Your very friendly Letter of the 6th: Ult.1 was this Moment delivered. In what careless Hands it has lain so long I cannot concieve. An Expectation of being speedily sent to Albany induced me to defer answering your Favor of the 17 Ult. ^Octr^2 till I should have the Pleasure of a personal Interview. Our wise ones however for certain Reasons have suffered the Constitution to lay dormant, and Efforts have been made to postpone its organization—3

Your Sentiments respecting the Preparations for another campaign are just and the obstructing Hudsons River are just, and I should have Hopes of their being properly carried into Execution if under your Directions. These important Objects have been neglected. And the People begin to grow sensible ^of it^.4 They must feel ^it seems^ before they can percieve.

I am happy to find your firmness unimpaired, and your Attachment to your Country unabated by its Ingratitude. Justice will yet take place, & I do not despair of seeing the Time when it will be confessed that you laid the Foundation of our Success in the northern Department ^was lain by the present Commanders Predecessor^ I am nevertheless anxious for that such authentic Evidence of the Propriety of your Conduct shd be transmitted to Posterity as may offer us some contradict the many Falsehoods as they will hear of You Lies which will be told them by Writers under Impressions & under an Influence unfriendly to your Reputation. This Subject I think merits Attention. Facts & not a civil tho just ^a Single^ Resolution of Congress will in my opinion be sufficient ^effectual^ to do the Business ^I have thought much of this Matter^ but more of this when we meet.

Your offer of a Farm &c. is very obliging. be pleased to accept my Thanks for this Instance it. I am at a ^present at a^ Loss what how to determine. Let not my Delays however be injurious to You. This Place ^at wh all the Family now reside^ is by no ^means^ agreable or convenient if secure, which is also doubtful. I purpose doing myself the Pleasure of seeing you this winter & shall ^then^ avail myself of your Advice.

The Rapidity with which the Desolation of your seat at Saraghtoga ^is repairing^ does not surprize me. I used remember the Expedition to the Dispatch with which the Preparations for our first Expedition into Canada were compleated. I wish the Repair of our Forts &c. on the River was in the same Train—

As to your Loss of Influence among ^a^ certain Body, it is less so than you may imagine. The virtuous & sensible still retain their former Sentiments— The Residue ever will be directed by accident & Circumstances. Few possess Honesty or Spirit enough openly to defend unpopular Merit, & by their Silence permit Calumny to gain Strength. These however are temporary Evils & you do well to despise them— I am my dear Sir very sincerely Your Friend & obt Servt