There is no one to whom I am so much indebted in the Letter way as yourself, and I'll assure there are few Debtors who take so much pleasure in discharging these accounts As I do when you are Creditor— I am not only contented with repaying you Letter for Letter, but the Bargain always turns out so much in my favor, that I think myself called upon by Gratitude to acknowledge the superior obligation You confer. Do (my Dr Mama) continue your goodness, there is nothing else could render your absence tolerable— Papa is sometimes silent longer than I could wish, and I am Just ready to accuse him with it, but when I consider that Business of fare greater moment engages his time, I am contented to stamp each of his Letters with a double value, and to make their worth equal to two of mine— I am too well acquainted with his goodness to suppose that he would willingly deprive me of any satisfaction which he has the power of Conferring—

     Nothing can be so flattering to me as your expressions of desire to see me; they give me some pain, but much more pleasure— However I hope that by continuing to devote my whole time to law, I shall be able to abridge my stay here considerably— I am resolved not to leave Philadelphia to return again—Unless you desire it— But I hope that I shall not have occasion to stay very long— When I concieve myself ready to practice I will undergo a strict Examination here in the first Instance, in order that I may have the assurance that I am capable of doing Business with Credit—for I will never do any upon other terms.

     I have now fully marked One and Twenty Years, and I find myself wafted¹ on the tide of generous Reflection to that first Cause of my Existence— Would to Heaven I felt less or could express more— the language of Gratitude on this occasion has long since been exhausted, and we have now nothing left to convey our Ideas by, but simple protestations— In short the use of Language is to convey our Sentiments and the value of those Sentiments depend on their Sincerity— If so, I do not fear to express in two words as well as a thousand a great deal of feeling in these two" Duty & affection— And I am sure that in using them, they were never less prostituted, nor never more deservedly applied.

     You will now Recieve my picture, and I have but one wish respecting it, which is that it may answer your expectations— I shall be anxious to hear your opinion— I have often been asked a question which It has puzzled me to answer, from a sense of Delicacy— However to you I will venture to give my opinion freely because I know you will never accuse me of vanity, a foible which my acquaintances know I least of all possess— Whether the Painter has done me Justice or Not is the Question— I think he has cautiously avoided flattering me,² and for this I commend him, but in one respect I hope he has erred on the other hand— He has thrown me into a thoughtful posture which in my opinion rather borders on austerity than intense meditation— Of this however there are a variety of opinions— Some say, that having a Book in my hand which I appear to have been Just reading, that the Countenance is very properly expressed— Some Join with me in thinking that their is a degree of ill Nature in it— But the opinion of my friend Mr & Mrs Powel has so much weight as almost to have made me a Convert— They say that the Countenance is not an ill natured one, nor entirely thoughtful, but rather a mixture of thought with Pensiveness, and that they have sometimes seen me in that situation— I believe if I am apt to look so, I did at the time it was taken, for I was so engaged in some favourite Subject that I forgot how the time passed— I wish I had avoided it.

     I am very anxious about my Sister Milly, and often reflect on those accomplishments which I would wish to see bestowed on her— The Conduct of our Parents with respect to Education leaves no room to fear that they would spare any pains to so valuable an acquisition to any of their Children— But you know my dr Madam that in America and in Virginia particularly the Education of Girles is unfortunately regarded as of little Consequence, and they sum up every accomplishment in the name of a Good Housewife, meaning meerly a knowldge of Domestic Duties— when this becomes customary there are few who care to Act otherwise, although they think differently— My Father however is one of those who generally consults his own mind as a Monitor to his actions without paying too undeserved a difference to the opinion of the World— My anxiety proceeds from another Source— Since Custom has rendered female Education in a great measure unnecessary, it has also deprived those who would act otherwise from the means of doing so— Thus there are none, or at least very few proper Tutors to be found in Virginia— What a pity! Good Heavens! what an idea must those have of your Sex, who think that nature formed you to move in a sphere subservient to Man, or in any respect inferior— It is true you have less bodily strength, but it is my opinion, you have stronger mental qualifications—and why should they not be improved? When I marry, I shall look for one whose disposition can please, and whose conversation can improve me— Neither should I be blind to domestic accomplishments, for by the bye I think them of the two, the most requisite—but I complain that they do not possess both, and ask why they should not? When³ I saw Mildred I thought she would make a very handsome Woman, and if she still promises to improve I should be more anxious to make her accomplished— If possible I am a greater Enthusiast then ever for Musick, and think that it is one of the most necessary amongst the fine accomplishments— But I fear that the want of mony for so long a time past has driven all the Musick Masters from Virginia— I intend if possible to persuade Mr Stedlar to return, as I shall be unhappy if my Sister does not learn Musick. If I were at home I should take inexpressible pleasure and would pay the greatest attention to learning her French— It is an elegant, and will be a necessary part of Education— The Ladies here who speak this Language are sufficiently repaid their labour in acquiring it by the superior advantages it gives them over others— I hope however that it will not be impossible to procure the means of learning it in Westmoreland— at all events when I return Home I will offer my assistance to my Sister, and the task would be a very agreable one— I shall answer her Letter, and wish she would favor me with many more— I have a very sincere affection for her and therefore would take a particular pride in seeing her Shine.

     My Dr Sister Washington I have not written to for some time— However I am determined to make her some amends by sending⁴ her One or two very long ones— I am going to give her a very interesting account of a Lady whom I have a friendship little short of brotherly attachment— She was once the child of promised Happiness, and is now the victim of persecuting Misfortune— In short She is the most unhappy woman in the world— [I strike out Unhappy and put in Unfortunate for there is a difference as her History will prove]—And least deserves to be so— I will say no more as I give you leave to read my Letters on this Subject and I dare say that the subject of them will interest you—It is Mrs <crossed out> Miss <crossed out>⁵ that was— I shall call her Amanda—And I premise thus much that tho'

many circumstances may appear Romantic, yet I shall not deviate from truth in one instance or attempt to paint higher than the Subject will bear[.] This by the bye is under the Rose, and None but the family must know of it because it is point of Delicacy.

     I have written so many Letters today that I am oblidged to <s>top this meer fatigue and my pen Without waiting for me to resign it almost falls from my hand— However were it like the Hand which holds it, or the Heart which governs it, just ready to expire, the last exerecion would be to express The Duty & affection of a Son