You have not heard from me so often as you had a right to expect, I lament but cannot help it, constant employment puts it out of my Power to do many things I wish to do and that of writing to my Friends is amongst the Number. My private letters however cannot be of much consequence and you must accept the Will for the Deed.—

Genl Du Portail delivered me your very obliging letter of the 13th October,1 it manifests that Degree of Friendship which your well known Sincerity had taught me to depend upon, I was convinced my Dear Sir that the moment you approached near to my Boys, your care and attention would be extended to them, they will feel the Benefit of your Councils and they will be gratefull or I am much mistaken.

It would create an useless expence of yours and my own time to detail the reasons which induced me to send them to Europe perhaps some circumstances have already occurred to cause Regret, but at the time the Resolution was taken, our Seminaries were in Confusion, the Teachers of Language and Science had all engaged in the Army or were enrolled amongst its followers, as Deputy Quarter Masters, Deputy Commissaries, Clerks &ca. I was fearful the Period for Instruction might pass without a Possibility of Communicating it in this Country. The Phrenzy is now over and the different Classes of Citizens have returned or are returning to their Proper Stations in Civil Society— However Two of my Boys are in Europe and being there they must be instructed in all those things which they ought to learn. The Place where this can best be done I submitted to Doctor Franklin and Mr Ridley, for altho Geneva was originally intended, yet if any objections against that Place exist, I had no such predilection for it, as to make a Point of their being placed there.2 I would wish to avoid all unnecessary expence but I do not desire to save one farthing of money as a deduction from the Learning of my Children, the more they cost me the less I shall give them but Instruction at this Age is of infinitely more consequence than the Money it Costs can be hereafter. Upon these principles I wish them without Regard to expence to be placed where they can acquire the most perfect Education; from what Mr Ridley says I fear Doctor Franklin has found it Troublesome to ^interfere.^ permit me my Dear Friend to add you to the Number of my Boys Guardians in Europe, indeed you have anticipated my wishes in this Respect by the flattering assurance of “your constant attention to these promising Boys while you remain there”3 a promise from such Characters as yours operates like a Voluntary Tax, the Payment of which is inevitable, therefore I have only to vest in you a share of the Parental Authority and my Children will reap the Benefit. Mr Ridley will be happy in consulting your opinions as I shall in depending on them, my acknowledgements shall be made hereafter.—

I think these Children have tractable dispositions, that the Groundwork was laid for good morals and wish them to acquire as much knowledge and as many accomplishments as possible. At the Period when an eager pursuit of pleasurable objects may be likely to run away with them, I think of bringing them Home, even If I should be obliged to give them another Tour in Europe afterwards. I have Two Sons4 here who shall have the best Instruction to be obtained in this Country and hereafter we may Contrast them with each other and determine which has the advantage— Your letter of the 13th October I plead as my Appology for this and all other trouble I may give you, on this (to me) very interesting Subject.—

I cannot take time at present to enter on any political discussions. But you must allow me to declare my perfect Satisfaction in and approbation of your Conduct in Europe. All who have had the opportunity of knowing what it has been are struck with admiration at your patience under Difficulties and your firmness in rising superiour to them. Go on my Friend, you deserve and will receive the Gratitude of your Country History will hand down your plaudit to Posterity. The men of the present Day who are generally least grateful to their Contemporaries, esteem it as an Honor to be of your acquaintance.—

I am Sorry to hear that Mrs Jay and yourself have been indisposed but I hope you are recovered and partaking the enjoyments of this Season with the Gay, Sprightly Inhabitants of Versailles and Paris. my best wishes ever attend you. Mrs. Morris bears the warmest attachment to Mrs. Jay and yourself. She is very well and very merry. Kitty Livingston has been Plagued with Intermittants throughout the Fall, but she now looks charmingly and a certain Young Gentleman of this City is of my opinion

Our Friend Governeur writes you Political letters5 but as he tells you nothing of himself it is just that I tell you, how industrious, how useful he is. His talents and abilities you know they are all faithfully and disinterestedly applied to the Service of His Country. I could do nothing without him and our joint labours do but just keep the wheels in Motion.— With Sincere attachment I am My Dear Sir Your Friend & hble Servant6