It may not be improper My good old Friend to send you a Copy of a Letter receivd in July Anno Domini 1785. from our Friend Mr. Williams. I refer to it. Signs of Life, since, have I never seen.

I alow for every and all weighty Business. To aply “out of Sight out of Mind”, woud hurt my Feelings.

I know I promis’d you to look back in regard to Banks. Some Notes I have and I shall endevor to send a Copy of     in a detached Paper.

This you may be sure of; that Credit never can be regulated, or forced, either by the Public in General, or by private Persons in particular.

For it may be Said to be like articles of Faith in Religion not controleable.

My Information of your Philadelphia Bank may be wrong; but it coincides not with your advice from Paris, I think, in 1785, that it went on well: For it has been suggested to me to have been establish’d by opulent, or seemingly opulent, People. They benefited much and made large Dividends of the Profits. Hence Envy ensued. There justly arose general Yearnings, after, or desire of a Participation, by becoming Partners, in those Profits. The Proprietors shou’d have been contented with a Moderate Dividend, leaving the Surplus as an additional Stock, which wou’d serve to strengthen the Credit of the Bank, with those who wou’d entrust, or did entrust, their Money with it.

Whether I thank’d you for your Medallion I can not well say, but I now afectionately do it; and it is always before me. I paid my Devoirs to the Plenipo, who I understand was so obliging as to convey it to me. I thank’d him for his Care: and that he might guess my Tenets, I ask’d him whether he was to have him hang’d, if caught. It he said, to his Cousin that Honor was intended. I told him it was enough for me that Mass had been said at Boston. Patience in his Negociation here, I deem’d necessary.

You and I perfectly agree in the Doctrine of Free Liberty in France. I think I have mention’d to you that your States had the means of so doing. What wrongheadedness, or a cursed Contractedness may efect, cannot guess; but I must hope, Good Sense and Time will overcome.

I have seen somewhat like a General Resolution in regard to coining in America. I have not yet been able thoroughly to investigate it. At first Sight it seems to be complex by the minute Fractions. You may recolect our Doctrine that Gold and Silver, whether coined or uncoined are not other than a Merchandize to make up what is called, whether right or wrong, the Balance of Trade. This may as well be said of our Lead, our Tin or any Commodity whatsoever given in return of Commoditys sent to this Country.

I am now riseing, or rather, as you observ’d when in your 80th Year falling 78: you now 82. Your Experience must have been so much superior to mine, that I must ask your candid opinion, whether he who can wrap himself up in his own Dear Self be not the happiest of us noble Animals.

I must leave to you and to Mr. Williams to conceive the Myriads of Ideas that must naturally float in my poor Brain. Nonchalance is rather a harsh word, even if translated by an American to an English Friend. I think you have not yet Struck out an Independent Language. Dr. Rowley and I alow for accidents; consequently we Shall still put off for another Year and half to fix our Epithet on both you, and Master Williams, to whom we send hearty Compliments. The Doctor does so very respectfully to you: and I beg you wou’d believe me with very great Truth and Respect Dear Sir Your very afectionate Friend and devoted Servant