After we parted last Saturday Evening I retired to my Room, and spent the remaining part of it in reflecting upon the Transactions of the Day, particularly such of them as emediately related to our present and future Connection. I always find myself greatly embarrassed, when I attempt to speak my Sentiments on a Subject that very nearly concerns me; it was this which prevented me from saying so much upon that head, during the time we were then together, as I could wish to have done and therefore think it necessary to have Recourse to this Method of making up the Deficiency—The remarkable Delicacy with which the Proposal was made, was to me a convincing argument of the Sincerity of your Intentions; and upon Recollection I find the whole of your late Behaveour towards me, speak the same agreable Language.

Convinced that Friendship was one of the greatest Blessings as well as advantages, this Life can boast, I have long since thought seriously of engageing in a connection of this kind with one, whom I might have Reason to think qualified for such an Intimacy, by being not only of similar Profession & Circumstances with myself, but one whose Disposition would concur with his Fidelity and good Sense, in rendering that Tye firm & indissoluble, which when ^once^ entered into, ought ever to be preserved inviolable. For [torn]1 it my Business to know my Companions, and [torn] the different Degrees of Abilities honour and G[ood nature of which] each was possessed—One in particular, (who had always before held the highest place in my Esteem) soon became the peculiar object of my Attention; every Day afforded additional arguments to persuade me, that he possessed in a high Degree every social Qualification, every mental Endowment requisite to form a Person of this Caracter. One almost insuperable Obstacle constantly opposed my informing him of what, with no little Reluctance I concluded. I was in doubt whether he entertained the same Opinion of me that I did of him; I was not sure whether he had not entered into a connection of this kind already; and I thought it imprudent to make the Proposal, without having very good Reason to think it would meet with a favourable Reception.

You may easily concieve then what silent Satisfaction I must have felt, when he himself removed all these Difficulties, when he himself opened wide those Doors of Friendship, into which I had long desired to enter; and kindly offered to point out every Rock that might endanger my safety in our Voyage to Eternity. These were my late and these are my present Sentiments respecting my Friend—We have now entered into a Connection of the most delicate nature, a Connection replete with Happiness and productive of very extensive Advantages, it will heighten the Joys of each by there adding to the Felicity of both, and the Misfortunes of either will by being devided become more tolerable. Let our kind Spirits then unite in nourishing the encreasing Flame, let the Interest of one be the Interest of both, and, let us constantly rej[ect] with Disdain every maglignant Insinuation of insidious or malevolent Hearts—In a word, let us maintain a virtuous Friendship while here below, and in the World to come we shall not be divided—from your affectionate Friend