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    To Sarah Savage Thatcher

    Philadelphia        6 June 1797

    My dear Sally

    Yesterday I recieved yours, wrote partly by Philips, & then finished by your Amanuensis, Mrs. Cobb1—who, it gives me the greatest pleasure to learn, is so good as to spend so much of the time she is at Biddeford, at our retired habitation—Certainly you are hardly so complaisant to her, as she would be to you were you at Portland—She would keep her chamber on your account—ought you not then to keep yours for her—Our chambers not being so elegant as some others is no apology—Tis now summer—And our great chamber presents a more charming rural prospect; and the Westerly back chamber—or the Garden chamber, in the forenoon, is a decent retreat for Girls whose swains, or wives whose husbands, are absent—From this chamber you may view the distant <torn> of the Ossipee rising above the dusky pines—the fields every where covered with flocks and herds—the happy husbandmen contentedly employed for the support of a beloved family, with a thousand other objects for moral & social reflection—A Chamber in the Country has every advantage over those of the Town—

    I am happy to hear you are growing better, & I think it will accelerate your convalescence to hear that your dear husband expects to be home before the end of this month—

    Inclosed is a ten dollar Bill—

    After three weeks, & two of them in constant debate the House of Representatives have made an answer to the Presidents speech2—which was presented on Saturday—

    A few Laws will be passed, & we shall adjourn—

    I want to hear of Kissics [McKessuk’s] being to work—Pray send to him—I fear he will not get thro’ by the time appointed3

    I am, my dear, your most affectionate

    * * *

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