Allow me to congratulate you on the manner in which Brother Peter has distinguished himself, I hear of him in all companies with pride & pleasure. He would have been Candidate for the Office of Governor if his consent could have been obtained— his declining I think does him great honor, few Men situated as he is could have resisted the temptation. I am truly thankful that he did resist it, tho’ certainly it would have been a great gratification to have had him & his family here, & to have seen our State once more blessed with a Ruler whose principles are as pure, as his talents are brilliant— the selfish wish was soon discarded, & much as I love my Country I could not desire him to make such a sacrifice to serve it— Mr. King has been nominated & I hope will allow himself to be elected, but Brother will no doubt write to you on these subjects—1

From Nancy & William we have heard with pleasure that your health continues as good as usual— that Augusta is still so much indisposed gives me serious concern— I rejoice that Nancy’s health is so much better & that her benevolent exertions are so greatly blessed— Sally gives very satisfactory accounts of the improvement in her health & mine has gained a good deal tho’ for a few days I have felt the want of medecine, yesterday a new supply arrived & I shall persevere in taking it, as I do in confining myself to the plainest diet, abstaining from every thing sweet or rich—

You will recollect my mentioning to you Mrs. Le Roy’s handsome offer to add $500 annually to the annuity her Father left me & that I had declined accepting it— Nothing has since passed between us on the subject. A few days ago Mr. Jephson handed me a check for $625 being one quarter of my Annuity, with the proposed addition, saying he did so by Mrs. Le Roy’s order— As your opinion on this subject differed from mine I would not again refuse it without your sanction, I own I feel considerable repugnance to become a pensioner of Mrs. Le Roy’s, but wish to be guided by your better judgment— You will remember that she presented me $500 immediately after her Fathers death— Her conduct is truly generous & fills me with gratitude, not only to her but to that All-wise disposer of wants who has preserved me thro’ so many trials & now affords me such unnumbered blessings— With economy my present income will maintain me very comfortably— I shall await your answer before I write I write to her. Brother P. thinks it would be most delicate to decline her offer—2

John is a very good Boy— his stomach has been a good deal disordered, he took some medecine from Low & now feels quite well & is in high spirits— his Cough however is not gone & I feel a little anxious about it, he drinks horehound tea which we hope will remove it— he certainly has a very good capacity & although not fond of his book learns a good deal—

Please to thank Brother William for a very kind letter just received from him. Peter is out & Mr. Isaacs has paid us only one visit, but I think I may answer for both that no exertions will be neglected by them to keep the Courthouse at Bedford—3

Be so good as to remember me very affectionately to my dear Brother & sisters— Kitty & John desire their love to you & all with you. John begs you will give Anna & Maria one dozen kisses for him—

I long to know if Maria walks alone & if she has yet any teeth: Mrs. Sutherland’s little girl three weeks older, neither creeps or stands— Adieu my dear Papa— I am very sincerely your dutiful & affectionate daughter.

I have got a little Watch for behaving good a whole week— I have learn’t half of the Multiplication table— & go to school to Papa— I love Laura & Elizabeth Jephson & little Theodore & I am delighted with Albany— I do not Skate on the River or slide— have any of my School-mates been to Grand-Papa’s how are they— has Maria been sick since I was at Bedford— I have been sick & took two powders & got quite well again & have been sleigh riding twice— & I send my love to Grand-papa Uncle Willy Aunt Augusta Aunt Nancy & Maria Your affte. Cousin,