Your’s of the 1st is recieved, and I note your recommendation of mr Askew, to whom I should be glad to be useful, as well on account of your recommendation as of his merit. but our work has been done entirely by undertakers, bricklayers at 10.D. a thousand, & house carpenters at the Philada prices. so that we have nothing to do with the daily laborers, or any body but the Undertaker. I wish mr Askew had come on in time to undertake a part; but I believe that every part of the work remaining to be done is already engaged and to be finished within 12. months from this time.

Your Maldonado pumpkin will be very acceptable.   I regretted much your short stay with us: but if a hope could be entertained of a repetition, and especially of what you call an annual pilgrimage, it would be well indeed. at the end of a long journey, one loves to talk over the occurrences of the road, and especially with those who were fellow travellers. you and I have travelled gloomy days together. yet we never despaired of the Commonwealth, and, by perseverance, happily got thro’. I see still a breaker ahead, which fills me with horror. but I hope that prudence & moderation, a regard for our own happiness, and especially for the cause of reformation thro’ the world, will induce a spirit of accomodation, and save our country, and the world entire from the calamity threatened. we are the world’s last hope; and it’s loss will be on our heads. god bless you and preserve you multos años.