I have recd. your Letter of the 25th.—1 The necessity of stopping at Rye is obvious, and as to your aunt, at least not improper— and yet visits, prompted evidently by Convenience, are seldom pleasing. I wish the arrangement had been such as not to involve the Introduction of a new Guest there— under existing circumstances, there can be no Desire to see other visitors than those of the Family, who I am persuaded will always have a welcome Reception; unless when ^(omitting direct visits)^ they habitually make it a mere halfway house, which I hope will not be the case. Had the arrangemt. been, that you should accompany her, all would have been done that Prudence could effect on the occasion— but the course which things have taken, did not leave that in your power— what is, is; and we must make the best of it. At the Time you shall appoint, my carriage shall (if in my power) be there— Nancy talks of going in it with Wm.— I wish the weather may admit of her taking the Jaunt, it would be a mark of attention to your uncle & aunt, and probably be useful to her Health— She is better than she was last week—

Provided the Partition be equal, the manner cannot ultimately be very important. I prefer a total and final, to a partial one— If we cannot obtain it by Consent, I think we may by the Statute.2

In a former Letter I mentioned the Information given to us, that Dona wished to return to our Service, and that I was willing he should— Has any thing abt. it passed between you & him? Perhaps the Information was not well founded, or that he may not be able so to order his affairs as to come immediately, or before May next: To such a Delay I should not object. When he left us I told him, that if he did not succeed at N York, he might return—it therefore appeared to me proper to take the notice I did of the Information in Question—

Will your affairs probably permit you to be with us at Christmas or N. Year? If you should come, bring with you those of my original Deeds & papers which are in your hands— If Mr. Munro has no particular use for my Deed from the Ex[ecuto]rs. of Mrs. Barclay, bring that also with you— I think he has my Deed from Mark also.— Such papers should be collected & put in their places before they escape our memory—

29— Clark is arrived, and brought the Flannel— an Effusion of Bile confined me to the house Yesterday.— To Day I feel as well as common— I am Dr. Peter Your affte. Father