Washington Dec 31st 1820
My dear friend,
When I wrote you last week your letter of the 13th of Dec.
had not arrived, but it came to hand two or three days after, but
so late that a letter written by me would not reach you sooner than
one written now. I am much concerned to learn by it that Samuel
is so unwell, and regret extremely the distance I am from you
which entirely prevents me from knowing, at the time, whatever
may happen to befall the family. I have no doubt that you
will see that every thing is done for Samuel, that could be done if
I were with you; but that does not satisfy me, I wish to be with
you to relieve you from the cares that my absence imposes upon
you, and perhaps thereby prevent you from being worn down with
fatigue of body and mind. If you have given me a correct
account of Samuel's situation, as you say you have done, I flatter
myself that he will get the better of his complaint - I do not however
reflect, without anxiety, on the hind of complaint, which Samuel is
so much subject to - that pain which has so often been felt in
his side, shows that something is wrong in his system - but I hard-
ly bring myself to believe that it proceeds from an affection of
the liver - You know I have great confidence in Doc. Hunting-
ton, and have no reason to doubt Dr. Wrights skill, I believe him a
young man of intelligence & well acquainted with the theory of disorders
etc. but do not feel the same confidence in his judgment of cases in
our climate, which may vary considerably from disorders in [Sunape]
as I should if he had been longer in practice in this country, &.
[ ] thereby increased his stock of experience. But if Dr. Huntington
& Smith approve of him as a practitioner I ought to feel satisfied.
I beg of you to inform me weekly of your health and that of the
family - it will do no good to keep any thing back - for if I suspect
that you have not informed me all, I shall imagine perhaps
that things with you are in a worse state then they may re-
ally be in - I have no reason thus far to complain of your
frankness - & hope you will continue it -
I can assure you, without equivocation that my
health remains good, equally as well as when I left home, & I
now promise you to inform you if it should be otherwise.
I have been in some trouble but the number of deaths here should
not alarm you for my safety. It is true we have buried two members
of our home & one Senator in the course of about 10 days - this has
been uncommon - a session seldom passes without some deaths - but
the influenza which prevailed in the fall has left many in a bad state
of health - and predisposed to fevers of a certain character - which have
in several instances proved fatal - There are perhaps half a dozen
members now sick with fevers - but, excepting one, where case is rather
doubtful, they are all mending - and there seems to be no new case lately.
Give my love to Samuel & Mary, tell Samuel to keep up his
spirits - and I hope all may be well with him - & above all, take
care of your own health - and may heaven preserve you all
I remain truly, and affectionately
your friend Samuel C Crafts
Mrs Eunice C
S.C.C. To E.C.-
Dec. 31. 1820