I mentioned in my last letter1 that I was about going to Rye in the your Coach. I accordingly carried it there it where it will be attended to— ^the next day^ From Rye I tr went to Bedford ^where^ the Court sat there on the 17th—but scarcely any Business was done & it the Term ^it^ was adjourned in less than an hour after it opened— fewer people attended than I remember to have seen on a similar occasion— I dined the next Day with Judge Miller2 who has always been extremely all{?] civil to me. He told me he intended to take the Liberty of writing to you about the Military Appointments in the County, concerning which he seemed to be very uneasy— He computed the Number of ^Militia^ Officers who were dissaffected to the Govt. at more for more than one half Judge Rockwell3 says they exceed 2 thirds— Several The Sheriff & several other persons mentioned to me that it was much feared ^that^ the Officers who remained to be appointed in the new troop of wh Ab. Wright4 is a Captain wd. be of a similar Stamp—recommendations of such persons having been made to the Adjt. Genl.5— I passed two Days with Majr. Lyons & urged him to make the necessary preparations for his house as soon as possible—which he promised— He shewed me a Letter from the person to whose ^care^ he had committed the Boards at Coscob declaring that they were all piled near his house & that not one of them had been stolen or injured. The Majr. informed me that he cd. have the Sashes ^cd. be^ made there ^at Bedford^ by a good workman for 5d [dollars] a light less than half of what was asked me in the City— ^The^ Materials however were to be found by him — In the plan of the House you had left at Bedford only one Chimney was ^is^ marked. The Majr. supposed that you intended to have one at each end & said that you had left it to his own Choice whether they shd. be corner chimney or in the Corner or in the middle of the Rooms— The first wd. be more economical, but on account of their appearance he seemed inclined to prefer the latter— As I wish to give as an exact plan to Bourdet I wd. be obliged to you to give me directions on these heads— John Lyon gave me then an Acct. of the Expences of making the Brick which far exceeds what I or I believe you expected— He said In order to account for it he sd. that Bathrick had been wanting in Industry & made the Expence much greater than if he had ^had^ the original conduct ^direction^ of the business & added that as he had made an advantageous purchase of Bathricks right he wd. be enabled to make some Agreemt with you wh wd. diminish the Amount— As he was in debt to you on account of the Mill he did not wish to receive any Money— He had made Experiments on the Lime stone & which did not answer proved of a good ^bad^ Quality & he therefore decline making any I fear this failure will occasion Embarrassments as there is not no one in the Neighborhood who will engage to make Lime at a reasonable price—

I spent Christmass at Rye & returned to Town in the Stage on Thursday— on my arrival I found your Letters of the 10th. 13th. & 21 inst— & to day ^recd.^ that of the 25th.6

I have called on Mr. Mark for the Net due on his & Mr Roosevelts Bond wh the latter gent. is not in town but ^&^ I expect to receive it in a few days— —7 The Bond in my possession is for £213.0.10 & dated 9th May 1797— The Bond from John Merritt & Robert Merritt is for £44.16.1 1/4 & dated Feb 7 1792— Mr. Remsen8 informs me that he has already written to you9 on the subject of the Letter directed wh. we supposed & wh. proved to be intended for Uncle Fady10 & that he left ^has^ desired the postmaster to send Uncle F. any any other Letters wh. shd. be directed in a like Manner.11 I ^have^ received a Letter from Uncle Aug[us]t[us].12 together with that I forwarded to you ^of the same date with that to you^— He wished to have a waistcoat & trousers made by a taylor who lived near him ^& who made him a trouser some clothes last spring^ & as Mr. Van Winkle with whom he lodges supposed that they would be made cheaper ^cost less^ there than in New York I wrote wrote to him; & in desired him to have let that Taylor make them ^& sent him by Van Winkle a flannel Waistcoat & pr. of Mittens with a [illegible] ^ I had a Coat made directly by Codington & lined with flannel & instantly upon the Receipt of your last letter purchased a Great Coat 3 pr milled Stockings & the the Silk & Cotton ^linnen^ handkerchiffs— I will procure the other Articles on Monday morning & send them as you direct.

Uncle Peter13 is anx has been very anxious to about Mr. Harisons14 Mortgage to him— Mr. Platts15 informs me that he has sent it to you & ^I^ do not doubt but you have recd. it—but Uncle wd. be gratified to Know that it is safe— Wishing you many a merry Christmass I am &c.