It gave me great Pleasure to recieve your friendly Letter of the 23rd last Month.1 As your Father and Brother passed only a few Days here, I had not so much of their Company as I wished: the Business of the Convention would not permit your Father to be longer absent from Philadelphia, and your Brother returned there with him.

Your History my dear Sir has I find some pleasing Pages in it; and you have my best wishes that the subsequent Parts of it may entirely consist of such; indeed circumstanced as you are you seem to have much Reason to promise Yourself Satisfaction from a Variety of agreable Circumstances.

The public attention here continues steadfastly turned to the Convention; the secrecy of their Deliberations encreases curiosity. I hope their Proceedings will both merit and recieve general Approbation. There are characters among the Members from whose wisdom and Experience much may justly be expected. They have an arduous Task to perform, but it is in Times and Scenes of Difficulty and Embarrasment that great minds become distinguished.

I entirely concur with You in opinion that no Attention was due to the Quixot you mention on his own account, and he should not have received any, had he not been a mere Instrument in the Hands of more important people. Details would be tedious. The inclosed Copy of a Letter from Mr. Adams2 alludes to them; we may one of these Days meet, and then I will explain the Matter fully to You.

As I cannot promise myself the pleasure of seeing your Father here when the Convention dissolves, be so obliging as to assure him of my Esteem and best Wishes, and that I greatly regret the Necessity he was under of leaving us so soon. Should any of your Family come this Way it will give me pleasure to evince my Regard for him and for You by Attentions to them, and by any friendly Offices which may be in my power to render.

Mrs. Jay is obliged by your Attention and Remembrance and desires me to present her best Compliments to You. I am Dear Sir very sincerely your friend and Servant.