As I am exceedingly grieved when I hear of the Indisposition of any of my Friends, so am I greatly rejoiced, when I hear of their Recovery—& am much gratified at hearing of yours my Sister— When Mr Shaw went to Boston we did not know of your arrival at Braintree—& since that, the Circumstances of the Parish, & Family would not admit of our leaving Home— I hope soon to have the pleasure of seeing my Brother, & my Sisters at Haverhill, I hope our Brother & Sister Cranch will accompany you— I long to see you all—

The Bitter, with the sweet we often experience in the course of our lives,—at some periods we find the portion much greater than at 217others— At present a gloom is spread over every other Enjoyment, by the severe illness of our worthy Friend Mr Thaxter— He was voilently seized with a pleurisy three weeks ago,— It never come to a proper Crisis, but we fear has thrown him into a Consumtive state, which must very speedily close the Scene—1

I suppose you have heard of Mr Shaws Fathers Death His Head was silvered o’er with age, & he was fully ripe for the Harvest—a Harvest of immortal Joys, confered on those Servants, who have been faithful in the Vineyard of their Lord—2

We have just heard that Sister Eunice is very sick with a Consumtion, if living— She was one of the best of Daughters, & of Sisters The whole care of the Family was devolved on her, which she managed with uncommon discretion, & Oeconomy— She was silently attentive to every want—& took the tenderest, & best Care of her aged Father— Her Brothers should arise, & praise her, for she has been a Mother to them. I am Glad her life was continued to smooth the Bed of Death, & close the Eyes of her venerable Parent— I trust she will soon join again his chearful Society, free from all the imperfections attendant upon humanity,—where Virtue has its full Reward—3

Sister Smith was here about three weeks ago, & carried away my Betsy Smith, my Child—my Friend—& Companion— But I feel willing to sacrifice my own wants—for the sake of her advantage,— Hers is a time of Life, when young Ladies, can with the greatest satisfaction, ease, & pleasure visit their Friends, & I would not deprive her of the Benefit which I hope she will reap from it—

Cousin Thomas I hear looks cleverly— I feel as if it would do me good to see him— This hot weather makes me feeble—as it always did—

I believe Sister Cranch has forgot that I am living, for I have not had a Line from her these three months, or she is wholly absorbed in your charming company—must I forgive her?—

I am my Sister every yours with affection

I was honourd with your much esteemed favour on the 15 of this month.2 the state of my Health, Body and mind suffering most Severely with repeated attacks of an intermitting fever will plead my apoligy for omitting to thank you at an earlyer date for your Friendly Letter. I have been so weakned & debilitated as to be unable to walk alone, and my Nerves so affected as to oblige me to seclude myself from all company except my most intimate connextions. I hastned Home with great ardour in hopes the Northern Air and the quiet country Breize might restore me, but my disorder was of too obstinate a Nature to quit me so easily. I hope I have now got the better of it, as it is more than a week since the Ague left me we have had more very Hot weather than is usual at this season. I fear you have sufferd by it in Philadelphia. I hope Heat there is not attended with a Sharp drought, as it is here. the Feilds which a few week ago wore a most pleasing aspect, are now Robd of their verdure and our vegatables droop & dye. I was most sincerly grieved at reading in a late Philadelphia paper an account of the death of Dr Jones. the more I had the pleasure of knowing him, the greater esteem I had for him, as an amiable Sensible and Benevolent Man. You Madam must more particularly feel his loss as he was your Family Physician.3

I am happy to learn by your Letter as well as by the publick accounts that the President has enjoyd his Health during his Arduous Southern Tour. I presume er’e this Time I may congratulate you upon his return to Philadelphia I must beg you Madam to present to him my most respectfull Regards and my congratulation upon his safe return. I hope you will have as agreable a journey to mount vernon as I should have had to massachussets but for that vile Ague which Tormented me. the whole Country through which we past was in full Bloom, and every spot wore the face of Peace & contentment. the people instead of murmers & complaints, expresst themselves happy and satisfied under the administration of their Government. there are however two inhabitants envy and Jealousy 219who are not perfectly content, but as they are characters for whom I have an utter aversion I can only pitty their folly and avoid them. Mr Adams desires me to present his best Respects to the President & to you Madam, and an affectionat remembrance to master Washington & miss Custos Compliments to mr and mrs Lear I hope the little Boy is finely recoverd from the small pox. shall I be an intruder if I ask again to hear from my dear mrs washington whose Health and happiness Shall ever be the Ardent & Sincere wish of her who has the Honour to subscribe herself her affectionat Friend and Humble servant