the charcoal should be taken fresh from the fire and the moment it is cool enough beaten to an impalpable powder and sifted through fine muslin. when, immediately put in to a phial and corked tight, as exposure to the air destroys it’s virtue. if the coal is has been dead any time it must be...

Having some idea of riding to the river tomorrow; and feeling even more than usually inclined to enter into conversation with you, to pass away this stormy and howling evening, more pleasantly than my books could assist me in doing; I believe I will gratify my inclination, and take a letter for...

Yours of the 21st of October reached me on the 27th Nov and was gratefully received, to hear of your being restored to health gave me pleasure tho unnable to enjoy any thing from a want of that blessing which has been denied me the last three weeks, indeed I am still a sufferer but not in so...

I received your welcome favor of the 21st October last Evening I had been expecting Brother a letter from your Brother not having had that pleasure for some time but he seems not to have that feeling towards me that wou’d excite much sensibility or he wou’d delight in giving pleasure to his poor...

I am very glad for your sakes my dear Virginia to hear that you are at last “coming to the sweet” of your visit to town tho’ every day lessens the chance of my going down to partake of the gaieties which Cornelia tells me are just beginning my fate is fixed I am afraid & there seems very...

Brother Jeff sets off on saturday my dear Virginia and I will remember my promise of writing to you first altho I daresay mama has written to you if she has written to either of you I have not seen her since you left home but heard from her to day I am to send the horses down to morrow as she...

I have written the letter of introduction for Mr Sparks & enclosed it to him in N. York as you desired, and as I had some sins of negligence unatoned towards the good lady, I wrote her another long explanatory & conciliatory letter to procure ...

Ellen and myself have congratulated each other many times since you left us that you should have embraced the only interval of fair weather for your journey: we hope that you arrived without...

Joseph has explained Mr Sparks’ wish with regard to the papers of Gouverneur Morris, and I should have myself written to Mrs Morris but I know she is affronted with me for not writing sooner, & my letter of introduction might do Mr S— more harm than good. If any one has any influence with the...

I have only one moment to tell you, we arrived safe & well Sunday at 3 o clock, and with as pleasant and prosperous a journey or rather voyage, as good company, bright skies & smooth seas could ensure—the thursday must be excepted when the jolting of the stage or perhaps the anxiety of...