Thy favr. dated 22nd Octr. 1788 came to hand 9th of 1st mo last for which I remain in debted as well as for the news paper inclosed which were very acceptable. I sent the paper by a friend to the Editor of the Gentns Magazine who gave thy essay as it deserved the first place in his miscellany for Febry. I gave me pleasure to find thou thinks thy health rather improving and can but hope it is er now Confirmd and that thou mayst continue to enjoy those extraordinary mental powers thou hast been favd. with many Years. I think Dr. Cheyne says 100 is the Age designd for man Unimpaired by excess and accidents. I am also pleased to observe thou says your publick affairs are getting into good order and my Wish is thou mayst live to see the new Constitution established thro’ all the 13 States unless the 2 dissentients can find out a better. I rather wish them to Unite and will they not? For its said in Union there is Strength. Dr. Price seemd to fear the world is not good enough yet to admit of a Democratical Government tho in our present State here I prefer a mixed form notwithstanding its imperfections but I hope and am inclined to believe that, which is calld, the Christian World is not only more enlightned but actually better than it was Centuries past and as a Coroboration may I not Instance the appearantly approaching abolition of the Slave Trade for which the French Nation it seems have furnished some able advocates. Ive long had the satisfaction of being on the Committee of our Society here for Promoting and if possible obtaining that desirable purpose tho’ I cod. not join the other Com[mittee] which may be Calld Sharps whose labours are praise worthy my residence at Esher in Surry abot. 7 miles from hence where I am generally from 6th to 3rd days rendering it impracticable to give Proper attendance. The first hint of the impropriety of Christians and of our friends particularly holding Slaves appears to have been given in the printed Epistle from our Yrly meetg at London in the year 1758 which like Seed sown in good ground seems to have taken root not only amongst our own Members but he spread far and wide. Perhaps the Cup of affliction alloted that people is nearly full and their deliverance may be in due time effected tho’ the farther consideration of that Subject by Parliamt is postponed to be taken up early next Session. Great good have already been done by the Act for regulating the numbers on Shipboard by the Tonnage and the new Laws passd in the West Indies which may be said to be produced by the Enquiries.

The French Governmt. sent their people to America to fight on the side of freedom where they have learnd a Lesson they are not likely soon to unlearn. That Country is in great Confusion and distress bordering upon famine and Civil War, their Monarchy totering as if it would be overturnd. Fayette? at the Head of the populace.

I hear thou art engaged in Writing thy own memoir or history of thy own times which I am glad of Not doubting it will be a valuable present to the world. Kings and Kingdoms and Commonwealths too as well as private individuals I expect may find useful observations and instructions therein. Our friends[?] those whom thou know are generally well. My Wife is as well or better than some years back and I am fav’d with good health. The Country agrees with us better than London. Samuel Clerk[?] the printer who I think thou know died last autumn. I shall be always glad to hear of thy Welfare and a line at any time a favr! And if I can be of any Service here it will give me pleasure. Beg [and?] thou’ll freely Command. Thy respectful real Friend