A few days ago I received a packet from Mr Kenney, in-
closing one from Mrs Kenney to you. As Mrs Kenneys was unsealed,
I read it, and forwarded it the same day. I feel sorry for Mrs
Kenney, and especially for Susan, who appear not to be very hap-
py. Mr Kenneys letter was dated the forepart of February, and
Mrs Kenneys several days before. It is probable the mails do not
reach there oftener than once in a week, and perhaps in two weeks.
I have also had a letter from Mr Nelson, confirming the report
of his loss by the fire at Alton. He writes that there was but a
partial insurance on his property, leaving his loss pretty heavy
for him. He informs me however that he had written to you
and would give you the particulars of his loss. So soon as
I saw the account of the fire, I wrote to Mr Nelson, and his
letter was in answer to mine. I believe I informed you in
my last that I had a letter from Mrs Todd, I have since
written to her, and have invited her to go to Craftsbury early
in the spring, and accompany you in your contemplated journey
West, the ensuing summer. From the drift of her letter, it appears
to me that she has no expectation of accompanying you. Possibly
it may not be convenient to procure the necessary means.
I have not yet received any thing more from Mr Young, nor
do I expect to; yet I shall put him in mind of the subject when
he draws the balance of his pay. I shall get Marys Teaspoons
and the microscope, whether he pays or not; as I can do it
without any inconvenience to myself. Besides it will give
me great pleasure to present her some acceptable token of my
affection. You will see by the Intelligencer that the
Senate have concurred with the House in repealing the Bank-
rupt law. There was an earnest attempt to modify the present
act so as to make it very much like the British Bankrupt laws,
and which is supposed to have been the understanding of the [ ]
of the Constitution. Such an act seems to be very much desired by
the commerical part of the community. The Senate after spending
two days in the discussion, decided, by a considerable majority, to
repeal the law altogether, saving that all cases commenced may
go through. No very important measure remains to be acted
upon, although there is much ordinary business. The last has
been a very busy week, and the ensuing five days, which are all that
remain, will be more so. The act for reducing the pay of mem-
bers of Congress, and other officers of government, has not yet passed
the Senate. Our Committee have proposed some alterations of the bill
that passed the House of Representatives; and I think, as altered,
it will pass the Senate. The proposal is to fix the compensation of
Members, at seven dollars per day, and seven dollars for every twenty
miles travel, and to reduce the pay of all officers of government what-
ever, who receive more than twelve hundred dollar a year; twelve
and one half percent. This would be better now, and probably for
years to come, than the present salaries were at the time they were
fixed. I have not yet had time to make the enquiry about Ephrm
Harringtons service in the Revolution. The office is two miles distant
from the capital, and I have been and shall be very busy while I am