By the interruptions of the post, your letter dated the 12th of Jany never got to my hands until Sunday last.

I have urged, not only in public, but private conversations with individual members of Congress, the policy, indeed necessity of having accurate Maps of the United States—& they know full well my opinion of your worth, and ability to execute them. All seem sensible of these, but the want of funds I suppose, stops this, as it does many other wheels which ought to move.

The propositions contained in your Mem[oi]r of the 12th to Congress, appear to me exceedingly reasonable & just: these sentiments I will express to a very valuable & much respected member of that Body to whom I am now writing.1 I am, with great esteem Dr Sir Your Most obt Servt