I was very sorry that circumstances prevented you from hearing last week, either from Peter or me. Peter was engaged not only all day on Friday, but till very late at Night in trying a cause; & I was prevented from going or sending to town the same day by a severe snow Storm. I was yesterday at Peter’s & there found your letter of the 14 Inst:1

I had desired Brittain to buy the Nails for the partition; if he has not bought them, I will; but I ought first to hear from him. The hinges I will buy. Augusta & Anna are both well. The latter is learning her letters; & continues a very good Child. Her Mother desires her love to you & Nancy—

I am happy to inform you that Whiting & Watson, extensive Booksellers have on my solicitation & advice, determined to print immediately a cheap, but good edition of the Essays to do good.2 The price of the volume bound is to be only 5/. To encourage the undertaking I have promised to become responsible for 75 Copies. I believe I might with safety have engaged to procure a much greater number of Subscribers, as I have no doubt the work will be a popular one. Mrs. Mc^Vickar^ is very much pleased with it, & has agreed to subscribe for several Copies; Mary has done the same. It will be printed in a few weeks & from a Copy I fortunately found in a Book Store. I believe there is not another to be bought in the City as I understand the work is out of print—

The trial in which Peter was engaged on Friday, was that of Nathan Olmstead of Poundridge3 on an indictment for perjury, in an answer in Chancery. Peter was Counsel for Olmstead. The testimony I understand, was very Strong, but the Witnesses of bad character. The Jury were out four hours & on their return, the Foreman informed the Court that they had found a verdict of guilty, but while he was recommending Olmstead to Mercy, & before he had done speaking, one of the Jury fell down in a fit, & continued deranged. The Jury therefore could not be polled; the Verdict could not be recorded; & Olmstead must have another trial, before he goes to the State Prison. This is the same Man, whom a Jury at Bedford lately found guilty of burning Lockwood’s Barn; but who escaped, by some of the Jury retracting, on being polled.

I have purchased balls for the Tea-table; & will send them by Mills. Peter has the Trustee papers. The roads have been worse since I came down, than they were then; but they are now almost as hard frozen as in winter— My love to Sister— I remain my beloved Father Your very affectte: Son