I had the pleasure a few days since to receive your favour of the 11th inst. and was happy to hear of your health:1 the season has with us, been extremely severe, and my faculties have been, I believe, congealed by the cold. I have scarcely had any intercourse with any of my friends; and this must be my apology, for having omitted to 515 offer you my congratulations upon your election to the Presidency of the United States, a station in which no one can more sincerely wish you happiness, peace, and tranquility, than your daughter; but I fear that the party, who have hitherto embarrassed the President by their cabals, and who have exerted themselves to divide the election, will continue their utmost endeavours to render it as uncomfortable a situation as possible.

You will suffer much inconvenience from the absence of my mother, in the interior arrangement of your affairs.

Believe me, my dear Sir, at all times, and in all situations,

Affectionately your daughter,

Permit me to congratulate you on the return of This Season and to offer my most earnest prayers that you may live to see many revolving years in health and contentment. The event of the late Election will force you from your calm retreat to more confused and active scenes the toil incident to the situation I hope you will be able to bear and I am more sanguine in this expectation as I hear you enjoy much better health than usual. I know not what arrangement my father has made or thought of respecting his household but I suppose he will be obliged to reside the greater part of The year at The Seat of Government. I am highly gratified at the prospect of having a federal majority in the house of Representatives The next Session a house of the same complection as the present would exceedingly embarrass the operations of the Executive and surely we never stood more in need of unanimity in our Councils than at present.1 The Predatory Measures of The French exceed all that the British have committed and our situation with regard to that Nation is extremely critical. The President I see is pursuing again the system of Negotiation. Madison has talents adequate to the mission provided he will exercise them with proper honesty; but if he suffers himself to be allured into corruption by The French, as some of his venerable Predecessors have done, his talent instead of being a 516 blessing will only prove a curse to his Country.2 Parties seem to be reconciled with regard to the Election; but I fear it is the calm of a smothered volcano which will burst forth with redoubled violence.

We have had the most severe weather this season that I have known since I lived in this City and the price we have been obliged to give for wood is enormous I have given twenty four dollars a cord but thank heaven it is falling or we should all become bankrupt.

The absence of my Sister from the City this winter makes our society something less pleasant I have not seen her these four months I hear she and her Children are well. Mrs Adams is so much taken up with her Susan that she give no part of her time to her friends. The little thing wanted much attention for owing to the unfortunate turn of the ague which Mrs A suffered before it was born she was rather puny but by the great care of the mother my de[ar] little girl is now one of the most healthy lively infa[nt]s I ever knew. Col Smith says it is without exception the most beautiful child he ever saw. I long to have you kiss it as does my dear Sally who joins me in the sentiments of affection with which I am / your son