An affair which interests my compassion a good deal obliges me to Send you this letter by the post. A person of the name of Bourne in considerable business as a Broker absconded Suddenly from London four years ago leaving behind him, to Shift for themselves, a wife and four Small children. During all this time he has not once Sent any account of himself to his wife or any of his friends, nor probably would they have heard any thing of him if Mr. Bingham had not told me Some time ago, that he had heard of Such a person and Seen him at Philadelphia. Mr. Bingham now Says that he Saw him lately at Paris; and, in compliance with the earnest desire of his wife, has writ to Mr. Crawford who pointed him out to him for farther information. With the Same view, I take the liberty to write to you, and to request that, if any opportunity offers, you would have the goodness to acquaint him with the great distress of his wife and her wishes that he would take Some notice of her and give her Some account of himself. I will only add that She is an agreeable and worthy woman with whom he was happy, and that his conduct in this instance is reckoned very unaccountable. It is with pain I make thus free with you fearing I may put you to too much trouble; but I have in Some meaning been induced to it by the consideration that what I have Said of Mr. Bourne may prove a direction to you Should he, as it is Suspected he will, make applications to you and resolve to return to America.

I writ to you and Mr. Jefferson a few weeks ago, and Sent you Some copies of the edition lately published here of my Pamphlet on the American Revolution.

Mr. Williams has given me much pleasure by calling upon me and bringing me a letter from you. I have, according to your desire, furnish’d him with a list of Such books on religion and government as I think Some of the best, and added a present to the parish that is to bear your name of Such of my own publications as I think may not be unsuitable. Should this be the commencement of parochial libraries in the States it will do great good.

Mr. Williams tells me that you have obtained permission to resign, and that you are likely Soon to return to America there to finish your life; a life which, without doubt, will be one of the most distinguished in future annals. Indeed I cannot wonder that, after being So long tossed on the Sea of Politics and Seeing your country, partly under your guidance, carried thro’ a hard contest, and a most important revolution establish’d you Should wish to withdraw into rest and tranquility. May the best blessings of heaven attend you, and the Sad malady under which you are Suffering be render’d as tolerable to you as possible. You are going to the new world. I must Stay in this; but I trust there is a world beyond the grave where we Shall be happier than ever.

I shall be always following you with my good wishes, and remain, with unalterable respect and affection Yours