Washington July 10 1842
My dear Mary, Your very interesting letter of the 4
Inst. has been received and read with great pleasure; first because
it informs me you and Mr Hill were in good health and spirits; -
Secondly, because it informs me that our beloved friends are still
alive, and the most of them are in comfortable health; and thirdly
for the very interesting and graphic account of your visit
to the large island in Elligo. I think the thunder storm and
the wetting and the wind added much to the interest, and, after
the danger and exposure were well over, to the pleasure of the
day. I have not been able to read your account of your aunt
Clarks birthday visit with dry eyes. Every thing connected with it
appears to have been very appropriately and happily arranged, even
the Massachusetts Tansy Pancakes could not have been omitted with-
out subtracting something from the interest and pleasure of the
visit. I should have been delighted to have been present. I am
glad to hear that your aunt Clark is better than she has been
lately; yet I very much fear that very few such pleasant and
interesting visits will again occur; and that the time is not
very distant when her friends may have an opportunity of show-
ing their affectionate remembrance of her by strewing her favorite flowers
upon her grave. God grant that my fears may not be well founded!
I wrote to your Aunt Clark and also to your Aunt Corbin a
few days ago and inclosed to each a print of Mr Adams, such
as I sent to you, which I hope will go safe.
I had selected a passage of Scripture with the word "Blessed"
which I intended to sent [send] you in this letter to be read at
monthly Sabath [Sabbath] School Concert, thinking it would get to you in
season; I now discover by your letter that I am one week too late.
I am very sorry I did not send it in my last letter. The passage
I had selected was in the 27 Chapter of Deuteronomy, the 2d. 3d. 4th.
5th. and 6th. verses. Give me the next word, and I will send
you a passage to be read at your next Concert, if I am not there
to say it in person.
I still remain well. I have attended meeting in the
city to day; we have had good preaching and good singing, also
a large Congregation. During the sessions of Congress we have meetings
in the capital, where I usually attend; to day is but the third time
I have attended any where else. You have not informed me whe-
ther the snow and frost in June destroyed your fruit, or your
flowering plants; or what effect it had on the corn potatoes &c. I
have rather hoped the apples were not forward enough to receive
much injury, but that it might injure the plumbs [plums] and currants.
We have a great plenty and variety of fruit here. To day we had
green corn. I think it must have come from Virginia, I have seen
none near here that is very forward. I cant yet set any time when
I shall be able to return. I have thought I might be at home some-
time this month; but the prospect seems to grow more doubtful.
I am glad to hear that Mr Hill has closed the bargain with Mr Lyon
for the two acres of land. I think it is worth all he gives for it, besides
the convenience it will be as a pasture &c.
I never was more busily engaged than I have been for the most
of the time since I have been here. We spend from six to eight hours
each day
in
sessions; there is besides much business to look over and examine by com-
mitties; constant requests from some part of the State to examine claims,
alter post roads, or change postmasters, &c making a very considerable corres-
pondence: besides I have started myself to walk at least one hour every
day, for the benefit of my health. In my next I will endeavor to
tell Mr Hill something about the business and politicks at Washington.
Give my best love to Mr Hill and to all our relatives when you
shall see them, and accept my prayers for your health and happiness
Saml C Crafts