Though a variety of Avocations have so long prevented my writing to you I have not been unmindful of you, nor insensible of the pleasure of hearing from time to time, of the Continuance of your Health, and welfare.

Besides the motives which arise from Gratitude and respect, I have now one other inducement for presenting myself to your recollection: Your Philosophical Works are out of Print in this Country, and so is the Political Volume Published by Mr. B. Vaughan. Mr. Dilly and one or two other Eminent Booksellers have therefore determined on Printing a new Elegant Edition of every thing of yours both Philosophical and Political which has yet appear’d or which can be procured in time; the Work being already in part sent to the Press. Besides the two Volumes just mentioned, they are possessed of the Articles in the 2d. Volume of the Philosophical Transactions just arrived from Philadelphia, and the three Papers on the internal State of North America &c. Information to those who would remove to N. America—and remarks on the Savages in North America: They are likewise promised some papers in the Transactions now printing by the Massachusetts Academy viz Thoughts on Universal fluids—on the Theory of the Earth. Results of 12 Experiments made with seven Wires of Different metals, to ascertain their different Powers of Conducting Heat—and a Description of an Instrument to remove Books from high Shelves. To this Edition it is intended to fix an Account of the Author written     by one of the Writers of the Biographia Brittanica, who I am told will accord with the Wishes of your Friends at least so far as the Writers Knowledge of Facts may enable him to be accurate and do you justice. Probably I may be able to Correct any material Error respecting later Transactions though I cannot pretend to do it in any thing which relates to the Earlier Parts of your Life.

Having some reason to believe that among the Papers which you had left in America during the late War, as well as among those which you carried from Europe, there might be some that you would willingly see added to the intended Edition of your Works, I [am] determined to give you this account of what was in Agitation and advised the Editors (particularly Mr. Dilly) to keep the impression unfinished until I could hear from you respecting it, which they have promised to do. If therefore you should have any thing to add to the materials before mentioned, I could wish that you or your Grandson, would take the trouble [of] sending it to me here, and if he should know and think proper to add any facts that might enable me to Correct or improve the Proposed Biographical part, I shall receive them with thanks and endeavour to make a becoming use of them.

I have very little to say to you in the way of News: The Commercial Treaty between this Kingdom is so far advanced that as I am well Assured both Courts Conceive there is no Danger of its Miscarrying. It is as I understand founded on the general Principle of giving reciprocally admission to the Productions and manufactures of each Country into the other, on the Terms of the most favoured nation subject however to several exceptions and stipulations on both sides respecting particular articles. There does not appear the smallest probability of any Commercial Treaty between this Country and the United States, and the British Ministry are I beleive very fully determined to adhere to the System of the Navigation Laws in its utmost Extent. Mr. Adams is far from being pleased with his Situation though it was the first Object of his Ambition.

I beg through you to Convey an assurance of my respectful remembrance to Mrs. and Mr. Beach and of my particular Esteem to your Grandsons. I had intended to write Mr. W. T. Franklin by this Packet, but am afraid I shall not have time. I do not despair of the very great pleasure of seeing you in America, though the present situation of my affairs will not allow me to fix the time. But wherever I may be, I hope you will be persuaded of my best wishes, and of the sincere respectful Attachment with which I invariably am My Dear Sir Your most Affectionate and most Devoted Humble servant