Permit me my dear Sir to wish you and Sister, the Compliments of the season, and to assure you that no one more sincerely wishes the ensueing year may be propitious to your every wish than your friend who has now the pleasure of writing to you—

The Church disputes far from subsideing, rage with more violence than ever. The Whigs finding the Moreans or in plain English the Tories the strongest party, are determined to petition the Legeslature for their interposition— They will never stop short of depriveing Mr. Moore of the Rectorship, in which tho I am no Churchwomen I think they are perfectly right— They ought indeed to go further— They should silence Mr. Moore altogether— I am no friend to persecution, but I think in the present criticle situation of their City the Tories will have no reason to complain if we do nothing more than prevent their holding any Office which may give them influence, until they can consent, to lay aside their hankering after the flesh pots of Britain—1

Yesterday, opened the Election for their City Members, a very contested one was expected— I am sorry to hear that some Men bid fair to succeed who are very unequal to the task of Legislation.2

The danceing Assembly met with great opposition, some from Religious, or others from Politicle motives opposed it, but the Loyal Managers, (Augustus Van Courtland & Daniel Ludlow) resigning, and expunging some of their rules appeased the populace and they have carryed them into execution—3 A private Ball at the Chancellers, another at Uncle P.V.B. Livingston’s in Compliment to his Excellency Gen1 Washington, (as he quartered there) are all I have heard of—

Your friend Dr. Bancroft spent some time with us going and returning from New York— Mr. Holker introduced him and ^has^ assured us that the Dr. had not had for several years so agreeable a relaxation from Politicks— When I last heard from Philadelphia that gentleman was propareing to sail for Charles Town, but the weather seting in very severe shortly after it is probable has detained him— The Dr. did not leave us without a promise to repeat his visit in the Spring— I shall consider his doing it a mark of his approbation of the reception we gave him— A more agreeable visiter we could not have entertained, as he gave us a more particular account respecting your ^health &^ family than any we have received since your residence in France— I believe I mentioned in a former letter that we had not the pleasure of seeing Mrs. Izard— And Colo. Ogden if I may judge from his remisness must make another Voyage to Europe to be instructed in good breeding.

Mr. Rt. Morris I hear seems determined to quit the first of next May then G. M. will, I suppose, return to his Mammy.4

We have never been so att a loss to tell where you are as at present not having received any letters of a later date than August. Are Mr & Mrs. Ridley in Paris or London the Dr. and Mr. Holker differed on that subject If it be not premature will you wish them joy for me— I wrote to Mr. Ridley the same time I writ to Sister and intended it to go from Phila. that you should hear from us before the Arrival of Sir Guy. Sisters letter I detained to go with Major Upham at his particular request— Mr. Holker thought proper to bring back the letter and send it in the LOrient Packet—which must have occasioned its very late arrival—

The Legislature of this State having risen we are hourly expecting my Father home—by ^the^ enclosed letter you will see its determined that Master Peter stays with us this Winter—he is very ambitious to write equal to his Aunt Susan his instructer. this morning as I was looking over him I read his copy for the day—Commend virtuous deeds— I must do more than that, says he I must imitate them— He has read Rob^in^son Crusoe & Don Quixote—he is now reading nature delineated and is exceedingly pleased with the natural History they contain—5 he begins the exercise of the day and closes the same with reading a few Chapters in the Bible—he has learnt many of the hymns in the book you sent him & frequently expresses a great desire to see you and his Mamma— He enjoys good health and is often complimented with having his Mamma’s complextion— It is indeed Sun and frost proof—his under teeth are like Sally’s, the upper ones that have made their appearance are rather larger, they are perfectly white, but foul the soonest of any I ever saw—as we have paid attention to drawing the decayed & those that were in the way, they have every chance of being sound and well cut.

Your brother Fady and Mrs. Jay are well. Nancy and Peter I suppose as much so as usual or I should have heard to the contrary— In the spring I intend to pay them a visit. Would this Winter if it were practicable and I were sure it would be convenient to them Kiss Sally and your sweet babes for me, and I’ll pay you with interest when we have the pleasure of meeting— Mamma Susan and Peter unite with me in Love to Sister and you. Yr Affect F & S