I have received a Number of interesting Letters from you full of important Information, since I did myself the honour of writing to you. I am grown old and feeble, being in my 82d Year and the Posture of sitting to write, makes the Stone I am afflicted with more painful to me; so I delay’d till I should hear from New York where the Congress sits, their Resolution on the Application made by Gen. Washington and myself in favour of your Son. Indeed, knowing the Act of Congress, decreeing that none but Citizens of the United States should be capable of Commissions to serve as Ministers or Consuls in foreign Countries, I laid little hope of Success, when I supported the Application by expressing in the strongest Terms my Sense of your great Merit respecting America. And when in Congress it was considered that Scores of similar Applications from good Friends in France had been refused, for which Refusals no other Reason than that Law had been given, it appeared impracticable to dispense with the Law in this Instance, without giving great Offence. Enclos’d I send you a Copy of Mr Jay’s Note to me, the Original of which I sent to General Washington. Mr. Jay you know is Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

       you will receive a Copy of all our Civil Constitutions. And you will see in them what little     of Ecclesiastical Tythes, concerning which you enquire, are not in use among us. The Clergy in most of our states are entirely supported by voluntary Contribution of their respective Sects, and all Sects have equal Rights as to the     and for Exercise of their Religion. The separate States appear to be well satisfied with their respective Constitutions; but the                  by Experience        not having given to Congress sufficient              and propose the necessary Amendments, an Assembly is now convening in this City. Many of the Delegates are arrived but not yet a quorum. Gen Washington will undoubtedly be chosen President.

You express an Apprehansion that what you write concerning yourself and your Affairs may be to me uninteresting. Nothing that relates to you can be so to me. I observe the Rectitude of your public Conduct with heart-felt Approbation. I sumpathise with you on the Illness of any of your amiable Family; and rejoice in every Instance of their Prosperity. Mine join with me in sincere Wishes of every kind of Felicity for you and yours. I did intend deoing myself the Honour of writing by this Vessel to Lady Newenham, your excellent Consort, whom I esteem very highly indeed, but I find I shall not be able. It is with Difficulty I have been able to vear Writing thus much; and must conclude, only requesting you to be assured of the invariable Respect and Attachment, with which I am ever, Dear Sir, Your most affectionate humble Servant