on Tuesday when I waited as usual on Mrs W. after attending the Levee, She congratulated me very complaisantly and Affectionately on my Election and went farther and Said more than I expected. She Said it gave them great Pleasure to find that the Votes had turn’d in my favour. &c I doubted whether their Prudence would have ventured so far. I believe it Sincere.

Ket however the Stewart was very active and busy for Jefferson.1 This was from Jealousy of Brisler, no doubt. He expected that Jefferson would have taken him, I suppose.— and his Principle was as good as McKeans.

Gerry is Steady, while so many prove as Slippery as Eels.

Dined Yesterday with Major Jackson in Company with General Lincoln who lodges there—married to Miss Willing who is an agreable Woman and comfortably provided for by an office, he lives in a neat & elegant Taste: but I believe prudently.2

Mr Ames and a few more, made a very Social set and We enjoyed Ourselves without Alloy—

The most unpleasant Part of the Prospect before me, is that of remaining here till June or July— I cant see my grass & Barley grow nor my Wall rise— I have however almost forgotten my Farm. it Appears very differently to me.— it seems as if I ought not to think about it—

The River is frozen so that nothing can get out— Besides flour is dearer here than at Boston by one third It has rained to day like a flood— But the Weather must be very warm and continue so many days before the River can open. There is no probability of it, for some time.

If it opens in Season I shall Send Some grass Seeds.

I will not Suffer the Bushes I have cut down to grow again: but I shall not Attend much to my Farm— My whole Time and Thoughts must be devoted to the Public. As long as Trask lives I shall have enough for him to do perhaps.

I hope Billings will come to himself and get your Wood.

I think of you & dream of you and long to be with you. But I Suppose this must not be yet.

My Duty & Love to all

Mr Beale called upon me, a few Days ago and left your Letter of Decr. 23d.— Last Evening I presented him to the P. and Mrs W. together with Mr Howard, a son of Dr Howard of Boston.1

You Say Mr H. is very full of his Praises of Mr Monroe— So is Dr Edwards— He Says Mr Monroes Correspondence will do him infinite Honour when it comes to be published—and all that—

Monroes House has been a School for Scandal against his Country its Government and Governors—Mr Jay and his Treaty &c— Edwards Says, as Dr Rush told me that Washingtons Character was in 497 total Contempt in France— This I shall not believe till I have better Evidence than that of any or all these great Personages. nay, than all the Directory Ancients and five hundred.

Mr Madison is to retire—2 It Seems, the Mode of becoming great is to retire— Madison I Suppose after a Retirement of a few Years is to be President or V. P.— Mr Cabot I suppose, after Aggrandizing his Character in the shade, a few Years is to be some great Thing too— and Mr Ames—&c &c &c It is marvellous how political Plants grow in the shade.— continual Day light & sun shine, Show our Faults and record them. Our Persons Voices, Cloaths, Gate, Air, Sentiments, &c all become familiar to every Eye and Ear & Understanding and they diminish in Proportion, upon the same Principle that no Man is an Hero to his Wife or Valet de Chamber.

These Gentlemen are certainly in the right to run away and hide— tell Mr Cabot so, if you see him— His Countrymen will soon believe him to be a Giant in a Cave and will go in a Body and dig him out.— I wish, but dont tell Cabot so, that they would dig up Gerry—

I have bespoke a Chariot and am treating for Horses—

We read of a Vessell from Rotterdam arrived at salem or its Neighbourhood, by which I hope there may be Letters from our Young friends—as late as the middle of Novr—3 My Anxiety for Letters from them increases every day. They have more accurate Views, and Intelligence, than any others.— and what is of more importance Still, more Application & Industry.

The Weather has moderated a little. I am, / with anxious desires to see you, which I fear / cannot be gratified before July, yours forever