I received in its time your Favour of Sept. 9. and approve of your Reason for not adding the 1161 livres to the Credit of my Account. What related to the Million was also very satisfactory.

Yours of Dec. 28 and Feb. 7. are just come to hand, together with my Account for the Year 1786, which appears to be right. I observe you have sold all my Actions in the Case d’Escompte; and tho’ I have no longer any concern in that Fund, I rejoice to hear of its Prosperity. The Classics and other Books are not come to hand, but Mr. Jefferson will take care to send them. Those you sent by Mr. F   are received.

Your Mention of the Malady of M. de Vergennes afflicted me, and much more the News I since hear of his Death. So wise and so good a Man taken away from the Station he fill’d, is a great Loss not only to France, but to Europe in general, to America, and to Mankind.

Not having found the Cares of Government so burthensome as I apprehended, I consented to serve a second Year, and was chosen unanimously by the Junction of all Parties, so that there was but one Negative Voice, viz, my own, and that given, as you may suppose, for Modesty sake. The three Houses, which I began to build last Year are nearly finished, and I am now about to begin two others. Building is an old Man’s Amusement. The Advantage is for his Posterity. Since my coming home, the Market is extended before my Ground next the Street, and the high Rents such a Situation must afford, has been one of my Inducements. As often as my Drafts may be presented to you, exceeding my Cash in your hands, I hereby desire you will furnish yourself by immediately disposing of some of my Stock in the public Funds.

For the best Room, in the Addition I have made to my Dwelling House, I want a Mirror measuring 59½ French Inches long, and 43 Inches wide, and I request you will send me such a one. As the Pacquet Boat is henceforth to sail from Havre, it will be easier to have things from Paris than formerly. No Frame is to be with it, as it is to be fix’d over the Chimney.

I continue, Thanks to God, in good Health. Please to remember me kindly to all my old Acquaintance who do me the honour to enquire after me. My Grandsons and the rest of my Family join me in best Wishes of Health and Happiness to you and yours; and I am ever, with great and sincere Esteem My dear Friend Yours most affectionately