Since I wrote to you last1 some of the Committee of Mr Freys Congregation have called on me for the purpose of buying ground on which to build a Church— I have asked them $7000 for three lots on Walker Street,2 & I have told them a part of the money must be paid down & that the Residue must be secured not only by a Mortgage on the premises, but also by personal Security, so that it may not be necessary (in case interest should not be paid) to proceed against the Church. They did not seem to think these terms unreasonable but have taken time to consider of them— I have nearly compleated the Bargain with Mr McChesney3 for Nancys lot, for $250 a year for 7 years, & we are only waiting till he can make an Arrangement with the present tenant for the Buildings.

I have had a Conversation with Doctor Watts4 about little Maria.5 He says that if she had the disorder which Dr Sacket6 supposed she had, vizt the Tabes Mesenterica he should think her incurable. That when he first saw her she had three symptoms of that Disease, inordinate appetite, swelled bowels, & diarrhea,. but that these symptoms were equivocal and might proceed from some other cause, & he had therefore hoped for the best, & he soon was induced to believe that her primary complaint was chronic Dyarrhea, which would nevertheless if not checked end in tabes mesenterica. This latter Disease is it seems an enlargement of the Glands of the Mesentary which prevents the absorption of Nourishment into the System, & in fact starves the patient.7 The Doctor says that the Diarrhea is now stopped, & the other Symptoms mitigated, & he entertains good hope of the Childs recovery.

Maria was certainly much better when she left town than when she came to it. I hope the Improvement in her health may continue.

We are all well. Our Love to Maria Nancy & William. Your face I hope is by this time well— I am, my dear father, Your affectionate Son,