had the pleasure of writing you in July when I was Setting out for Virginia & am now just returned having as I thought purchased Genl. Lees’ Estate for 6000 [Stg] the deeds were on the point of being executed when the Old General fell Sick & died & the matter rests in Suspense ’till his will is found—If it slips thro’ my fingers there is plenty of good land in America. I must purchase elsewhere—Lee was a man of great natural & aquired talents, but accompanied by such a singular temper, that he could never be long useful to the publick or happy in himself—he had got rid of all his friends & had become a perfect misanthropist & Satyre was his food.

I was in great hopes you would have concluded a peace at Paris, ’till I heard fox had left the Ministry when All my hopes vanished for the present—They were going to perform one wise action. Shelburne seems to have prevented it. When will they open their eyes, do they wait for new defeats do they expect new alliances—One Cobweb tye yet remains between this Country & England, in the personal attachments of some Individuals—these daily die away—in a little time the Name of England will not have more effect here than that of Russia perhaps less—The Country is daily getting the better of the Ravages of the Enemy—They complain of nothing but the taxes & if trade were opened these would fall lightly. The offensive war by land has nearly ceased, all efforts are by Sea—They block up our ports compleutly—Poor Laurens fell lately in a Skirmish with a foraging party from CharlesTown he is much lamented & deservedly, his father must suffer exceedingly from the loss of a beloved Son who promised to be so useful to his Country—Our friends here are all well & would like myself be happy if publick affairs would admit of you paying us a visit were it only for a Short period; The Country has a different appearance from what it was when you left [last], our manners are changing fast; we are gay & extravagance rather beyond our capacity—

Pray remember me affectionately to Yr Grandfather & believe me as ever Your affectionate friend