150

    To Sarah Savage Thatcher

    Philadelphia        23 November 1797

    11 a.m., “in the Hall”

    My dear—

    Since my last neither Sun, moon, or Stars have shone on this part of the world—One dark, gloomy northeaster has brooded over our hemisphere, & it now rains most unceasingly—

    I have nothing materially new to tell you—Our last news from France is of such a kind as to leave it out of the power of human judgment to say whether it is propitious or otherwise—The french people are in such a state as to take them out of the rules by which we judge of the prosperity or advercity of other nations—

    Yesterday the Senate made a quorum for Business; & to day, at twelve oClock, the President meets both Houses in the Representatives Room—

    I calculate to recieve Letters from some of you tomorrow—If I have not been anxious as yet tis because, I left you under an expectation that you would not write till nearly about the commencement of the Session—Since which the intervel is enough to bring your Letter to me—

    Tell Phillips he must write me. I shall write to George very soon—

    Kiss all the children for their Father—your most affectionate

    [P.S.] The Galleries are filling with spectators—

    The rain will keep away the Ladies—

    * * *

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