On the 5th. Inst. Mr Norris gave me your obliging letter of the 26 Septr. last.1 I regret that he did not come here sooner, for it will always give me Pleasure to have opportunities of evincing my Esteem & Regard for you, by attentions to those who possess yours. Mr Carmichael whom I had long expected with the public accounts did not arrive until the 27th. ult—when Mr Ridley had just gone to England & Mr Barclay who had been long there was, (and is still) absent. Nothing but the Settlemt. of those Accounts now detains me here, and a mortifying Detention it is, considering that this best Season for being at Sea is passing away. While I stay Mr. Norris shall percieve that he could have brought few Recommendations to me so acceptable as yours, and those amiable Qualities for which you commend him. I wish he may return as uncorrupted as he came— Paris is a place better calculated for the Improvemt. of riper Years, & in my Opinion very young men should not visit it. our Country has already sent some here who will return the worse for their Travels. I hope your young Friend may escape—if he should you may congratulate him on having made the Choice of Hercules, for he will be tempted.

On the 1st. Inst. I recd. your favor of the 14th. Jany last by Col. Harmar.2 I flatter myself that the Delays attending the Ratification of the Treaty will not occasion Difficulties, especially as one of the Ministers who made the peace, is now at the Head of the british administration.

If European commercial Restrictions produce unanimity and tend to raise a national spirit in our Country, which probably will be the Case, I shall think them Blessings—it is Time for us to think and act like a sovereign as well as a free People & by temperate and steady self Respect, to command that of other nations— It is too much the fashion to depreciate Congress, & I fear that, as well as many other of our new fashions will cost us dear— Be pleased to present our Compts. to Mrs. Thompson—with great & sincere Regard & Esteem I am Dr. Sir Your most obt. Servt3