Having at length received from Congress Permission to return home, I am now preparing for my Departure, and hope to get away by the Middle of next Month, or the End at farthest, tho’ I know not yet whether it will be by the Packet or some other Vessel. Fearing that the Packet may be crowded with Passengers, I have desired my Cousin Jonathan Williams now in London, to enquire whether there may not be found some good Vessel bound directly to Philadelphia, who would agree to take me on board at Havre, with my Grandsons and Servants, and my Baggage, &c. Infirm as I am, I have need of comfortable Room and Accommodations. I was miserably lodg’d in coming over hither, which almost demolish’d me. I must be better stow’d now, or I shall not be able to hold out the Voyage. Indeed my Friends here are so apprehensive for me, that they press me much to remain in France, and three of them have offer’d me an Asylum in their Habitations. They tell me that I am here among a People who universally esteem and love me; that my Friends at home are diminish’d by Death in my Absence; that I may there meet with Envy and its Consequent Enmity which here I am perfectly free from; this supposing I live to compleat the Voyage, but of that they doubt. The Desire however of spending the little Remainder of Life with my Family, is so strong, as to determine me to try at least, whether I can bear the Motion of a Ship. If not I must get them to set me on shore somewhere in the Channel, and content myself to die in Europe.

It is long since I have heard from you or of you. I hope however that you and the Children continue well. Ben is very well, and grows amazingly. He promises to be a stout as well as a good Man. Temple has been ill lately with a Fever, but is getting better and sends his Duty. I suppose Ben writes. I am ever, my dear Children, Your affectionate Father,