I acknowledge I have been remiss, in not writing but was betrayed in to the omission, by peculiar circumstances, which will I hope remove every impression of intentional delay. Yours, of Augst never came to hand, for after, I was informed by Colo Randlph that you had made such a proposition, I went repeatedly to the P. Ofice and made the strictest enquries. Soon after I took the lease from you I became united, with Mr William Caruthers and a Gentleman of this place,—we made a large purchase of Lead, and an accidental fire—suceeded by the peace, produced a very considerable loss, we wound up, and I took the establishment, from them, with a View of admitting Robert C. Jennings, whom, I believed was to have had a Store at With C, House, and to have furnished the lead on good terms, and many other advantages were to accrue by the aliance; but suffice it to say, that in a Short time, I was compelled to decline all transactions with him, after meeting a second and no inconsiderable loss. At the date of your duplicate I was on a Visit to my farm in Culpeper, as soon as I returned and received it,—feeling myself committed to Mr Jennings, who resides in Norfolk, and having no confidence, in him, I wrote immediately offering to take the whole lease on myself, I was in daly expectation of receiving an answer, that I might tender you my Sincere, acknowledgements, and return you a definitive answer, But Mr Jennings1 was in the City of Washington, and it was only a few days ago that he passed through, Richmond, to Norfolk, and authorised his agent here, to whom I had mentioned the Subject, to give me his relinquishment. I have much to regret but particularly, the aspect it wears, on the Score of neglect, for if I had thought for a moment, that you had any object that required, immediate possession, I would have risked, the damages that R C Jennings might have recovered from me—