I this Morning recd. your Letter of the 9 inst. with the interesting sermon which it enclosed; and I thank you for them both.1

A well arranged and well researched ^proper^ History of the U.S. would have much to recommend it, and in some respects, it would be singular ^or unlike all others^ It would develop the Great Plan of Providence for causing this extensive and (these) undiscovered part of the our world, to be discovered; and undiscovered[?] ^and these “uttermost” parts of the Earth to be gradually^ and filled ^filled these [“]uttermost parts of the Earth”^ with civilized and Christian People and Nations. The means or second causes by which this great Plan has long been and still is accomplishing, are the materials for History, of which the Writer ought well to know the use, and bearings & proper places. In my opinion, the Historian is never, in the Course of the work, ^is never^ to lose Sight of that great plan.

Remarkable Interpositions of Providence afford ^are^ fine materials ^subjects^ to the Historian, but they Exhibition of them cannot have the ^a^ full Effect, unless accompanied with a distinct view of the Objects & state of Things, to which they relate, and together to a It is by al discerning how admirably they fil are accommodated to and fitted to answer their intended Purposes, that the reader is made to reflect & to feel properly

Few among us have Time and Talent for such a work. I am pleased with the Prospect of your undertaking it—you will [illegible] disagreeable Fact, and I do believe that, with a due allowance of Time, that is, of not a few several Years, you would execute it well.2

As to aid from me—I am far more willing than able to afford ^assist^ you much. I became sick last Autumn and have not had a well Day since. Altho’ better, I am still feeble; and can neither bear much Exercise nor much Employmt. of any kind—even in reading and in writing; I find it necessary to be abstemious.

I regret the Circumstances which deprived me of the pleasure of receiving a Visit from You; for no Conversations are more agreable to me, than those ^with persons whom I esteem, and^ in which the Utile & the Dulce are blended— with the best Wishes for your Health & Happiness I am Dr Sr Your affete. & obt. Servt.