I received the Letter of my dear Friend et très illustre Confrere, dated the 21st of June last, which is the last that has come to my hands, and I am myself so bad a Correspondent that I have no right to expect you should write oftener. I thank you much for the Civilities you have shown and Services render’d to my Friend Mr. Paine. I have now perform’d the March a third Time that he told you of being in November last again chosen by the unanimous Vot of Council and General Assembly to fill the Chair of President. This however is the last year I can serve by our Constitution, so that if I survive it, I hope to enjoy a little Leisure before I die. You mention your Intention of sending by the first Pacquet Boat what appertains to me of the Productions of the Academy, and also a Memoire of Messrs Lavoisier & co. containing a new chemical Nomenclature; but two Pacquets have since come from France without them: I suppose the Memoire was not ready. I have no philosophical News to acquaint you with, except that a Mr. Fitch of this Country has executed a Boat which goes upon our Rivers against Wind and Tide by the Force of a Steam Engine; but whether it may not be too expensive and troublesome for common Use remains to be determin’d by Experience. My best Wishes attend you being ever with sincere and great Esteem, my dear Friend Yours most affectionately