while our seller can supply them—after all what we can do is but small

Dec. 26th

I have written thus far & disign'd to have added more but I have a chance to send this to Town, & I am so affraid that the vessel will sail without a line from me that I shall send it along short as it is—& will write more if I should have time— I hope I shall not have to write much more to you in so distant a country.— yours affectionately

Mrs Hall was well yesterday