I have long and impatiently expected the Honor of a Letter from you, in answer to those I wrote about my son Robert. It is an honor I feel very anxious for. It will be an obligation that I shall be Gratefull for. Lady Newenham has the most Sanguine hopes of Success. She had the honor of writing you and Mr. Jay.

My Eldest Son is to be married in a few days to Miss Elizabeth Persse, Daughter of Colonel Persse, who took a Conspicuous part, in this Kingdom (during the whole of the late war) in favor of America, and in all other respects has been a real Patriot; a Reciprocal Political opinion began in our Early days, and therefore we both approved of a Closer connection. I could have got a Girl, but not so handsome or so well Educated and averse to the Ton, (with £12000) for him; he offered to accede to my wish, but I found that was only through Duty and that his heart was engaged to Miss Perse. I, loving Liberty gave up to him and I hope to make him happy.

I quitted what is stiled the opposition, and voted in Every Question in favor of the french Treaty of Commerce, as I really think it will be of Service to Ireland; the only fault I have to find with our part of it, is that the Duty of £32 per Ton is continued here, as usual, on French Wines, while in England it has been Lessened from £96 4s. 1d. to £45 1s. 6d. per Ton—which last is about the Duty of Portugal wines; thus the Methuen Treaty is broke; we continue the Duty on Portugal wine, the same as these last ten years.

Our Attorney General lately brought in a Bill to prevent tumultuous Rizings—it had Death, Death, Death, Felony, Felony; Felony in Every page; the most Sanguinery Bill, that Ever distinguished the Reign of Draco; one Clause Obliged the Protestant Majistrate, if there was any Tumultuous Assembly adjoining to or near any Mass House, to pull, Level and sell the Materials, Alter &c &, & not to Suffer such to be rebuilt for 3 years, and the Parish to pay for all Damages sustained by any Clergyman of the Established Church, that Clergymans oath to be taken as conclusive Evidence, as to the Damages, so that a bad Clergymen might make a considerable Prize, by burning a Stacke of Corn—so great was the outcry against it, that Even our Military Government trembled and gave up many of the Clauses without attempting to Devide on them—the attorney general then declared, that he had another Law to Bring in, for regulating County Majistrates, holding more frequent Sessions, appointing Lawyers as Chairmen of these Sessions with Considerable fallacies and High Constables with Considerable fallacies—thus Government will obtain a most powerfull general Patronage in the Counties, which have hitherto pursued some degree of Independance. Other states are emerging from Slavery, Ireland alone sinking under oppression and nearly returning to her former Slavery.

All this Family return your affectionate and obliging Enquiries; they request to be remembred to you, in the most respectfull and warm sentiments of regard, and also to your worthy grandson to whom I beg my respects and regards.

I am not a little Surprised at seeing Monsr. Colonne’s Letter to Mr. Jefferson in the public Papers; it appears to me a Confidential Letter, not designed for publick Inspection; great Stress has been laid on it in the British Parliament; I send it to you sincerely wishing Good health. I remain, with respect, Dear Sir Most affectionate and obliged Humble Servant