Washington June 6th 1838

My dear Sister,

By James Thomas Gant I entrust this letter & hope

that it & the bearer may reach you in safety, he leaves tomorrow

& I have lent him $15.00 to carry him to Cornwall, he says that

having that sum now, he can square everything here, so as to

allow hia to remain with you a long time.

I have been very gay lately, Friday night I was at a large

party at Mrs. Meade’’s, given to Miss Bache that was, now Mrs.

Emons, Monday night at another at Commodore Patterson's, also

to the bride, last night at Mrs Walsh's, to a Christening, I have

not time to write plain & particular, I am busy, I cannot say when

I shall be at home.

I went to Balt'e last week on business of importance of

which you shall hear anon. Enclosed is the bill of the American

against the Journal & against Father for subsr, also a memorandum

of the Editor's, as to what they can pay &c &c, which happens to

be very little. I was there but one day and had not leisure to

hunt up the persons named, as I would have made out bills & taken

them, in the hopes of getting payment.

I suppose it unnecessary to visit Ellicott's Mills.

I have enjoyed myself vary much at the parties, there are

many lively women here, and the home of most of them, is in

the Ball room, then they shine.

Enclosed is some trash about Naples which I wrote when I had

idle moments, now I cannot spare time, put the leaves in the

Journal,

I shall want some things made at home, and will write you

directions soon.

Your letter has just come, whoever thought I was to be in

Lancaster last week, was altogether mistaken. I had no such

intention. I presume there was some object in view, when Miss

Ann Coleman was invited to A. Schoerberg's wedding, when will

the affair be?

You can make for me, 8 towels & mark them, 2 pair sheets,

4 pillow cases, 3 red flannel shirts, like the ones already

finished, 4 pairs red flannel drawers, 6 pair woolen stockings,

they will do for the present. I shall be at home about the

1st of July I think, but only for a few days, so you must have

all things ready, write to Samuel that I shall want that piece

of linen, & that he must send it to Cornwall so that I can get it,

he must not disappoint me. May & Adams have both passed. I saw

cam Slaymaker here a few days ago.

We will be engaged all this month, night & day in making

experiments & obsns with the instruments, busy as bees. Captain

Wilkes has no idea of resigning, nor have I, nothing will tempt

me to leave the Ex. the prospects are too delightful, too

flattering, " My heart is with the Heathen, let me go!"

I cannot write any more, you must not expect any long

letters, & so with much love to all.

William

Lydia M. Reynolds