I was just going to write to you for Information whether the Bill I drew on Dr. Cooper before his Death, had ever been paid; and the Pen was in my hand, when I receiv’d your kind Letter of the 19th Instant, acquainting me that Cousin Williams had receiv’d the Money, of which I am very glad, on your Account.
This will be delivered by our Cousin Jonathan, who I very much esteem for his many valuable Qualities. He was very desirous in France of knowing how to make Crown Soap, and I promis’d him a copy of the Receipt you were once so good as to write for me: But in my Absence it is lost with many other of my Papers. You will oblige me by writing it over again for me, but more by making a Parcel for me of 40 or 50 pounds weight, which I want for Presents to Friends in France who very much admir’d it. Jonathan will be glad to assit you (for the Instruction’s sake) in the working Part. I wish it to be of the greenish Sort that is close and solid and hard like the Specimen I send; and not that which is white and curdled and crumbly.
I do not complain of any suppos’d Ingratitude in Vernon; I can excuse his being out of humour with his Son’s Drawing on him, who stays in Paris spending his Time and Substance unprofitably, contrary to his Father’s Will. I wish you had mention’d the exact Sum he paid, that I might have judg’d whether he was right or wrong in paying five Dollars short of what you demanded. I take him to be a very honest good Man, and believe he will still do what is right if I can show him that he was wrong. Cousin Jonathan will calculate it for us.
You chall have a Copy of the Catalogue of Books as soon as I can find it; but you will see it sooner in the Hands of Cousin Williams, to whom the Books were consigned. Those you recommended of Dr. Stennet are among them.
I am glad to hear that your Daughter’s Health is better. My Love to her and your Grand daughter in which this Family joins with Your affectionate Brother