LETTER CLII.
Georgetown, Feb. 18, 1817.
I had hardly finished my last letter (Sunday, the 16th) to
you, when I was seized by spasms that threatened soon to
terminate all my earthly cares; although the two nights since
have been passed almost entirely without sleep, I am much
better. Not expecting to be able to write, I asked Charles
G., yesterday, to write to you for me. Be not alarmed at his
letter; I am in no immediate danger—that excepted in which
all things mortal stand.
I wish you had said a word about the weather in your last
costive epistle; indeed, that you always would give me the
journal of the preceding week. Yesterday afternoon, we had
a change from intense frost to thaw. The ice on the Potomac
is three feet thick, and extends to its mouth. Chesapeake is
tight, as low as Annapolis. At Havre, the ice is yet thicker.
North River is tight, opposite to New York, (its very mouth,)
where it is salt as the ocean brine, and the tides very rapid;
at least, as much so as the current of our rivers in a flood.
East River, still more rapid, is also frozen. It is nothing but
the arm of the sea that divides Long Island from New York
Island, and the main. I consider Friday and Saturday the
two coldest days I ever felt. Thermometer at zero, and, in
some places hereabouts, 7° below; at Boston, by the last accounts,
28° below zero. All the pheasants, partridges, &c.,
frozen to death.
I am in suspense about the horses' arrival in Richmond.
Poor Juba lies very ill, and I know not what to do. Adieu!
Pray plant some sweet-brier and swamp roses.
| 1817—Feb., |
Sunday 9, snows a little. Very sick; bled. |
|
Monday 10, changeable; turns very cold afternoon. |
| 1817—Feb., |
Tuesday 11, very cold. Had a grinder extracted. |
|
Wednesday 12, bitter cold; wind high at northwest. |
|
Thursday 13, colder still; wind very high at
north-west. |
Coldest 48
hours ever
felt. |
Friday 14, coldest day ever felt; night intolerable;
no fire, and no number of blankets will
keep me warm. |
Coldest 48
hours ever
felt. |
Saturday 15, as cold as yesterday; cloudy;
threatens snow. |
|
Sunday 16, very cold; cloudy; clear; cloudy;
sleet, at night. |
|
Monday 17, sleet; very cold; sunshine; cloudy;
thaw. |
|
Tuesday 18, it has hardly frozen during the last
night; fog. |
T. M. N. has been very polite, and even kind to me. His
deportment here is very unexceptionable.
No farther news from H. T. P. says he has been so
butchered by the "doctors," that he can never have the use
of his arm.
I am taking the super carbonated natron—a fine preparation.
Ministry—John Q. Adams, Secretary of State.
Shelby, of Kentucky, Secretary of War.
Crawford will remain in if he pleases.
Crowninshield remains.
G. W. Campbell goes to London.
JOHN RANDOLPH.
To T. B. Dudley, M. D.
