On my return from Baltimore last fall, Comdore Elliot committed to my care a cane and Vase made of the wood of the Constitution Frigate, which I promised to deliver in person to yourself and Mrs. Madison. With this intention I ordered my carriage to meet me at Orange Court House, but being forced to leave Baltimore several days earlier than I had intended, by the sudden expansion of the Cholera, we could not then execute our intention, and I was compelled to leave the Comdores presents in the Care of the Tavern Keeper at the Stage House (Orange Ct H) who promised that they should be safely & speedily conveyed to you—If they have not been received I shall feel that I have been guilty of a great piece of negligence in not sooner informing you of the disposition I had made of them.

It was a great mortification both to my wife and myself that we were unable to execute our original plan of taking Montpellier in our way Home, tho we still flatter ourselves with the hope of having that pleasure on some future Occasion.

My Brother Mr. Ed: Coles and his wife are now residing in Pha. having taken a House in Chesnut Street for the winter, but he still talks of the West, & has not yet made up his mind where he will permanently fix himself down. We are all well here and enjoying much the fine weather with which we have of late been favored—I am with devoted attachment sir truly and faithfully yrs