I had the pleasure, my much loved wife to recollect yesterday your exceptional letter of the 20th and intended to answer it in the morning after my return from Court, so that it might go off by the mail of today. But I was detained by a cause under trial so late at night, that this could not be done; I did not return to my lodgings until near 11 o'clock. You complain my dearest love that I do not write often enough to you; but this is indeed without cause. Your letter of the 17th was answered on the same day as your last would have been but for the circumstance above mentioned. I do not know how it is, whether that, as I increase in years[,] I am slower in the performance of business where mind is concerned than I used to be, or that the cases submitted to my consideration are more difficult and therefore more in time application but I certainly never found my time so completely filled by the duties of my office as it has been during this time. It has not been in my power to call upon Mr[s]. Powel or Mr. Harrison for over a week, and I really fear that my friends are complaining of my seeming inattention but it is unavoidable. This statement of my situation, my beloved wife will I hope plead my excuse for not writing to you as frequently as either you or I wish; and will also send my request that, appreciating my inclination rather than my deeds you will afford me the happiness of hearing from you as often in a week as your convenience will admit. It is my chief comfort, and you are too considerate & affectionate to deal it out to me with a poisonous hand.

     Your last letter relieved m[e] from any great uneasiness on account of your dear Aunt Jane's situation, and I return thanks to a Kind Providence she is as well as you state her to be. As she is [in] careful & skillful hands it would seem very idle, if not presumptuous in me to advise anything (or even express apprehension that she may not sit with entire prudence in her present situation[)], but I hope to be excused for suggesting the propriety of her not exposing herself to the possibility of taking cold by leaving her room too early. Assure her of my sincere love and best wishes.

     I am greatly pleased to find that you have been tempted to partake in such amusements as Alexandria affords, and particularly that the exhibitions of dancing rooms consulted one of them I am never more delighted than in seeing you relish & partake of those rational pleasures which are not only consistent with, but which in my opinion, promote the cause of good morals. The enjoyment of them can never afford against the precepts as the spirit of christianity, but when they are so abused as to degenerate into a bountious use of them I say this with all possible deference to our most excellent past[or] whose purity of intention & christian verities were respected by no person more than myself. The circus, certainly affords as interesting and elegant species of entertainment. Our tastes in this respect, as in most others entirely coincide[—] When these equestrians performed at their ground circus in this city a few years ago, I made then frequent visits, and could have seen them merely gallop around for hours with pleasure. I wish they had postponed their coming to Alexandria until after my return, or rather that may not done their exhibition before I have an [o]pportunity of seeing them. I am quite surprised at Mary's <illegible> of curiosity, to say nothing about taste; I hope she has not been prevented from giving by an opinion that it would have been, imprudent for her to do so, for however questionable the morality of theatrical entertainment may be those of the circus cannot, I think be disproved by the gravest Divine.

     I am still very uncertain how long I shall yet be detained in Philadelphia. There are a number of undecided cases yet in advance, which should they be tried, will employ a good deal of time. But I find the opinions of the bar to be very general that many of them will be continued when they are reached and in short that we may get through by the end of next week. I confess that I am not quite so sanguin, having on former occasions been so frequently mislead myself by these outdoor calculations, and thereby lead to deceive you. I hope however that in a day or two I shall be able to write you on this subject more precisely.

     I conclude this in court & the lawyers being about to argue cause I must close this letter with love to our good mother, John, & the girls. Believe me most sincerely My beloved wife yr affect husband & friend