I have written many Letters to my Friends in the State of New York since I left America, but have not yet recd. a single Line from any of them—is not this a little hard? Am I to suppose that all your Letters have miscarried, or that your Attention as ^has been^ too much engaged by Affairs at Home to extend to an old Friend abroad? Whatever is the Cause I assure you I regret it.

Since ^While^ America has become ^continues^ the theatre of the War, it is natural to desire Intelligence of what may be passing on it. This Satisfaction I seldom enjoy tho I often ought. public Good Requires it, but individual Remissness procrastinates—

As few private opportunities ^offer^ of conveyg Letters to the Sea Side, I frequently write by the Post. This Letter will probably go that Way. It must therefore be proportionably reserved. Indeed I make it a Rule to write on the Subject of Politics only to Congress, and tho various other Subjects present themselves yet as it is not the Fashion in this Country ^neither^ to let either ones Tongue or Penn run ^very^ freely, I think it best not to be singular.

Your Govr ought by this Time to have recd. many of my Letters and I may add have answrd some of them. I am not easy ^Has your Legis^lature1 thought of their Western Country— I incline to think it Time. By no Means let Vermont sleep over Vermont—2 You forget ^our people wd. not apply^ the Maxim obsta Principiis3 at first—^further^ Delays will be equally unwise especially considg the Resolutions of Congress on that Subject—4 I am told you have made R. Morris Ch. Justice—5 This is well. I had my apprehensions abt. this Matter—in my opinion Duer should be employed ^not be forgotten^, because he ^is^ capable of serving ^the State^, and it wd ^because it wd^ be bad policy to let any useful Man such leave the State ^it^ who can be retaind. with Advantage in it.

You The State of New York is never out of of my Mind nor Heart,—and I am often tempted ^disposed^ to write much respectg its affairs but I have so little Information respecting ^of^ its present political System ^objects &^ operations that I am affraid to attempt it. An excellent Law might be made out of the Pennsylvania one for the gradual Abolition of Slavery—6 Till America comes into this Measure our her Prayers to Heaven for Liberty are ^will be^ impious— This is a strong Expression but it is true ^just^— Were I in your Legislature I would prepare a Bill for the Purpose with great Care, and I wd. never cease moving it till it became a Law or I ceased to be a member. I beleive God governs this World, and I believe it to be a Maxim in his as in our Court of Equ that those who ask for Equity must ^ought to^ do it. Remember ^me^ to my old Friends. I am very much yours