Catharine alludes to James's weakened health and depressed spirits in the wake of the deaths of his son and wife; religion must be his consolation. "Maria Montgomery seems very much engaged in Societies &c—and as I mentioned to you before, very well off in her circumstances & property, which with her habits, must accumulate exceedingly . . . ." Sister Frances living with her son in New Haven; Gallatins well. The poor in New York suffering from the cold weather: "emigrants crowd our city, indeed our country — & there is much cause to fear, will at last give laws to us —"