No one more sincerly rejoyced at your Return to America, after your long and useful Labors in Europe, than myself. I should have taken Leave to have congratulated your Return, but that I feared I should continue to be as burthensom to you as I had been before, considering that I had written a number of Letters to you during your Absence as Ambassador at the Court of Paris without recieving any Answer from yourself. However after your having had time a little to get over the Hurry of your Affairs, altho’ still immersed in public Business, I tho’t it might not be altogether disagreeable to you to receive a first Assurance and Testimony of the Respect and Honor I shall never cease to bear to One of the first Literary Characters in the present Republic of Letter.

Mr. Webster will deliver you this. He has read his Lectures in this City with Applause. I have many Things, could your Leisure admit, on which I could wish your opinion. Suffer me to request your Speculation upon the antient Rudera or Works of Fortification found at the Confluence of the Muskingham and Ohio and other Parts of Kentucky. But I will no further trespass on your Time, than to add, that I am, Dear Sir, with the greatest Esteem and Gratitude Your most obedient Humble servant