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    To Sarah Savage Thatcher

    Philadelphia        1 February 1799

    I recieved yours of the 20th last, this morning, with one inclosed from my dear daughter Sally—I wrote her a few days ago, & shall write her again very soon—She is a very good Girl, & begins to write charmingly—encourage her to write, read, sing and dance—I anticipate the highest delight on my return in hearing she & Lucy sing, & seeing them & George dance—

    [ . . . ]

    I was overwhelmed with grief at hearing of the very dangerous state of brother [Dudley] Hubbards Life; but am releaved by hearing he is like to recover

    I have made provision for another quarter schooling for Philips, & hope he will return, with his violin if he can get one,1 the moment the vacation is up—Tell him to loose no time—He must learn to write, read, fiddle, dance, & cypher all he can in this year for he will never have any other opportunity—And above all he must be an honest, virtuous man—

    I am very glad to hear our dear Hanute [Anner Lewis] has got cleverly thro her weaning it [&] often thought of the dear little creature.

    Our Session is runing out, rapidly, which is my great consolation that I may again be in the midst of our dear family—

    Yours most affectionately—

    * * *

    ALS, TFP. Addressed to Biddeford; postmarked; franked. Omitted text relates to an enclosed order from the Treasury on Collector Jeremiah Hill, and for money to pay field hand Jotham or George Peirson “on the private account.”