Nearly one year since I solisited your permission to me, to retire from my present office as the Collector of the District of the Customs for the District of Boston & Charlestown, for reasons then stated, that request you kindly accepted only wishing that I would postpone my retirement to the close of the first quarter this year; In my answer I acquiesced on the proposal and observed that your wish should be a law to me. I am now constrained to observe that I am so unwell that I have not been able to attend much personally in my office, for some months past; I hope therefore that my active duties as Collector may close the year at farthest.—

I have the honor of being most respectfully your Obt. Servt.