I received your kind Letter, which gave me great Pleasure, as it inform’d me of your Welfare. Your Friendly Congratulations are very obliging. I had on my Return some Right as you observe, to expect Repose; and it was my Intention to avoid all public Business; but I had not Firmness enough to resist the unanimous Desire of my Country-folks; and I find myself harness’d again in their Service for another Year. They engross’d the Prime of my Life: They have eaten my Flesh, and seem resolv’d now to pick my Bones. You are right in supposing that I interest myself in every thing that affects you and yours, sympathising in your Afflictions, and rejoicing in your Felicities; for our Friendship is ancient, and was never obscur’d by the least Cloud. I thank you for your Civilities to my Grandson, and am ever, with sincere and great Esteem and Regard, my dear Friends, Yours most affectionately