I received Your Letter yesterday.1 I know from what I Saw and heard whilst I was at home that there was pains taken to make Mr & Mrs Porter uneasy, and that they were too apt to listen to stories which were in themselves Idle, and [ra]ised from Envy. many would be glad to get into their hands such a charge as is left with mr & Mrs Porter, who would not be so honest in their care and attention of our Property. I feel a safety in leaving my things to their care, because as I know it is their Duty faithfully to fulfill the trust, I consider them conscientious people, and having a principle of honesty, that they will not betray the confidence reposed in them— I would have you Say to them that I had much rather they should continue upon the place than make the exchange for any other persons, and the President would not have them go, this Season. if I remain through the winter at Quincy I may not think it necessary to continue a Family through the winter, but in that case, I have mentiond my terms for mr Porter which I think generous ones— as to any persons who may offer, I Do not know any whom I should like. I cannot think of taking any person with Children, or who may be like to have any: I hope every exertion will be made by mr Bates to get forward the building, that it May be compleated by the last of May at furtherst—

I intended giving mrs Porter a Muff this winter. if she has not one, will you get one for her of about four dollors value and give it her in My Name. if Mr Cary should come with flax—be so good as to get me 30 weight— I inclose ten dollors for these purposes—

we have had two Days Severe rain I hope it has not been snow with you. I must depend upon you to visit our House and with mrs Porter see the things removed, when the Carpenters begin to work:

Mrs Porter will want help. I understand Zube is with mrs Tufts.2 I presume it is only Conditionally for I expressly engaged her to return to me in the Spring

do you know whether mrs Brigs who lived with mrs Black would 177 go out again & what she is for a Cook.3 I must get a woman Some where who will undertake that buisness— do be upon the inquiry for me— I shall not encumber myself with Frank & family—nor shall I have more than three or four Men Servants this Season—

adieu my Dear Sister Send the inclosed Letter to Dr Tufts as soon as you can4 with Love to you all, I am my Dear sister / Your affectionate

I received Yours yesterday.1 it should have been two Days earlier, but the Roads are at the worst, and we have now had two Days heavey rain; which upon our Soil will Settle them, but from hence to N york renders them ten fold worse— in replie to your queries, Brisler says that he & mr Bates drew the plan before he came away, and that the cellar must be his guide, that the plan was, to have the building 30 foot in front; ten foot of that for the entry, which would leave the width of the Room 19 foot clear allowing the Walls a foot thick. the length of the building to be 32 foot taking four foot clear for clossets, Wall one foot, leaves the Room 27 long, to be dropt as much as he can allow it, making the Windows without side to conform to the House. mr Brisler says he also agreed with Mr Bates about the bigness of the arch for the chimneys—the Manner of the stair case &c & that mr Bates will find the plan which they drew if he has not lost it—2 I will come to Quincy as soon as the travelling will permit, but that will not be untill the beginning of May.

I told mr Shipley I would give him a hundred and 20 dollors by 178 179 the year, and no more. he could not have misunderstood me. I pray you would Settle that upon his first comeing— he is a good hand at stone wall. as to an other Man, if mr Porter thinks best, & you do also, you will hire him for 7 or 8 months, provided he is a good mower— I should be very loth Mr & Mrs Porter should go away. I wish you to put them upon their Gaurd against the Idle tattle of persons who would be very glad to see them removed, and who envy them their Situation; I know that we are not to expect every thing from any persons whom we may employ, but I know not any persons who will take more prudent care of our interest in our absence or to whom I can so safely confide it. as to the persons you mention, I have no desire to have a fire kindled about My Ears, and Children I will not have; it would not answer by any means if Mr Porter is fixd upon going— I would at least have them remain untill I return. I would rather Hire a single woman to Cook & take charge of the workpeople, than take in any Family I can think of. we are much too near together to have things go on right with a family who have large connections—

I repeat to you sir that if you can dispose of three thousand dollors advantageously—deducting what you want towards the Building; the President will draw an order for that Sum upon Gen’ll Lincoln

I See not any prospect of Congress rising untill some time in June—

I shall have as I wrote you the hearths and fronts of the jams of Marble, which I shall procure here as soon as I know the dimensions—

I wrote you last week respecting the House in which mr Clark lives—3

with my best respects / I am dear sir / your