On my return to this place, I had the honor to receive your Letter of the 28th July last,—1 acknowledging the receipt of a Pamphlet which I took the Liberty to address to you.

Aware of the dignified manner in which you had voluntarily abstracted yourself from public concerns, I should not have offered, any disquisition of a merely political nature, as one that would have afforded you amusement, or engaged your Attention— but I thought the Report might excite some Interest from its Subject So important to the Cause of humanity, and public morals—

I did not accompany it by a Letter, because I feared it might look like intruding on your retirement, and pressing on your politeness for an Answer, which ^it^ might interfere with your other Occupations to give. I am exceedingly indebted to you for the Suggestions you have been So good as to make—, the two points to which they relate— will engage my most Serious attention. The first not only relates to the Sabbath— but to other holy days, and it was adopted from the danger of Suffering the temporal powers to interfere with religious rites, a principle particularly important here, where, (a Majority of the People being Catholics) Laws if such a principle were not acknowledged might be passed enforcing the Observence of the days dedicated to all the Saints in the Calender, and even directing the Sabbath to be Kept in a manner inconsistent with the principles of the protestant faith

As to the punishment of death, I considered the directions contained in the Old Testament for its infliction—as applicable only to the State of things existing, before the great Consummation, effected by the coming of Christ, and that the Spirit at least of his precepts permitted its Abolation. Your Opinion however, (which I value) as I ought) will induce me to reconsider my own with more Care.

Should the State of your health, and your Leisure permit, and your inclination lead you to favor me with any further Observations on this interesting Subject, or, any other parts of the Plan I shall receive them with Gratitude!

I cannot conclude without endeavouring to express the gratification I felt on receiving your Letter, it renewed with additional force the Sentiments, respect, admirations, & Esteem which I was taught in my earliest youth to entertain—, which I have always cherished, and with which I beg leave to assure you, that I am, Sir, Your most obedient Servt