Washington Feb. 7th 1824
My dearest friend,
I thank you for your letter of the 22d which
came to hand on tuesday last - and feel very thankful to
learn by it that you and the family are so well. I assure
you I never open a letter from home with trembling - lest
I shall receive some unpleasant news. But, thus far, and I
cannot express sufficient gratitude for the favor, the accounts
from home have been of a much more cheering nature
than I had reason to anticipate, considering the state of your
health, and Samuels, when I left home. If my exertions, or my
prayers, can avail anything, something of happiness still
remains for you. You tell me that you
go
out but little, &
have but little company &c I am well acquainted with the in-
convenience and tedious of a 'Vermont winter', and especially to
a person of as feeble health as yours. But as bad as are these win-
ters, I had infinitely rather, if I consulted only present happiness,
spend them with you at home, than be here. I have hither
to been well, and shall continue to take every precaution to
preserve my health- I seldom leave my room unless to go to
the House once a day where we tarry four or five hours. I
suffer most for exercise - the travelling is generally so bad we
cannot walk much, which is all the exercise we have. I have
been to no party since 8th of January, where I tarried but a
very short time, for I saw nothing there calculated to give me any
pleasure. There has been two or three other tea parties since, to
two of which I received invitations to attend; but I did not,
and I think I shall attend no other this winter- One evening
spent in a small circle of friends, such are my old fashion notions,
is worth a thousand of these genteel, modern, fashionable, parties.
I have looked into the book stores in this place to find some
small work that might be amusing to you, and which I could
frank- I have not hitherto been very successful- I found the
other day a small work called visions of judgment, written by Southy
& Byron. But when I came to peruse it I hesitated about sending it.
There is much with in Byrons, which it seems was written to ridicule
Southeys poem, which, by the way, is a milk and water production.
But Byron has given himself
taken
rather too much latitude with some
of his characters, to suit the taste of many people now a days.
I have concluded to enclose it to Samuel among some documents
which I directed to him a few days ago. I will look up some
plays and send you. But as I shall be obliged to purchase them
before I read them, it is probable I may make a bad choice.
I sent some money to Samuel a few weeks since to enable him
to make part payment for his house - and will in course of the
winter send him some more. But I must first pay up my
debt to the Bank which will become due the last of this month.
I inclosed you ten dollars week before last & will send you some
more soon. Wishing you
and the family
all the comfort and happiness
that mortals can enjoy- I remain your affectionate and
faithful friend
Saml C Crafts
S. C. Crafts
Feb. 7. 1824