1837 October 31, Haverford, to Dear Father, Philadelphia

              Haverford 10th mo 31 1837Dear Father,We recieved thy acceptable letter of 1st day this morning. We saw by the United States Gazette of 2nd day, yesterday, that the Susquehanna had been seen by the Charleston Packet off Cape Henlopen, but did not know whether it was any proof of their being safe or not. We thought perhaps the pirates had put some of their crew on board to take charge of the vessel and that she might then have been under their command. We are very glad to hear that thee thinks she is safe. Her supposed capture has been the prevalent subject of conversation among the boys, as I suppose it has been in town, since the news of her capture first arrived.Cold weather seems to be setting in early. We have had severe frosts for several nights past- and ice 1/6 of an inch thick on a large trough of water. I suppose I may as well give thee the measure for my skates now, for I think it likely that thee can get them as easily in a week or two as at any other time. The wood part to be 10 4/10 inches long, which is longer than my foot by near half an inch. I want them full turns, and with the heel strap fastened to the wood part of the skate, and having rings. Please see that the wood is solid and of a kind that will not split and crack and that the iron part of the skate is fastened very firmly to the wood. I do not want them fastened on by leather covering the foot (as they sometimes are) but by straps. Please get them ground concave, at the place thee got our skates ground last winter, do not get gutters. Get a handsomely finished pair, if thee pleases. Now, if I have not given thee sufficiently explicit directions, please