Washington Feb. 7th 1824My dearest friend,

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I thank you for your letter of the 22d which came to hand on tuesday last - and feel very thankful to learn by it that you and the family are so well. I assure you I never open a letter from home with trembling - lest I shall receive some unpleasant news. But, thus far, and I cannot express sufficient gratitude for the favor, the accounts from home have been of a much more cheering nature than I had reason to anticipate, considering the state of your health, and Samuels, when I left home. If my exertions, or my prayers, can avail anything, something of happiness still remains for you. You tell me that you go out but little, & have but little company &c I am well acquainted with the inconvenience and tedious of a 'Vermont winter', and especially to a person of as feeble health as yours. But as bad as are these winters, I had infinitely rather, if I consulted only present happiness, spend them with you at home, than here. I have hitherto been well, and shall continue to take every precaution to preserve my health. I seldom leave my room unless to go to the House once a day where we tarry four or five hours. I suffer most for exercise - the travelling is generally so bad we cannot walk much, which is all the exercise we have. I have been to no party since 8th of January, where I tarried but a

very short time, for I saw nothing there calculated to give me any pleasure. There has been two or three other tea parties since, to two of which I received invitations to attend; but I did not, and I think I shall attend no other this winter. One evening spent in a small circle of friends, such are my old fashion notions, is worth a thousand of these genteel, modern, fashionable, parties.

I have looked into the book stores in this place to find some small work that might be amusing to you, and which I could [     ] - I have not hitherto been very successful. I found the other day a small work called visions of judgment, written by Southy & Byron. But when I came to peruse it I hesitated about sending it. There is much with in Byrons, which it seems was written to ridicule Southeys poem, which, by the way, is a milk and water production. But Byron has [           ] taken rather too much latitude with some of his characters, to suit the taste of many people now a days. I have concluded to enclose it to Samuel among some documents which I directed to him a few days ago. I will look up some plays and send you. But as I shall be obliged to purchase them before I read them, it is probable I may make a bad choice. I sent some money to Samuel a few weeks since to enable him to make part payment for his house - and will in course of the winter send him some more. But I must first pay up my debt to the Bank which will become due the last of this month. I you ten dollars week before last & will send you some more soon.

S.C. Crafts Feb. 7. 1824

Wishing you and the family all the comfort and happiness that mortals can enjoy. I remain your affectionate and faithful friendSaml C Crafts