1811 February 3, Washington, to son

              Washington   Feb.y 3d. 1811



Dear Son



I will consent to the sale of the Brig Eliza to Captn Veacock for $5000- the price offered- on a credit of 3 [?] 6 months- & this is the ultimatum- consult Isrl. & Jasp. on the security, & it would also be well to have the approbation of Thos. Coffin- altho the joint letter from Trickerman & Hussey might justify on in acting without him- But as I am to guarantee or procure a guarantee of the paper, that which Capn Veacock gives must be unexceptionable- Keep it until I return-



I have seenthe President, Gallatin & many other of the great folks of the nation- Have been introduced to Randolph- & heard him harangue Congress yesterday- He is in my opinion the greatest Parliamentary debater of this Country- & I would not have missed the opportunity of hearing him on any [a/c?]  I shall say more about it when I return- We are in such a perpetual round & the parts we visit are so distant from each other, that there is scarce time to write- wh I do with such pen, such ink, such paper & in such place as I can catch- We have examined before a Come. of[---] Senate- they treated us handsomely but I do not believe the Bk will have [---] charter- Love to Mother & all the rest



Affectionately



Thos. P. Cope