I have never had an Opportunity of making my Acknowledgements for your very kind Letter from Southampton, which I now beg leave to do, by my good Friend Mrs. Hewson, who is just setting out for Philadelphia.

As there is no man living, for whom I have a greater Regard and Veneration, than Dr. Franklin, so nothing could give me more Satisfaction than to hear such good Accounts of you; Happy in your Situation, reaping the fruits of your Labours; the general State of your Health much mended; blest with the Society of your Family and Friends, and enjoying amidst the general applause of your country, the otium cum Dignitate.

Knowing what agreeable Society Mrs. Hewson is going to, I cannot help envying her the Jaunt, and wishing that I were going there too: for this ungrateful Country has done nothing for me here. And all this, chiefly owing to Mr. Oswald. But de mortuis, nil nisi Bonum.

What, is it possible that I hear? has my Friend Temple retired to the Plough? I should not have thought that the gay Monsieur Temple could turn any Farmer, but a Farmer General. I beg my kind Compliments to him; and that you will do me the Justice to believe me ever yours most affectionately and unalterably