Your favor of the 10th by the delays of our winter post, is but just recieved and mine of the 19th I presume reaches you about this time. they have passed each other by the way. I am sorry that your visit to us will be delayed until your return from Kentucky; mais tout ce qui est differé n’est pas perdu; and it will then and always be welcome. you promise also to call on us en passant. should I have set out on my journey to Bedford, you will find mr & mrs Randolph here who will recieve you with the pleasure your society gives us all; as they will also your companion mr Walsh. his visit I should lose personally with real regret, entertaining equal esteem for his worth and talents. it is still however possible that I may be detained some days longer than I expect; as my departure hangs on certain circumstances not within my controul. should you therefore have left Philadelphia on the 1st of May as you propose, and make no stay at Washington, I do not entirely despair of participating of your company here, altho’ you may not have recieved this letter apprising you of the possibility.

The first Western mail shall carry a letter to Govr Claiborne, or perhaps to a friend in Natchez more conversant in Botanical researches, to engage an execution of your request as to the Bow-wood. not entirely without a hope of seeing yourself & mr Walsh here, but in every case wishing you a pleasant journey & safe return, I salute you with affection & respect.

Th: Jefferson