Washington Dec. 19th 1818
My dear friend,
Soon after writing my last letter to you I received one
from Samuel, which gave me much pleasure, as I had been
more than four weeks from home, and until that time I
had not heard one word from you, I had become extremely
anxious, so much so that I almost feared to open it
but the information it contained was cheering, as it informed
me that you as well as Mary and himself were well - I
have since received another letter from Samuel dated at
Peacham, in which he informs me that your health continued
well and were willing to dispense of his services at home
to give him an opportunity to pursue his studies - This
I had not expected; but if you can, without subjecting your-
self to too much fatigue and perplexity, spare him to
pursue his studies, I shall certainly on his account be gratifi-
ed. Samuel informed me that Mr Farnham had not finish-
ed the sleigh before he left home, I had his promise to have
it done by the first sleighing, which I expect has been
long before this, as the ground here has been covered with
snow for a week past and the Potomac has been entirely
froze over and to a considerable [ ]for a considera-
ble time past. I have had no letter from Doct Todd
I have heard from him by the means of Mr Pitkin,
who hears from Farmington every week and learn that
he and his family are well, and have been well through the
last fall - so that the information we had of his having been
very sick was incorrect, so also was the information that he
had met with a change; Mr Pitkin tells me that he some times
attends meeting and superintends the [] - but that his re-
ligious sentiments remain unchanged - I have been upon the
whole tolerably well since I arrived here - but as to news I
have none, as I have not visited at all - not even at the
Presidents - I have not seen Mr Meigs nor my classmate Cutts
since I have been in Washington, nor have I been in but
three dwelling houses (except where I board) since I came here,
and those were houses, in which some our Vermont mem-
bers board - There have been several levees at the foreign
ministers, and many of the Senators and some members of Con-
gress are in the practice of attending them - But as the etiquette
requires that no members can attend them unless he previously
goes and leaves his card - and as this looks very much
to me like begging an invitation (and besides not having
a very strong inclination to attend), I probably shall never
have the honor of attending - I should be very much
gratified if you would write to me, if but a line or two
I shall be thankful for it -Give my
best love to Mary, & tell her I will write to her by the next
mail - My love also to all [ ] friends and accept the
assurance of my unalterable affection to yourself
Samuel C