Your letter of June 30 was duly recd. and the death of Mr. Monroe which it anticipated, became, I learn, a sad reality on the 4th. instant; its date associating it with the coincidencies before so remarkable & so memorable.

The feelings with which the event was recd. by me may be inferred from the long & uninterrupted friendship which united us, and the intimate knowledge I had of his great public merits, and his endearing private virtues. I condole for his loss most deeply with those to whom he was most dear. We may cherish the consolation nevertheless, that his memory, like that of the other heroic worthies of the Revolution gone before him, will be embalmed in the grateful affections of a posterity enjoying the blessings which he contributed to procure to it.

With my thanks for the kind attention manifested by your letter, I pray you to accept assurances of my friendly esteem, and my good wishes.