Mr Sitgreaves has just call’d to let me know that he expects to embark for England in a day or two. I will not Suffer so direct a conveyance to escape me, without writing You a few lines Your Brother having written to you, will be my apology for not entering minutely into politicks.1

Since I wrote to you last, which was by way of Hamburgh, I have received Your Letter dated Dresden Sep’br 17th 2 Your Description of the Country through which You pass’t is really enchanting but You possess the happy talent of rendering events interesting, by the force of an imagination which renders even transient sensations permanent, by fondly retracing them. Nature is said to be the nurse of sentiment, the true source of taste;— yet what Misery, as well as rapture, is produced by a quick perception of the beautifull and Sublime? (to express my self in the language of an elegant, but unfortunate writer) [“]when this perception is excercised in observing animated nature, when every beautious feeling, and emotion excites responsive Sympathy, and the Harmonized soul Sinks into melancholy, or rises to extasy, just as the Chords are touched, like the aeolian harp agitated by the changing wind. But how dangerous is it to foster these Sentiments in such an imperfect state of existance, and how difficult to eradicate them when an affection for Mankind, a passion for an individual, is but the unfolding of that love which embraces all that is great and beautifull”3

it has been made a question with some writers—whether an exquisite sensibility is a blessing, or a misfortune for Myself I could easily deside, yet allow that it is a great source of misiry when closely united, “to logs of Green wood that quench the coals”4

Your Father has received Your Letter of October 30th containing a Most concise and intelligible account of the Campaigns in Holland, and Switzerland, together with the best account of the causes of their failure, of any which has reachd this country He is daily expressing his desire of receiving Letters from you which may More fully devolope the New order of things in France, no longer to be stiled a Republic. as yet sufficient light has not reached us, to enable us to judge of the future—I cannot say system, for where can that be found, when Revolution succeeds revolution, like wave following wave, and where

the Jacobins in this Country have never been so compleatly foild. they know not what to say. to exculpate Buonaparta they dare not, as he appears to have become Dictator, and they apprehend he aims at the Sovereignty. they request their readers to wait, not to be rash in judging—&c—

Congress have been Sitting two Months, but have not yet matured any very concequential Buisness— a Resolution was brought forward by mr Nicolas of Virgina, to disband the Army— this cost them some days of discussion, but was finally negatived by a large Majority. a certain Citizen Randolph, a Beardless Youth, was civil enough in debate to call the Army, Ragemuffins—Mercinaries and such Democratic Epithets, which gave rise to a repetition of these terms by some officers at the Theatre in the hearing of mr Randolph. this he calld an insult, and in a very Sausy Letter complaind to the President of a Breach of the Privelege of the House and demanded Satisfaction, calling the President a servant of the Sovereign people as well as himself— the President knew that the House were the protectors of their own Priviledges—and very contrary to Randolphs expectations, sent the Letter to the House this occasiond the whole buisness to be committed, and the affair investigated in which report of the Committe. they resolved that the President had been particuliarly attentive to the Priviledges of the House, that the Stile of Randolphs Letter was improper and reprehensible, and that no Evidence appeard sufficient to criminate the officers with a design to insult mr Randolph— Thus this

has been taken in his own toil. he looks and speaks like a Boy of Sixteen, Yet this Stripling comes full to the brim with his own conceit, and all virgina democracy: to oppose as is asserted, mr Harper.7 I will send you the pamphlet and mr Websters answer to Dr Preistlys Letters to the citizens of Northumberland by the first vessel going to Hamburgh.8 Your Brother discourages me from sending them by the present conveyance. an other attempt has been made to repeal the sedition Law. mr Bayard proposed that the common Law should be substituded in the room of it, with this addition that the Truth might be plead in evidence— the antis were so terrified least this 137 should be addopted, that they were glad to let the old Law remain by a vote of 86 Members—9

This state is torn by Parties. the Govenour and senate are at varience the senate and House, so that it is to be apprehended their will be no choice of Electors for President and Vice President, the House insisting the choice shall be at large, the Senate say by districts— they will not receede, neither will the House—10 Virgina will be decidedly antifederal—and carry with her Kentucky. south Carolina have just lost Govenour Rutledge, & tis said Peirce Butler will be Elected, whose Character You know11 Mr Strong of Northampton will be sit up by our State for Govenour and it is generally thought will be carried— if it was not for the antifederilsm of Virgina, and the approaching Election, the united States might be said to enjoy more Peace and tranquility than any other part of the world. I do not know even with those exceptions, but that it may with truth be announced

I have agreed to take Whitcombe linnen and pay your Brother. the linnen of Yours will remain in my care untill you return, as you did not purchase it to part with, I do not wish to take it— Whit-combes Cloaths will be, and have been attended too.

I am rejoiced to learn that our Dear Louissa has recoverd some firmness and health, and that Your illness was not of long duration. an intermitting fever if not throughly cured, is a constant torment, as I annually experience. the effects of that which I have so severely been excercised with, will be as lasting as my Life— tho my Health has been much better this season, than for many past, I am far from being firm—

Your sister and her little Daughter are with me this winter: Thomas too adds much to our pleasure by residing with us— of Philadelphia I shall take my leave early in the spring and the city of Washington will have no attractions for me the first session at least, if it should be my lot to pass any time there hereafter. but I am now so far advanced in years, and my Health so delicate that I shall be perfectly content to pass the remainder of my Days in tranquility at Quincy—If my Children could have been setled around me—but Providence has seen fit to disperce them—and in some instances to try me with afflictions— whilst I mourn over some, blessed be God I have cause to rejoice over others— Remember me affectionatly to My daughter and to mr Welch. by a Letter from his Father last week, I learn that his Family are all well. so are our Friends at Quincy & Boston— yours—&c

I have to thank you for two Letters which lay by me unanswer’d, I have had My hands full of business & my Head of care—& one of my hoarse colds to trouble me besides.1 mr Cranch is still confin’d with his, but I hope will not be quite Sick, on the ordination day I could not speak loud enough to be heard & was very much oppress’d at my Lungs—but I could not spare myself. I had the House full of People from Monday evening till Friday night.— on monday 139 we had a thaw which spoil’d the Sleighing & on Teusday a violent Storm of Rain: mr whitney brought miss Lincoln (his wife elect) on monday, Teusday morning mr whitney & one of his Daughters arriv’d from northborough in an open sleigh as wet as they could be, & the water was so high as to run in & wet all their Linnin & clothes of every kind— at Sunset came Mr Cummings & three of his deligates in the same driping condition: & at ten a clock three of mr whitneys Brothers & another Sister & one deligate in double Sleighs all wet to the Skin:2 we had to kindle Fires in every all the Rooms to dry & make them comfortable— The Town had made provision for the counsil on the ordination day at Capn. Jos Brackits, but had taken no care for those who should come from any great distance. I foresaw it would all fall upon us, & sent for some of the committee & told them it would be impossible for us to provide Lodging for them or to take care of all their Horses. they said they would take care to see a place provided & told us to send the Horses to Mr Brackits & the Gentlemen they would divide among themselves— The result was as I expected as fast as they went to Capn. Brackits they were sent Back to us. I think I never felt more disagreabley in my Life. I felt for the Town— it never rain’d harder— we had sent for Mr Beal from Weymouth in the beginning of the afternoon3 we had provided halters & fill’d our stable cow house & Barn Floor with their horses—provided Beds for as many as we could stow away, gave them a good Supper Brandy & Wine enough & then sent for Capn. James Brackit & told him my our trouble he took three of the company home with him & four Mrs Apthorp receiv’d, three Ladies & two Gentlemen lodg’d with us it was Two in the morning before we all got to Bed— We Breakfasted them all but one, & they eat like Farmers— before Ten a clock our house was fill’d with Gentlemen & Ladies bad as the sleighing was, who all wanted refreshment. I had prepair’d a Side Table with Ham cake wine cider Brandy &C in the midst of all, our Stove caught a Fire & burnt with fury for an hour, we had not been able to make it take Fire this winter. the House was So wet that there was really no danger—but mr cranch Keept Mr Beal with pails of water upon the Top of the house till it was over— I had Tom cleverlys wife the day before to prepair every thing we could, & to dress the dinner on the ordination Day: She is as good a cook as Polly Howard was; & a Smart woman for business.—4 every thing was done well, was very hot & handsome Mrs Tufts said was elegant. we had Plumb-Puddings Roast Turkeys & Geese Roast Beef Chickin 140 Pye, & apple Pye Squash & Rice Puddings in plenty besides a large Round of alamode Beef.

The Roads Were So bad that there was not half the People in Town that there would have been if the thaw had not taken place. every Body could get in to the meeting house & set very comfortably & every thing was conducted with peace Love & harmony. Mr Whitneys Father preach’d, his uncle mr Cummings of Bilrica gave the charge & Mr McKeen the right hand—of Fellowship. Mr Whitneys Sermon will be printed. tis a good one but he cannot write like his son5

The company was very unequally divided Many Families prepair’d for thirty, & had not one. We din’d fifty, all our Weymouth & Hingham Friends & all mr Whitney relations & Hingham Friends— Doctor welsh & his wife & Son will’m; Mr welds Family & Mrs Harris,6 mr & Mrs smith & cousin Betsy din’d with Mr Black. Capn. Beal had a large Party.

Mr Whitney has preach’d to day for his Son but the Storm has been So great I dare not go out one of mr W’s Sisters is here yet, & Miss Lincoln & one of her Sisters. they are both agreable Girls Miss Jane is very affable, & I Trust will please the People7

The Gentlemen & Ladies have had more invitations to dine & take Tea than they can possibly accept The Ladies Mrs Black has had with her since Friday evening they were to return this evening but the Storm has prevented—

I know you have felt much interested in the Settlement of a minister, & would wish to know how we conducted.—

I have had a fatigueing time of it— catharine & Lucy did me but little Service. If I could have had one of my own Daughters I Should have had all I wanted but neither could come

I have receiv’d your Letter inclosing Ten dollars towards Mr whitneys Gown & Mr wibirds8 mr Black got a Strip’d Callamanco & lin’d it with Flannell had the Gown made & carried it to him mr Wibird, & presented it in the name of the Ladies on the morning of the ordination & see him put it on. he had a Fire in his chamber & a clean Shirt (not a white one) on & Said he should be happy to see any of the counsil. they chose a committe to wait upon & desire him to come out, & take a part if he felt himself able— he could not think of it he Said but wish’d mr whitney well & rejoic’d that we had at last found Some one to supply his Place— he was as much pleas’d with his Gown as a child would be

I shall pay a particular attention to all your commands about your House as soon as the weather will admit of it. at present it is the dead of winter & more Snow has fallen than at any one time

As to France they have only a three headed Monster to govern them instead of a five a kind of Cerberas I expect to hear of another revolution Soon—

I hope mrs Smith is recover’d I am sorry to hear of your sleepless Nights— pray sleep when you can