The various rumours which have reached us as to the state of your health have been such as to excite serious apprehension and alarm1 on the part of your friends—All the recent accounts concur in representing you as entirely well or so far recovered as no longer to cause anxiety on the part of your friends—accept my congratulations on an event which I am certain no human being can hale with2 more heartfelt pleasure than myself—

Francis left New London a few days before the vacation in consequence of hearing of your indisposition—He would have gone immediately to Monticello but from the uncertainty as to your return from the springs & our hearing immediately afterwards that you were so far recovered as to be entirely out of danger—on hearing this I determined to keep him until he could get some Winter cloathing of which he was very bare—

Mr Dashiell’s leaving New-London renders it necessary again to seek out some place for Francis—The central University will probably not go into immediate operation—Mr Baker has a very well educated young man living with him at present and I propose sending him there until the spring after which if the central University is not in readiness I will send him to any other which you may prefer—

Present me to all the family and accept for your health & happiness my warmest wishes.