I hope your Forgiveness my dear Friend, for my having delay’d thus long answering your Letter of the 17th. of last Month:—I have communicated it to my Grandfather who is of Opinion that, application ought to be made to the Secy for foreign Affairs, if the Case of the Bills is as related by you and the Proprietor of them. This however we can hardly conceive as the Books I had kept of Acceptations were left behind for the express purpose of Mr. Jefferson or Mr. Barclay continuing the Business. I have not with me a Copy of the Bill Book for 1782—but as you well observe it would be useless to examine the Bills—as the Proprietor has each Set compleat.—I am the more tempted to believe that there has been some mistake in the Presentation of them—as it is the only Instance of the like Nature we have heard of.—It should be well inquired into before Mr. Jay is troubled on the Subject.

I thank you for your Line from N. York & for your Attention to my Deeds.—Christmas is approaching & reminds us of your promise of eating mince Pies with us. The whole Family wish it, & send their Love to you.—They are all well, except two or three of the Children who have got the Hooping Cough.—Truxtun will sail in a Week or two, he complains of your not having wrote him.—I suppose your time has been much taken up in being feasted by your old Friends & Fellow Citizens.—Adieu my dear Friend Remember me affectionately to all your Family—Aunt Mecom &c—and believe me as ever Yrs