September 12, 1801 — to Asbury Dickins

Asbury Dickins, the son of John Dickins, first Book Agent, was the namesake of Asbury. He passed his early life in Philadelphia but later spent several years in Europe. In 1801 he was associated with Joseph Denny (Dennie) in founding the Portfolio at Philadelphia. He was clerk in the United States Treasury Department from 1816 to 1833. In 1833 he became chief clerk of the State Department and served there until 1836. He became secretary of the United States Senate in 1836 and remained there until his death in 1861.

BOTTETOURT, VA.¹

September 12, 1801

[TO ASBURY DICKINS]²

My very dear Son:

To whom I wish grace and peace now and ever. You will be pleased to hear of and from me. I am now about 400 miles in my way of travelling from the City.³ I have enjoyed health to a good degree at my time of life, notwithstanding I have had to ride 25 miles in a day and lodge in a Publick house. My foot I trust will finally be a perfect cure, the scab is scaling. I have had my fears and my feelings for the citizens in all our cities, during the excessive heat. For my friends, and your family, I have so great a tenderness and care over.

If this should come safe to hand, will you be so kind as to write speedily to Camden.⁴ I shall be in the south State by the middle of next month, and the letter may be brought to me by the presiding elder. I shall wish to know if you received my last from Baltimore with its contents. Please to remember me to Mr. Denny [or Dennie]. We have a most serious, and very dry season that hath and doth, prevail in the Southwest of Virginia. Now my dear Son lest you should think me wanting on my duty; or that I have given you up, I must exhort you to seek the God of your Father, Oh how you, would you, resent any reflection upon his character, but what is your living, a prayerless, forgetful life? Oh your dear Father, how true to his devotion, how Faithful to his God. The Lord Bless thee, Farewell, I am as ever,

Yours, F. ASBURY

Property of Dr. Essel P. Thomas, Claymont, Delaware