Accept my Thanks, and cordial ones they are, for your friendly Letter of the 22d. Decr. last, which I had the Pleasure of recieving a few Days ago. It gives me no less Surprize than Regret to hear that the Letters I wrote you shortly before my Departure from Philadelphia (one of which contained a Cypher) have never reached You. I have been looking among my Papers for the Drafts, but find that I have brought no private Papers with me, that I either wrote or recd. prior to leaving Philadelphia. I nevertheless well remember the Contents. They were such as would have prevented those painful Emotions which Friendship always experiences from appearances of neglect. You will recieve herewith enclosed a Copy of the last I wrote you from Martinico, & a Duplicate of another from Cadiz. I should also send Copies of my others from Martinico, but I have really so much to write, and they are of so little Importance, further than as marks of attention, that I must at least postpone it.

I have often read over your Letter of the 6th. Octobr. last.1 It carried me thro’ past Scenes and former Days, and gave occasion to a Train of Reflections not very dissimilar to those which I fancy passed in your Mind when you wrote it. Contrary to the common Remark, I think your Sensibility encreases with your Years— I am glad of it. You shall have no Reason to think mine declines— The fact is, it does not. The only Change it has undergone is, that it has been rendered more manageable by that Experience which alone can convince us how liable we are to be mislead by it. But that Experience is in favor of our Connection, and tho it restrains me from new ones, teaches me to adhere to the old. If I could write in Cypher I would tell you more on this Subject. You have the same Place in my Esteem and Affection which you have filled for near twenty Years, and neither has or will be diminished by Absence. In one Sense I percieve we are coming nearer to each other.

I am approaching the Age of Ambition without being influenced by its Allurements. public Considerations induced me to leave the private Walk of Life—when they cease, I shall return to it. Believe me I shall not remain here a moment longer than the Duties of a Citizen may detain me; and that I look forward with Pleasure to the Day when I shall again follow peaceably the Business of my Profession, and make some little Provision for my Family, whose Interests I have ^so long^ neglected for public Concerns. My Conduct moves on fixed Principles, from which I shall never deviate; and they will not permit me to leave the unfortunate part of my Family destitute of my Care and Attention longer than higher Duties call me from them.

As you are a Member of Congress and of Course will read my public Letters, it is unnecessary to say any thing on the Subjects of them.

I wish to know the Success of the Nominations for France. I have no Objections to your Plan. Morris has my best Wishes, I admire his Abilities, and shall always be happy in seeing them useful to his Country. The Want of a Cypher prevents my saying somethings further respecting your Plan—which do not affect him—2

I am here in a disagreable Situation. Congress have made me no Remittances— The small Credit I had on Doctr. Franklin is expended— The Idea of being maintained by the Court of Spain is humiliating, and therefore not for the public Good. The Salary allowed me is greatly inadequate—no part of Europe is so expensive—nor did I ever live so oeconomically. The Court is never stationary—moving from Madrid to the Pardo, then to Aranjues—thence to St. El Defonso—thence to the Escurial—in perpetual Rotation—3 To keep a House at each place is not within the Limits of my Finances—to take ready furnished Lodgings and keep my own Table at each, is beyond Belief expensive. I live at Aranjues, in a Posada, in one single Room, without but one Servant, and without a Carriage— When I left Philadelphia every thing was cheaper there than here— Spain does not cloath its Inhabitants—their Butter Cheese fine Linnen, Fine Silks, and fine Cloths, come from France Holland, &ca. They have imposed an exorbitant Duty on all foreign Commodities, and a heavy Tax is laid on Eatables sold in the Market. The Sum allowed me will let me live, but not as I ought to do— A paltry post Chaise drawn by three Mules costs me every Time I go to or from here to Aranjues (7 Leagues) ten Dollars—all things in that Proportion— To Day I am to try a pair of Mules for which I am asked 480 Dollars— They tell me they are very cheap— Yesterday I refused a pair, Price of which was 640 Dollars— I cannot get a plain decent Carriage and Harness under 870 Dollars— Judge of my Situation—so circumstanced I cannot employ Couriers to carry my Dispatches to the Sea Side or to France— My Letters by the Post are all opened. Fortunately on this occasion Mr. Harrison now going to Cadiz will take my Letters. With whatever Allowance Congress may make, I shall be content. I know how and am determined to live agreable to my Circumstances. If Inconveniences result from their being too narrow, they will be [illegible] public ones—they therefore merit the Consideration of Congress.

I wonder a little that Bingham is not thought of. He is a very deserving young man Gentleman, and ought to be noticed—he has done us essential Services at Martinico.4

Tell me what has become of the Confederacy—5 I feel interested in her Fate—in Short tell me many things of our State and of our Friends—by ceasing to be lazy, you will create in me no Suspicions of your having ceased to be my Friend—

Inform me of the Health of Mrs. Livingston your Mother & Family, to whom Mrs. Jay joins with me in desiring you to present our Compliments and best wishes— Adieu my Dear Robert I am your Friend