Washington Jan. 28 1821
Dear Sir,
It is so long since I have received a letter from you, &
in fact since I have written myself, that it requires a considerable
effort to recommence. This I assure you does not proceed from
any abatement of friendship or esteem towards you or your dear
family, who I trust will ever occupy that distinguished place
in my affections, that has heretofore contributed so much to my
happiness. I have been so fortunate as to enjoy a good state
[state] of health this winter, notwithstanding it has been uncommonly
sickly among the members, much more so than has been pubslished
in the papers. I believe there are not more than ten or twelve
at this time who are not able to attend to business, and none of
these are now considered dangerous.
I have lately received unfavorable accounts from home
of Samuels situation - he has for some time been afflicted
with a complaint, which the physicians consider to be seated
in the liver. He has since the first of December been confined
to the house, not much of the time to his bed, they have put
a seton in his side, and put him upon a course of salivation
from which I am informed he thought he had derived some
benefit- the last letter I recieved was dated so far back as
the 8th instant, and I am anxiously waiting some additional in-
formation. Doct Smith of Hardwick and a Doct Wright a
young physician a foreigner, who studied his profession at the
at Glasgow, and [ ] is considered a young man of talents & in-
formation - have had the care of Samuel, and I believe Mrs Crafts
feels perfectly satisfied with
their
treatment. Samuel has at times for two
or three years been troubled with a pain in his side, which would con-
tinue for a few weeks, and then leave him sometimes for several
months. I have had the satisfaction to learn that Mrs Crafts health
has remained good notwithstanding the care and anxiety which she has
experienced on Samuel's account. Mary has always enjoyed good
health. I will leave this subject and give you some account of
our affairs at this place.
Tomorrow Mr Clay has promised to bring up again the Missouri
question. Altho' the house refused to admit her upon a resolution origin-
ating in a Committee of our house, yet the Senate passed a joint resolution
for the admission, and sent it to us, where it has remained until this
time. Tomorrow this will be taken up on Mr Clays motion, and very
likely will occupy the whole week. And after all I expect that Missouri
will be admitted, negroes and all. The same dough faced gentry, who acted
so conspicuous a part last winter, are still here; and it is understood
that some of them, at least, will vote for the admission - and as it will
require but a small number to change their votes in order to pass the
Senates resolution- I presume enough have been recured to affect the
object. The Florida treaty has not yet arrived - still I believe there is
no doubt as to its having been ratified by the Spanish government-
I wish you would write to Eunice, as she takes it rather hard that
you have not written for so long a time-
Give my respects to Mrs Todd and the young ladies &
and accept the assurance of my continued affection
and esteem
Samuel C Crafts
Dr E Todd