Your Letter of the 12th Inst. found me ill and confined to my Bed where I still continue, and tho’ I have hardly Strength to dictate a Letter; I cannot delay justifying myself of my apparent Neglect of Mrs. Vaughan’s & your Request. Immediately on the Rect. of your amiable Secy’s. Letter, I made application for the Recommendations you desired, and was promised & forgot, ’till lately, when I obtain’d one for Martinique from the Marquis of Bouillé. That for Tobago, I have not yet. Not being myself acquainted with those whose Recommendations would have Weight in those Islands; I was obliged to employ an Agent. Add to this, that Mr. Williams having been for these 3 Weeks past on the point of setting off for London, I delay’d from Day to Day sending you the Letter in order to do it by him. Thus my dear Friend, you have experienced an accumulated Delay; which I can assure you has given me great uneasiness. I hope both you & Mrs. Vaughan will excuse it, and give me other Occasions of proving my Zeal. Notwithstanding Mr. Manning’s Departure, I enclose the Letter, and beg it may be sent after him. It is from the late Governor of Martinique, & will certainly be well attended to by the present.

Adieu, my dear Friend, I will answer the other Parts of your Letter when I can sit up. Present my most affectionate Respects to Mrs. Vaughan, and endeavour, if possible, to regain me her good opinion.

I am as ever most sincerely & affectionately Yours