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    To Sarah Savage Thatcher

    Philadelphia        4-5 November 1794

    My dear—

    Since I wrote you at Boston1 I have arrived by moderate & easy Stages to this place which we reached, the second instant about two oClock—I am yet at temporary Lodgings, but expect to be setled more permanently in a day or two—I have some thoughts of going to the house where Brother [Peleg] Wadsworth lodges2—It has one strong inducement, attended with some small inconveniencies—The inducement is its cheapness—inconveniencies are a large family—small parlour—both of us must live in the same chamber which I fear is so contracted that I shall be subject to the virtago—otherwise I have but little objection to living two in a room—for this has its conveniencies, and contributes to save expence—which I shall make an object this Session more than I have hitherto done—

    Notwithstanding the reports we heard, before I left home, of the prevalence of the yellow fever in this City,3 I assure you there is no danger, & the reports were greatly exagerated—few persons have died of that disorder, and I believe there is now nobody sick with it—It has raged considerably in New-Haven [Connecticut], but when we come through that place there was no person down with it, the last person having died the day before we got there—nor had it been near the part of the Town where we passed & lodged—it never spread much from the houses situated on the wharves where it first broke out—

    I hope in a few days to hear from you and the family; particularly whether Philips has gone to the Acadamy at Fryburg where he boards,4 & how he likes the new world he will find himself in—On these heads I hope you will be as particular as your own information will permit5—When I hear of his having gone thither I shall write him myself, & to Captain Brown if he boards at his house6

    I forgot to tell desire you, in my Letter from Boston, to inform our friend Benj. Staples that I could not see Mr. Brattle, or Judge [James] Sullivan about some Land he requested me to attend to—And I wish you also to let him know I have not yet seen Mr. Dalton, but expect to in a day or two, & shall make a point to accomplish our wishes.

    You will let Mrs. Cobb know I spent an evening with her Brother at Worcester;7 who, with his little wife & child are in good health—And I have got their promise to make a visit to Biddeford some time next Spring—

    I cannot close this Letter before I say a word or two on my visit to Mr. Hudsons at Hartford8—I drank tea there on monday evening after I left Boston, & was pleased with my reception—Sally is a charming girl, & I think I may assure you we shall all be pleased with her as a neighbor—I predict that she is a very good woman—Brother [Prentiss] Mellen has some judgment in choosing a wife—

    Yesterday there met about forty five members of our house, but not enough to enter upon business, & we adjourned to this morning—We have now made a quorum—but there is not a quorum of the Senate, & therefore we have adjourned till to morrow—

    Wednesday morning—5th. November

    Last evening I took my Lodgings with General Wadsworth—How long I shall continue at that place is uncertain; but to save two or three dollars a week I am willing to forego some of the usual conveniencies to be had at the best boarding houses9

    I send you inclosed a thirty & a ten dollar Bill—Thirty five dollars I wish you to pay to Major [Jeremiah] Hill as soon as you recieve it, and take up my note I gave him the day before I left home—I shall forward you some more in a short time—And I would have you be carefull in geting your my Letters from the post Office—

    I dont expect there will be a quorum of the Senate this day—

    I am, my dear, yours &c

    * * *

    ALS, TFP