1808 March 18, to Henry and Francis

              I have recieved three Letters from my dear Boys since I have written them. One from Henry while his Father was at home - shall I recite part of what he said as he read it? The first remark that I recollect was - "Why the Sloven! how he spells necessary!" - I forget how it was spelt or rather mis-spelt. The next was on the profess'd purpose of being with Master to improve thy hand-writing - "Yes! and this is a sample of it!" Then came the proposal of presenting the Trunk - "Well, I'd let him do it". taking his eyes off the Letter & fixing them on me "-Let him do a generous Act! - And so [--] would" for I delight in every generous and good act; especially to observe them in my Children; but now come the suggestions of discretion; to supply due ballast, lest in sailing too fast we run ourselves aground-. and that while our hearts are full of generosity, our heads may not be wanting in a little prudence - Be it known then, that my forethought suggests some fears that with our acts of generosity to supply Master B. with a convenient place to deposit his Wardrobe, I shall have yours deposited on Tables, chairs, windows, or anywhere; scattering about to receive a large deposit of dust & City smoke: for it is a certain truth, that all my drawers, trunks &c are already pretty well stuff'd. Now you know best whether you can do without your large trunk or not till such times as we can conveniently procure better accomodations. If you come before yearly-meeting, you will recollect, that, & some time previous, is a pretty busy season; and a season when it is agreeable, to have all our necessary personal & household conveniences pretty snugly arranged. And now after stating all these things, I shall leave it to your own decision for I must confess that all the while I am upon the subject I feel as if I hated to balk a good intention
I received dear Henrys Letter & those of his Correspondent enclosed. The merit of thy conduct my Son, with all its delicate propriety, is not a particle of it lost in my appreciation. [-----] openly to advise & consult with thy Parents is highly honourable to thy character, and may I not say? luxuriously satisfactory to me; yes: I may say it with truth: for sure I am, that the laudable & ameable conduct of my Children will, at all times, that I have the felicity to observe it, afford themost