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    To Sarah Savage Thatcher

    Philadelphia        24 November 1797

    10 p.m.

    My dear

    Your Letter of the fourth, continued to the 12th instant, came to hand this morning—It contains so many good things that I am unable to express the pleasure they have given me—You are all well, & every thing goes on harmoniously; I seem to see a good natured, chierfull smile on every countenance—Tho the weather was cold, & some dark stormy days you dont seem to be at all gloomy—I put up my prayers the winter may be thus cheated of all her anticipated horrors & returning Spring bring us together in health & happiness—

    I have been this evening to the Drawing room—this is the first—there were but few Ladies to what I have seen on former occasions—I hope it was only a Philadelphia oddity that there were no more—There is a narrow, little, selfish, contracted humour that prevails among the great ones of this place that would belittle the small folks of a common village—True dignity, & dignified civility is rarely found among the mere yard-stick Gentry of a great City.

    I am delighted with my daughter Sallys Letter—If I dont write her in the morning, I send her a kiss, & will write her by the next mail—

    Inclosed is the Presidents Speech1—that contains all the news we have here, & what you have not—

    Yours—

    * * *

    ALS, TFP. Addressed to Biddeford; franked.