If I mistake not, my good old Friend it was the 14 Sept. last that I had the Pleasure of writing to you: particularly begging an Answer to a Memoire Instructif of the Concerns of my Friend Francis Dashwood, a distant Relation of Lord Le Despencer, with one Mr. George Henry of your City. I wish’d to Know whether any thing was to be expected of Mr. Henry’s afairs yea or nay; so as that poor Frank might have some hopes, or none.

From    Williams I have never had a Line, so he is no more to me than the       This I never cou’d have imagined wou’d have been the Case.

You had from me somewhat about Banks, which if of any Service will give me great Pleasure. I reckon you have been so very much employ’d in helping to bring Matters into some Shape and order that I readily sent you plenary Indulgence, perhaps equal to a Popes. Only reflect on the Pleasure it wou’d give to be acquainted with a Dear Friend’s Welfare. Certainly your feelings must, cannot, help urgeing you to put Pen to Paper!

I think I perceive the People are becoming more honest, and consequently truly sensible. You have known my Doctrine on this Head, for many Years. It must, I fancy be inherent in human Nature to be in a hurry to gratify what is thought to be it’s own Interest; and this point blank: without regarding public welfare. Thro’ plain simple Prudence, the End wish’d for, might be obtain’d.

I possibly might be thoroughly inform’d of the Drift of our Principle in regard to Regulations in trade with your Country; but I have the thoughts of them. You, I aprehend, do the Same; and conclude, hardly any but those calculated for particular private Interest which will go down.

I see by some Publications you are esteem’d a Patron against Slavery and for the Emancipation of Negroes. Perhaps I may be thought a great Latitudinarian in not adopting it as a prudent and right Measure. You on the other hand may esteem it right; being in so public a Character as you are and with so many Friends who are of a Religious Principle have adopted it, cannot well do less than humor them in their own way. There are some Tenet’s of the Society very good and those I esteem; but I cannot, all. So it is in regard to the present outcry against the Slave Trade: for, with great Submission, I must opine, that a wish to be thought enthusiastically humane, or from a Desire to preach of the Dignity of our noble Species this Doctrine has been broached, and Petitions present to the legislatures. In my opinion all this will end in an Enquiry, how the Negroes are treated: if unhumanly, some Regulations may be aimed at, for hindring of Barbarity. I know there are endevors pursuing to come at and publish a true account of what relates to the Number of the Inhabitants of Africa, and how it comes that they are dispos’d of as Slaves. Shou’d their being treatn’d against Courier, or other things possibly their Lives are sav’d; tho’ this weighs little with me: as it is great Consideration whether Life be worth Courier? But I am scribling away to you, or thinking aloud which if we agree not in Principle had better be avoided; and so I will

Our Friend Dr. Rowley was most happy in reflecting on your gratifying him with a Letter. This you did in your last to me of the 18 May; but he also send you plenary Indulgence; in Consideration of your very weighty afairs. He is very well; and I have the Pleasure of his Company generally twice a week. He has a great deal of Business; tho’ from the highest, to the lowest the Faculty he is wish’d to the Devil; because he has made his way without the Recommendation of any of the Faculty. The Success he has had, in curing sore Legs, without Rest, contrary to all Rule is terrible. He give 2 mornings in the week to the Poor. This I deem very useful both to the Public, and to himself: helping his Experience. He has been in America and possibly may Know how People are there afected, that I may ask for some of his works to send you; for he wishes to serve the Public more than to get Money; and so it ought to every liberal Mind. The common Course of things does, I think, take Care, that what is gather’d together, shall some how or other, be case asunder. I am running into Reflections which you Know better than I: and have more experience. So Adieu My Dear old Friend and believe me with the most unfeignd Regard and Respect Your    afectionate Friend and Servant