Tho’ I have wrote you several times lately, I do not recollect acknowledging the receipt of your very agreable letter of the 19 March last, which got to me long after its date, but was not delivered by Mr. Gerrard’s Nephew, by whom you mention to have sent it. I have however seen the Gentleman, having met with him the other Night at the Italian playhouse. He express’d to me in the warmest Terms the attention you shewed him during his residence in Philada.

I have lately recd. with much Pleasure, another of your letters, dated Oct.30.80. The bust has, I doubt not, arrived before this. It went I think in the Alliance or Ariel. I got the squirrel skins you sent me in a paper Bag, as well as those in the Box; but all were equally destroyed by the worms. When you send more, pray have them packed in Tobacco dust and put in a tincase. I hope to receive sufficient to line a Coat with for next winter. The silk you sent my Grandfather came to hand, but was entirely spoilt by the saltwater. He wrote you about it long since.

The bearer of this, Monsr. Le Veillard, is a very worthy young Man, and a particular Friend of mine. He goes to Philada. with a view of being employed by Mr. Holker.

His Father and Mother are Inhabitants of this Village and we are under obligations to them. Mrs. Le Veillard has been extreamly serviceable to us in the Family way; in buying our linnen and getting it made up etc. etc. I beg therefore for her son a return from you of those Civilities and Services. I am persuaded you will find him very deserving of them.

My Grandfather has had a severe Fit of the Gout, but is now pretty well recovered. Ben continues in Health and is improving fast in his learning. He lately gained a Silver Medal, as a reward for a Translation from Latin into French. Perhaps we may visit him in the Summer. Pray have you recd. the portrait we sent you of him? I thought it very like.

Remember me in the most affectionate manner to the duffield Family and to Miss Cliftons. I could wish you could introduce to their acquaintance M. Le Veillard, it will be a means of his passing his leisure hours very agreably, and of his soon acquiring the Language. Present my affectionate Respects to Mr. Bache, and love to the Young ones and believe me ever with the sincerest Esteem Your affectionate Nephew