I am willing to flatter myself you have not quite forgotten the person who is now beginning to address you— He certainly has not forgotten you— On the Contrary, He retains a lively Recollection of the pleasure he derived from your Society during your Residence in this Country, & still more, of the Benefit he receiv’d, especially on one important Occasion, from your judicious & friendly Counsel— He has never since ceased to embrace every opportunity of inquiring after you, & to take an Interest in your well being— After this preamble—I proceed to state, that my object in now taking up the pen is to recommend earnestly to your serious Perusal & impartial Consideration a pamphlet which I will take the Liberty of transmitting you, lately published, entitled War in disguise, or the Frauds of the Neutral Flags.1 It is spoken of in high terms by the most intelligent & respectable men I know & is written, as I think you will agree with me, with considerable Knowledge of its Subject as well as with great Spirit & Eloquence— Its general Tenor is so clearly indicated by its Title, at least to you who are experimentally acquainted with the Topics of which it treats, that I need say nothing on that head; I will only beg Leave to assure you, that I took it up with very strong prejudices against the conclusions which I understood the author endeavour’d to establish, on account of the strong Disposition I invariably feel to cultivate & promote a friendly connection between our two Countries— I cannot but be anxious to hear what Reception it meets with on your Side of the Atlantic. That those whose Interest is at stake will endeavour to raise a Cry, is no more than what we must expect. Happy shall I be, if this is countervailed by the opposite opinion of Men of Sense Knowledge & Impartiality— Nothing could have brought me over to the Doctrines the pamphlet lays down, but a deliberate & firm persuasion, that on our practical adoption of ^them^ (I would not hastily affirm to what Extent) depends according to all human appearances, not merely the Maritime Superiority but the very Existence of this Empire— The Author appears to me to have left very short, that part of his Work in which He speaks of the Effects on our Marine & our Maritime Interests, of the Continuance of the present Abuses— The Work I happen ^to know,^ was written in Haste & in a bad state of Health, & tho’ the production of a Man who was actuated by a Sense of Duty & had taken great pains to inform himself, it is in some parts faulty, in the Composition & Language especially— But knowing to whom I am writing it would be mere Impertinence to do more than introduce it to your notice— I leave it, not without solicitude, but yet with good Hope, to your Intelligence Experience Equity & Temper—

I heartily wish this may find you in the Enjoyment of Good Health & personal Comfort— you will not I trust think it improper Egotism, if relying on your friendly Remembrance, I add that I thank God, I am favour’d with great Domestic felicity—Having a Wife & 5 Children, the youngest born only about 2 months ago.— I should scarcely know where to leave off, if I allowed myself to touch on any of those numerous & interesting topics which press themselves on my attention, while writing to you— I will however abstain from them all & take my leave assuring you that I am ever, with cordial Esteem & Regard my dear Sir Yours very sincerely