On the 4th. Inst. I recd. by the Mail from New York, your interesting Letter of the 17th. ult.—1 I have read the Pamphlets communicated to me by Mr Grant; and derived from them the only Knowledge I have of the Transactions noticed in them. It would not be easy to introduce into my Mind Doubts of your Rectitude— my opinion of it has undergone no alterations. You are drawing Consolation from a Source which always affords it.—

As to the Work you mention—2 I am glad you have undertaken it, because it is desireable, and because I expect it will be well performed. It would give me pleasure to afford the aids you request, but the State of my Health admits of very little Exertion of mind or Body. I can neither read nor write much at a Time, without bringing on a feverish weariness.

My public Life did not commence so early as you suppose— in 1766 I was a clerk in a Lawyers office, and on leaving it was occupied in professional affairs until the Year 1774, when I was sent to the first Congress. In 1775 I was also in Congress— In 1776 the Convention of this State detained me with them— In 1778 I was again sent to Congress, and remained there until September 1779, when I was sent to Europe— in 1784 I returned Home— From this Statement you will percieve that my Knowledge of the important Events which occurred before the year 1774, cannot be particular.—

The Difficulty of collecting materials, and of ascertaining their real value will encrease with Time— there are very few of the well informed official Men of those Days now alive; and the few who remain will in a few years more be gone. To you I need not remark that many things have been written and said, which are not correct.—

The Collection of materials (if nothing to perfect it be left undone) will cost much Time Trouble and Expense— Some Information may be acquired by Letters, but much more and much better by personal Inspections applications and Interviews. Valuable materials exist in the office of the Secretary of State— in the public and private Journals of Congress, and among the Papers of the several States &c.— You know my Sentiments respecting History—“festina lente”3 —no good History has been, nor can be, produced in Haste.—

I regret the Impediments which deprived me of the pleasure of the visit you intended. I hope some favorable opportunity of making it will yet occur, and that Mrs. Morse4 may come with you. We will then converse on these Topics, and I will readily communicate to you such materials among those I possess, as you may deem interesting.—

Be so obliging as to assure Mr. and Mrs. Evarts5 of my best wishes for the Health and Prosperity of themselves and their Family— I am glad their little Boy is doing well— may he long continue to do so, in every Respect. I am Dr Sir Yours very sincerely