Really, my dear Nicholas, you are quite too modest and humble; you will never make your way in the world with so poor an opinion of your own merits; do you not know that with the common herd a man often passes current for the value he chooses to fix on himself & that impudence is the most...

I feel a degree of uneasiness not hearing from you since the 21st of October and had I not received a letter from my Darling Browse dated 21st Dec in which he mentions that Mr Tournillon and your self had been to New Orleans on business, the information created a good deal of uneasiness in my...

I was not aware, my dear Nicholas, when I wrote last that the blues were so strong upon me, or I should have prevented them from tinging my letter with their sombre colours. this is in every body's power, if they must feel uncomfortable themselves, they can at least avoid making others so, and in...

Your last letter was dated the 28th of February, only that I console myself with the belief that your letters are detained (for it is a month since a northern mail has arrived at Donaldsonville) I would be truly unhappy as your general habits of attention secure you from a suspicion of negligence...

I received your last letter & feel some pleasure in observing the progress you are making—Your hand writing is much changed for the better & your style so much improved as to excite not surprise merely but heartfelt satisfaction—I look forward with great anxiety to the period of your...

My friend Mr Harris the bearer of this, is desirous of getting his son in to the military school at West Point. will you inform what him what steps are necessary, to attain his object, and aid him as much as will be in your power

a letter from Ellen recd last night speaks of the possibility of her remaining in washington until an answer to it could arrive from me; at the same time that it intimates she may decide to return to Boston without delay; in which case the present would not find her, and might be retd to her,...

I wish you to forward the accompanying packet to Jefferson, wherever he may be, only taking care that it reach him safely, and without delay. I hope soon to have time to write to you;—the books have arrived at last, but more of them anon. Mr of New Orleans is here: how I wish I knew whether he...

I think the books had best be sent to Philadelphia. which is the only city in the union which has a numerous class of Literary persons who would buy rare books: this class in Boston is less numerous and less wealthy than in Philadelphia (the wealth being great in the hands of a few). in...

I have this moment recd your letter. What an excellent plan has been entirely defeated! of course it is of no avail to mourn now, but it seems to me unaccountable that having been compelled by his necessities to sell the books J. did not take the only steps in his power to make them produce...