Washington Decr 1st 1823My dear Friend,

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I have at last arrived at the end of my journey, and in season. I wrote you while at New York, and gave a short account of my journey to that place. I left new York on [        ] Friday and lodged at Trenton, from there we traveled all day & all night and reached Baltimore some hours before day, on Sunday morning, 145 miles of this was by water and about 20 by land - at New York I met with 6 or 8 members of Congress who had been detained on the road; and at Philadelphia, we were joined by some 10 or 12 more, among whom I found Judge Palmer, and several of my former acquaintances. We reached this place a little before sun down last evening. I am now at my old boarding house, (Mrs Hamilton) and have concluded to room with Judge Matson, from New Hampshire, a member of the last Congress. Messrs Palmer, Seymour & Rich from Vermont have also taken lodging at this house. Congress will meet in the capitol this day at twelve o'clock to organize the house &c - and choose a Speaker and other officers. But as yet I have hardly seen any person except those that came with me. I have found the weather in this country colder than I expected at this season of the year - and it is considered to be the coldest fall that has been known for several years. The ground is frozen as hard here as it was at Craftsbury when I left home, and the small streams are covered with ice - perhaps & it is very probable that you have had colder weather since I left home than before.

I hope that I shall get a letter from home before long, and I shall hear tat you are all as well, if not better, than you were when I parted with you. I feel very desirous to hear from you and particularly how Samuel is, whether the pain continues as severe in hip and groin as it was before I left home.

I have a few dollars in Burlington bills left, which are not current South of New York, which I to you. I wish that Samuel would hand about 3 dollars to Mary Gilman - and charge the same in my account book - the remainder apply, or keep as you see fit. I have promised some money at Craftsbury, which I will forward as soon as I can receive some, which I can do in one or two weeks hence. I have not yet purchased a [        ] - having made but a short stop at New York, and none at all at Philadelphia - not having time even to land there from the steam boat.

Judge Allen left Washington with his wife the day before I got here, so that I have not seen his lady. I have been informed that she is a fine woman - somewhat advanced in years and but little short of that age which gives to unmarried ladies a new appelation. This is certainly very proper in Mr Allen who has been long a member of a fraternity some what [        ].

I pray you to write often and let me know the state of your own health at that of Samuel & Mary - and also to believe me

Dec. 1. 1823 S.C. Crafts to EC

Mrs Eunice Crafts

Sincerely yours, My love to Saml, Mary, & other friendsS C Crafts