1832 November 30, Philadelphia, to Mother

              Philadelphia 11 mo 30" 1832 –

My dear Mother 
What can I say to excuse myself in thy eyes for defering to this time to answer thy very acceptable little note received some time ago! there are many things and circumstances I can offer but whether they will have their due weight or not I must leave. One principal cause is our giving up the prospect of travelling in stead of which we ride almost every day sometimes going in the morning & riding all day and at others taking an early dinner and riding till - evening. so that when a rainy day or some other unavoidable circumstance prevents our going I feel obliged to ply the needle and the shears to make matters all go right,.------I have been taking medicine by the day and by the night almost ever since thee left us which with riding or both put together have cured me of one complaint and I have a hope it will remain so