Washington Jan. 23d 1819 Dear Samuel, Although I have nothing very special to write about,  yet to prevent your feeling any anxiety respecting me I feel  it my duty to write every mail - Your letter of the 2d of Jan- uary is the last I have received from home, or even from  Craftsbury; but I flatter myself there may be some on the way  which I shall receive soon - I want very much to learn how  you succeed in passing the winter - I have heard that the  weather was very cold in Vermont the latter part of Decem- ber - but I expect it has laterly been more comfortable.  It was severely cold here for some time, but for nearly or quite  a fortnight the weather has been much milder, the snow is  all disappeared and the frost mostly out of the ground, which  is very muddy - You wrote me in your last letter that you  expected to tarry at home, and pursue your studies there -  If you can do it to as much advantage to yourself, I shall be  better pleased to have you at home, as it will take consider- able burden and trouble from your Mama, who, I fear will  find, after all you can do to assist her, as many inconveniences  and privations as the infirm state of her health can endure.  I rely upon your discretion in attending to the concern of the  family with the advice of your Mama - I hear nothing from Farmington, except what I get from Mr Pitkin, from whom I learn that our friends were well a week or two since,  perhaps, and I hope it is the case, that you have received letters