our two Tenants are come, and I have occupation enough. I have set them to clear the manure out of the Barn and to digg the Garden put all the wall up and look to the fences. when that is done, I shall send them to clear up the Bushes in Curtis’s pasture.1 I hope you will not be detaind longer than the Month of April. you will be weary of hearing of my wants, and of supplying them, but I find we want for the Two Farms a Wheelbarrow for each place 2 spades 2 forks 2 shovels 2 axes 2 hoes. I shall order two more Sythes immediatly—each place must be supplied for it will not be working it right to carry from this place those articles as at present, we are obliged to, and still worse to Borrow— I shall Buy 50 weight of clover and a few quarts of Herds Grass seed. I wish you to inform me whether for the corn land which is broken up here, the manure is to be spread as the last year. Belcher is of opinion that as the land is cold it would be better to manure in hills— I am waiting for a Remittance to proceed with courage. mrs Brisler, too want me to let her have some money, or you had better let Brisler have it for her, but I shall let her have 5 dollors as I promisd it her— for myself I have spent only 2 dollors & half through the winter & that was for shoes— the whole of the Family expences are upon my Books. Arnold seemd so desirious of continuing with us, that I think to hire him for 8 Months, or by the Year if you think best.

we continue our daly Labour of tarring how long it is to hold I know not, but it will be necessary to get an other Barrel of Tar, as the animals are so thick as to oblige them to lay on plentifully every day.

Mother continues much in the same state as when I last wrote you. she is a mere shadow but the wonder is that she lives. she has been led out of the Room twice—

Trade languishes. we are full of wrath but Patient, whilst

Yet I see no more reason for going to war with England than with France, nor indeed so much for England does not pretend to give us the Fraternal kiss, & judas like betray us, tho I own want of power only to resent their injuries would restrain me, if negotiation should prove unsuccessfull—

the civic feast vanishd in smoke. none but the democratic club would unite in it. I have not seen our son for a long time, so that I cannot tell you so much about it as I wish.

I am my dearest Friend most affectionatly and tenderly yours.

I received yesterday your very laconic favour enclosing a draft upon the bank for 500 dollars which I shall pay over according to your directions.1

We are in great apprehension of being forced into a War. The last intelligence we have from the West Indies is that they capture and condemn all our vessels without discrimination— A Man arrived yesterday with an account of more than thirty sail being condemned in the Island of Nevis only.—2 This is beyond all toleration.— We wait with great anxiety for the measures which will be adopted by congress at this crisis

Your Grandmother has been very dangerously ill and is not yet out of danger; she is however better, and there are hopes of her recovery. The rest of our friends are in health

your affectionate brother

I last Evening received Yours of March the 15 and 17th together with the Money you remitted. it was very fortunate in its arrival, for in half an hour after, I had two fine cows offerd me which I immediatly purchasd tho I gave 40 dollors for them. The sheep Lambd so 130 early, and my cows came in so early that we have expended more english Hay than I could wish, and they Rob’d my Horses to feed the sheep; The oxen upon Faxons place will be very little able to work when he goes of. he has carted so constantly this winter and Spring that he has batterd the Waggon wheels all to peices. but why should I perplex you with Domestick provocations, when you have so much trouble with the Political Machine. you are certainly what they Term the make weight in the Scale—which is a very important part, not so unimportant is your station as you have sometimes represented it. I believe from all I can learn that War is a very undesirable object with the people of the Eastern states. the Mercantile part, tho much opprest, became quiet, and determind to wait patiently the desision of Congress. the News of Yesterday, has given spirits, and a spring to every thing. the prospect of having their vessels liberated, and their trade freed from the late embarressments together with the continuation of peace has defused a general joy.1

I would fain believe that england will be too mindfull of their own interest to continue their abuse & they will be induced to make all reasonable compensation. I hope your constant & severe duty will not prove too hard for you. you may look forward to a charming Recreation and ample employ upon your Farms— I shall however do my best that nothing may essentially suffer before your return, but I look round and feel as tho I could find employ for 20 Hands

Your Mother continues to be gradually Mending. my own Family is getting better— I am too much occupied to have leisure to think myself sick.

mrs Brisler and Family are well. You will direct Brisler to give me Particular information with respect to the furniture

yours Affectionatly &c &c