Washington Feb 2d 1823
Dear Samuel,
Your last letter dated 15th 16th & 17 of January, came to hand
about the middle of the last week and I thank you for being so particular.
All the information I get from home is thro' your letters - I have occa-
sionally received letters from people in the neighboring towns, - they are
mostly on business, but are silent on that subject in which I feel the
deepest interest- I yesterday got a letter from Judge Stanley dated the
20th in which he informs me of the death of Mrs Cutter - and that
you and your Mama attended the funeral. I want very much
to write to your Mama, and am prevented only from fearing that
my letters would not be acceptable under her present impressions, which
I have no doubt represent me and all my actions in an unfavorable
point of view; and writing to her might, under these circumstances, tend
to irritate, rather than please. I need not tell you how much her
unhappy situation grieves me - nor how much I am gratified by
your attention to her. I trust that you will receive your reward.
I am very sorry to hear of the death of Lucinda Scott - it will be
a severe loss to her parents and family. She must have been [ ]
attacked with the fever, as it appears to me good council and attention
would have prevented a catastrophe so much to be deplored.
You asked of me Capt Partridges opinion of the Battle of Waterloo.
Capt. P. in his letter upon that subject, went into a particular descrip-
tion of ground, of the situation of the two hostile armies, the manner
of attack and defense. His opinion is that the Duke of Wellington is
intitled to great credit for the coolness and courage with which he defended
himself - but that the ground on which he fought was a dangerous one:
for if he had been defeated, and he certainly would, if the Prussian army
had not come to his assistance, he had no chance for retreat, for the
country in his rear was impassible for an army except by one road.
So that if he had been overpowered, he must have lost all his artillery, bag-
gage, and the most of his army. Capt Partridge thinks that Napoleon
displayed more generalship, altho' he was in the end totally defeated. Capt
P. also gave a lecture on National defense. The amount of his lecture is, that
a small navy, a few strong fortifications to protect the harbors of our
large commercial towns with a well disciplined militia, is all that is re-
quired to ensure to our country an efficient defence. His plan is to disci-
pline the officers, by spending about 6 days in each year, in acquiring
military instruction - without calling out the soldiers very often - alledging
that if the officers understand well their duty - when occasion should require
it, they could soon teach the soldiers all that may be necessary for them
to know- Capt P. delivered his lectures in Congress hall, in the evening-
and a very respectable, and very numerous audience attended; and for
the honor of Vermont, I was pleased to find that he gave great satisfaction.
Mr Randolph returned from Europe in November, & hs been here
most of the session - he is in the House frequently - but takes no part
nor interest in the business before Congress. His health is poor and he ap-
pears to labour under a considerable depression of spirits- It is possible
he may yet come out on some subject before the rising of Congress.
Mr McDuffee has not yet arrived, but accounts from S. Carolina state that
he intends to be here during the present session. His duel does him but little
credit even here, where it is deemed dishonorable not to fight.
It has been a very unpleasant winter here so far - the travelling is bad
in every direction - and consequently the mails very irregular- For two
or three days past the weather has been cold-
Give my best love to your Mama and tell her that she has my most
earnest prayers for her health and happiness.
Love to all friends. I remain most affectionately
yours S C Crafts
Mr SP Crafts-