It is necessary to acknowledge the receiving of your letter of the 15th inst, this morning, with sixty seven dollars inclosed, which appear by the post mark to have been 8 days in transitu. I am afraid that your desire to stand “rectus in curia,” may have occasioned some hurry in the business. This is so natural with minds possessing the sensibilities of virtue & refinement, that I could not but expect it in the present instance; yet it occasions a little abatement in the pleasure this intercourse with you affords me. The small mercenary interest I have as collector of the customs, renders a letter so much an affair of accompt, that there is always some repugnance in framing it. I must rely upon your believing, that you always stand clear in this court; & that you will hereafter in answer to any such, inform me that you will attend to them when convenient. Any other kind notices you add, will always bear a full price with one who begs leave to call himself a friend, fellow patriot &