On the 3d. Inst: I had the Pleasure of recg. your’s of the 29th. of last Month.1 on the next Day, that is the 4th. I set out for Boston— So few of the Inns afford Candles fit to read or write by, that my Evenings are frequently passed in a Manner less agreable than those Employments would render them. I mention these circumstances to account for your not having recd. a more early Answer to your Letter.—

I am glad the cattle from this Place arrived safe and in good order; and that they remained a Week in Town before they were sent on to Rye, for Mr. Williams tells me that their Feet became so worn in their Journey to Providence, as to bleed— He had this Information from the Driver— I can no otherwise account for it than by supposing that for sometime before they were sent, they had been kept in a wet place, and their Hoofs so soaked and softened as easily to wear.— Mr. Williams thinks one of the Heifers a very fine one, and superior to the other two in point of Shape, ’tho’ not of Size. In the morning I shall know the Price of them— Capt. Maynard is then to call upon me— I hear frequent mention made of 16 oxen driven together to Boston last Week— They were fatted (not raised) by one Farmer, and he sold them for £313 lawful Money or 1043l-3d. Dollrs.— Tell this to your Uncle Peter—

Boston— 11th. May 1792 I arrived here last Evening, and found at the Post office a Letter from your Mama of the 6th. Inst:2— she mentions your having gone to Rye, and that the Family were well, I paid 20 Dollrs. for the Bull— 21 for the two Heifers, & 3 for driving them to Providence—3 You may mention these Prices to your uncle— as to others, there can be no use in saying any thing on the Subject. Majr. Lyon4 promised to send a Cow for us from Bedford to New York. I desired your Mama, as soon as she arrived, to send our old one to Rye, that she might be driven from thence with the Marlborough Cattle to Bedford—

To me the Event of the Election appears very doubtful— To collect accurate Information, whereon to calculate, is hardly possible; and Conjectures are frequently erroneous. There are Circumstances which will operate powerfully on both Sides; and therefore I conclude that the Majority will be less considerable than either Party expect. A little Time will determine it— Whatever the Event may be, I am prepared for it— If we succeed, we must not exult— if we are disappointed, we must not be dejected— Equanimity & self Respect and moderation must be preserved. We cannot command Events, but we ought to command ourselves—

Remember me to your Uncle and Aunt— You have now a fine opportunity to try your Hand at Landscape—especially if you visit the Rocks on the Bank by the Water Side, when the Tide is up.

Mr. Callender called this morning to see me,— he made many friendly Enquiries respecting you— Young Mr. Marchant did the same at New Haven.5 When you meet with Persons from places where you have experienced Civilities from Individuals, remember to enquire respecting them. We should always appear and be sensible of Civilities & Attentions, but not oppressed by them. We should learn to bear all the good and Evil that we may meet with. It may seem strange to talk of bearing good— The Fact is, that it is not less difficult to bear or sustain with Propriety than Evil— This requires & deserves minute Research— I am my dear Son Your very aff[ectiona]te. Father