Friday morning Dec. 19th
My dearest Frances, I find it utterly impossible to keep up with the resolution of writing to you as often
and as fully in this city as I am accustomed to in other places. Jenning’s hunger for family pictures
is such that I have had to yield to his importunity to sit to Mr Spencer for a full size portrait.
This detains me about two hours each morning. In the determination to obtain for you the mini-
ature upon with you have “set you heart” as you say I have an engagement for the residue of the
short day, until the dinner hour. Jennings has had the influenza since I came to town, and
I make him a daily visit. When 3 or a half past 3 arrives I go bout to dine and of course
we sit until a late hour. On Wednesday I dined with Patterson Kent & Hoffman and
spent the evening at a party at Col Stones. Yesterday Cary and I dined with Van Schaaick
the Senator and I spent a very pleasant evening at William Kent’s. One can eat only one
dinner a day and being previously engaged at Van Schaaicks I disappointed two dinner par-
ties intended to include me, one at James G. Kings, the other by the boarders at this house.
Thus far I am left with the hope of dining at home to day and spending the evening at
Jennings, tomorrow we have a dinner here, and I am to visit Chancellor Kent in the evening.
Monday is the New England dinner at which they wish me to attend as a guest. I have been
pressed to accept the compliment of a public dinner for Tuesday the last day of our stay
in town. I have half consented provided it shall be converted into a private dinner and
every thing in relation to it be excluded from the newspapers. Dearest I give you this history
of my dissipation without enlarging upon it because I know it will not interest you more
than it does me, and although I am deeply sensible of and grateful for the respect and at-
tention which I meet every where I assure you my heart does not enter into it nor is suffi-
cient to make me vain or proud. I am in good faith hurrying to get through with the duty
you imposed upon me and looking with solicitude for the lost hour of my separation from
my dear boys and you. I have bought the comb for which you wrote, and having given
you this miserable apology for a long letter, I break off because the hour for sitting
at the painter’s has arrived. I send the letter in this state because I have no hope
of being able to finish it. I had hoped to receive another letter from you this morning
but it has not come. I am anxious to see whether I shall not have it in my power to
procure something for you. Your own Henry.

h Henry, New York
Dec - 1834