I cannot concieve ^should have much wondered^ what could have detained my Letter mentioned in yours of 20 Septr last,1 so Long from you ^had not^ My Correspondence has been strangely interrupted ever since my Arrival.

Your Constitution2 gives me much Satisfaction— It appears to me to be ^upon the whole^ wisely formed and well digested. I find that it places ^describes^ your State as being in New England as well as in America—perhaps it wd. be better if these Distinctions were entirely forgotten ^permitted to die away^.

Your Predictions respecting the Fate of Ld. Cornwallis have thank God! been very verified— It is a glorious, joyful and important Event. Britain feels the Force of that Stroke, & other Nations begin to doubt less of the Continuance of our Independence— Further Successes must pave ^prepare^ the Way for peace, and I hope that Victory will rather stimulate us than ^instead of^ relaxg. our Exertions.

Altho myself and my Family have most severely suffered by the continental Currency ^money^, I am content with ^resigned to^ its Fate. Provided we preserve our Liberty and Independance I shall be content—under their Auspices, in a fruitful Country and by ^patient^ Industry, a Competence may always be acquired; and I shall always think myself a gainer when I exchange find my civil Rights secured at the Expence of my Property ^never cease the to prefer a little with Freedom, to Oppulence without it—^

Your account of the Plenty which abounds in our Country is very flattering, & ought to excite our Gratitude to the Hand that gives it. While our Governments can prevail upon themselves to tax justly ^wisely^, reward merit, and punish Evil Offenders we shall have little to fear. The public have too long been ^too much^ a Prey to private Peculation. Œconomy & strict Accounts ought to be ^& continue^ among our ^the^ first Objects of our Attention.

I have not heard any thing this for a long Time respecting our disputed Lines. In my opinion few Things demand more immediate Care than this Subject, and I differ from those who think that ^such^ Matter of this kind had better be postponed till after the War— At present a Sense of common Danger guaranties our Union— We have neither Time nor Inclination to wrangle ^dispute amg ourselves^— Peace will give us Leisure, for both I ^and Leisure often finds improper Occasions for Employment. I^ most sincerely wish that no Disputes may survive the War—and that on the Return of Peace we may congratulate each other in our Deliverance &, ^the^ Prospects of uninterupted Felicity, without finding ourselves ^exposed^ to Differences & Litigations among us which never fail to make Impressions injurious to that Cordiality and Confidance which it is both our ^our^ Interest and our Duty call upon us to cultivate and cherish.

Mrs. Jay charges me to present her Compliments to You I am Dr Sir with great & sincere Esteem Your most obt. & very hble Servt