1808 January 8, to Henry

              1 mo. 8 1808

Dear Henry

 I was yesterday at your house where thy Mother handed me a letter from thee.  I find thee expects me to write to thee in answer to thy question about Williams writeing to you.  I answer yes Cousin Lydea stays with thy Mother, and Susquehannah is arrived, the Marchants seems pretty quiet about the Embargo.  They don't expect it will continue long.  I often think of thee with strong desire for thy wellfare.  I hope thy study about Learning & wanting to know a great Deal about Causes and Effects won't occupy so much of thy mind as to have no leasure to make ready, & be prepared for a better inheratence that will be lasting and perminent, as all things here are uncertain.  I have been thinking about my Son Henry when about thy age he was very anxious about Learning & knowing the cause of this or that.  He Thursted after Knowledge.  I was setting where he was at work brushing Hats.  He put down his work and took up the pen and wrote down his thoughts as they [----] in his mind.  I got the paper from him with reluctance on his part.