Albany, June 6 1698

My dear husband

I have let you know with Johannes that I was delivered of a young daughter but am weak of the burning fever and sick out of my head I have given sister my stays to enlarge them on each side by one thumbwidth and to have my dress made on that here there is talk that our Johannes would be courting after Jacob Rutsen’s daughter who is 28 years old and has a mouth as if she has followed the army all her life but he denies it and I have told him what he should expect that I think he would be wiser than to start anything like that as he is only a minor child but denies it completely never to have had such discourse with her write him about that and give him a reprimand and enclose his letter in mine and see to it that you now get those 20 lb. from Jacob Rutsen for I hate to hear his name and don’t care to have any dealings with him our sister Ment will inform you of it I don’t hope that such a misery would happen to us with this break off and commend you into the protection of the Most Highest I would like to write more but the fever is starting up again hard
Your loving wife
Alida Livinghston