Washington Jan. 22d 1825
My dearest friend,
I have received your kind an very acceptable letter dated the
11th but mailed the 15th for which I sincerely thank you - and hope
you will continue to write as often as you can find it convenient.
I am sorry to find that you have experienced a return of the bowell
complaint, which has heretofore been so troublesome to you - yet I flatter
myself that the skill of your brother will think of
point out
some remedy that
will remove it, or at least check it. Your health has been in such an
unsettled state so long, that I have felt great anxiety on your account.
I, however, take some courage, from the account you have given me
of a general improvement in it, to hope that it yet may become more
permanently good. I have had no letters from Mary since I wrote last
to you. I have however had one from Jacob Mason, dated about a week after
Marys letter to me - in this he observes, generally, that it is a time of health
in Craftsbury - without even mentioning our family at all - which I pre-
sume he would have done, if any thing uncommon had befell them- I
have also lately had a letter from Ephraim Paddock - he informs me that
he had recovered from his late sickness, and thought himself full as well as he
was before he went to Montpelier. This is much better news than I ever expect-
ed to hear of him, after the unfavorable accounts we received of his situation
before we left home- I am pleased to hear from you that the family of Presi-
dent Haskell propose to remove him to Hartford - and hope that it may be the
means of restoring to him the use of those faculties which formerly rendered him
so interesting and useful a member of society. I believe, if his care is susceptible
of a cure, of which I have some doubts, his friends could not have selected a more
favorable place to make the trial.
My health continues good - but I am quite homesick, and shall be truly rejoiced
when the third of March arrives, that I may leave
this place
and return home. Altho' I never
had much relish for the amusements of Washington, I have this winter still less
and have altogether avoided attending any of their parties. That you may know
how I dispose of my time, I will give you the history of one day, which with
some slight alterations, is the history of every day since my arrival. After
breakfast, I have either some business at the office to attend to for some of my con-
stituents, or to attend on some committee, or answer some of the numerous
letters of business which come on every mail, until the House meets, at
12 clock - and after being there 3 or 4 hours, return home to dinner - after
which if the weather is pleasant, and there should be time for it - I walk
out about a mile and back; by this time tea is ready - after which I
return to my room, and spend the evening in examining the numerous
documents communicated to Congress - and looking over the news of
the day. The days that Congress do not meet I devote to writing letters.
Those who are fond of fashionable parties, &c have frequent opportunities to
be gratified - as there are more or less such parties every week- but there are ma
ny members, besides me, who seldom attend them- I had got so far
when the mail arrived and has brought me a letter from Mary, and another
from William P. And I am happy to inform you that, at the date of those letters,
(Jan 11) Mary, the family and all our friends, at Craftsbury, were well- Mary
says that every thing at home goes on well as she could wish - She speaks very
warmly in praise of Mary Shumways case, economy, &c- that she has some
company - and that some of her young mates occasionally spend a few days
with her. I am informed that the reason she has not written oftener is, that the
mails have been stopped since the last week in December. And that the letters I
have received were sent to Danville by a private conveyance. Mary wishes me
to give her love to you - and says she would have written to you at that time if she
could have prevailed upon the person going to Danville to wait - but will write soon.
Remember me affectionately to the Doctor and family and believe me
most affectionately and sincerely yours SC Crafts
Jan 22 1825