I have received a letter from Iwyford filled with their surprize and joy at so unexpectedly seeing you and with their regret for your quick departure—my first sensation was an emotion of discontent at not sharing in their happiness, though I do no think I ever could have supported the seeing you embark for America unless I had had hopes of soon taking the same voyage. Mr. Hare and I continue the same earnest desire of settling in that Country and if you give us the least encouragement we shall probably set out early in the Spring. From what my sister says, I fear you do not rightly understand our plan—we have no idea of living as farmers do either in England or America, but in the manner of a Country-Gentleman who lives upon a moderate income and keeps from 50ty to a 100 Acres in his own hands—fully satisfied if the product of the farm nearly clears the rent. I wish to know whether such a kind of plan might not be practicable in America, and a farm ready stocked with a comfortable dwelling-house upon it, may not be rented with a liberty of purchasing at the expiration of a certain term, as this would allow us time to dispose of our property in England. We also wish to know the difference between Currency and Sterling, and the common price of provisions in the Neighborhood of Philadelphia. What furniture would you advise us to carry with us, and do you recommend our agreeing with any laboring people to follow us; in that case what is the common engagement entered into both for men and women. You must not judge of Mr. H from anything you may have heard, I assure you he is full as partial as myself to a Country-life and to the sober pleasures it offers, besides which, he has a great idea, if once settled in America, that exclusive of farming, there are various pursuits which might tend to increase our Income which is at present clear £300. where as in any foreign Country the most we can hope is, to live on the little we already possess, paying high for house-rent and cheated and imposed upon by all the natives. We are equally weary of this vagabond kind of life and wish some where to be permanently settled, and next to returning to my own dear Country and beloved parents it would be the greatest happiness to me to live near and under the protection of a friend I love and reverence as a second father. Though I address a letter to you my dear Doctor Franklin, I can not wish to give you the trouble of answering all my questions and writing as largely as may be necessary on those subjects but I am sure Mr. Franklin will have the goodness to undertake this and I beg you will assure him how much pleasure Mr. Hare and I propose to ourselves in future from his friendship and society. I shall be glad to know about the rent we may be expected to give for such a farm as I have already described, or whether a small house with a garden might not easily be had in the town of Philadelphia till such time as we had an opportunity of living to our wishes in the Country, with the rate at which they commonly lett. Any letter addressed to my family will be forwarded safely. You will be so kind as to let me hear as soon as possible, that we may take a final determination. We are not much pleased with the little we have hither seen of this Country and we are already impatient to leave it. God grant that I amy hear my secellent friend is in good health and that he has recovered the fatigue of the voyage. Ever respectfully and affectionately Yours