The Person who will have the honour of presenting this Line to your Hands, is a Gentleman of Distinction in this Country, and of excellent Character both for the Qualities of Head and Heart. It is Mr. Gouverneur Morris, who was a Member of Congress, and a most active and useful Member of the Grand Federal Convention held in this City for the purpose of forming our new Constitution, in 1787. I beg leave to recommend him to those Civilities which you have a Pleasure in showing to Strangers of Merit. As he has a great deal of Information I am persuaded you will be pleased with his Conversation.

I hope you and the Good Ladies continue to enjoy that best of Blessings Health, which, Thanks to God, is my Case at present; having pretty well recovered from the long and severe Fit of the Gout, which afflicted me the last Summer.

I am prosecuting the Work with Diligence which M. Le Veillard has so pressingly recommended to me, and have got as far as my fiftieth Year. As I am now no longer interrupted by Public Business, I think, if my present State of Health continues a few Months, it will probably be compleated.

I say nothing to you about our public Affairs, tho’ I know you have the Goodness to interest yourself concerning them; because Mr. Morris can inform you fully of every thing you may desire to know. I hope yours in France are as likely to be soon settled.

With unbounded Esteem and Respect, I am ever, Sir, Your most obedient and most humble Servant