William Cranch to Abigail Adams, April 24, 1800

City of Washington Ap l. 24 th. 1800—

Dear Madam,

M r. Carroll has requested me
to communicate the Contents of the inclosed letter, and I hasten to do it
lest , Start deletion, it , End, you should have given an Answer
to M r. Law, before this arrives. M r. Carroll’s description of his house is a very
modest one— And I can say in addition to it, that it’s situation is delightful,
being the whole of square N o. 736, which is , Start deletion, delightf , End, a large square, and has a good
fish pond, I believe well stored with fish— His spring house (which is a
milk house) his bath & his smoke house , Start deletion, s , End, are excellently contrived for the purposes intended, as I am
inform’d, and M r. Carroll’s family having lived
on the spot for many years can prove it to be as healthy as any place
whatever. He has prepar’d and will erect a very handsome free stone portico
to the door which will cost 800 Dol s. M rs. Carroll is a good friend of M rs. Cranch’s, and is an amiable & domestic
woman.— 1 I am not sure
that M r. Law’s house is healthy, & have in
fact suspicions that a marsh which runs at the foot of the Capitol hill,
will render it liable to the ague & fever. M r. Carroll’s being farther removed from it, & having for many
years been found healthy, would be prefer’d by me. I think you would find
yourself infinitely better accommodated at M r. Carrolls than at M r. Laws, although the rent is
higher. I must say however that the marsh which I spoke of, may be drain’d
at a very small Expence. The house I have taken is on square N° . 741— We have not yet been able to get into it,
but reside at present in a house on square 740— You will observe the
situations on an engraved plan of the City.— 2

I am extremely obliged by the kind interest you have
taken with regard to my health, and have the pleasure to inform you that I
was able to return to court, and have continued to recover ever since. My
Complaint was a bilious cholic, to which I was always liable in New
England.

Please present me respectfully to M rs. Johnson & affectionately to her son—

I had written you a letter to go by her but being at that
time much engaged in moving, I neglected to give it her—

Please mention me respectfully to the President and
affectionately to your son T. B. A—to M r. Shaw
& Miss Smith / & believe me respectfully & / affect ely. your obliged Nephew

W. Cranch 3