I was mortified by seeing in this morning’s Paper that Mr. Bayard had sailed the 8th. for London—1 had I been informed of his going, with what pleasure wd. I have written to you by him— By the same Paper I see advertised the Departure of a Vessel about the middle of the present month for London— it shall not be my fault if you do not hear from me by that— The last letter I’ve had the pleasure of receiving from you was dated the 24th. Augst.2 The Septbr. Mail is arrived in Town, but unfortunately there are no letters for me—nor have I heard of any letters that mention you— You know by experience my best beloved! how painful are the sensations of suspense, but let the causes of delay be what they will, never will I imagine your silence to proceed from indifference; too frequent have been the proofs to the Contrary for me ever to doubt yr. love or attention— A few days ago Mrs. Smith from B[edford]. call’d here to pay me a visit, I found her sociably disposed & listen’d to her information— she told me things were sadly neglected at the house upon the hill— The tenant of it living in an very improper manner with a young woman in the Neighbourhood, spending some times 2 or 3 days with her at her house & receiving visits from her as unsuitable at his own— the young woman (she told me) had kept one of the farm-horses all Summer at her father’s for her use & that the neighbours censure them both very much— With a great number of Cows, some of which are excellent he makes no butter but for his own use— & a number of annecdotes which I think discover inattention to business which I cannot but regret— I wrote to the Old Woman’s Son-in-law lately about flour &:, & in my letter dropt a hint that I fear’d in the hurry of business he had forgot his promise of writing to you, suggesting that it was not yet too late— Munro has not yet return-d from Albany, as he means to take B—[edfor]d in his way home, he will be able to tell you how your affairs there are conducted—

Your brother Fady is I believe offended with me— about a month ago he sent his Clerk here to ask me for the money for the tierce3 of spirits; I told the young man I would with pleasure pay for it, and asked for the Order— he told me he had none, but wd. give me his rect. I declined paying without the Order— half an hour after Moncrieffe call’d upon me & in like manner offer’d his rect. for the Money. I told Tommy that in his Uncle’s letter from Mr. Hilton he was requested by that gentleman to pay the money to Mrs. Hilton his Mother, & I s[ai]d. I was ready to pay it to her Order— A few days after Fady call’d here for his wife— his Countenance indicated displeasure— so you refused to pay for the Spirits says he— by no means sir I replyed, I only requested to have Mrs. Hilton’s order as an indemnification— Very well said yr. brother, I’ve pd. for it & shall charge my brother interest on the sum— I asked if that would not be rather hard as I had both money & inclination to pay & only wished to do yr. business regularly— from that time I’ve not seen him— I sent for your Nephew & acquainting him with what had pass’d, he approv’d my Conduct & advised that I should let it rest ’till he sent me Mrs. Hilton’s rect. or ’till you return’d— I received a beautiful letter to-day from Maria, written just before she left Morris-Town— I long for her next letter which will be from Bethlehem— her poor Aunt Symmes will have a disagreeable journey—4 Mrs. Ridley has not yet reached NYork— I have had some hopes that you would have re-cross’d the Atlantic before she had travel’d from Baltimore to this City— but an Advertisment in to-day’s paper relative to Mr. Bayard’s business in England, seems to suggest an Expectation of the President’s that Mr. Bayard will find you in Europe—5 If that should be the case, for Heaven’s sake my dr. Mr. Jay don’t risque a winter’s passage— At least don’t let any considerations about me & the family induce you to hazard what you do not approve, but do that only which you think best after consulting able Mariners— You must be convinced that it will give me infinite pleasure to re-embrace you & your son; but you may be assured that should your business demand your still longer detention, no exertion shall be omitted on my part to bear with fortitude the seperation, nor any thing neglected in my power to perform to lessen the injury your family & affairs might sustain from yr. absence— the 2d. of Novbr. I wrote you by Captn. Kemp & likewise sent you duplicates of 2 other letters—6 I sincerely hope he’ll arrive safe, & that letters from my dear son & yourself will e’er long inspire with new fortitude your ever affectionate wife—

Nothing new has taken place in our domestic arrangements, myself, the Children & servants enjoy health. All our particular friends are well— Mr. Kemp call’d in last evening— he requested to be particularly remembred to you— I ask’d him if he would not write, but he said he dar’d not take that liberty—