After mature Reflection I think it best for me to continue in the Army till the War is ended. You say an Officer who resigns at present will lose the Eclat his Services have given him. I thank you for your Advice, and have already improved it to Advantage, as you will find in the Subsequent Part of this Letter. Besides I feel my Happiness so intimately connected with the Prosperity of my Country that I cannot desert her in the Hour of Danger. And surely we are not free from Danger when the alarming the Depreciation of our Money, and the unfortunate Dissentions amongst our Rulers afford the Enemy such a flattering Prospect of Success.

How I shall be employed this Campaign is a Source of little Uneasiness to me. It is in public as in private Life a Person disposed to do Good will never want Occasions for the Exercise of his Abilities. I shall therefore content myself with serving as a Volunteer, Which I hope you will consider as a Mark of my extreme Modesty especially as I saw the Surrender of General Burgoyne and his whole Army.

The Hint I just mentioned has Reference to an Affair which I endeavoured to manage with all the Address of a modern Speculator. I will tell you the Particulars of it. My Brother’s Part of a Farm in Morris County was advertised for Sale pursuant to a Law of this State.1 Persuaded that my Part would be rendered less valuable if I did not purchase his I attended the Vendue for that Purpose. When it was set up the Commissioners indulged me with the Liberty of speaking to the People. I informed them of my Situation— My Services—my Sufferings in the Cause—and entreated them not to bid against me. I offered 500£ for it, not much more than enough to discharge my Brother’s Debts, and it was struck off to me. This purchase entitled me to one Half of the Farm which I afterwards sold for 3500£ Proc.2 I paid the Commissioners—kept a Trifle for a few Necessaries—and have put between 28 and 2900£ Y[ork] Money3 into the Continental Funds. Have I acted right? Hamilton thinks I have. I apply to Money as well as Knowlege that excellent Maxim of Horace,

—“Condo & repono

Quid max depromere possum.”4

The principal Reason which influenced me to take this Step, was a Conviction, in my own Mind, that the Money will regain a proper Credit in three Years at most. Does it not stand on the Broad Bottom of our Independence?

I was at Persippany a few Days ago with Mr. Watkins, who, I presume has waited upon you since he has been in Philadelphia. The little Boy and the Family were well. I am happy to hear that Mrs. Jay & Miss Katy are so agreeably situated in Philadelphia. I beg my best Respects to them and Brockhost. I promised to pay them a Visit; but have counted the Cost, and find, even if I had a Superabundancy of Cash, that my Servant’s Horse is too poor to carry enough to bear my Expences. I am, My dear Sir, Your affectionate Friend,