.NTI.MTMwNg

Isaac Newton dines with us today. I don't know what his business is here, today. Just before dinner Jesse Drew took me off to be a witness in the trial of the counterfeiter, + I had to listen, with an empty stomach, to [words crossed out] a long cross examination of a doughhead [?] by Ludden, before I could testify. It is lonesome, here, this afternoon, a reaction of feeling after the military excitement. the Portland Company with the Band left today, 1/2 past 12, in a special train. the Bath Company went at 1/2 past 5. this morning. Now, Zadoc, tell me whether you feel more content + happy than when I was in Boston. I very much wish you to be in good spirits, + wide awake. You may not think you are bound to stay [underlined] in Boston any particular length of time [all underlined]. I mean so far as my influence over you can go, that you shall just do that which shall be best + most happy for you. If it shall be best for you to stay in Boston, + you can't be contented without us we will go there too. If it shall be best for you to come home or if you yourself wish it, all things considered, then you shall come home. If it injures your health, at all [underlined], to be confined to the desk, may not stay another week. So you see, my son, there is no restraint upon you but that you can do just as you please. Truly Z Long