I inclose to you a paper with the distrest State of an old Batchelor, not Supposing that you will answer the advertizement, but because amongst my acquaintance I know no one who So nearly answers his description—He has left his own qualifications out of the question—a dolt does he think to get Such a wife without Sterling worth on his own part? dr Franklin says [“]a Batchelor is not a compleat Human being. He is like the odd half of a pr Scissors, which has not yet found its fellow, and therefore is not half So useful as they might be together.”

now I think a Single Lady—not to Say an old ——— is a very usefull Being, much more So, than a Single Man yet you know I have ever been a warm advocate for Matrimony—and with Allen Ramsey in the gentle Shepard—I [“]knew that men were made for us—and we for men”

Harriet my pen is So bad that I cannot write half I have in my [. . .], which is rather wagish having had a good nights rest. Your Letter Shall go this day—

I shall read the peices You mention—I cannot get Letters from Monticello under a fortnight. we expect a visit from Gen’ll Lalamand—hear he intends one

Let me know when mrs Baily comes—Louissa remains much as She was when you left us—

yours as ever