The Moment is come when I may safely assure You of my constant Esteem, affection and Veneration for Your character, and may congratulate you on the Services you have renderd Mankind!

I dared not write you before—some Officious Sycophants had represented me to the late Ministry as an Active Instrument of America, and if I had written You but a single Line, by virtue of the Suspension of the Habeas Corpus, regarding Those that should hold Correspondence with That Country, or any belonging to it, I was informed, I might be shut up and distressed by the vile Miscreants that have brought on all the late Calamities to each Country. So I desisted addressing You—my Innocence being a poor Shield against Power in such Hands. For you know, I afforded nothing to America but my Good Wishes—nor was more in my Power but a little private Relief to the Distressed not worth mentioning.

My Wife and The Old Lady Her Mother ardently pray for your Health, and still many happy Years to you. Hardly a day has passed since We parted, We have not thought and talked of You. My Sons are in the same Sentiments. The Eldest single yet, with me at Halsted—The Youngest Father of Four Boys—Two Living—marryed to a Lady of Family and Fortune in Sussex. Turned Country Gentleman, residing wholy there. improving His Estate by the Study of Country affairs, Planting &c and endeavouring to mend and improve His Nieghbours by the acting a Justice’s Part, which He is happy to be highly approved by Them in.

I who am upon my Save-All, near the last Bitt of Candle left, and only fit to save a better from being expended to the Purpose, remain in the Track You ever knew me, being among the greatest Sufferer’s in point of Fortune by the unhappy Breach with America—to try what I can save from the Shipwreck.

But I will not enter further into that disagreable Subject. Let me embrace you, and wish you all Happiness, having but just Time to seize the opportunity offerd, and assure you once more I am Dear Sir Most unalterably and affectionately yours