This is the third attempt I have made, to write to You; since my Eyes have been attackd with an inflamation, in both the others I found it too painfull to proceed. they are now upon the recovery; I have been obliged to put under cover the papers promissed; with the mortification of Sending them, unaccompanied with a line, I now forward the remainder, most Sincerely Wishing You Success in your undertaking, tho personally I can render You very little aid; I can stimulate others. Is there not an astonishing Similarity between the Scenes which have so lately been acted in France; and those drawn from the Historians cited?1

The contents of your Letter of Febry 16th have dwelt upon my mind, the more, for not being able to notice them, and I cannot refrain from chiding You, for suffering so long in Silence.2 Yet I know your motives were pure, and the difficulties you had to contend against, such as you conceived would be augmented by a disclousure; I wish most Sincerely they were all removed, and that your path was plain enough before you, to walk securely on to the compleation of the object You have so long had in view. “Precipitation forms no part of Your plan” in that I think you wise; yet laughing I once heard you say, you would not give a copper to be married after 30, but I must add, few gentlemen are fit to be married untill that age; nor do I think a Lady less qualified to make a good wife with the judgement and experience of even that age. Sure I am too many enter that state prematurely. With experience upon my side, I say of myself that I did, much too young for the proper fulfillment of Duties which soon devolved upon me. I say this for your comfort, but all other things being convenient, I think both you and the Lady quite matured for the Holy State, and Should most Sincerely rejoice in the fullfillment of your engagement, and I look forward to the period when you will become an inhabitant of Quincy with pleasure; property sufficient to live upon and manage a Farm is all that is necessary; Buisness you will attain in your profession by degrees. You know my mind. I will not urge You beyond your judgment; I enter into your thoughts and your feelings. I know and approve your motives for remaining Single; the aid I have promised you may be obtained when ever you chuse to avail yourself of it— Your Father Wishes to get you here. We are improveing our Town of Quincy by a new Bridge and a Turnpike road:3 let not your Heart be Sad. may your latter days prove your best days. Nancy is in affliction I know from the loss of a valuable Brother whose Death I read in a late paper. he died in the East Indias.4 I wanted to write to her to console her, but thought upon reflection I had better omit it. I presume you will not omit fail rendering solace where it is so justly due—who from your own account has been to you, what ever a Friend could be in trouble and in difficulty I love and I esteem her for her prudence, fortitude and discretion— my Heart Acked, and I shudderd at your recital— I hope such trials are at an End. by the I shall wait patiently for the disclosure of your view’s.—

I received your Letter and the olio—5 poor Vanderkemp, has a ploding Head, but his writings are not calculated for our Country— You must write him a civil Letter. he is an old firm unshaken Friend of your Fathers—ah how few such do we find in this worldly world! Your Father will write you soon, but he has been much engaged in the translation. Present my compliments [. . . .]6