I received your pleasing Letters of Jan. 14. & 16. and one since of the 30th of March with the Newspapers. They gave me great Pleasure, as they inform'd of your Health and that of your dear Children. Ben is well, and writes to me pretty often. I have sent you by different Vessels a Number of his Letters. Inclos'd is a Copy of one of the late Ones. The Original has been sent you; but as that may Miscarry, I send you the Copy, that you may see his English. I send also the Roughs of my Answer to him, & a little Letter to his Tutor. If I had more Leisure, as I hope I shall, I would with Pleasure attend more nearly to his Education. But he is in good Hands. Did you receive the little Drawing of him which I sent you? I continue, Thanks to God, in good Health; but grow tired of my Trade, and long for Repose.
Mr de Marbois sent me an Account of my Daughter's patri-otic Activity in collecting for the Troops, inclosing a Paper pub-lish'd on the Occasion, which has been translated here, & I send you a Copy.—
Mr. Bache's Ink & Paper are too nigh of a Colour. If his writing was not itself very good, I should hardly be able to read it.
The Shilela I am afraid is lost, as it is so long since she sail'd and we hear nothing of her.
I am ever,