Yours of the 16th. was recieved last night. however much we may feel the want of you in the daily correspondence which of necessity falls upon us from Richmond, yet we much more regret the cause of detention, of the sufficiency of which no parent can doubt. it was unlucky that when I wrote to you for Genl. Wilkinson’s letter of Oct. 21. I did not recollect that there were two of that date, & that it was the one which was sowed up in the shoe-soal of the officer, to which my message referred. the one you have sent me therefore is not the letter desired, and I must pray you to send me the other by return of post, as also a letter from him to Genl. Smith, brought at the same time & deposited with me by Genl. Smith.

I inclose you a letter I recieved from Baltimore last night; and I would wish you in the first place, as you come through there, to call on mr John Gordon of the house of John & William Gordon, & converse on the subject of it. you & he will consider whether it will be useful for you to converse with mr Graybell. but should a continuance of the cause of your detention still prevent your coming on, then I refer to yourself to consider whether you should not send a spa immediately to carry mr Graybell to Richmond. if you call on mr Gordon, do it as secretly as possible, & assure him from me that his name shall not be known out of the Cabinet. I think it material to break down this bull-dog of Federalism (Martin) & to break down the impudent Supporters of Burr by shewing to the world that they are his accomplices. affectionate salutations