(seq. 1)

West Cambridge, October 9th 1793

My ever {Dear} Aunt,

I know not what excuse I could
possibly make to you for my very long silence
that would be deem'd perfectly true, had you not
spent a few days in my family, & seen how very
few minutes I have to devote to my amusement,
for its certainly a great relief from the cares
of family concerns - to sit & converse with my
pen to my friends - & believe me you my {Dear}
Aunt stand first & very high in my affections.
I was very much gratified last night in my
Dreams - for I was with you in Hopkenton went
to spend the day with you, I remember
very well I was in fine spirits - & some how
when I am with (you) awake I am more gay than
usual. I reflect with peculiar satisfaction on the
short time you passed with us, & some times fear
that we shall never return your visits. We were
at our Brothers in the town where you reside
but could not leave home over night, & we
had quite a ride to take in one day.