It is so long Since I had the honor of receiving a Line from your Excellency, or hearing of your worthy Grandsons, or your own health, although I frequently solicited that favor, that I assure you, it has been no small matter of uneasiness to me and my Family—to deprive us of that, was, indeed, depriving us of a most particular pleasure, as, I will Venture to assert, with truth and Confidence, that your Excellency has not or Ever can have a more Sincere, Respectfully or warm friend that I Am, nor does there exist a man, who holds you in higher Veneration than I do, and I can answer for those being the sentiments of those of my family, that were at Passy—Let me, then, Entreat a Line acquainting me of your good health, as a Convincing proof, that I am not forgot by him, whom I never shall Cease to respect;

I have the pleasure of having had Colonel Wadsworths and Colonel Blagdens Company for Some days at Belcamp; both of them agreable, Sensible and Polite men; they are lately returned, I believe, to America; Colonel Blakden told me that he had purchased an Estate, which had been forfeit’d near Hartford in Connecticut; I was happy to shew them Every Civility in my power—I should be ungratefull If I did not—The General Election and the long Sitting of Parliament last Spring, hindered me of taking a Trip to America, but (if in health) I intend it this Spring, should nothing of moment be intended to be brought forward in our house of Commons after the 25th of March; and I have settled every proper requisite for my Voyage, but wish to Know your opinion I mean to see the Capitol of Each State, from Boston to Charles Town, and Visit part of the Back settlements, I take my Eldest son and a friend, with two servants; Quere—would it be more agreable and Cheaper to take 2 Saddle horses—or a pair and a post Chaise—or depend upon what horses I would get there? And I would be glad to have some Idea of the Expence of living, per head per Day at Philadelphia, New York, or other Capitols—paid on this trouble, and, I fear, improper Liberty; and may I further trespass on your patience by requesting Letters of Introduction, particularly to Philadelphia, New York and Boston; as I shall land a stranger in person and Character, but not in congenial Principles, on that Land of Liberty, and your Excellencys letter of Introduction will insure me a favourable reception, as It will shew your friends there, that I am honoured with your acquaintance; I find, by the Papers, that Mr. Jay is returned to America, which Surpizes me very much, as I imagined he was appointed Minister to the Court of Spain, and had wrote to him at Madrid.

This Kingdom will loose its Character and Liberty; Administration has Succeeded in Dividing us, by terryfying the Wavering, Bribing Some, and feeding others with hopes; they have obtained the Signatures of many hundreds to addresses of the most perfect Satisfaction in the present System of Representatives and Electors; we are Numerous on the side of Right, Truth and Constitution, but there is a Strong Faction, Supported by the Treasury, against us; the Leaders of the Roman Catholics are on the side of Aristocrasy, and the Latter are bartering their Support at Public Vendue; we buy no mans Support, therefore Government can Easily Close the purchase; Virtue appeared during the Late War and for a few months after the Peace, but now it is fled—I Know not who to trust; I have Seen Such deceptions, and experienced such Tergeversation, that I am grown weary of Public Life, and am about to retire during the remainder of my Life, except during the busy part of the Present Parliament—Even some of my Constituents have forsaken themselves and their original principles; they have addressed against a reform—this Line of Conduct will embolden Administration to refuse Every prayer of the People, however reasonable or Just.

Our Harvest is abundant and good, and the weather has been remarkably fine to save it, yet Cash is Scarse and Rents ill paid; our National Bank is injurious to Commercial Intercourse; and has absorbed too much of the ready Specie of the Nations, our second greatest Bank, where there is a hundred thousand pounds a year in Landed Property, has faild a second Time, owing to the partial Acts of the National Bank, yet that Bank will rize Like a Phoenix, though the Temporary Shocke is great.

I have nearly finished a Counting house, four miles from Dublin, which has Cost me at Least £7000 by list, as there has been some damage done by Lightning to my Neighbours house, I mean to save mine by a Conductor, but am ignorant of the proper mode of doing it, or how to Conduct the fire, I wish I had a grain of your Knowledge in that respect, as we are anxious to fortify the Expensive Edifice, against that powerfull actor; the Library preserves the place originaly formed to receive the long expected and promised Bust of him, who is Equaly revered and respected by this family, as by his grateful Countrymen in the United States; I enquire of Every Ship from Bourdeaux, but, as yet, in Vain.

My two Sons, that went to India, have arrived Safe, as to their Lives, after being Cast away off Plymouth in the Crocodile frigate; they saild with the account of the Peace in Europe, and returned with that concluded with Heyderlly; I have Changed the Course of Life, I destined the young for, as he has requested to be put apprentice to a Merchant and not to continue in the Navy; Agreable to my principles, to let my Children Chuse for themselves, I have entered on a treaty with my friends at Marsailles to take him as an Apprentice, though I should prefer taking him with me to America and personaly fixing him in Philadelphia or New-York, and giving an adequate Fee, as I think with a tolerable Capital, he may soon, be independent; his family Connections in this Kingdom would soon bring opulent Correspondents.

All this Family join in sincere Respects, the warmest Regards, and solicitude for your Excellencys health and happiness, and with our best wishes for your Worthy Grandsons prosperity—I have the Honor to remain, with due Respect, Your Excellencys Most obedient and most obliged Humble Servant