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New York Oct 29 - 99

After I received your letter, dear Margaret, I am in daily expectation of
returning to the city, and defered answering it on that account for it was very
inconvenient to write while at Brunswick, as I was oblijed either to be surrounded
by the family, or write on my knee.

We arrived last Tuesday, each succeeding day I have attempted to write
but in vain, the moment I seated myself with that intention such a melancho-
ly train of ideas, arriving from the mournful event that has occured, took possession
of my mind, that I could not think of any other subject. Your Mama will
feel this [stroke] most severely, it will be equal to the loss of a tenderly beloved
child. How is she, Margaret? - and the children, where are they to be?

I intended going to see [Mr Warren] but the weather has been so unpleasant
since my return that I could not venture to take so long a walk.

You will soon have Mr B - in Brunswick I suppose. Do Margaret
give me a faithful journal of the time he passes with you, his converse is
always interesting I am not surprized that your regard for him increased
after the relation he gave you of himself, it placed him in a very favourable
point of view. Did he tell you if his plans for the future were in any de-
gree influenced by that circumstance? You may tell me this, for I am certain
he would were I to ask him. But my dear Margaret was it right to tell Mr A
[D-] that Mr B- has made you the confidant of an attachment of his. Perhaps you
did not know that he keeps no secrets but his own. Bear with me, my sweet friend,
though it may seem unkind to make such a [?] to your letter, yet be [—]
assured I am motivated by the pure spirit of friendship.