Benjamin Franklin to Deborah Franklin, March 25, 1756

[Williamsburg, March 25? 1756] 8

… about 5 aClock in the Afternoon, 9 tho’ I had been hinder’d near half a Day by Peter’s Illness. The 3d Day about 2 in the Afternoon, we sail’d, after parting with Col. Washington, who overtook us there, and proceeded on his Journey by Land. 1 We were only Sunday Night and Monday Night on the Water, for on Tuesday Morning about 10 aClock, we arrived at Col. Hunter’s near Hampton, 2 40 Miles below this Place, where I was received in the most obliging Manner, and the next Day came hither. Mr. Hunter 3 is not very ill at present, but looks thin. Mr. Balfour 4 was very obliging to me on the Passage, which was a very pleasant one. And here in less than four Days I find my self in the midst of Spring; Peaches on the Trees as big as Kidney Beans, and Asparagus on the Tables they say they have had these three Weeks. I am uncertain yet as to the time of my Return, or the Way I shall take. My Horses 5 are at the Head of the Bay at Mr. Milliken’s, on Bohemia. [Thu]s I may return up the Bay by Water, or go to New York in the Man [of Wa]r if she goes soon; or perhaps I may get Horses here, and ramble up thro’ [the Cou]ntry to Annapolis.

The Money I left with you, belonging to Col. Hunter, in a seal’d Bag, [give] to Mr. Nelson 6 when he calls for it, taking his Receipt.