I sent by Mary Delavans1 bond &c but had not time to write by her. A Mr Honeywell2 called & told me that he had proposed to give a new Mortgage in lieu of Delavans & that you had referred him to me. I believe that Delavans bond is perfectly secure, but as he is not in the habit of paying his Debts voluntarily & is now deeply indebted to the Mechanics bank who will probably press him for money, I should think it expedient to take Honeywells Mortgage, provided the Land he offers is sufficient in value. Of this William will be a much better Judge than I am. I formerly loaned Honeywell $1000 on the same land, & I have no doubt examined the title & found it good though I do not now particularly recollect it. He afterwards paid off that Debt & gave a new Mortgage to some one else which is still unsatisfied, and which ought to be taken off the Record, before you give up Delavans Mortgage— Honeywell was desirous that William should draw the papers to avoid detention here, & I therefore sent the bond &c by Mary. Since I have been in my new office I have been exceedingly occupied. The Mayor being employed at this Season in granting tavern Licences I have been obliged to hold His Sessions as well as the Mayors Court so that I have held court every day since I was sworn in except Sundays & the three days of the election. And having at the same time to move, and finding it inconvenient to write in the Evening at Marias I have been unable even to write to you. I have this day come to the new house. I have got my books arranged, & shall I hope in future have a little more leisure.

I have lately had frequent occasion to apply to you for advice & must again trouble you. I find it is expected that I should contribute to the expence of the late election incurred in the support of the Clintonian Candidates— At that election I voted for the federal Senators, & for the Clintonian assembly ticket. I did so because the latter consisted partly of federalists, which the opposite ticket did not, & because on the whole I preferred the candidates to those on the tammany ticket. With respect to the Contribution I do not wish to appear niggardly, my principal Objection is that it might seem to identify me with the Clintonian party & to separate me from the federal party. The latter have been much divided— A great part of the federalists here did not vote at all. Of those who did the majority were opposed to Mr Clinton. Throughout the State, they have been divided but a majority of the whole party have supported Mr Clinton— I think it doubtful whether they will ever again be united. What under these Circumstances will it be right & proper for me to do?

As far as I can yet judge the office of Recorder will produce me about $5000 per Annum— I have found myself more at home as a Judge than I expected, & hope after one or two terms more, to get thro the Business of the Mayors Court with greater expedition than has been usual. And after the end of this term I shall able again to attend to my own Business which at present I am compelled to leave to Mr. Roosevelt3 who studied with me & whom I have taken into partnership.

Maria has been decidedly better ever since she has been in town. She has not had a single turn of bad spirits. Miss Sedgwick4 is at present with her. I am sorry to hear that Williams little Maria is again afflicted with an eruption. I hope you will not find our Children troublesome— The Weather has been so cold that I fear the fruit will be injured. We have however had no frost. My best love to William & the family. I am, my dear father, Your very affect Son