University of Virginia Library

I am several letters in your debt, but presumed that
my letters to your husband would be the same as if to yourself.
Uour last & the Doctor's, written since, both reached me yesterday,
the deep snow having delayed the mails. I may write to
the Doctor upon his new plan, if anything occurs more than
what I shall now say. If he builds on the slope of the hill,
as he proposes, the basement story may be of stone, which I
believe is abundant there, and that is much cheaper than either
brick or wood. On this account, and on account of the saving
in the roof n would be cheaper than the one I sent. I
am not sure that I understand how he proposes to get on the
upper floor of 4 rooms—a Passage of only 4 feet would not
admit of a stair from one passage to the other. Perhaps he
would have that also on the outside.

I was very glad to hear that the dispute with
Philips was settled, for I did not know but the Doctor was
completely in his power as his heaviest payment of interest,
& will not be until after two years, while the consideration
he pays will be during this year, and I rate what he will
probably get at $700 or $800. I do not think he is as much
worsted by Philips's after clap as he thinks.

If the note discounted for the Doctor was for 90
days, I apprehend I shall feel no difficulty in taking it up
before it becomes due. Certainly not if I receive what I am
warranted in counting on. I fear now I have no chance of getting
my Texas debt this year. Fortunately I have never allowed
myself to count on it, so that the disappointment will produce
no practical inconvenience.

I was greatly grieved to hear of poor Jack's accident.
Let me know how he gets one. I have for the first winter
I have been in Phila. have had no fall this year. I presume
that as my limbs get naturally stiffer I take more pains in
walking—but in more than 20 falls I never sustained the least
injury, for my practice is when I find I have lost my balance,
I quietly lie down. But I spoke too fast. I have twice had
falls in which I was hurt, once on stairs, & again at the door
atops, when I could neither recover myself, nor pursue my plan
of lying quietly down.

I have never received the letter from George which
you said he was to write, btu as I knew he had his hands full
I excused him, & still excuse him if a letter would interfere
with his studies.

The weather has been distressingly cold here, as
it was with you. The thermometer shews, as I always thought,

that there was little difference between the climate of Philadelphia
& the University, your greater elevation being equal
to our more Northern latitude.

Your mother sends you her love, & joins me in remembrances
to all the children etc. You say nothing of Mary's
eyes. I am your