(seq. 29)

New York August 17th ..93

I think my dear Aunt you have but little cause to
complain of me in the letter way, as this is the third I've
written in return for one. I do not mean by this to be
ceremonious with you. I intend to write when I can & hope
you will do the same. Papa is gone to Long Island to see
what accomodations we can have; as he was preparing to go
a gentlemen gave him your friendly packet, containing a
letter for me; I eagerly open'd & perus'd those lines of affection
from my ever dear Aunt Lydia, highly gratified by this proof
of your remembrance. Now I will answer your enquiries.
The promise I made you at parting I perform'd, but our friend
will give you the letter himself. I suppose by this time you
have receiv'd it. I wrote more particularly before I left N. port
as I was afraid to trust so much of my mind in any other
hand. I intended to answer your questions as they follow, but
pardon me if I leave a great many, & answer your last
which most concerns me. Yes Aunt Lydia, I acknowledge
to you that my esteem for my friend - is such as I never felt
before for any one. You ask my sentiments on this subject:
they are favourable to the wishes of Mr G - but how shall
I know if he still wishes it? My confidence in him makes me
think he will not change the object, but I know there can
be one more worthy of him. I shall begin soon to prepare
for my housekeeping in Carolina. I think I shall want my
mother more now, every day of my life, than I ever did.
Your little Mary must follow the dictates of her own
reason. My dear mama provided amply for her darling
before she died & I was born, but the war has depriv'd me
of the pleasure she intended I should have, in saying
Mama made these for me. This is a subject not very
pleasing, I can't reflect without pain, that I was the inno-
cent cause of her death. I always thought & think now, that