Dr Stringer1 is on his way to Maryland, and not having specie sufficient to discharge an Account of his against me, I am under the necessity of drawing ^on^ you in his favor for fifty pounds which please to honor—

I gain strength so very slowly, and am still groaning with the Gout in my feet, and so tormented with an eruption over my whole body, that I have no hopes of seeing you so early as I intended, and having this safe conveyance, I embrace It, to disclose the political Subject, on which I wished a personal communication—

The person, at present in the chair of Government,2 so evidently strives to maintain his popularity at the expence of good Government, that It has given real concern to many, as well as to myself, both here and in the Southern part of the state, not only the lowest, but the most unworthy characters are countenanced by him, and thro his Influence placed in office of trust; great part of the magistracey of this and the adjacent western and northern Counties, are wretches, that would disgrace the most despicable of all governments,—these serve his turn; and he abets a faction (privately as he thinks, but sufficiently notorious to those who have taken ^some^ pains to be informed) which wishes, to destroy both public & private Credit, and whose sole Aim is to rise into importance, on the ruin of others; happily the Spirit of this, and the County of Montgomery, has been called forth, and ousted some of the leaders ^of the faction^ at the late Election; Indeed they were not able to Carry a Single Candidate. But not withstanding this check, It is conceived here that the business of a reform in a government cannot be Accomplished unless Mr Clinton is ousted, and It is therefore determined to Attempt a change, and almost every Character of respectability, & Indeed a great majority of all ranks, will support the attempt.—but who is to be the person? It is agreed that none have a chance of Succeeding but You, the Chancellor, or myself. the second on Account of the prejudices of ^against^ his family name, It is believed would fail—with respect to me, altho I should carry a Majority of at least fifteen hundred voices in this & Montgomery County, and some in Washington, yet as I am so little known in the Southern part of this state, that I should fail there.3 besides this reason which suffices with my friends here as well as myself, there is another arising from my great and many bodily infirmities which render me incapable of that attention which the office would require. I therefore could not Accept of It, even If unanimously Offered. hence the wishes of me and my friends are directed to you—and we have not only Sanguine, but well grounded hopes, that you would attain a great majority,—those in this quarter will all decide in your favor who would otherwise vote for me,—In ulster, Dutchess, and Orange there will probably be such a diversity of opinion as nearly to ballance between you & Mr Clinton, In westchester we believe you will generally carry It and So In Richmond, how Long Island will stand, we cannot form any opinion of.—from New York we have been privately sounded, and It was Justly observed, that If both you, and I, were held up, both would fail, and I afforded satisfaction in declining for the reasons above stated.—As the party in the metropolis who wish you, is respectable, we have reason to believe that you would have a very considerable majority there and from the high estimation you stand in with all ranks there it is not improbable but that you would obtain almost all the suffrages there, But My Dear Sir to Succeed in a mission of this Kind time must be improved, every day is of Importance, and I therefore wish you to Communi^c^ate to me, in the Confidence of sacred friendship whether you will acceed to our wishes, or whether you would rather than risk any thing permit the Chair to be filled as It is at present, for unless you can be opposed to him, It will be needless to Attempt a change. Even If It could be carried in my favor, as I am utterly incapable of the burthen.—That we most earnestly wish & Intreat you to be the man I beg you will entertain no doubt of. Let me ^then^ conjure you not to hesitate in opening yourself to me, not a word shall transpire, that those impressed with the highest sense of propriety, can condemn, not a Step taken, but what prudence, and the most sacred attention to your reputation shall Justify;—

Letters frequently miscarry, yours to me may excite Curiosity. pray let Your Answer then be by a safe hand

When Mr Church4 arrives at New York Inform your self If he will build & want the boards which I have reserved for him, and which are three to four years old, and have been constantly stacked & Covered. If he does not, advise me of It and I will send them down, and Cause those which are delivered you to be Sold on my Account. I have also pitch pine beams 4 by 10 or 11 Inches ^24 feet long^ If you are not supplied & ^Mr^ Church does not want them, they are at Your Service. Adieu I am Dr Sir affectionately & Sincerely Your Obed: Serv,