Brisler has shipped, on board The Abby Captain Eames, two Barrells of Flour, one hundred Weight of Clover Seed and half a Bushell of Herds Grass Seeds; and the Medallion: all consigned to our Friend Mr Smith in Boston. As Captain Eames’s Intention was to Sail to day, I Suppose he is gone. twelve Pounds of Clover seed and two quarts at least of Herds grass seeds must be sown, when the time comes, to each Acre of Ground.

The Weather is so mild and fine here that ploughing or any other Business may be done as well as in October. how it is with you I know not. The Times are very calm here at present and political societies are very Silent. There is Scarcely Animation enough in either house, to excite Attention. One may sleep in the midst of a Debate. I have not yet tried however.

I want to mount my little horse and ride to Penns Hill, or down to Uncle Quincys. but walking must answer for exercise till next March.

Dr Ewing preaches to me every sunday but I like Mr Wibert as well— how does he do?

I am more solitary than I was last Winter. but I can read. Writing is painful to my Eyes.

I am afraid Charles will loose his Friend Steuben. He writes me 291 that the Baron has been Stricken with a Palsy, a Catastrophy naturally to be expected from his total neglect of Exercise. It is unaccountable that a Military Man, who must have used so much Exercise in some parts of his Life and have felt the Pleasure as well as the Salubrity of it, should be become so indolent in his old Age. But Men in solitude are apt to become inactive in proportion as they increase their gormandizing.

There has been a great Mortality I think of late among our old patriotic Chiefs civil and military. The President wears the best of any of them that I have seen: and may he long continue his Vigour of Body as well as Mind.

Hamilton is certainly to resign and Knox is expected to go the same Way. Wolcot is talked of for the Treasury and Pickering for the War Office with how much probability I know not.1

These Resignations as well as that of Mr Izard and Mr Boudinot are not prosperous Omens—2 I fear that good Men will be worn out and wearied too often into Resignations. It is unpleasant Service how much soever it may be envied.

Adieu

Your favour of Nov. 30, I received this morning. As every Thing conspires to keep me poor, I may as well give Way as not: so I will even agree to purchase Pratts Pew: But when I can send you Money to pay for it I know not— The Appropriation Bill is not passed and when it will be brought forward is uncertain, I will Send to the Treasury however and see if I can get a quarter without it. If I cannot I will write you Word in a Post or two. As to Pratts parting with the Pew I believe there is little danger of his finding any other but me imprudent enough to go to his Price.

Brisler has given fourteen Pence this Currency, about 11d of our 292 Lawful Money per Pound for what he has sent by Eames, of Clover Seed, and two dollars for 1/2 Bushell of Herds Grass seed, but it is thought the Price will rise.

The Senators and Representatives from N. England come to see me oftener than they ever did when at Mr Otis’s or when I had a Family here, and We converse on a more familiar Footing: But I cannot bear this course of Life— I must get out of it, some way or other.

The Whiskey Rebellion has rendered unpopular the Rant that was in vogue last Winter: but as every Thing has its Revolution in these revolving Days It may become fashionable again.

It Seems that Dearborn & William Lyman are not chosen at the first Tryal, and I should guess they will not have a better Chance at the Second.1

The Situation of Britain is fearful, as well as that of Holland: nor is that of France, notwithstanding their brillant Successes against their external Ennemies less ominous. But The Deneuement, The Catastrophy of the whole vast plot is beyond the reach of my Comprehension or Conjecture.

The Right of a nation to institute a Government is undeniable: But whether any nation will ever fairly institute a good one is yet a Problem. I fear that France will be cheated into a bad one after all her struggles & sacrifices.

I have written to our sons. I dont flatter myself with hearing very soon of their Arrival. Their Visit is made to Europe in a very critical and a very interesting time. Every Faculty they have, must be excited by the terrors around them, and the Observations Reflections and Conversation they may have, may be of the greatest service to them thro Life.

Adieu