It is with singular pleasure I advise you that Kitty was safely delivered of a fine little Girl the 25th. Ulto.—1 Both Mother & Child are bravely—Kitty I think remarkably so, considering her delicate Habit—

I received your kind Letter of the 4th. January.2 It had been a Circuit someway other; for it was long out of course.—The public Papers will have informed you the proceedings of this state on the New Constitution—Much yet remains to be done; and without some Amendments, and previously holding up to the People a prospect of them, I sometimes fear all will not end calmly.

The Business of Messrs. Van Staphorsts remains unsettled—The Law for arbitrating the differences is repealed—the next we shall hear of it will I suppose be in the High Fœderal Court—3

I thank you for your kind attention to Segars—None good can be procured here at present—

Kitty sometimes seems to wish for a Trip to Jersey. The only capital Obstacle is want of my Company.—Should it be concluded on Essex is to accompany her. This will afford him & Peter an opportunity of meeting and forming some accuaintance previous to their probable meeting at College. I am sure their dispositions being so similar, they must become Friends—

This is a Strange Bustling World Full of Strange Beings; strange Manners; and Strange politics. The Dutch Business is a proof of it—I pity the Patriots of that Country—The Turks and Russians are now upon the stage—This is really noble-Acting—but the Audience pay very dear for the Spectacle—Perhaps this lopping off two or three hundred thousand souls now & then in spots & Corners of the World may be necessary in order to preserve the Equilibrium of our great machine, which from a too great opposite weight might be thrown of its Poise or jerked from it’s Axis—What think you of French Affairs? It is said that every Crime causes it’s own punishment—I never thought the Conduct of that Court very laudable in our Business tho’ very convenient to us—And I never doubted but some of the Tinder of that Country would take with an American-Spark—I wish there may be Wisdom enough to Fan it into agreable Flames, Between you & I—I expect our little Marquis is now as busy as one Bee—But depend upon it he has not drank from the Fountain-Head. Power; Wealth; and Influence! What Stimulants to daring Enterprize?

We were much alarmed with Accounts of you in the late Riot. You have had a most fortunate Escape & have the sincere congratulations of me & mine upon it—

Pray remember us all in the most Affectionate Manner to Mrs. Jay & Peter; and Forget us not to Mr. Watkins & Family—I am with sincere Regard Dear Sir Yr. Affect hble Servt