Almost ever since my arrival here I have had and still have a sick Family. The epidemic Disorder which has spread throughout the northern parts of Europe, has been severe upon us. I am free from it at present, but it has taken from me some Flesh & much Strength. Mrs Jay has frequent attacks of an intermitting Fever, and our little Girl is not yet quite wholly out of Danger.1

Your Letter of the 22d. May, and the one enclosed with it from your good Mother contain the first advices I recd. of my Father’s Death.2 My last Letter from Fredk. was of an earlier Date.3 That Intelligence was not unexpected— I wish I had been with him—but it is a temporary Separation & I am resigned—it has added to the number of my Inducements to walk in his Steps, and thereby arrive at the same Home.

Sr. James is in England, and at large—but whether on parole I can not say, having had no Letter from him, nor any particular Information respecting him.4 I feel very sensibly for Peter and Nancy—they are ever in my Thoughts. I thank you sincerely for becoming my Agent. Doctr. Franklin had paid me nine months Salary a few Days before your Letter arrived; and too great a part of it was preengaged to admit of my repaying it and waiting for Bills. I do not understand whether, or how far, we are to take the Chances of Exchange. be pleased to explain this—however the case may be, I shall be content. I am paid up to the 18 July last, so that Mr Morris will be pleased to consider my account as commencing on that Day; for altho there are Reasons for computing my Salary from the Date of my Commission, yet I have conformed to the Letter of the Resolution of Congress on that Head.

I must request the Favor of you to pay twenty pounds York Money to Miss Kitty Livingston on account of my little Boy, and one hundred and fifty pounds like Money to Fredk. Peter and Nancy, to each fifty pounds—manage this thro’ Benson. I hear my Father has given some of his Servants free, and that some others of the older ones have been put out— Old Servants are sometimes neglected—desire Mr. Benson to keep an Eye over them, and not to let any of them want—and for that purpose place fifty pounds in his Hands which he will apply according to his Discretion, as Necessity may from Time to Time require—he must also reimburse himself for any Expences he may be at on their account— I should write to him also on this Subject but have neither Health nor Time, having at present a violent headache and a little Fever, and my Letter must be sent to the Marquis de la Fayette this Evening5

I have begun to confer with the Count de Aranda—he proposes a Line between us which would leave near as much Country between it and the Missisippi, as there is between it and the Atlantic Ocean—6 Col. Livingston had no Letters from me7 Adieu my Friend Yours &c.