Your Excellency’s letter of Jany. 12 1788 did not reach me until a few days ago. Its contents are very acceptable to me; and I wish the situation of the country would enable me to enforce them. I write, merely as a private man: and in that character I am free to declare, that whensoever an opportunity shall present itself, which shall warrant me, as a citizen, to emancipate the slaves, possessed by me, I shall certainly indulge my feelings, as a man, impressed with a sense of the rights of this unfortunate people, and regardless of the loss of property. For such an opportunity, my best endeavours shall not be wanting. I have the honor sir to be with great respect your most obedient servant