I have had Notice of sundry Books sent me by you but none of them are come to hand except two Volumes of the Dictionnaire d’Agriculture by L’Abbé Rozier; My Grandson also complains of not receiving a Package or Case sent by you to him he knows not by what Conveyance nor where to enquire for it.

It is long since I have had the Pleasure of hearing from you, the last Letter I have received being dated the 21st of February, but when I have no new Letter from you I console myself by reading over again some of the old ones, as I have lately done those of the 1st of April 88 and the 10 of Octr. and 27 Novr. 88. Every time I read what you write I receive fresh Pleasure. I have already answered those last mentioned Letters and now have before me that of the 21st of Feby. only. I am sorry my Friend Morris failed in the Attention he ought to have shown you, but I hope you will excuse it a little when you consider that an American transported from the tranquil Villages of his Country and set down in the Tourbillon of such a great City as Paris must necessarily be for some Days half out of his Senses.

I hope you have perfectly recovered of the Effects of your Fall at Made. Helvetius’s and that you now enjoy perfect Health; as to mine I can give you no good Account. I have a long time been afflicted with almost constant and grievous Pain to combat which I have been obliged to have recourse to Opium, which indeed has afforded me some Ease from time to time but then it has taken away my Appetite and so impeded my Digestion that I am become totally emaciated and little remains of me but a Skeleton covered with a Skin, in this Situation I have not been able to continue my Memoirs and now suppose I shall never finish them. Benjamin has made a Copy of what is done, for you, which shall be sent by the first safe Opportunity. I make no Remarks to you concerning your Public Affairs being too remote to form just Opinions concerning them, indeed I wonder that you, who are at the same Distance from us make so very few Mistakes in your Judgment of our Affairs. At present we think them in a good Way; the Congress are employed in amending some of their Faults supposed to be in our Constitution, and it is expected that in a few Weeks the Machine will be in orderly Motion. The Piece of Mr. Target which you mention as having sent me is not come to hand. I am sorry to hear of the Scarcity which has afflicted your Country, we have had here a most plentiful Harvest of all the Productions of the Earth without Exception; and I suppose some Supplies will be sent you from hence, tho’ the Term during which the Importation was permited by your Government was too short considering the Distance.

My Family join in every affectionate Sentiment respecting you and yours with Your sincere Friend