I have received lately several Letters from you which gave me a great deal of Pleasure, as they inform’d me of your Welfare and that of the Children.

Being inform’d that Benny had been ill of a Fever, and that he was dejected and pin’d at being so long absent from his Relations, I sent for him to come to me during the Vacation of the Schools. He is accordingly now here, and I have great Satisfaction in finding him so well grown, and so much improv’d in his Learning and Behaviour. I am not determin’d at present whether to send him back, or procure him Masters under whose Direction he may continue his Studies here.

If the Congress do not dismiss me as I have desired, I wish you would send me in the Fall by any Vessel coming to Havre degrace, some Newtown Pippins, some more Grafts of that Fruit: the former enclos’d in the Tin Case were too dry; they should have had a little moist Earth with them. I have not yet heard how those in Wax succeeded, as they went far into the Country. I wish too for some of our Chestnuts and Hickery Nuts. I also desire another Box of Mr. Bertram’s Seeds; and let me know the Price.

Mr. Restife left your Letters yesterday when I happen’d to be out. Col. Cambray has been here a long time.

I am frequently solicited for Letters of Recommendation by Friends whom I cannot refuse, tho’ I believe they do not always well know the Persons they solicit for; and I trouble you with those Letters. I would have you observe, that when I recommend a Person simply to your Civilities and Counsels, I mean no more than that you should give him a Dinner or two, and your best Advice if he asks it; but by no means that you should lend him Money: For many I believe go to America with very little; and with such romantic Schemes and Expectations as must end in Disappointment and Poverty. I dissuade, all I can, those who have not some useful Trade or Art by which they may get a living; but there are many who hope for Offices and Public Employments, who value themselves and expect to be valued by us for their Birth or Quality, tho’ I tell them those Things bear no Price in our Markets. But Fools will ruin themselves their own way. There is one there at present, whose Father obtain’d of me by means of Friends a Letter recommending him to your Notice, and the Son upon the Strength of it now writes me a long Epistle pressing me to prevail with his Father to send him what he is much in want of, 10,000 Livres. I know nothing of either Son or Father.

I am glad Miss Beckwith is likely to succeed with you. I take her to be a Person of real Merit, and am glad you have been able to render her any Service.

I received duly the Bills you sent me. Let me know whether you have got home my Library: and also whether you have been paid for the Printing Letters sold to Lancaster and Virginia.

I enjoy at present as good a State of Health as I have had for many Years; and I still continue to be as esteem’d and belov’d by this amiable Nation, and have probably much more Respect shown me than I should have at home; yet I long to be there fore I die, and I wish to set out while I have strength to bear the Voyage: but I have not as yet receiv’d the Permission of Congress; and the Settlement of my Accounts will I apprehend necessarily detain me another Winter.

Ben writes. I am ever, my dear Children, Your affectionate Father