Washington May 16th 1824
My Dear Friend,
I have no doubt but you will be disappointed
in receiving a letter from me dated so late as the mid-
dle of May. But I intend, thro' the blessing of Heaven,
to leave here before another week shall pass away. It
is not very probable that Congress will adjourn so soon.
This circumstance will not alone keep me here - I had
made my calculations when I wrote my last to have
set out for home on tomorrow morning- But, as evil
luck would have it, the bill for the encouragement of do-
mestic manufacturers, which has consumed so much of our
time, and which is considered by our part of the country
of so much importance - will detain us two or three
days longer. And it has unfortunately happened that
Congress has been so equally divided on the subject, that
by the absence of one member at a decision - the whole
measure would be defeated - and if it should be lost by my
absence, nothing short of the most imperious necessity,
for the circumstance,
[ ]
would exculpate me. I know, as well as feel, the necessity
of being at home at this season of the year, even if you
were all in good health - and much more since Samuel
is so unwell, & your health so precarious- I know also that
the boys will find it difficult to plan and perform the work
necessary to be done this spring- Altho' I have no doubt they
will do all they can, and with that I ought to feel satisfied.
By Samuels letter of the 27th ult, which I received five days
since, I learn with pleasure that they had so far, not
only been attentive, but had been successful in the business
entrusted to
thier [their]
case- As I intend to be at home soon after
you get this letter, it will be unnecessary to say anything
more on this subject. If my last letters have been received
the boys will learn what my wishes were about the work.
Samuel informs me that your health continues bad- I
grieve to hear it- And if it should be my good fortune
to meet you, in as good health as I enjoy at present, I
will do my best to relieve you from the cares and fatigue
you have been subjected to since I left home, and which
I fear has brought on your present feeble state of health.
I am yet rather undecided whether to return by Hart-
ford or Burlington - this will depend in some measure
on what day I can get away- If the stages and steam boats
shall happen to favor me, I can get home sooner, as well as
cheaper, by Burlington - which way I think I shall return.
Give my love to all our friends, and particularly to
Samuel & Mary - whom, as well as yourself, I most ardently
desire to meet again- Most affectionately yours &c
Saml C Crafts
Mrs E Crafts
S. C. Crafts
May, 16, 1824