Alexandria Nov. 5th 1793

My Dear Unkle-

During the time when the distress of your unhappy City were at the height, I conceived it in vain to write to thee, believing that the letter would run the chance to any of being lost, and hoping that thou and thy family had left the City at an early stage of the disorder. 

I now hear, that the epidemic is much abated in its violence, that those who left the City, are returning, and business again affirming a lively aspect----

I can now ( I hope) write with a certainty of its getting to thy hands; the same I would have done long since, to have relieved the anxiety I suffered on your accounts had ever an apparent probability existed, that your situation admitted of a literary intercourse, by the term situations I mean your presence in the way to receive letters, for my sanguine wishes are that you have all exposed the disease, and are yet living to receive the congratulations of a person who feels himself ardently disposed to rejoice in all your joys- and sigh in unison to all your sorrows- I have for a considerable time past, had the remainder of the money for the discharge of my Note to friend Speakman (who I hear is dead) but have been afraid to send it on account of the circumstances above mentioned, and as thou hast guaranteed the payment of that note, I have thought and still think it most advisable to send the money to thy hands that thou mayest make thyself safe- I shall esteem it as a singular favor from my dear Unkle, (among) the many obligations he has laid on me if he will write to me by the return of the stage, as I anxiously desire to hear how he and his family are, and also to request the acting representative of my deceased friend Speakman, not to send the articles mentioned in my order of the 23rd August as I have received our importation from London, which precludes my present want of them. At the time I sent the above order, friend Speakman returned me word, that the amazing influx of retail custom, in consequence of the (then) raging disease, rendered it impossible for him to attend to any wholesale orders, but that he would send that articles as soon as he could- As soon as I receive a letter from thee I will remit the money for my note, which thou wilt please to take up, and transmit to me by some of the vessels which sail from your port to this. My affectionate regard are tendered to my dear Aunt and family- and cousin William. With the sincerest wish for thy health and prosperity I am

Thy very affectionate nephew

Edw­­ Stabler

PS Please to ascertain the amount of interest and principal on my note and transmit it to my in thy letter. ES

Letter to Wm. Robinson Senior

Philadelphia 

Nov. 5th 1793