85

    To Sarah Savage Thatcher

    Philadelphia        23 January 1793

    My dear—

    It will not be in my power to forward you another Bill under a fortnight or three weeks, unless we can get a certain Act thro’ Congress that has been on its passage almost three months—and now meets new difficulties1—Mr. [Matthew] Park [has sent] me a Bill for fifty five dollars <torn> If you want before <torn> you must borrow of friend [Jeremiah] Hill—but I hope you will not have occasion—

    Mr. [Prentiss] Mellen writes that it is a merry season at Biddeford—Dances & amusements eno’2—I hope think you will not complain of mellancholy hours—as in winters past3

    I spend my time as usual—I have but one source for amusement—that is my Books—these are my companions in the morning, and evening—If I get weary of one I lay that down & try another—a third, a fourth & so go on a changing till I find my attention engaged—

    I have not been off the pavements of the City since I came into it last fall, & do not expect to before I get into the Stage to journey home <torn> you in <torn> to count the weeks—I shall soon number the days—

    Our weather continues moderate—yesterday & last night were cool, according to what passes for cold weather here, but a man may walk about very well without an outer Garment & feel no great inconvenience.

    My inclination for company rather diminishes, & the pleasures of reading gain upon me—This may not, perhaps, be the case in the Country—where I am always better pleased with the manners & habits of the people than in the City—nor have I taken any pains to form a taste for City company or City amusements4—When I dine from home ’tis a burden—& an invitation to spend an evening abroad, tho rarely recieved, is but seldom accepted.

    I am, my dear, yours

    * * *

    ALS, TFP. Addressed to Biddeford; franked.