I received yours of Novbr 4. on thursday last.1 Brisler and his Family got here the same Day & are waiting the arrival of Barnard to go into their House. the President got home on fryday last, looks much fatigued with his jouney, and has beat out all his Horses. Brisler says the Roads are getting very bad, and that you will find it very tedious travelling in a few weeks pray take care that your little vehicle does not overset. I wrote you respecting Several articles which I supposed might come with Barnard, but my letters will be too late unless we venture them when he comes on again. Charls wants to have some cider sent, and I think half a dozen Barrels would not be amiss— I wish Brother would get me 20 or 30 dozen of Eggs put into Brand & send me when Barnard returns. we are all well cold excepted. I believe Louissa has the small pox. she has had Some symptoms, but no Eruption worth mentioning & not one that has fill'd. mrs Izard has lost her Baby with it.2 Richmond Hill has lost much of its Beauty Since you left us. the Trees are all stripd & look dreary but the prospect is Beautifull tho in Ruins.

Remember me affectionatly to all inquiring Friends and believe me most tenderly / and affectionatly / your

I am impatient to return but partly on Account of my Son who wishes to Stay at Colledge as long as he can, and partly, on Account of my Books and other Things which I wish to get ready before I go, to be sent to N. Y. I fear I shall not see you these three Weeks. I should however break away if I were not necessitated to wait for my horse, whose Lameness is not wholly cured.

Excepting the Influenza which is universal our Relations and Friends are all very well.

The Accident to my horse, has been a vexatious Thing and has deprived me of half the Pleasure and half the Exercise I intended.—This Horse I am told here got cast in the Same stable last year.

My Farm I found as I expected—poor enough.

I live with my Mother and Brother. and We live like Princes, in great Luxury.— You knew my Mother. She has the Influenza, severely: but is very active.

The President is at Home eer now, no doubt.

Mr Brisler is arrived I hope without any Accident with his Family. This will be some Relief to Us, as it will take off, much care from your mind. I wish I could send Boys and Girls from hence, to supply all the Places in the House that you want filled.

There is a Calm a Silence and a Tranquility that is very remarkable in this Part of the Continent. May it be equal at the southward and long continue in both! i. e. may We be enabled to give Satisfaction to the Multitude of our Brethren1

almost twelve months have elapsed since the date of your last letter,1 I am conscious that this chasm in our Correspondence my Dear Eliza has been my own fault and very often have I reprimanded myself for my inattention—in not having noticed your last kind Letter,—but many casualties have intervened to prevent me from writing, which I hope will gain me your favourable indulgence 441for past ommisions when I promise future amendment,— perhas when your family has enlarged as much as mine you may be less surprized at my want of punctuallity, I have thought of you often since I had the pleasure of seeing you, and have frequently heard of your health with much pleasure

I am again blessed with the society of my own family and I consider it as amongst the happiest Events of my Life; early after my Father arrived here, he requested with earnestness that we would take up our abode with him,— the affection which has ever dictated all his actions towards me, was too deeply impressed upon my heart to permit me to hesitate to Comply with a request which would in any degree accommodate himself and family;— we therefore accepted his profered kindness, and have resided with his family ever since;— my youngest Son has just recovered from the small Pox, & Louisa has had it very favourably and is now recovering—

I Congratulate you upon the acquisition your family Circle has lately made—(in a small society the addition of one who is disposed to promote sociability; quallified to perform the Duties of friendship; and capable of contributing their part of those attentions which render Life valuable; and upon the agreeable performance of which, much of our happiness depends,) is almost inestimable, be pleased to present me respectfully to this new relation, and offer my Congratulations to the good Dr if you please upon his Marriage.

I wish I could bring you acquainted with my friends—in this part of the World—that you would be pleased with them I am very sure—for they possess more of the qualifications essential in the Characters of amiable Women and agreeable Companions—and as few of the defects as any Ladies—I have been acquainted with; they are very different and yet variously pleasing— the grave and the gay are very happily blended in their minds which they have Cultivated,—and well furnished, their dispositions are lively, but tempered with judgment,—and they are well quallified, to fill the various Stations of Life,—with dignity;— their early expectations were very flattering; but they were soon Initiated into the School of adversity,— they have not sunk under the presure of misfortunes,—but have risen superior—to its influence,—and have quallifed their minds to their present situation, which tho not so affluent as they once had a right to expect, is, yet very eligable— by the ravages of War, their Habitation was utterly destroyed, and their Lands laid desolate;—

I hope my Dear Cousin that you enjoy your health and preserve your spirits you must not permit them to be depressed, for I believe 442that in almost every Situation which our imaginations have pictured as dangerous and distressing the reality falls short of our expectations, I cannot wish you more favour than I have received, that you may enjoy an equal degree is my earnest desire—

Colln Smith joins me in Compliments to Mr Norton, and all friends who may inquire after your / sincere well wisher, and friend—