Permit me to refer to what I had the honour of writing to you the 17th.

You will recollect my suggestions. As soon as we perceived the falling off from those warm assurances which had been pressed in March and April, they were not ill founded; I dallyed a Week in hopes of Intelligence and left you with Reluctance; the temper of the times forbids even as Essay. What a happy Country is this where every thing pertaining to the Public, is rendred to them in Public News Papers; see the inclosed, containing nearly as Accurate an Account of certain recent Occurrences, as if it had been penn’d by one of the Parties. It might indeed have been made a little stronger Modest men are sometimes restrained from attempting a public Good from a dread of the Effects of Envy of being held up in an invidious light. It would be cruel to disturb them. I have learned nothing from America, save what you may have read in the Prints. Tomorrow I shall proceed to Bath and be waiting for intelligence as well from yourselves as from Congress. Some Consolation arises from reflecting that while I am endeavouring to mend my health you suffer no inconvenience from my Absence. With sincere regard and respect I have the honour to be &c