Your kind favour of the 5th Instant came safe to Hand.1 I know our interest at Braintree can be of very little Service to us, seperated as we are from it, and lying so much in Buildings. I do not know what benefit was last year derived from the great Garden but unless Bass could carry manure upon it, it would soon become good for very little. if any method could be devised by which the Rent could be paid, I should have no objection to their continuing there for the last year. I was to have it in work whenever I or my Friends calld upon him, some of it has been paid in that way. I have been informd that one of the Fosters was engaged to mrs vesey for the payment of 45her House Rent, perhaps they might be induced to now.2 as to Clark I should suppose there was garden enough both for Pheby & him in the peice fenced of, but if there is not, Bass & he may perhaps compound.3 the House in Boston I do not think will let at all after the lower Room is taken of. if it should prove so, it will certainly be much more prudent to give 15£ pounds for an office than take that which yealds 36£. as to our return to Braintree during the Recess of congress—it depends upon the Length of time that they now Sit, and the period for which they adjourn. it is necessary to make nice calculations. the expence of a movement of that kind may be attended with more trouble than advantage. if the adjournment should be from june untill the Next April it might answer for us, but should they rise & make a fall Sessions, it would not answer. we must content ourselves to Tarry where we are without visiting our Friends I fear. From the progress made in Buisness it is impossible to Guess when congress will rise. The Buisness before them is a Harculian Labour the Members of different states think so widely from each other, that it is difficult to accommodate their interests to each other. what one Member esteems the pillar, the Bulwork of the constitution, an other considers as the Ruin of his State. the late vote respecting the assumption has made much ill Blood, and as the Members are not yet cool enough to persue the subject, they have taken up other Buisness for a few days— from the conversation which I have heard, I believe it will again be brought on, or Congress will rise without doing any thing more upon the subject it is impossible Sir, You must be very sensible in such an assembly those only should speak who speak to the purpose. it is frequently the case that those who have least matter, ingrose most of the Time. they must be heard and frequently answerd, or they would complain of unfair dealing for Instance, how much Time has that Mad Man Gardner expended this very year in your Legislature, to very bad purposes. Men of Sense and industery complain here as loudly as their constituents, but untill Men of Superiour abilities compose publick assemblies, Buisness will be procrastinated. the National Debt is a subject of such vast weight and importance as requires the wisest Heads, and honestest Hearts to adjust with any degree of satisfaction. mr Gerry has acquired great honour and Reputation upon this Subject, and restored his former credit.4

I wish sir you could find it convenient to make us a visit. it would give great pleasure to your affectionate Friends / and particularly to your Neice

I had the pleasure to receive a letter from my Dear Brother many weeks since,1 I must acknowledge that I have been very deficient in attention by thus long neglecting to acknowledge its receipt, and I cannot find any sufficient appology to you, except a certain Indolence which at times takes possession of me and unfits me for writing—and which I presume others are not more exempt from them my self, I dare say you can as easily imagine its existance and affects as I could describe them,

the Communications which I made in my last respecting your Fathers oppinion of your going to Boston were taken from his General Conversation but was not official information but as I am informed that several Letters have passed between you since that time upon the Subject, I presume and hope that you are possessed of his sentiments upon it, and that they do accord in all respects with your 47wishes,— I do not think that you have any right at this period to Complain of any want of Success in your pursuits, do not anticipate such an Evil, for I cannot admit the idea that it can ever be realized, your situation will become every day more agreeable and sattisfactory as you become engaged in Business that will employ your time; engage your attention; render you independant; and enable you to promote the Happiness of others; busy minds are never Sattisfied unless their time and attention, is fully engaged, upon subjects which they esteem worthy of them

you must excuse me if I do not give any beleif to your Confession of the existance of an attachment to which “reason and Prudence would oppose their influence” I have other oppinions of your judgement and discretion than to suppose you have given your mind up uninfluenced by reason and Prudence,— I could not even advise you to permit yourself to become speedily engaged in an attachment upon which must devolve your future happiness, prosperity, and Success,— if it is not too late to advise,—I would rather offer mine, in favour of your first settling in business and takeing time to form a more extensive acquaintance with the World,— I am Sensible that your knowledge of Mankind is more enlarged and Extensive than perhaps any young Man of your age Possesses. that your knowledge of Books is Superior, and that your acquaintance with Human Nature has been derived from observation as well as from reading, that you have traversed those paths of Science and Learning which others much more advanced in years have yet to pursue—but you may yet be deficient in Practical knowledge, and as one who feels much interested in your Prosperity and Wellfare, I could wish to see you a few years further advanced in Life before you engage in a Connection which if you form at present must impede your progress and advancement

but if your mind is already engaged—I shall not hesitate to beleive that the object is in every respect worthy of your Partiallity, and if so time for Consideration will not abate the degree; or Chancell the weight of the engagement upon your mind,—

but I am sure that I have said enough upon a Subject which I had no pre-intention of mentioning when I took up my Pen, I hope you will not think I have been too explicit, or permit thease my Sentiments if they should not accord with your oppinions to interfere with the future Confidence of your letters, I shall ever Consider myself flattered by your Confidence and Communications upon every Subject, but I shall never excite them for unworthy purposes or to 48expose to others who may view things through a different medium from what they are intended

I am prepareing and expect to remove to New York the first week in May we have taken a House in Nassau Street,2 at which, (should you make an excursion in the Course of the Summer to this place) I shall be very happy to receive you, and flatter myself it will be in my Power to Contribute more to your amusement, and Happiness, than it was at your last visit; Mr Smith desires me to present his regards to you upon the Subject of Politicks I must refer you to Mamma and your Brother I do not pretend to understand them nor to attend to them, it seems to be a General observation that Congress set day after day and do nothing,—

My Chrildren are well and Willm desires to be remembered to you I am with Sincere affection your Sister