It is with the most sensible mortification that I have to inform you of the disappointment of my expectation of attending at the Supreme Court in February, at which time I was extremely anxious to attend on account of the variety of important business which probably will then come on, and of the novel and peculiar nature of a part of it. I accordingly set off so early as the 14th., but was unfortunately taken sick when I had rode about 40 miles, and obliged to return. My health has since got better but not so much so as to enable me to proceed. I am very willing, if you and the other Judges approve of it, to have the Southern Circuit allotted to me this Spring, but it will be absolutely necessary that at least another Judge should be appointed to attend in this State, on account of causes in which I am a Party, and the decision of which has been too long postponed already. I am more properly anxious for their decision, as I am one of the Defendants in the character of an Executor. My Co-Executor has put in a Plea in one of them which requires a decision on the Confiscation Laws of this State, and there are many others which require such a decision, and a determination upon them can be no longer with any propriety postponed. The appointment therefore of another Judge for this State is indispensable. If it be thought that one alone added to the District Judge will be sufficient to determine the great questions of Confiscation depending in this State, I shall be willing to attend to the other business of the Court.

If the present System is to continue, I beg leave to submit to you and the other Gentlemen whether the first Monday in January will not be a better time for the Supreme Courts to meet than the first Monday in February. It is a much more certain time of travelling from the Southward, and no particular objection occurs to me in respect to it. If this alteration should be approved, may I hope you will be so obliging as to mention it to some Gentlemen who are preparing Amendments in the Court System.

You will greatly oblige me in directing a letter to me here. I am now in the house of my Freind Mr. Johnston1—who is much pleased with your kind remembrance of him, and joins with Mrs. Iredell in very respectful Compliments.

I have not had much opportunity of observing, but I don’t believe we have many Genet Men in this State. The approbation expressed by our Assembly of the President’s Proclamation, and endeavour to preserve Peace, I think, is a faithful echo of the sentiments of their Constituents.2

You will be so good as to inform the other Judges of the circumstance which has unfortunately prevented my having the pleasure to meet them, and I beg the favour of you at the same time to assure them of the high respect I constantly feel for them, as well as to be persuaded of that with which I truly am Dear Sir Your faithful and obedient Servant