Next to the pleasure of seeing you, would have been that of hearing, of your perfect restoration to health; but ’tho that pleasing account has not yet reached me, it is a satisfaction to know that you are much better than when I left you: & I will still hope that “He, who is the health of the countenance,” will in his infinite mercy establish yours.1 I feel a great deduction from my happiness, by your absence, & your house & its inhabitants, a void which nothing can make up to them. We dined with the President, this and the last Sunday, according to former custom.—

We had a pleasant journey home, the weather & roads, excepting the first week, were very fine. Upon our approach to the city, we heard that our house was ready for us, & perfectly safe to go into, notwithstanding our Negro woman, had gone ’thro the Fever, she took every precaution in cleansing & airing the house that was necessary I believe, & had been well herself, a month before we came home, so that I felt no apprehension. But the city to me, wears a glommy aspect, & the mourners go about the streets in great abundance. Those who have staid, ’thro the sickness tell me, they never would do it again. I think there is but too much reason to fear a return of it another year, & the safest way is to shut up the house, & let it take its chance for being plundered.—

My neigbour Mrs Anthony return’d a few days ago, her daughter accompanied her, here, but will return immediately, I have not yet heard wether she stays in the house, this winter.—2

Mr Brecks family come into town tomorrow their house has been almost a hospital. Miss Willson came to see me, the other day, she enquired perticularly after you & Miss Smith, she bears her afflictions with great fortitude & patience Bishop White, has given her an invitation to pass the winter with him. Mrs Wolcot looks better than I ever expected to see her. The rest of our friends are all well.

Please to give my love to Mrs Cranch I hope Mr C— is getting better

Mr Otis & Harriet desire their Affecte: regards to you, with their best wishes for your speedy restoration to health.— Louisa also will please to accept their love, together with that of / Your Friend & Cousin

Your Letter of the 25 Nov. has revived my heart. I rejoice at your real Recovery and hope it will be confirmed so that you may with the Advice of your Physicians come on this Winter to me. But I cannot bear the thought of your Attempting it, without their consent.

I am of opinion with our Neighbours about the Barn.

Barlow to Baldwin I have seen and despise the Letter as much as I have for some Years scorned the Man.1

Mrs Morris enquired by her son Robert very civilly and I believe sincerely after your health.—2 I have not seen a Female, except Mrs Otis, Since my Arrival.

The Reps & sens. will miss you I warrant. All Enquire anxiously and honestly after you.

I would not be a David for the Universe. The Young Gipsey would plague me to death.

If you come on, you must expect to find me cross. Sam. Adams Says Old Men are fractious and appealed to his Wife, if she did not find it so. I shall be more fractious than he, I fear for I shall be plagued

The Letter which you so obligingly communicated, is this day published in the Commercial Gazette; and I have endeavoured to make its insertion accurate and perspicuous.1 The original is 298 enclosed according to your directions. You will, I hope, pardon me for the liberty I am about to take, in requesting the honor of your commands in future, upon any similar occasion. Well knowing my duty in this respect, and feeling every disposition to do it, you may be assured, that all possible precaution would be taken to prevent any knowledge of the quarter from which they come, being obtained through the medium of the printing office. I have the honor to be, with the greatest respect and consideration, Madam, your most obedient servant,