I received Yours of the 1st. March Yesterday.1 altho I did not suspect any Part of my Letter to be misterious or unintelligable, I confess I imagind, you would hesitate in answering to every Part of it—There was a Hobby Horse in the Way.

You have it seems been highly entertained of late, and by your Account of the Matter have attained every Qualification necessary to form a Buck, & entittle you to the appellation of a Man of Pleasure. Forgive me if grow serious upon this Subject. As I am sure you dont think me capable of flattering your Foibles, or mean enough to applaud what I disapprove, (especially in one to whom I profess to act with the greatest Candour, and Disinterestedness) so I hope Liberties of this kind will be taken in good Part, especially when dictated by Considerations, not necessary now to repeat. You are now in the Country, separated from Temptations, your Passions are reduced to their usual Calm, And your Spirits, like a silent Stream whose Woods defend it from the Winds that rage on shoares more exposed to Storms, again unruffled flow and glide with Ease—Reason has resumed her Seat, you think cooly, and you reflect dispassionately. Recollect for a Moment what time has elapsed since we have been free from the Drudgery of Business—That such an opportunity will probably not again offer, and therefore that it was by no means to be neglected. Then ask yourself how that Leisure has been employed. Enquire minutely into the Success of every Enterprise, and see whether a better Plan of Operations could not have been concerted. If I mistake not, and am allowed to judge from Appearances, you have lost by playing the Buck, and have gained nothing but a very uncertain Prospect of Advantage from by pursuing some late Measures. Dont be surprized, I know my meaning here is hard to be understood, but necessity wont permit me to be less obscure. For my own Part, I dont consider these Irregularities or Inconsistancies as being the Result of your natural Disposition, and Turn of Inclinations—I think I can distinguish the Scaffold, from the Pile—I disapprove them only as they seem in my Opinion inexpedient, and as they have not passed altogether uncensured. Their Propriety considered with Respect to right and wrong is another matter—but this is a tender Subject, I leave the whole to your own Reflections.

In your Letter is the following Passage, vizt.: “Nay, I will to fill up this Page go further, and tell without Fear &ca. how you pass your time, and shew (that tho your Fear of making your last Letter too long, prevented your giving me any account) that I am not wholly ignorant of the Happiness you enjoy, &ca.” Whence did you infer, that the fear of making my last Letter too long prevented my giving you an account how things went on with myself—I am sure there was nothing of this kind in my last Letter, at least of my inserting, and therefore cant concieve (unless some Tricks have been played with it) how you could think of making this Observation—look over my Letter again, for I should be glad to be satisfyed whether it contains any thing like this or not.

I am Sorry you have given Orders to have your Piece published before an answer thereto was prepared and agreed upon; it would be best you know, that the answer should be printed directly after the other, which cant now be done immediately, as your Removal to Cliermont will occasion Delays; I shall however desire Watt to defer the Publication till all things shall be ready: so that if he recieves my Letter before Thursday I hope every thing will be well.2

Betsey Cruger going to be married! Alas poor Peter! indeed Tis a good Maxim which I have somewhere found vizt. Credere Pastores levibus nolite Puellis.3

When do you return to Town? I really long to see you, and had I received your Letter a little sooner should have met you at the Bridge. I remain Dear Bob your Sincere Friend