Trenton 1788 What can be the reason I have no intelligence of my beloved Henry, agreable to my calculations I should have received a letter last night wrote at Portland, but alas I am severely disapointed [sic] I will console me however with the reflection that ill news is swift of foot - and if any disaster attended his passage - it must have reached me [e'er] this knowing from the first that our separations must be long I endeavored to bring my mind to it, and have hitherto born it manfuly - but my philosophy begins to fail me and I sicken at the thought of the many suns that must yet rise before the welcome day that shall bring you to my arms - if I thought your stay in Boston would be long I should be almost tempted to meet you there - We are yet at Trenton our friends are kind and good as usual but I am home sick, and propose to return the last of this week little Euphemia has had a fall and broke her left arm just in the joint of the elbow, it is a very bad fracture and there is great reason to fear she will not have the free use of the limb again [2] our babes are all well and talk much of pappa - Marcus is a very fine boy having him constantly with me for a month he has lost many of his nursing imperfections, but is still ungovernable I am much at a loss what to do with him the ensueing winter - if we remain in N York I think it would be well to lett [sic] him go to [Hampstead] for a few months, and after place both brothers with Mr Wright - Publik affairs are very disagreably circumstanced at present - the different assemblys are now convened in several of the states on purpose to receive the Ordinance of Congress - while they are suffering passion to over rule their better reason - and subjecting their country [inserted: to] all the horrors of civil war. my feelings are much agitated upon the subject not only relating to the happiness of the people at large, but as it respects us individualy - Colo Ogden has a letter from his father an extract from which he will transcribe for you - If we can [3] avoid paying that money in england [sic] without worse consequences at the estate here, it would be a desirable thing it would give us some certain cash and enable you to provide for [struck: the] your little wards, but of this you are a much more competant judge than myself - if you think it an object write immediately to my sister who will rejoice at the opinion of the chancellor - both the money and interest are now secure [inserted: to] Mr Longman and [inserted: the] other gentlemen will certainly receive theirs as the case now stands - but if the remainder could be saved to the family it would be a great relief. I see no evil attending it but the creditors interfering here, but as I said above of this you are a proper and competant judge - I have a letter from my daughter last evening She is well and well pleased - Mr and Mrs Ogden beg to be affectionately remembered by you - take care of the equinox remember the year eighty four for the sake of your - L Knox