174

    To Sarah Savage Thatcher

    Philadelphia        26 May 1798

    My dear—

    In yours of the 14th. which came to hand two days ago you take courage from my having sent home some of my clothes, to hope that would be the last letter you should have occasion to write me to the end of the Session—You expected I should inform you in my next of the time I should be at home, & that I would have you direct no more letters to me at this place—Some time ago I entertained the idea of leaving this place about this time; but now I see nothing by which I can form a rational conjecture of the close of the Session—We expect, however, the next dispatches from our Envoys at Paris will enable us to say with decision what measures must be taken in regard to the French—From present appearances I believe they will be war-measures & rigorous ones—The most inveterate hostility of that nation, or rather of the Rulers of that nation to this has, for a long time, been no doubtfull question to many—But others have hoped, & wished, & shut their eyes till they seem to have lost sight of the security of their own country in the Tyrranic splender of that—

    [. . . .]

    I continue to enjoy good health. The weather is now comfortable, for two days past have fallen some very refreshing showers: before then the air was sultry as an oven—And the Country suffering with a severe drought.

    I hope you have a good season. Write me particularly—

    I am most affectionately your

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    ALS, TFP. Addressed to Biddeford; franked; postmarked. Omitted text relates to news of friends and family members.