Your letter my dear Sir announcing the birth of your little girl reached us ten days ago, the one to Pappa on the same subject has not yet been received—2 I think I may put in ^a^ claim now for my little god daughter—had she not had a Sister I should not have had the presumption to propose your commiting her to my care till her education requires another situation— We flatter ourselves that Sister will spend next Summer with us, clear, wholesome air, will be absolutely necessary for her & her Infants, after a Sea voyage. I hope that your attention to your private concerns will not deprive you of your being here, or this family the pleasure of your company, the coolest room this house affords shall be prepared for your reception, that Mama has determined since she first knew of your returning, I shall endeavor to keep my horse in good order, that you & Sister may enjoy one of the pleasantest & most beneficial modes of exercise, I have found it such. I brought with me last June from Phila. one of Duke Lauzerns riding horses, & a new saddle, and continue in the practise of riding on horseback. The last accounts of your health are more favorable than ^those^ for some preceeding Months, & I rejoice at it, a Voyage & your native air will, I do not doubt confirm it— Sister will be more at ease & experience fewer difficulties among her friends—

It was impossible for any person unless nearly allied to be more anxious for Mrs Izards arrival than myself—but how deficient that Lady in benevolence when contrasted with my dear Mrs Morris,3 my friend solicited me to come to Phi: with a view to indulge me with the pleasure of conversing with a Lady who had lately enjoyed yours & Sisters society, but that Lady tho twice in this Village nearly twenty four hours each time, neither waited on any of us or informed us of her being there— Mr Izard with whom I am personally acquainted I cannot excuse for not sending for me, to him I often expressed the great desire I had to see Mrs Izard before I left Phila. My Brother4 waited on her in that City, & I would have requested Pappa to have given Mr Izard an invitation to bring his family here, had not my brother & Major Clarkson assured me that they had no intention to move Northward & Mrs Morris’s letter confirmed their assertion—5

Your brother F: left us this morning, he took with him our little favorite, with a promise to return him in a few days— Peter & Nancy are about moving to Rye, Fady had not heard whether they had left Poughkeepsy, Peter in the course of the summer made several visits to his place at Rye— Mrs. Munrow is at Albany I think, I am not certain, what reply your brother made to my enquiries, his stay here was very short—he lives in the lower part of Mrs. Whites House—talks of getting a house ^in the Spring^, it is said that Mrs. White solicited him to take possession as a protection to her family,6 as many apprehend that the evacuation will be succeeded by riots the people in that State being ripe for every ^thing^ destructive to the loyalists— We have had a hint from some of our acquaintances that they intend us a visit at that time, It will give me pleasure to afford an asylum, should it be necessary, but it will be a shame to the authority of their Government if Treatys do not protect the parties concern’d but there has been already shameful violations— I do not wonder that they should say hard things of us in Europe, we deserve it all, & will more I fear— The assembly of this S[tate] are convened, we have not yet heard if Pappa is re-elected tho we are told there will not any one be named in opposition to him—7

As soon as you determine your Port to arrive at in America, inform me of it, I do not think I shall leave home till about the time you are expected, I will then greet your arrival.

Mrs Turnbull8 has solicited Mama to let me spend this winter with her, Mama has refused alledging the delicacy of my health— I did intend last Month to have paid Aunt Clarkson9 a visit but such an October I believe was never before known, It was one continued series of bad & stormy weather—

To morrow I am going with a Party to the falls,10 my only inducement to the jaunt at this season is to pay Sister Watkins a visit, I have not seen her since her confinement, Mr Watkins looks very ill, I fear he is not long for this world his father has left him handsome—if he knew how to improve it, but very unfortunately for him self & family he is an extreme helpless Man, his Mother sails in a short time to dispose of her property in Wales—she & her Children except Jack are indifferently provided for, Mr Watkins estate having suffered materially in the War—

I suppose you at this time in England, where Major Upham11 promises himself the pleasure of seeing you. he is an aid to the Commander & Chief, a Native of New England & formerly a Lawyer in one of those States, his humane & benevolent conduct to his Countrymen, has preserved the esteem that his deserting his Country would have lost him— I shall also commit to that gentlemans care a Packet for Sister which he is either to deliver to you or forward to France by a Private conveyance— That health may be restore[d] to you, you to your friends, is the Sincere wish of