I have recd. your letter of the 16th. inst.1 & am truly concerned that Maria’s Health is again worse— Augusta has I suppose returned to day. Yesterday the Weather was so severe that I advised her to remain.

I will subscribe for you to the American & Columbian.2 The former I find is pretty generally disapproved. Mr Eddy3 this morning sent for me & shewed me a letter from the Governor saying that he intended to nominate me as Recorder & that there was a probability of my Appointment but that it was first necessary to know if I would accept The Office which he desired Mr Eddy to ascertain.4 I immediately wrote a the following Note addressed to Mr Eddy “dr Sir I could not with Propriety be a Competitor with Mr Hoffman for the Office of Recorder. Supposing it decided that he is not to be reappointed I would accept the office. The proposed nomination of me by the Governor being unsolicited is flattering to me & demands my acknowledgments—” Yesterday I recd a letter from Mr Oakley a leading federal Member of Assembly stating that he was quite sure that the present Recorder would be removed— that he was quite sure that Mr. H. would not be reappointed— that he was requested by a Gentleman of high standing to ask whether I would accept the Appointment if offered to me— that my acceptance would be universally agreeable to my political friends & that he saw no reason why I should not take it.

To this I answered that I would accept the Office if offered with the Approbation of my political friends provided it was clearly understood that no change in my political Conduct was to be inferred or expected & provided also that I was not to be considered as a Candidate in opposition to Mr Hoffman. & that while the question of his Appointment remained doubtful I desired that my Name might not be mentioned with reference to the Office. In the note to Mr Eddy which he will doubtless communicate to the Govr. I did not think it delicate to suppose it possible that a change of my politics should be expected, or to say more on the Subject of another Candidate. I have still doubts concerning the Appointment— If it can be postponed till after the Election I think it will, & in that case it will probably not take place. After all it will be singular if I am appointed who have never taken the slightest trouble to obtain the place, while others of much greater Influence are disappointed after using their utmost exertions to gain it— I regret the Meeting which is to be held about the Senatorial election which I think can tend to no good. If a federal Senator is set ^up^ our party will appear more feeble than it really is, & the Measure will have the appearance of personal hostility to Mr V. Cortlandt, since its only possible effect can be to defeat his election— We are all well. Our love to William & Sisters. I am, my Dear father, Your very Affectionate Son