I recd. your favor of the 5th. when I was prevented from acknowledging it by a bilious attack which has left me but little fitted even yet for the use of the pen.

The letter you enclosed from Mr. Rich holds out an interesting opportunity for valuable acquisitions to Learned Libraries. But I fear the scanty resources of our University will deprive it of a share in them

Maryland it seems is more fortunate in her Corn Crop, than the greater part of Virga. where the drought has been intense. The Tobo. Crop, tho’ not as short as your estimate of that in Maryland, suffered so much in the outset from the same causes, and from the want of rain thro’ the whole season, that it will make a poor figure in the Market. In this particular neighborhood, if the frost spares us for ten days, & the weather be otherwise favorable, we shall be comparatively well off.

You say nothing of your health. I hope our mineral fountains, and Mountain Climate did for it all that was necessary; and that you will not forget the road to a remedy should you again need it.

I beg you to present me in the best terms & with my best wishes to Mrs. Forrest & the young ladies, in which Mrs. Madison cordially unites, and to receive for yourself my continued esteem & friendly respects.