I have not had the pleasure of hearing from Bedford since I left it & am now very anxious for letters. William with his wife & Mrs. Mc.Vickar arrived here on Thursday & the next morning proceeded on their journey— from a place 35 miles this side of Utica he wrote me a few lines respecting a Trunk, in which he says they are all well & that he had never had a more delightful ride—

Mr. Banyer talks of nothing but Bonaparte & Russia every body else, of our own mad War— some of the troops at Greenbush on being ordered to march a few days since grounded their arms & refused to stir without their pay, some of the Officers have been arrested at different places for their tavern bills, receiving no pay they were unable to repay their expenses— Gallatin who has been here,1 it is said got a little money from the State Bank for present exigencies— yesterday they again went thro’ the Mock ceremony of bringing a Man condemned to be shot, to the place of execution, having his Coffin placed before him, covering his eyes, &c. &c. & and then instead of pronouncing the word fire proclaiming pardon,2 a fine way this to establish Military discipline, indeed were not the proceedings of our administration so disgraceful to our Country & the proceedings calculated to produce such serious consequences as makes one melancholy, the manner in which they are carrying on the War would excite only ridicule— Hull is expected here today. Your friends here seem very sanguine in their hopes that you will meet the Convention.3 I see you are appointed a Delegate & know not what to think— I know your attachment to home & aversion to being engaged in public life, yet I know also your love for your Country & how much she stands in need of all the exertions of all her friends— I need not say how much I should be delighted to see you here, as Patriot I should hope that your Wisdom, your Talents, your Virtue, might with the blessing of Providence, produce some measures beneficial to our unhappy Country— as a daughter all the joy an affectionate Child can feel in embracing the best of Fathers— the recollection of my visits to you my dear Papa is a source of the greatest pleasure to me, & for which I must again & again thank your kindness—

I think your Cake has been useful to me & have began a second— Tell Sally Mrs. Sutherland was very much pleased with her letter, she is recovering tho’ still too weak to write— I cannot tell her any Albany news except that Mr. Bird is married to Mrs. Brown & that it is said Miss Truax is soon to be united to Mr. M. Lansing. Mr. Clarke is still absent, the Old gentleman very kind, the servants all behaving very well & I am of course very comfortable & cannot be too thankful for the blessings I enjoy— I indeed miss the Society of my dear Sisters but am happy in knowing they are together & with you— it would give me great pleasure to hear that Nancy’s health continues to improve— Give my love to them all including Mary & her dear Children— & Remember me to Kitty if you please— I am my dear Papa Your dutiful & very affecte. daughter