91

    To Sarah Savage Thatcher

    Philadelphia        1 January 1794

    My dear

    I wish you a happy new year—and many yet to come, & may we find comfort in them all—Here on the first day of the year every body seems on the move, visiting & presenting each other with the Compliments of the Season—a phraise as universal, as wishing a happy new year is with us—

    Every person I have seen this morning is riged out in his best, to wait on the President, Governor [Thomas Mifflin] and other great folk to present them with the Compliments of the Season—In this ceremony I shall not join them this year—for the want of a new coat, my old one has become rather to rusty for that ceremonial—I spoke to a Taylor last week for a new-one but it cannot be made till the last of this week—So much for this Subject—

    The weather is moderate, air serene & the City in a state of pretty good health—I hear nobody express any fears of the yellow fever—And if it is in the City, I believe ’tis no more mortal than other disorders—

    Yours of the 18th. ultimo I recieved two days ago,1 with one from Mr. [Benjamin] Hasey, which I shall answer in a day or two—also one from Phillips an acknowledgment of which I inclose—

    The evening before last while I attended a Vendue of Books there was set up for sale a chagrin-case of silver handled knives & forks which was struck off to me for six dollars & an half—I shall send them to Boston if any Vessell goes there immediately, to the care of Mr. [Matthew] Parke—otherwise they will not reach you till the Spring—But you can do without them yet—

    I cannot close this Letter without calling your attention to the care of your fires, especially when you are confined—I hope you will have no need of a fire in the chamber—that fireplace is badly constructed, & but poorly made—Low houses are apt to take fire on the roof in dry windy weather, therefore at all such times you will order the greatest attention to see the chimnies are keept clean & burnt in wet & rainy days—The ashes which you keep are frequently retain fire among them much longer than is apprehended—therefore let there be the greatest caution on this subject—

    yours &c

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    ALS, TFP