I have been favored with so many communications from you, that I should take to myself much reproach for not acknowledging them, if I had not apprized you of the one-sided correspondence in which your kindness would involve you. Your last letter was of Aug. 10. from Vera Cruz. That accompanied by the Wax likeness of Iturbide was recd. in due time; as were several others, with one of which came the “Descripcion Hist: & Cronol. de las dos piedras &c”1 which I destine for the Liby. of the University. For all these favors I return my thanks with a hope that the sincerity will not be impeached by the delay.

Col. Benesky,2 who was lately here, and who had it seems been closely acquainted with the evanescent Emperor coincided in your Opinion of the compleat success of the Artist in wax. He left with me a translated Copy of a memoir of Iturbide,3 which if written as professed by himself, shews an able pen, and if true, a character to which the world has done some injustice. Col. B. was in company with Mr. Palmer,4 who is in the front of the Company undertaking the great work of a navigable Communication between the pacific & the Atlantic. The vast importance of the work has long spoken for itself, and all must wish it to be as practicable as the contractors are confident of finding it.

As I presume you see occasionally at least some of the abounding Gazettes of this Country, I need not mention the deaths of Mr Jefferson & Mr. Adams which were attended with such remarkable co-incidency and called forth such proofs of national gratitude for their revoly. […] nor is it necessary to observe to you that the 2 subjects which have contributed most to agitate the public mind are the mission to Panama and the presidential election, the last, and the next. The first subject is at rest, and will continue so probably, unless revived by something in the result of the meeting. The second may be expected to gain in heat as it advances in time. But there is no apprehension that any thing will be consumed by its intenseness except Ink and paper. The Ballot box is a happy extinguisher furnished by our Republican Constitution.

The pecuniary Condition of the U. S. is at present not a satisfactory one. And scarcely any where is the pinch greater than in Virginia. Short Crops & low prices, succeeding an improvident habits the effect of better times, have scarcely sufficed for necessary expences, and account for the debts & difficulties diffused thro’ the community, and The present year will do little towards a relief. The season has with some local exceptions been unfavorable to all our Crops: and there is no prospect of improvement in the prices of the articles for exportation, the only source from which relief could come.

I can give you no information concerning your particular friends in other quarters. In this the occurrences most felt among them have been the late death of Mrs. Burnley, and the later one of her brother Mr. John Taylor.5 The rest of the name enjoy their usual health. Under my own roof this is the case also, not excepting my mother tho’ approaching the commencement of her 96th. year. Wishing you not only health but all other blessings, I beg you to be assured of continued esteem and friendly regards, in wch. Mrs. M desires that she may be joined.