I acknowledge with Pleasure your Letter of the 7th Inst: 1 thinking it uncertain whether you may not have left Philadelphia before this reaches that City I shall desire the President to open it provided you should have entered on your Journey northward unaccompanied by him I am induced to do this least the Appointments should be made out before I could make known my Wishes to him they are to obtain an Appointment in either of the Departments of the Medical Staff of the Army or Navy I mean one of the Principal Offices I have been flatered by my Friends I mean not those immediately of the Family but by others that I could fill one of them with Reputation I partake in a Degree of this Sentiment and shall fell myself honored and served should this Opinion meet the Approbation of the President. I am sensible that although the Law has passed impowering the President to make these Appointments yet the Officers may not immediately be called into Service and that they will not receive any Compensation untill they perform Service and I am also sensible that Congress have not attended to the Medical Marine Establishment. but I can hardly conceive that the Session will close without making Provision for such Prisoners as may be brought in sick or wounded or may be sick in their Places of Confinement if they take this Business up they will find it necessary to establish a Marine Hospitel in the Great Maritime Districts and if so no doubt one must be founded in Massachusetts and I suppose in the Harbour of Boston should this be the Case I should wish to have the Charge of it. but should it not be taken up this Session and the President should think proper to fill up the Commissions of Phisicans General to the Army perhaps they may be instructed to take Charge of such Sick and Wounded either of our own Fleet who are left on Shore without a Surgeon or Prisoners as may require Medical Aid ’till the Meeting of Congress. But should The President not incline to fill up these 192 Commissions at Present and no Provision be made touching the Marine Establishment still Many of our own Sailors will be left on Shore when the Ships leave Port who will require medical Assistance as well as those of the Enemy perhaps it may be thought expedient to fix up a temporary Warrant ’till further Provision can be made I hope I shall not be thought too minute upon this Occasion but these things have made a considerable Impression on my Mind and no doubt they will if not at the present Moment eer long be attended to by Congress.2

My Son is waiting with Impatience for a Passage there is no Opportunity from this place sooner than a fortnight.3

I am with great Esteem & Respect your obliged Friend & Humble St

I had a Letter yesterday from mrs Johnson of the 12 July, in which she says mr Cranch had just returnd from the Court to which he went,1 the Judge being indisposed; that his wounds were getting well fast, and that he did not suffer any inconvenience except a headack, by his ride—that he had written to you a full account of the whole buisness.

Congress rose yesterday. the House the Senate are obliged to sit a few days longer. mr McHenry is not yet returnd from mount vernon— he is expected to day. I hope we shall be able to leave here next week, but I cannot possitively say. we do not design that it shall be known here the day we are to sit out. we wish to avoid Military Parade.

We get no News from abroad, and Mr Gerrys stay is a plausible pretence for the Jacobins to circulate Lies and falshoods in abundance. Le Tomb has circulated the report, that mr G— was received and was negotiating & that a French minister might daily be expected here— if one should come, he will not find America a resting place—24 hours—but I have not any Idea of such an Event.—

I wrote you in my last that I should want some Stores, a couple pound Hyson Tea ditto souchong Hundred Brown sugar Several dozens Hard Bread half Hundred coffe Gallon of Brandy Quarter pd Nutmegs pd cinnamon Mustard Pepper 2 oz Maize half pd Cloves— I want also for one Bed a Bedtick it is for a common one— Mrs Porter can tell you— I think I must have a couple of Bedsteads— I shall have 4 Men Servants. I would have them saking bottoms.2 would it not be best to get them of Bedlow. I have Bedsteads enough out in the Grainary chamber, but they are such lumber that I do not know if any thing could be done with them. if they could I should not regreet their being cut for the purpose. they put up with screws which screws are in the store closset some of them & some of them over the Top of the Granary chamber window— if any of them should be put up—I shall want some straw Beds to be made to put upon them before the others are laid on I also wish you to purchase me a peice of Russia sheeting and sit Nabby to make it. I have not half sheeting enough for these People which is stout— I also want you to get me a peice of the plain Russia towelling.3 the sheeting & toweling take a receipt, for as thus “for the use of the Household of the President of the u s[”]— I also want some Tea pots & a coffe pot or two—some tea spoons for the kitchin. any thing which you may think I want beside you will be so good as to provide I inclose you a Bill of an Hundred dollors— it runs in my mind that I want some yellow dishes & plates some kitchin knives & forks—half dozen pd spermiciti candles, flask sweet oil— I have a small field Bedstead in the Garret which might be put either in the little Chamber or the one mrs Porter used to occupy— it wants a littel mending if I remember right—

I have put things down just as I have thought of them and without much order—

Mr McHenry is just returnd and brought with him Gell Washingtons acceptance of his appointment, but the printers wittout any Authority have published that he was expected to come on to Philadelphia—whereas no such thing is at present intended.4 the present 194 opperations necssary can be carried on by communicating with him, and by other and younger officers who will this day be nominated— as Congress would not proceed to a declaration of war, they must be answerable for the concequences— with a kind remembrance to all Friends—and in the hope of seeing you e’er long / I am Sincerely / and affectionatly / your sister