I had the Pleasure of recieving by the last post your Letter of the 24th. of last month.1 Your Punctuality, and Attention to my wishes, are pleasing Circumstances— They make Impressions on my Mind, which you will have no Reason to regret— Permit me however to observe that your Letter was written rather in too great Haste— Hence I presume it happened, that the hand writing was not your best; and that you omitted to inform me whether the Crib that was to be erected opposite to the Barn by the House, had been begun. This omission is not very material, and therefore should not have been remarked, but for the Hint which it gives me an opportunity of suggesting to You— vizt. that when you set down to answer a Letter, it is always adviseable to read it over carefully & attentively, and to mark accurately what part it may be proper or necessary to answer, and what not—

A Habit of this kind will always lead you to write what may be proper and prudent, and restrain you from writing what had better be omitted— Remember that what a man says or writes affords the strongest Evidence against him— it is therefore prudent not to do either without Consideration. Altho the Purity and morality of our Sentiment and Conduct may render Caution [illegible] ^so far^ unnecessary, yet you know Prudence extends to a thousand ^other^ objects & subjects, which tho not of equal Importance, have nevertheless their Degrees of Influence on our Reputation Tranquility and Interest.

Your Sisters Illness is a painful Circumstance,2 for altho your Mama writes me that she was better, yet some Suspense remains. Be so obliging as to write a few Lines to your Uncle Peter— inform him how your Sister does. Tell him that I am well and expect to set out on my Return the latter part of next week— and desire him to remember me to your Aunts— I hope you are mindful to visit your Uncle Fady and your Cousin Munro— Members of the same Family should endeavour to live on Terms of the greatest Cordiality and Friendship, and such of them as understand their true Interest will be attentive to this Object— I wrote to Mama two Days ago—3 I am my dear Peter Your very affte Father,