Your letter of Feb. 4. was duly recieved, and the one it inclosed was forwarded to Mr. Short. That this was not announced to you was owing to a succession of untoward circumstances. I found on my arrival at New York a mass of business which had been accumulating for me. This employed me night and day till I was attacked by a headach which rendered me incapable of business for a month or six weeks, which again occasioned a new accumulation and this was followed by the recess of government. I am happy that your letter of Sep. 27th. which came to hand to-day, finds me here two or three days before my departure for Philadelphia, and at leisure to assure you that tho’ I was unable to tell you so, yet your letter to Mr. Short was taken care of, and to add assurances of the esteem & attachment with which I have the honor to be Dr. Sir Your most obedt. & most humble servt,