Various causes, some of them of a very unpleasing Kind, have prevented my answering your favor of the 15 July1 till this late moment I thank you, however, most sincerely for it. I now return the Pamphlets, but without having been able to go through them— I must leave those great subjects to minds more capacious. I own the affairs of Europe affect me but little. My concern about political affairs ^matters^ centers in my native country—

My brother2 was made extremely happy by the manner in which you mentioned him & the evening you spent with him. I fear that a man who expresses a pleasure in attentions shown by you may be suspected of other motives than friendship especially in Massachusetts; for no other man I verily believe is more admired and esteemed than yourself, in that Commonwealth. The confidence of the people at large in our judiciary is perhaps one of the most pleasing Circumstances attending our infant government. Indeed the aspect of our affairs is encouraging in the extreme. May God grant that you may reap the fruit of your labors, in seeing the prosperity of your country established on a firm basis.—

The Dutch prophecy did not come up to what I supposed, nor have I been able to see my Kinsman so as to be able to state to you what it really is, which has been one cause of my not writing to you before. I shall not be unmindful of the conversation we had when you was here, if I obtain any information on this subject worthy of being communicated to you. My wife thanks you for your remembrance of her & wishes you would repeat the kind visit you made us. I cannot express, my dear Sir, how warmly I join in this wish. My brother & Mr Silvester thank you for your remembrance of them, & unite in compliments.3 I beg my respects to Mrs. Jay & regards to my namesake, with the warmest friendship believe me, my dear Sir, Sincerely yours