Your letter of the 8th has been recd as was in due season. the former one to which you observe you had recd no reply, the fact was that I had worn out the knees of my pantaloons in the humiliating posture of an eternal suppliant at the feet of the govmt begging favors for others. I became tired of it, and thought ought at length to pay some respect to my own character and to rise from the ground. since that time I have sollicited for nobody nor answered any letters requesting me to resume that painful attitude. in the present case there is a reason the more against it as having no claims on the present admn which would entitle any applicn of mine to notice. I hope you will consider as reasonable these motives for my present course and accept assurances of my continued esteem and respect

Th: J.