Long Island 18th June 1797<\/p>\n
My Precious Sad\u2014<\/p>\n
as I scarcely know any thing necessary to the completion of my present comforts and satisfaction but the assurance of your Health and safety, I mean in the course of general events, for if instead of hearing from you, you were with me, I should be too well contented. The mild, peaceful flow of the river before our dwelling<\/span>1<\/sup><\/a><\/span>, always inspires me with ideas of you, and increases the malancholy of regret which thoughts of absent friends inspire, but I have no friends to cause that regret, and no bosom to sigh for but yours, for I have none which calls forth the same kind of affection with yourself, none that I would unite with my William to increase the delight of my Evening hours.<\/p>\n You may probably recollect a House of Mr. Livingstons<\/span>2<\/sup><\/a><\/span> on the East river opposite the Battery and facing Govemers Island’\u2014Sister Post divides the House with us, and the pleasure of recieving our Hus\u00adbands together in the Evening, the company and protection we are to each other, when they are detained from us, counterbalances every in\u00adconvenience which a union of families always occasions,\u2014we have as yet recieved nothing but pleasure and comfort from our Establish\u00adment and the offering of fresh Bread, Butter, and coffee to the dear well beloved Father of us, after a fatiguing sail in his Health Office employment is a satisfaction of which you can well form an Estimate.<\/p>\n