Sincerely do I congratulate you on your Arrival amongst your Friends— I do not wonder at your Emotions on the Occasion. You had many causes to stir them & not among the least, the Seeing your dear little Boy. I assure ^you^ that at times, after you sailed, I felt myself uneasy, least any unforeseen accident, previous to your arrival, should check your and Mrs. Jay’s Joy.

My intentions were to have returned this Fall but some matters that I got engaged in threw me so far into the severe Season that I judged it more prudent to delay the Voyage until the Spring— In the Month of April I propose embarking & flatter myself soon after my arrival with seeing you & Family.

The friendly concern you take in my public Operations I feel very sensibly; and If any thing can add to a Man’s Peace of Mind, it is the approbation of good Men; & I am not a little proud of yours.—

I am Sorry to learn that Kitty continues delicate in her Health—1 I flattered myself that Country Air, and constant Exercise would have mended that; the delicacy of her Mind I am sure that nothing can change— It is the misfortune of those, who possess great sensibility of Mind, to have weak Nerves & consequently but a poor stock of Health.— I am shall be glad to hear of her safe return from Albany & that the Heats you seem to dread have not affected her.— I wrote her not long since, in Answer to a Letter she favored me with, by the way of Philadelphia.—2

I come now to speak of myself— My Health is much mended, and I may by experience say, that if the Frame will but hold together, the Asperity of Grief may be softened.— Mine is much calmer, and at times I can look back— I cannot say, without a Sigh, nor indeed without secret Emotion— The latter I am convinced will subside, but the former I trust will ever escape me. It is a Tribute justly due, and shall be paid.—

There is I find a bitter difference between our Friends Morris & Holker— It has given me much concern. The Ennemies of both are much pleased with it— I have not the least doubt that both have been in the wrong.

The Politics of this Country are much as you left them— A blind Infatuation & Ignorance prevails in all they do & must inevitably end in their destruction— They look at America with Horror & the narrowness of their Ideas makes them I really believe fear at times that we shall come and take the Island from them— They had much better fix their Attention, to the other side of the Water nearer to them.— I do not find that the least good disposition prevails for a treaty of Commerce with us— All the Trade they have with America now, they consider as their Right & settled upon them.— If they give us any Indulgence about the West Indies, they ask “what we can give in Return—& say we can give them no more than we have given to France—” It is a little strange that they do not, or will not see that England and America are in the situation of Strangers to each other & that both have all to ask & every Thing to give— The Magnitude of Demands & the Importance of cessions will both be hacked down by the pareing Knife of Interest; so let each look to herself.

Mr Adams & his Family and Mr. Jefferson are at Paris— Nothing is doing that I can learn, nor do I suppose there can until after the meeting of Parliament.— D Hartly is at last returned, not to return He is I find a Coalition Man & therefore I do not wonder that there was ^no^ pity Shewn to his sprained Ancle—3 The Doctor continues well. Billy4 has been here some time— His Intentions were to embark for America in order to try if anything would be done for him— He has dropped his Scheme for the present & will return to Paris in about ten Days.— Barclay & Family are well.

You will by the public Papers see what lengths the differences between the Dutch & Emperor have been carried— Some think there will be an open War between them— I doubt it— France mediates & must I think prevent it; & such is the situation of the Rich Hollanders that they must I think submit to any Terms that may be made for them.— I see but one way to prevent their being handsomely fleeced & I do suppose that ^the^ French will try that one before they offer any Cessions on the part of the Dutch. There is likely to be some difference between the Emperor & Turks about their Boundaries— If his Attention should be drawn that way he must for the present let the poor Dutchmen alone.— I think that this same Emperor is likely to prove a very troublesome Fellow to his Neighbours—5 There is no talk of any change in Administration in this Country. Mr Fox’s scrutiny goes on & no one can foresee when it will finish.—6 Taxes are heavy, Stocks low, Provisions high & money scarce— Yet the People drudge, grumbling, along, almost double with the weight that presses upon them; & at the same time think that France is the most Slavish Country in the World & America the most confused one.— That an enlightned Nation should become a dark one, no longer surprizes me— I think that this one is hastning to Ignorance, Slavery & Barbarism.—

Mr. Rucker7 & his Wife are here: by her I learnt that you were all well at the time she left New York.

I beg you that you will present my kindest respects to Mrs. Jay, Kitty & all the Family, and the same to yours—

I had nearly forgot. The Manager of the Rouen Manufactory sent me an Account against you for for the Velvet &c. for £418.10— I sent it out to Mr. Pringle & desired him to forward it to you & that he would let you know that if you had not given Orders to any one to pay it, that I would provided I got your Answer in Time.— My Sincere best Wishes ever attend you & I am with respect & Esteem Dear Sir Your much obliged hble Servt.