Bayard writes in part:

      “… I have been constantly employed since I saw you in active business of a public or private nature. I continued on the circuit till after Congress met, and then was called to Philad^a. There I remained till the 5 of March & the 15^th I left home on the circuit again the day before yesterday arrived here from Sussex.

         Ann Mary & the children spent part of the winter with me in Philad^a we were at lodgings where we spent abundance of money with no great satisfaction a six weeks visit was among all of us an affair of little less than a thousand dollars. The dresses of the Ladies (I should the exclamation of Mrs. Ennals) were the principle article of expense. This you can imagine when 28 guineas were paid for 28 yards of lace. Ann was much admired & much caressed. She was visited by every woman of fashion in the city and had many invitations to dinners & Parties as there were days while she was there.

          I find subject I have given you to inveigh against the varieties & follies of the world. But let me observe that they who can desire happiness from a better source, should not deny us poor creatures the little gratification which the amusements of society can afford us. I have no doubt that under your roof there is more content more solid enjoyment – pleasures more enviable than can be found at the most sumptuous dinners in the most splendid circles, But it is a happiness of which all are not worthy or to which they cannot attain and are of consequence driven to pleasures surely more humble & evidently more perishable We are not all made alike – we do not see with the same eyes nor relish with the same tastes and while such is our nature our opinions & our pursuits will be infinitely diversified. …

         I am not cured nor likely to be weaned from my attachments to the things of the world. I do consider the objects of ambition as little more than baubles, but I allow them to divert me. …

         I recd one or two letters from you while in Philad^a one with an enclosure referred to in your last It was put into the hands of the doorkeeper of the House who never fails to deliver letters safely.

           I directed Brown’s paper to be sent to Mr. Surats. I think it the best – it is the paper I take myself. I ordered it to be sent by Post to New Market … J A Bayard”

     James Asheton Bayard born in Philadelphia 1767, died Wilmington, Delaware, 1815. Graduated Princeton 1784. Studied law with Joseph Reed and Jared Ingersoll; admitted to bar at New Castle and Philadelphia, 1787; began practice at Wilmington, Delaware, 1787. Married Ann, daughter of Richard Bassett, Chief Justice of Delaware, 1795. Congressman, Federalist, from Delaware 1797-1803; U.S. senator. 1805-13. As congressman, Bayard played a decisive role in the choice of Thomas Jefferson for president of the United States over Aaron Burr by the House of Representatives, 1800-01. Sane and moderate in his views, he exerted himself to prevent war, 1809-12, advising Federalist support for all acts which would improve the nation’s defensive strength. Served with John Q. Adams and Albert Gallatin as United States representative at Ghent, 1813-14 and was chosen to serve as member of commission to negotiate commercial treaty with Great Britain, 1814-15. His health failing, he sailed from England, June 1815, and died at his home six days after arrival in the United States.