Letter from Manasseh Cutler to his son, February 12, 1802

My Dear Son, Washington 12 Feb 1802

Enclosed you will find a letter which Dr. Hildreth has enclosed to me for the purpose of its being forwarded to you. In his letter to me he ex= =presses great anxiety about receiving the remainder of his money, which remains due on the first payment for the sale of his lot. He acknowledges the receipt of the $30, which I recd. of David Pearce Jr. as I [illegible] on, [illegible] I forwarded to him from Boston. This with the $80 you forward to him [illegible] seem to be all that he has received. He has also expressed much concern about his deed - I must renew my request that you will in some way or other, contrive to get all the deeds, I have sent to you, to me before I leave this city. I wish also to obtain my general deed, but I am not so anxious about it, as the other deeds - for I shall be [illegible] [illegible] for them when I return. You will be informed before this reaches you that the Judiciary bill has passed the Senate by a majority of only one. It will be taken up in this House, it is expected, on Monday next. No doubt can be entertained of its passing. The thing is pre-determined, it will be done. The Constitutionalists are in some doubt whether it be worth while to make much opposition. for in this house it will be of no avail. But it may be useful to the public- as I am inclined to think it will be done. We

We have been occupied with local & private businesses for some time past. The subject of [illegible] of the internal taxes, in consequence of a motion made by Mr. Davis, has been under some discussion in the House. The Comtte- of Ways & Mean have agreed on the principles of a bill for this purpose, which the Chair= =man is draughting, i will report in a day or two. There is no doubt of its passing.

I have written several letters to you since I have received any from you, having rec: only two Since I have been here. Your Assembly, I presume, has closed the Sesion before this time. I will thank you to write as often as you can find [leisure?]- & whether there is any prospect of your coming on to Washington. It is uncertain how long we shall continue in Sesion- We are told some of the leaders of the majority, with whom the matter wholly lies, have fixed on the 15th- of May. But it is my opinion we Shall not set so Longer probably until the beginning of April- or perhaps the middle

I find Dr. Hildreth directs his letter to you at [?Middlehaven?] is this the name of your Town? Your letters to me have been generally dated at [?Amer.?] But I seem to have some recollection of your mention= ing a change in the name, but not having your letter feel uncertain to what place I should direct my letter. Will you inform me?

My letter from home, as late as Feb 2.- inform me Mr. Berry has arrived- & made a good voyage

Your

your sister Mrs. Torrey has been sick, but has recovered and is pretty well. All well at our house. The winter has been there, as well as here very remarkable no snow, and very little cold- or frost on the ground.

Give my love to your wife and all the children and remember to them with love of all friends in [?Massach.?] your all affectionate Parent M. Cutler

As I was writing many names, Mr. Fearing came to me, and informed me your Assembly had closed [ye?] Session that he had just reced. a list of the acts passed --and would put it into my hands.

I forgot to mention that Mr. Fearing has a bill ready to be reported, tho not yet done, respecting the grant of lands to replace the school and ministeral lots assigned by the Company for those purposes, in the [illegible] which was paid for in Army warrants, and for empowering your Legislation to apply the use of those lots to the purposes for which they were given. Bill is not now sufficiently my mind to attempt a particular disruption of its principles. Col. [?Tallonadge?] and myself have examined it and think it will answer the purpose intended, if we can get it through the [illegible].

While I am now writing a Petition has been read by the Clerk from the western Country--praying for the establishment of a College in the Indiana Territory. Being busy in writing, I did not much attend to it. I observed the Name is to be Jefferson College, and found (near the close of it) mention was made of land in the purchase of it Ohio Company, but know not for what purpose. The Petition is referred to a [Committee?] of three--and observed my name mentioned by the speaker on one of the Committes Mr. Fearing desires his compliments

We are attempting here--in which all the federalists are agreed--to get rid of the names--federalists, republicans and democrats--and to substitute in their roam--Constitutionalists--instead of federalists--and Ministeralists--for demo-crats. We have agreed to write to all our friends for this purpose--it has already taken place in some of the papers--We have particular reason which I have not time to [illegible]. [illegible] to use your influence in your part of the Country--you must be assured the present [situation?] of our Government is very alarming.

Feb 12th 1802 [illegible] [illegible] 30 $

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