I have often intended thanking you for your very kind and friendly letter, which I received at Aix la Chapelle but waited in hopes our plans might be more settled. We have had very bad success, and found no one to purchase the litte estate we have to dispose of in England, which was to have given us the money necessary for removing to America and making a small purchase in that Country. It is still the object of our wishes and I flatter myself that next spring we may not be again disappointed. The papers inform us that you are about to quit Paris for America. This will be to us a great additional temptation. I can not express the happiness I shall experience in once more seeing my much honored and ever respected friend and Mr. Hare is too nearly connected with our family not to imbibe all those sentiments of esteem and admiration which we feel so strongly.

I hear Mr. Adams is appointed your minister at our Court—why did not you, my dear Doctor Franklin accept that office—I can believe you are too great and too good a man to triumph over the follies and passions of others but I who have not half your wisdom should have enjoyed your presentation at St. Jame’s.

We are here living at a small German Court, sick of princes and of the form and dependance which attends them. My health obliged us to stop at Carlsruh and we have taken a lodging till the 23d of July, when we propose making a tour in Switzerland to breathe a little free air and to winter in Italy, which climate is greatly recommended to me. I should be very glad to know whether we shall be likely to procure a passage to America from any of the Italian ports if we determine on going thither next spring and whether if we are not able to purchase immediately on our arrival, a small farm ready stocked may be rented. I have a thousand apprehensions your health may suffer from so long a voyage and I shall consider it as a particular obligation if either you, or Mr. Franklin will have the goodness to inform me of your safe arrival soon after you land—and if you have 10 minutes unemployed I should be happy to hear from you before you quit Europe. Our residence is so uncertain I can not well give you a direction, but any letter you send to my family, I shall be certain to receive in time as I write very regularly to them. I am rejoiced to add my last letters contained a vastly good account of both my dearest father and mother.

Mr. Burdet, who is in the service of the Margrave and who appears an intelligent ingenious man tells me he is known to you and desires his Compliments. Mr. Hare begs to be remembered to Mr. Franklin and believe me, dear Dr. Franklin Your very Obliged and Affectionate