I arrived here from Bath Yesterday afternoon, for the Purpose of settling affairs with the Ex[ecuto]rs of Mrs. Peloquin. as I have not yet seen those Gentlemen, I cannot at present say any Thing on that Subject.

Sometime ago I recd from Fredk. an Instrument of writing appointing Persons to appraise the Farm at Rye;1 I executed it, and sent it to Sr. Jams., that he might do the like, & requested him either to forward it to New York, or return it to me for that Purpose—he wrote me in answer that he would be at New York near as soon as a Letter could get there, & that he would take it with him—2 Inform Peter of these Circumstances, and that I advise him to take the Farm at the Valuation— In that Case I think it might not be amiss for him to execute and have recorded, an Instrumt. of writing, reciting the Clause in the will on that Subject; reciting the nomination of the appraisors; reciting their appraisemt. (which two latter Papers should also be recorded) and declaring his acceptance of the Premises at the Sum therein specified. If there be anything which he would chuse to have sent from these Countries, I will readily execute his Orders. I doubt not but his Legacy will be immediately paid, and I wish to recieve his Directions as to the Disposition of it—at all Events in case money should be convenient to him, You or Fredk. may draw upon me for his use to the amount of three hundred pounds York money at ten Days Sight—he need not fear Interest— I shall charge him none. I hope before the Ship sails which is to carry this Letter, that it will be in my Power to write positively as to the Success of my Journey here.—

If my old mare is alive, I must beg of you and my Brothers to take very good Care of her— I mean that she should be well fed, and live Idle except unless my Brother Peter should chuse to use her. If it should be necessary to advance money to recover her, I am content you should do so, even to the amount of double her Value—3 draw upon me for what may be necessary for this Purpose. I hear her Colt was delivered to you for me by Col. De Lancey—let it not be sold— Billy Van Wyck was at the Expence of the getting that Colt, and of keeping the Mare some months; & had she not been stolen, and he he thereby prevented from performing his part of the Bargain, the Colt would have been his—at any Rate I ought and am willg. ^to^ make him a reasonable allowance for those Expences—

Having been very well assured that the Conduct of Judge Ludlow Mr Watts, H. White & Peter V. Schaack had been perfectly unexceptionable, and that they had not associated with the abominable Tory Club in London (which filled the public papers with the most infamous Lies against us) I recieved and returned their Visits—4 Vardil also made me a visit, but I never returned it—5 Reports of Cruelties exercised by my old friend Jams. DLancey of W. Chester have also kept us asunder.6 I wish those Reports may prove as groundless,7 as he says they are—he paid me a visit but I did not return it— He was an honest Friend to me, and I sincerely lament8 the Circumstances which prevent my taking him by the Hand as cordially as ever— I have not seen any of General DeLancey’s Family. I once met Billy Bayard9 in the Street, but we passed each other as perfect Strangers.

Shortly after my arrival in London I was taken very ill of a Dysentery and after that with a sore throat— I am now thank God in tolerable Health— The waters of Bath have done me some good.

Bristol 16 Decr. 1783

Mr Daltera was with me this morning—on perusing the Letters of Atty. &ca.—he observed that it did not appear from any of the Papers when my Father died, which was very important, because in Case he had not survived Mrs. Peloquin, the Legacy she left him would have lapsed— He also asked whether there was any Person in England who could prove the Hand writing of either of the Parties or witnesses to the Letters of Atty.— He proposed to go with me to her Sollicitors and to leave the papers with him to report on them—which was immediately done. Finding that Evidence of the Time of my Fathers Death would be required, I wrote this Evening to Mr. V. Schaack & requested him to collect and reduce into the form of affidavits whatever circumstantial Evidence Mr White or Col. DLancey or other Americans in London might be able to give respecting it—10

Decr. 18, 1783

I met Mr Daltera this morning at the Sollicitors— I told him that Mr Van Schaack could prove your Hand, and it was agreed that the Letters of Atty. should be immediately sent to London for that Purpose. Nothing further can be done till we hear from Mr Van Schaack, & I shall set out immediately for Bath & remain there until his answer arrives—11 I am Dear Benson, Your afft. Friend