I cannot think my dear Mary of suffering Col: Tallmadge to return without a letter for you, though I have little to add to my late communication by Post, which I trust, will be duly received. In that I gave you a short account of our journey and situation—from the fatigue of the former, I am quite recovered, and have never at any time enjoyed a greater portion of health and animal spirits—In this respect, I have been favor’d beyond all expectation, for I have always made abundant calculation for hours of despondence and gloom, either real or imaginary—But considering circumstances, my mind since I parted from my dear friends, has been unusually serene—It is true, I look back occasionally upon past days, and the hours of luxurious friendship they afforded, with feelings of peculiar tenderness, and not always free from a portion of pain—but I cannot say my dear friend, that it ever amounts to _regret_ or a wish to retrace my steps—no—hitherto my cup of earthly felicity has been as pure as mortals can expect, or indeed ought to wish—I how ever, have but just tasted it, a deeper draught may abate the relish—but Mary, I hope I have done with romance, and can therefore place more reliance upon my present feelings and judgement—these I have as yet no cause to distrust, in respect to the friend, and companion which kind Heaven has alloted me. ... We are not yet in our own house which will surprise you—but promises are not more binding here than in other countries, or Mecanicks more punctual—the house which was engaged to be completed the first of May, is but this week made ready for cleaning, that will be done in a few days, and then I shall begin to put up my _goods_ & _chattles_—after they are arranged, I should like to introduce you to my house—you shall have my best chamber, and my toilet shall present your eye with a beautiful ornament, that often gives pleasure to my own, from a delightful association of ideas— Scarce a day passes in which I do not see Susan—this near neighborhood is a great comfort to us both—you would be surprised to see how greatly Susan exerts herself to become a housewife, and that too, an industrious and economical one—and she has the satisfaction to witness her own improvement.... Her home is pleasant, and quite prettily furnished—Her brother and Sister have made her some valuable presents, and selected all her New York purchases—M^r Gold had purchased a wench, which they have the use of, and they also keep a little Boy—so you see they have begun in some stile—I am this afternoon going to ride with her to Whitesborough; and must finish my scribbling when I return—I hope to have been settled in my own house before Col. Tallmadge returned that Maria might have been able to give some account of its appearance, but I must relinquish the expectation, for the time they gave to visiting has now nearly, if not quite expired.