Washington April 16 1820 My dearest friend, I am well, and extremely anxious to return to those whom, above all others, I wish to see again; and what gives me the most trouble at present is that I cannot exactly ascertain on what day I can leave here- There is some business to be transacted in which the whole country is very materially interested- and which I cannot leave am unwilling to leave, lest I shall be accused of deserting my post before the business is through, out of fear of the consequence- I allude to the raising the duties on almost every article imported, to stop all trade with Canada- &c which under our present si- tuation would nearly ruin Vermont- as soon as this busi- ness is disposed of, which I expect will not require more than  one or two weeks, I intend to get leave of absence and go home whether Congress adjourns or not- I feel considerable anxiety about the affairs at home- If Mr. Hidden is with you I shall feel less- but he will hardly know what to do- It was my intention to plant with corn that piece of ground East of Garfields garden which contains about an acres- The piece down North of the barns on which potatoes & flax were raised last year being two or more acres, I intended to sow with wheat- and the hog pasture North of Garfields house extending down so as to make 2 or 3 acres should be be broke up and prepared for potatoes- I wish the fence around the