My Son William, on his Return this week from Sinsing,1 delivered to me the Letter from Mr. Waln and the notes relative to your Father,2 which he there recieved from you for that Purpose— I have perused these Papers, and return them herewith enclosed— To the notes I can make no material additions— There are two mistakes in them, which you will easily correct—

1st—Your uncle Richd. was not the first chief Justice of this State— On the Establishment and organization of of our State Constitution, I was appointed to that office—3 2d. I was not a Member of the Legislature of this State, when they passed the Confiscation Act— I was then on my Way to Europe.— I well knew before my Departure the Sentiments and Desires of certain Persons on that Subject, and therefore the Result did not surpr^i^se me— It was nevertheless my opinion that the Act ought to have been exclusively limited to those Individuals who had been guilty of Perfidy or Cruelty—4

Unless I am much mistaken, your Mother was a Daughter of a Brother of Mr. William Walton.5 The Impression on my Mind is, that Mr. William Walton had no children—

I have heard it said, but how correctly I know not, that an account of your ancestors from an early period, was still preserved in your Family—6 If so—it may be well to examine whether it does not relate some Facts and Circumstances, which may with propriety be added to the Notes— Your Father was frequently & sometimes long absent from his Family ^on public Business—^ and on those occasions he doubtless wrote many Letters to some of the Members of it. If they have been preserved, they will probably be found to contain some Paragraphs which cast Light on his Agency in public Affairs.—

Biographical Narratives require Time for the Collection, Selection & arrangement of the Materials; and it is more important that they should be interesting and accurate, than that they should be quickly compiled and speedily published— The long and uninterupted Friendship which subsisted between your worthy Father and myself renders me sollicitous that ample Justice may be done to his Memory! With the best Wishes for the Health & Welfare of yourself & Family I am Dear Sir Your faithful & obt. Servt.—