I have just received your favor of April 16th. There is on my files no letter from me to General Washington dated December 9th. 1786. There is one dated December 7th. 1786 which relates to his appointment to the Philadelphia Convention, and which is acknowledged as of the 7th. in his letter to me of the 16th. Should my letter of the 7th. have been mislaid or lost a copy of it will be furnished on your intimation.

I congratulate you on the approaching completion of the edition of the writings of Washington and I doubt not that the gratified public will do justice to the labor and success with which the task will have been executed.

My increased years and the maladies added to them oblige me to reduce the use of the pen to its minimum, and to avoid it where I can find a friendly amanuensis. In that mode I renew the assurance of my high esteem & cordial regard.