It was not until this Day, that I recd. your Letter of the 5 Inst1— owing to some Derangement in the post office, the two last mails did not come before Yesterday. It gives me pleasure to learn that your Health continues good—may it long continue so— mine is at present somewhat better—

The Day before yesterday, my Son William returned from Rye. He found there the two Sheep you mention, safe and well— He says some of the neighbouring Gentlemen had visited and were much pleased with them. I shall send for them the first fair Day; and am much obliged to you for procuring and forwarding them. An order on my Son at N York, for the Price & incidental charges will be immediately paid. They shall be treated in the manner you advise, and I expect they will gradually encrease, and produce a good Flock, if they should escape the Dogs; who occasionally do much much mischief. I wish they were well taxed— the Number of them is too great— there are Persons who can hardly maintain a child, and yet keep a Dog.

From what is said of the marino Rylands, I regret the Impediments which retard your importing some of them. I think it would also be useful to procure some, of the best English Breeds— by judicious Crosses a Race may possibly be obtained, which in point of fleece and Carcass together, would give more actual Proffit, than any we now have.— These are Matters which Experiments only can ascertain.2

From what I observe and hear, it appears to me that the Husbandry of our Country improves fast, notwithstanding the Scarcity and high wages of Labourers. In my opinion our Farmers are less attached to Prejudices, than those of other Countries. Ours being less ignorant, are consequently less obstinate. Ignorance seldom doubts the accuracy of its opinions, and Men must doubt and enquire and reason, before they abandon Error and embrace Truth. I believe however that few Improvements originate with the Peasantry any where. all I mean is, that our Farmers will more readily than others, follow the lead of skilful & successful agriculturists— if this be so, it will facilitate our progress as an agricultural people.—

A copy of your Memoirs has been placed in our Town Library— I am told it is read with great avidity, and I suspect with proffit.3 I expect more from your Rye, than I do from your wheat— I am glad they are both in a course of “successful Experiment”— I am not sure that they who have managed them a little negligently, do not give them the fairest Tryal; for in that way our Crops are generally managed. If with equal Treatment they should exceed in Quantity and Quality, or either, our common wheat and Rye, they will prove proportionably preferable.

Your Remark relative to M., I believe to be just— your having communicated a certain Letter to L. may have use. I doubt his concealing his knowledge of it.— From or thro’ him, M. will probably hear of it— and it may perhaps render him cautious—

I am sorry to find that your Favourite, (Selima) has “gone to the Dogs” but that is too often the Fate of many a fine creature, both litterally and figuratively— She lived however to a good old age, and without losing her Beauty; and you have doubtless many of her Descendants, in whom you can trace her Likeness, and with pleasure recollect their Relation to her. Mental associations of this kind are natural and pleasant, and in the course of Time they gather Strength from a Variety of occasional Circumstances— These Remarks are suggested by my own Experience— there was a mare belonging to my Father, which I rode as soon as I could ride— she was a favorite, and often carried me to and from School, &c.— Of her Stock I have always had Saddle Horses— those which I selected for that purpose, remained mine as long as they lived— The Remembrance of them often recals that of agreable Days and Incidents. The one I now have is above twenty years old; and tho’ of little real Value, has more of my particular care and attention, than any of the others of whatever price. This kind of Favoritism or Predilection may not be philosophical; but it is innocent and pleasing, and I indulge it.

As Benis is a Demo:, and his Sheep in great Demand, he deserves credit for letting a Federalist have a pair of his best Lambs at the ordinary price— it is more than some others of that Description would have done. There a ^are^ few Men in whom there are not some Traces of original Good, remaining undefaced by original Sin or acquired Depravity. The mass of men are neither very good nor very bad— Those who deserve either of these appellations, form two distinct bands, on the right and left—that is near the opposite Extremes of Virtue and Vice—the great Multitude being between them—

It is a rainy afternoon— I have written a long Letter, and should probably continue to amuse myself in writing on ^to the next page,^ but it is now so dark, that I can hardly read what I write. Yours affy.