Last wednesday evening Oliver delivered me your affectionate letter, for which, as well as for the trouble you were at in sending him to inquire about my poor wife's health, I return you my most grateful thanks— I should be relieved from the greatest distress, and almost too happy, if I had only reason to believe that your surmises respecting my dear Wifes Situation was well grounded; but on the contrary, I am well persuaded that her lungs were affected at the time Docr Banham paid her his first visit last fall, and the progress of the disorder was merely suspended by pregnancy, which broke out with double violence as soon as that was removed— When he was last here, he did not even conceal it from her, that an ulcer had formed on her lungs & discharged, and that another was forming at the very time he left her; but assured her that such things were not uncommon to people in a low State of health, and that no danger was to be apprehended from them— He also told me he had reason to hope she might be recovered. I will not trouble you with a description of her various suffering and the many disorders she has been afflicted with for two months past— Until very latterly the Docr did not pretend to flatter me, but now he seems to entertain hopes of her recovery, as many of the symptoms of her breast complaint are more favourable than the[y] were, and the dropsical affections seems to give way too—but I dare not yet flatter myself, for in complaints like hers, mischief is often brewing when appearances are flattering— Upon our all merciful God I depend, and to him I fervently pray she may yet be restored to her afflicted husband, and poor little helpless children— our three girls were well at Mr Tubervilles when I heard from there last— I have been & still am unwell—

our boys enjoy their health. I pray god you & my Sister may long be blessed with health & happiness. I am yr Affectionate brother & most sincere friend