I was this Ev[enin]g fav[ore]d. with yours of the 14.1 pr post— It is now between 8 & 9 oCk. and I am just returned from Court— I am uninformed whether the Miss Allens are arrived.

I expect my Dear Sally to see you sooner than we expected—there is here a serious Determination to send me to England, if possible to avert a War—the object is so interesting to our country and the combination of Circumstances such, that I find myself in a Dilemma between personal considerations and public ones—nothing can be much more distant from every wish on my own Acc[oun]t.— I feel the Impulse of Duty strongly, and it is probable that if on the Investigation I am now making, my mind should be convinced that it is my Duty to go, you will join with me in thinking that on an occasion so important I ought to follow its Dictates and commit myself to the care and kindness of that Providence in which we have both the highest Reason to repose the most absolute confidence— this is not of my seeking— on the contrary. I regard it as a measure not to be desired but to be submitted to.— A thousand Reflections crowd into my mind, and a thousand Emotions into my Heart— I must remember my motto Deo Duce perseverandum.2 The knowledge I have of your Sentiments on these Subjects affords me consolation.

If the nomination shd take place it will be in the Course of a few Days, and then it will appear in the papers— in the mean Time say nothing on the Subject, for it is not impossible that the Business may take another Turn, tho’ I confess I do not expect it will—

My dear dear Sally, this Letter will make you as grave as I am myself—but when we consider how many Reasons we have for Resignation and acquiescence, I flatter myself that we shall both become composed.

If it ^please^ should God to make me instrumental to the continuance of peace and in preventing the Effusion of Blood and other Evils and Miseries incident to War we shall both have Reason to rejoice— whatever may be the Event, the Endeavour will be virtuous and consequently consolatory— Let us repose unlimited Trust in our Maker— It is our Business to adore and to obey— My Love to the Children— With very sincere and tender affection I am my Dear Sally ever Yours