1843 September 21, Philadelphia, to Father

              Philada 9 mo 21. 1843Dear Father, 
We hope you have found cooler weather beyond the mountains than we have had here since you left, or thee has wished for a strap to the valise long enough for coat & cloak both. Ever since thee left it has been as warm as at any time during the summer & very dry. The night too have been very warm, the thermometer several evenings at 808 in our garden at 7 o'clock. Francis however came back from Germantown to-day & Mary yesterday. Anne is still there, her leg some thing better & while it continues so warm we hardly think of sending for her. Mother's hand has pained her more than usual; the opposite side of the back is much swelled & painful & she is afraid is going to gather. We had a splint made of lightwood covered with a gum elastic air cushion / made of thin sheet gum, very easy to her hand & arm which she wears. She & Julia had a very pleasant ride with grandfather & grandmother, among the cabbage on the neck part of the time of course. Grandmother is getting a little more strength & has gone out to Uncle Alfred's to-day.
Thomas has gone out of the counting room to wait on Mary. He expected to be back by this time but as he has not come I will finish the letter for him for fear the mail will go without it. Uncle Alfred & family have all had colds since thee left but are better. Uncle A's throat has been quite troublesome. He has stayed out at Germantown to day to meeting. The Thomas P. Cope is below & expected up hourly. We have sold the salt @ $1.52 4 mos. to [Wrights]. We had an offer from a Baltimore