I recieved in course your very kind letter of 14th Jany, and should have answered it immediately, had I not thought it necessary to be acquainted with the Sentimts of my family before I took the important Step which was to Seperate me from them perhaps for ever: before I recieved their answer, or your friendly letter of 25 Feby. which arrived together. Accident brought me into company of the Spanish Consul here, who advised in strongest terms to prefer Madrid to Cadiz on account of the purity of the language, & less frequency of persons who spoke French & English; & at same time offered politely his passport, it being Sufficient to go to an Inland Town. Shall I confess to you my dear friend that I was not sorry for a recontre which put an end to my difficulties: for tho’ constant in my design of becoming an American, & desirous long time since to go to that country: yet I was not prepared to go thro’ all the formalities before my embarkation for it: more particularly in Bordeaux where Such a circumstance getting wind (as it necessarily must) might by ill natured persons be made a handle of to injure most materially myself or family. The pieces you kindly Sent me have not therefore been made use of, but I keep them in case they may become necessary at Madrid. A few months will I hope give me as much of the Spanish Language as I want, when I shall be ready to embark for that country which is the But of all my designs—I hope my dear friend that my conduct & frankness on this occasion will not be disapproved of, as I even flatter myself that in my Situation you would have acted in Same manner. Should however more Substantial marks of my Sentiment be required, I am ready to give them when called upon, tho’ for reasons already assigned I would wish it to be differed at least till I have changed my place of residence. As a suite of these sentimts I presume to beg a line of introduction to the Am. Agent at Madrid that in case of [torn] I may be able to take the Step Required. I propose Setting out from 10th to 15 of Next Month, & shall be unspeakably happy if I can be of any Service to you there or in conveying any thing to Said place. Thus I have thrown myself entirely on your friendship hoping your mediation in case my conduct should not meet with your Grandfathers approbation with Sincerest wishes for his and your happiness I remain Your ever affectionate friend