[draft] Montpelier 20th Nov 1801 No. 9 I received my best beloved your affectionate cordial of the 16th, yesterday. It was indeed a comfort to me, and the great political event which it announced was doubly welcome. Whether your not getting [strikeout] an house [struck: or not] us good or bad I will not determine. With my habits a lodging house will be execrable. and yet feelings must give way to judgment. In either case we must be economists. Although our prospects will be greatly brightened by the revolution of our settlers, yet very little ready money at present - therefore [prenez garde], as to expenses. Our son is a cause of infinite solicitude. He is not here, nor have I received a line from him. At present the position of sending him to the east indies or Canton appears like giving him a passport to [struck: the] eternity, or to infinite misery. My mind can find no other employment for him than to make him our companion, or if he gets [2] a wife our neighbor, and let him manage a farm, [struck: or] a Vessel in his own way, with such assistance as his affairs or necessity may require and we can afford, I will see him in my journey to Boston, which as I said before will not commence until the 15th of next month. As our business at Portland require my presence I maybe constrained to stay there three or four days - The women shall go up in Malcom [inserted: who however has not arrived yet, but the devil is in him if he comes not to] and I hope you will designate what articles shall go in addition to those which have gone. Your wood you will get of Benjamin [Lessender]. If ours form the Island has not arrived it will be sent shortly. I enclose you two hundred Dollars in consideration of the money expenses for Henry and your journey. It is more than last you until my arrival. Although the strong of our Visitants have passed yet one generally have