I felt myself much oblig’d to your worthy Nephew Mr. Williams for the account of your safe arrival and very honourable reception at Philadelphia. Our last short interview at Southampton was so much in mixed company and yours Hours were so entirely taken up with the final buseness of leaving this ungrateful Country that I hardly found a single opportunity for the confidential Information, to which our old Frienship seemd to entitle us and I on my part was very ready to give. But to own the truth I had but little curiosity to know the particulars of your negotiations with either the French or the English Ministers. The Event has shown that in their own Arts You were not inferior to the ablest of them. I had much rather hear from You with what prudence and success your Countrymen proceed in reviving and establishing that civil Liberty which is extinguished every where else. Sure there never was opend so fine a Field for making experiments and improvements in the Philosophy of Government which I take to be the noblest Species of Philosophy that can exercise the mind of Man. But your great blessing is that he who is best able to serve his Country is sure of being rewarded. Make the most of the golden opportunity. It has seldom lasted long. I live in a very different Scene, where the most appoofstable? and perhaps the most dangerous part of a Man can act is to mention the faults or propose any amendments in our corrupt and shatterd frame of Government, Yet I feel every day more reason to be pleased with the part I myself have acted.

But whether You had rather give us only an account of your domestick circumstances which I think must necessarily be happy, I fancy You will give me Credit for saying that nobody will be more warmly interested in what concerns you than the part of my Family You saw at Southampton. Mrs. Shipley and my Daughter Kitty in their passion for You rival my poor unfortunate Georgiana. They agree with me in interesting ourselves for all the worthy Family Party We met with You. I wish your Nephew and my old friend Mr. Williams success in all his future views. He can hardly undertake any business for which he is unqualified. May the future Ambassador to Denmark obtain all his wishes upon condition that he shall still prefer the semplicity of America to the Pride of that Court as the Splendor of France. Your promising Grandson, who has the Courage to tread in your early Steps I hope will preserve the same generous emulation thro his life. Few Professions are in my Eyes more respectable than the Character of a Printer who excells in his Art. Aldus and Stephens stand high as Men of Letters and made their Learning and Criticism subservient to their Business.

Let me hope that You will sometimes remember amidst the applauses of your Countrymen that there is a family in England who loves You as well as your own. Your ever affectionately