61

    To Sarah Savage Thatcher

    Philadelphia        26 December 1791

    I am happy to find, my dear, that a nights sleep brought you to your senses—for sure I am that your coming to a resolution not to write me, because you were disappointed in receiving a Letter from me when you expected one, is evidence that you did not consider how much less time I have to write than you have—And you ought not to have expected Letters so frequent as the former Sessions—for you will recollect, you willingly gave up your claim to hearing from me oftner than once a fortnight provided I would go to meeting every sunday—But I have found such general complaint of my negligence that I have concluded to spend my Sundays, for the future, as heretofore1—I wrote all day yesterday; & intended, by this mail, to forward a Letter to my young friends Cutts & Hasey2—but I have not time—perhaps by the next I shall be able to finish it—

    Tell them, however, I shall be glad to hear how they are, & what they are about, & when I have the command of as much time as they have, I will write them much oftner then they have me—

    A word for the children—

    Let them talk as much as they please, only make them observe order in their conversation3—Take care you do not abash, or shame them—Laughing at children does them infinite mischief—Let nothing be said to a child that tends [to] mortify him—

    Inclosed is a Ten dollar note

    yours. &c

    [P.S.] The paper announces the marriage of our friend Betsey King4—Long may they Live—have many children—be very happy—& grow rich—

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    ALS, TFP. Addressed to Biddeford; franked; postmarked.