Encouraged Madam, by your condescention in answering a letter I not long since took the liberty to write you,1 And relying on your candour to pardon my forwardness, I again take up the pen tho’ not without fear that you will deem me an intruder on your time & patience; In your answer to the letter I have reference to, you gave me all the information I cou'd desire, & I felt myself honor'd that you 33noticed me as one who formerly thought herself happy in being ranked among the number of your humble friends. Without any further preface Madam, give me leave to forward another letter accompanied by one from the Gentleman with whom I have lived for Several years, to the Vice-President, soliciting his recommendation (as many others have done) for some place of trust whereby he might be usfull to the Publick & himself; I beleive few Gentlemen wou'd more faithfully discharge any obligations, You will think me partial, I acknowledge that in the four years acquaintance that I have had, I have reason to esteem him, as well for his private Character, as his universal Benevolence; And I beleive there are not many who solicit for a place under Goverment, if fidelity & honesty are requisits, who have a better claim, His own letter to the Vice-President will suggest the motives by which he is actuated, it is therefore unnessary, & might be thought impertinent in me to repeat them; You doubtless will be at a loss to account for my addressing you on this subject I am full in the beleif that many Ladies have been as instrumental in promoting both Publick & private good as the Gentlemen— And as I know from the personal acquaintance that I have with yo. Madam, you are a well-wisher to all the deserving; I thought it wou'd not be amiss to ask your interest in a matter that through a multiplicity of business might be overlook'd— Your penetration, before you have read thus far, will discover that I feel particularly interested, Some future day perhaps may prove your conjectures are not groundless— You well know my fondness for little folks & once upon some occasion said, that had you a young family to bring up you shou'd like that I shou'd have the care of them while in that State, this I esteemed a much greater compliment than I deserved, the same Compliments however have been paid me by the person who has had an opportuinity of making observations and let it Suffice for me to say that the little family I now have the c[harge] of, are too dear to me easily to part from2 But le[st I] trespass on your patience, I will close my [. . .] and after all proper respect for a Lady in your exalted Station subscribe myself / Madam / your very humble Servant

I was in hopes of hearing from you by last Nights post, as I am solicitious to learn how mrs Norten does. I had Letters from Thomas1 and find that he is returnd to Cambridge very well he says, and he gives me the agreeable News of his Aunt shaws having got well to Bed with a daughter added to her Family. I have been anxious for her; as her Health is so slender, and I know how to feel for you too the anxiety of a Parent.

Mr Adams has spoken to Genll Knox upon the subject of your Letter, and has received a [pro]mise from him, that he will do Something for mr Cranch within a [. . .]ghtnight; I wish it may put him upon such a footing as to enable him to marry. Betsy will make him an excellent wife. I wish their prospects were better. present my Regards to her and tell her that I shall always be happy to promote her interest, and wish it was more in my power—

pray what is the dismall story we hear of Mrs danfords jumping out of a 3 story window? has she been long delirious?2 what was the matter with mrs Jones. she lookt as like to live last fall when she was here as any person of her age.3 How is Lucy Jones, I heard last 35fall a very allarming account of her Health. our Good Aunt I hope makes the dr very happy. is mrs Tufts like to increase her Family, I mean Young mrs Tufts!4 I hope nothing of the kind will take place with the other. I think it would be like to distroy the Harmony between the two Families I want to know all about the good folks in whose happiness I feel interested. I am sorry for what you write me respecting the one lately married, but I expected it. do you remember the Story of the Parissian Girl who insisted upon being hang'd because her Father and her Grand Father were hang'd.5 it is a sad misfortune when example can be plead to satisfy scruples—but there never was any delicacy of Sentiment about her.6 I am sorry for her Grandmother who I know it must Hurt.

Mrs Smith & children are gone on a visit to Jamaica. the House seems deserted. I expect their return soon, but not their continuence with me, as they are going to live in the city, and the cols Mother and Family are comeing into Town to live soon. my Family has been so large for this year past, that we shall not make both ends meet, as they Say the expences of Removing a Family Furniture &c was a heavy burden, and the Wages of servants is very high here, especially for such misirables as one is obliged to put up with—but I hate to complain. no one is without their difficulties, whether in High, or low Life, & every person knows best where their own shoe pinches— my Love to Mrs Norten tell her to keep up a good Heart but be sure you do not let Lucy be with her. I know her make so well that she could not stand the trial.

I have had a Nervious Headack for this week past, which has quite unfitted me for any thing, and obliges me to make my Letter shorter than I designd

Remember me kindly to all inquiring Friends and be assured of the affectionate Regards of / your sister