Having this day sent in my Resignation, to Mr. Madison as Commissioner of the Cumberland-Road, I feel that, I owe to you some personal explanation on that head—

In the beleif that I could have rendered Services in that business, I undertook the Duty you were pleased to assign me, with great chearfulness, looked forward to its Execution, with much pleasure, and was successfully making my arrangements for the Absence it required; but the misfortune I experienced a few Days agoe, has produced a Derangement in my affairs, not calculated on, and situated as I am, requires an early Exertion to repair: if I lose this Fall, I cannot rebuild in time, nor even enough to accomodate my Family, scantily in the country next Summer, which, composed as it is of a number of small children, seems indispensable for health and tolerable comfort.—Again the circumstances under which the Fire happened are of a Nature to make my Family uneasy, and apprehensive that we may not yet know all; they are unwilling that I should make so long an absence at this time

I beg you will be assured Sir, that I am mortified to have undertaken, that which it is not now in my power to perform—but I flatter myself, that the reasons which I have given, will be found by you a Sufficient Apology

With very great Respects I have the honour, to be Sir Your very Obt Hbl Sert