Mr: Newcomb has executed a power of Attorney, authorising you to receive his interest due. I herewith enclose it.—1 You mention in your Letter to your mother,2 that you expect to leave Philadelphia the 28th: of this month. But not where you purpose to go. I should be glad to hear from you once in a while. I think you are now in my debt upon the score of our correspondence.

War—seems to be now the danger that most imminently besets us. What will be the consequences, if we should get involved in it, is 146 beyond the reach of calculation. The oppression which our commerce has suffered from privateers and privateering judges, is scarcely tolerable, and there is so much weakness, so much folly and so much wickedness in active exertion to foment every particle of our irritation, that it is hardly possible we should continue much longer at peace, if the War in Europe should not terminate.

Leonard White went on to Philadelphia, by the last stage—probably you will see him— “There swims no goose so grey &c”3 His taste is not the worse for being singular. You and I perhaps may go further and fare worse, though I have made up my mind tolerably well to the life of a bachelor. There is so much slavery in marriage, even at its best Estate, that it cannot be satisfactory, to one whose existence is liberty.— I fear I should make an inattentive, if not a neglecting husband, and mean to avoid the sin by denying to myself the happiness of the State.— As an observer however I should be much gratified with a sight of the meeting between those two Lovers.— Their enjoyment I think must be overpowering.

Affectionately your brother

A memorable day in our Annals, which is all I shall say of politicks here. the season is very variable from hot to cold & cold to Hot, and much too dry; it has not raind since my poor furniture had such a share of it. the Trees just begin to Bud, and the ground to put on some little verdure. Faxon moved off two days ago and shaw removed in. we are getting things arranged as well as we can. I have purchased a yoke of oxen (and an other cow for Thayers place) I have agreed to take the Waggon and the Bull at the apprizment tho much too high. the yearling calves were apprized so out of Reason, at forty shillings pr Head, that the dr thought best to take only our half— there has been sad Havock made with the fencing stuff by Faxon I suppose. there will be no Hay to devide if there is enough to last till the 20 of May, which make me rather Backward in 147 purchaseing on two more cows, which will compleat the Number we want. Joy has the three Cows I have bought with him, and I removed salt Hay from here for them, and bought half a load of Fresh. our Ground is all prepaird for the seed & tomorrow we Sow— we have carted what manure we thought we could spair upon the ground, first having it chopt over according to your old custom. some of my Hands are daily employd in that Buisness—and in putting up the walls and fences. I would fain hope that no one thing may be left undone that ought to be done, and that your buisness may suffer as little as possible by your absence. you must make a large allowance in point of Buisness for Seven weeks constant tarring of Trees.

our son sees all your Letters when he comes to visit me which is not so often as I could wish. I believe he has his share of Buisness. how profitable it is I know not

your Mother has been with me this day. she rode out twice before, and she appears to recover as fast as a person 86 years old could expect to. she desired me to remember her kind Love to you, and to thank you for your good wife, to whom she bids me say under providence She is indebted for the prolongation of her Life “I have obeyd her directions, and expressd her words”

be calm as possible amidst the perplexities of State, nor let your Health Suffer the Lord Reigneth, let the Earth rejoice—1

I am with every Sentiment of affection & Regard Your