others) upon us, which it appears impossible to pay, as I learn it is to be collected in silver, of which there is almost none in the colony: so that peace, the ardent wish of the poor wretch who is involved in war, seems to threaten us with as great, if not greater evils, than even the war itself. But I am not a politician, and the subject is disagreeable; therefore I will drop it, and in spite of alarming appearances, I will trust in Providence to send us better times, and to work a kinder disposition in our mother country towards us.
I saw my cousin, Mr. Abraham Maury, and his family, and Mr. Daniel Claiborne and his family, this spring, who were all well. I have also lately seen Mr. Isaac Winston and his family. They are well, except my sister, who is in but a low state of health.
My poor mother-in-law is now with Mr. William Mills, who married Elizabeth, her second daughter. Sally, the oldest, lives with us, unmarried. Moses, the oldest son, is in business in Charles City County. Joseph I have bound to a cabinet-maker, and he is like to do well. Aaron lives with Mr. Isaac Winston, and Aby, the youngest, is with his mother.
The Rev. James Maury I saw not long ago. and believe he and his family are well.
My cousin Mary, oldest daughter of my uncle Francis, is so unhappy as to have married an extravagant, careless man, who is quite unable to maintain her; and she now lives in the capacity of housekeeper, with a very worthy clergyman in North Carolina.
I willingly embrace your kind proposal of commencing an epistolary correspondence with your son, my cousin James Fontaine, but not as your substitute, for I trust in God (pro-
