Letter from James M. Barnes to Susan E. Peers, August 16, 1816.

              Princeton August 16th 1816 My Dear Friend I have concluded for some weeks past after many fruitless enquires at the post office for letters, that there certainly has been an embargo laid upon quils, and paper in Kenty. I cannot believe my friends have forgotten me so soon, neither can I doubt of the sincrity of their friendship. I have written a number of letters to different friends & I have only recieved one from Mr. Edgar & one from Mr. Cleland since I came to Princeton. It is true I never felt more agreeably so treated, or had as much to occupy mind and this in some degree keeps me from a restless anxiety to hear from home; but it would be extremely gratifying to hear from my friends in Ky I am very much pleased with the institution in this place, and every thing which appertains to it, but as you have one of our brethren with you, with whom you can converse on this subject I shall not enter into any description of this kind. I have enjoyed good health since my arrival in Princeton tho, I have been more closely confined to study than I ever was before; time runs off with the greatest rapidity, a week is gone before I will realize it is here. I have concluded to stay in Princeton 2 years. I hope it will be for the glory of God. I feel daily that I have great need of divine Grace to enable me to make a wise improvement of the precious privilege, which God in his Providence has afforded me. If you knew what were the religious privileges which I enjoy you would conclude that a person who had a revealed heart would be a ways on the mount; I can assure you it is not so with me, I often get into my old cold, indifferent frame, which makes me doubt whether I have any real religion. I am generaly much profited by Dr Alexs preaching and some times under his sermons get revived and my evidences brightened